“They were killed by the hands of the Rose Faction, and by those who were in cahoots with Count and Countess Whitney!”

“……!”

Jane’s breath caught in her throat.

Seeing Jane’s agitation, Lady Burnett sneered as if pleased.

“Don’t…… lie.”

Jane managed to say.

“You may not want to believe it, but there’s even a confession letter he wrote. Cain knows everything too.”

Jane’s mind became an instant chaos.

“From the beginning, your parents intended to kill the Duke and Duchess of Hastings! They had written the Hastings name at the very top of the eradication list held by those Rose Faction bastards.”

Jane’s breathing became increasingly rapid. Her hands trembled at the unbelievable words.

“In the end, my elder brother and sister-in-law died.”

“My parents…… couldn’t have done that.”

Jane clutched tightly at her chest. Count and Countess Whitney had been on good terms with the Duke and Duchess of Hastings.

Even until they were taken away by the Queen’s knights, Count and Countess Whitney had been writing invitations to send to the Duke and Duchess of Hastings.

To think that those parents had designated the Duke and Duchess of Hastings as targets for eradication……

They had said it until Jane’s ears were numb.

‘It can’t be. It can’t possibly be true.’

Jane reached out and grabbed the back of the sofa. Her hands gripping the backrest were full of strength.

“It seems you really didn’t know. Now that you do know, live like a dead mouse. Understand?”

Lady Burnett poured out words like daggers to the panting Jane.

Jane barely caught her breath, squeezing her eyes shut then opening them.

If there was guilt, punishment was only right. That principle had to be upheld.

If her parents had caused misfortune to the previous Duke and Duchess, and if that was the truth, she could no longer turn a blind eye to Lady Burnett’s atrocities.

The only way for Jane to atone was to sincerely serve the Hastings family.

So Jane decided to be brazen just for this moment. She gritted her teeth.

“I don’t understand why I should live like a dead mouse, Aunt. There’s only one thing I know.”

Jane took several broken breaths. Clenching and unclenching her fists several times, Jane barely gathered her wits and stood up straight.

“You have embezzled the Hastings family’s assets, and I will no longer overlook it.”

“You, what, did you just say?”

Lady Burnett, her blood pressure rising, clutched at her neck.

“I can’t give you much time. It would be best for you to leave quickly.”

Having spilled out her words, Jane left the room, leaving behind Lady Burnett whose face had turned bright red.

* * *

“My lady, my lady?”

“Hm? Did you call, Hailey?”

“Yes. Shall I draw your bath?”

“Yes, please do.”

Jane answered in a weak voice. Hailey glanced at Jane as she headed to the bathroom.

‘She seems a bit off.’

From the dining room, Jane had seemed like someone in a trance. She didn’t hear people well, barely touched her meal, and even dropped her cutlery.

Hailey prepared the bath with a heart full of worry.

Confirming that Hailey had entered the bathroom, Jane buried her face in her hands. Jane’s state was a mess, unable to hide her troubled mind.

She didn’t know in what state of mind she had eaten dinner. Throughout the meal, Lady Burnett’s words wouldn’t leave her mind.

‘That my parents were the reason Cain’s parents died……’

Even if there wasn’t a direct connection, it seemed certain they had died by the Rose Faction.

‘Is that why Cain grinds his teeth at the mention of the Rose Faction? No wonder he would hate me.’

Jane wasn’t part of the Rose Faction, but she couldn’t say she was unrelated to them either.

Who would like a woman connected to the enemies who killed their parents?

She suddenly thought Cain was quite magnanimous.

Though he said it was for Joseph, he had paid off her debt and even put her in the position of Duchess.

‘Even if that was a way to torment me, it’s too much.’

If the situation were reversed, what would Jane have done? No, even without putting herself in that position, it was understandable.

In the kingdom, killing one’s parents’ enemies was a frequent occurrence.

More than that, did her parents really influence the deaths of the previous Duke and Duchess?

If that was really the case, what should I do?

How should I look at Cain?

Jane’s palms became damp with sweat.

* * *

Jane didn’t want to see Cain for a while, but unfortunately, the heavens were not on Jane’s side.

The next evening, Cain appeared at the dinner table.

“Cain, it’s been a while since we’ve had a meal together. Are you very busy with work? It seems those rose or weed things are really bothering you?”

Lady Burnett glared at Jane. It was with the intention of provoking Jane, but Jane didn’t change her expression once.

Jane had made up her mind after pondering all night.

She decided to find out for certain if her parents were involved in the deaths of the previous Duke and Duchess, and if so, to apologize a hundred times to Cain.

It was the conclusion she had reached since there was nothing she could do right away.

Jane rinsed her parched mouth with water.

“I’ve caused you worry, Aunt. I’ve been busy with the new history project.”

“Is that so? I thought those vermin were causing trouble again. Be careful, Cain. Your parents too……”

“Aunt, this doesn’t seem to be a suitable topic for the dinner table.”

Cain cut off Lady Burnett’s words, glancing at Joseph.

Jane swallowed a sigh.

Cain gestured to the servants. Soon, the servants brought the food. Only the sound of cutlery clinking echoed in the silent atmosphere.

“It’s so nice to have everyone gathered for dinner after so long.”

Unable to bear the awkward atmosphere, Lady Burnett said something she didn’t really mean.

“Yes, Aunt.”

Cain answered very briefly. A similar pattern of conversation continued afterwards.

No matter what Lady Burnett said, Cain maintained the same attitude. He completely blocked Lady Burnett from continuing the conversation.

Lady Burnett’s face gradually hardened. The atmosphere in the dining room became as chilly as a snowy winter.

Normally, Jane would have tried to lighten the mood, but today Jane just patted Joseph’s tense thigh, keeping her mouth firmly shut.

Lady Burnett wouldn’t welcome her help anyway.

“It seems our Duke is very tired. Seeing as he won’t even make conversation with his aunt.”

By the time dessert was served, Lady Burnett finally expressed her disappointment.

Cain, who had sent the dessert plates back to the kitchen, removed his finger from the handle of the teacup.

“You must be feeling lonely, Aunt.”

“I suppose so, Cain. As you know, I don’t know if Jane is teaching Joseph or just going out to play, she’s out of the house every day, and she won’t even let me invite guests as I please.”

Cain turned his head to look at Jane. Jane silently ate her dessert, pretending not to hear Lady Burnett’s harsh criticism.

“So you want to be able to comfortably invite your friends, Aunt?”

“If that could happen, it would be more than perfect.”

“It’s not a difficult matter.”

Color returned to Lady Burnett’s face.

The resentment she had felt towards Cain for being sulky throughout the meal completely disappeared.

He was indeed her nephew.

Lady Burnett raised her chin at Jane as if to say, ‘See that?’

‘Jane, no matter how much you try to drive me out, it’s useless.’

However, Lady Burnett’s joy was soon shattered.

“Jane, prepare a carriage for Aunt to return to the estate.”

Lady Burnett’s smile was torn to shreds.

“Cain!”

“Aunt, Uncle must be lonely. The Gillian estate needs your touch too.”

“Of course that’s true, Cain. But Jane hasn’t adjusted to the Hastings family yet, I need to help her by her side……”

Cain raised his hand to stop Lady Burnett. Instead, he asked Jane.

“Aunt says so, Jane, what do you think?”

Lady Burnett glared at Jane. Joseph gulped dry saliva at the tense atmosphere flowing between the adults.

Jane didn’t answer immediately, but thought. Cain’s words were too unexpected.

She hadn’t even imagined that Cain would ask her about Lady Burnett’s living arrangements.

Lady Burnett was Cain’s aunt, and according to Lady Burnett’s claims, someone he cared for very much, so she naturally thought he would prioritize Lady Burnett’s opinion over Jane’s.

That’s why she hadn’t told Cain that Lady Burnett should be sent home.

She had only said it directly to Lady Burnett.

“Jane?”

When Jane just fiddled with her teacup, Cain drew her attention.

Jane put down the teacup she had been holding with a faint smile.

She didn’t know with what intention Cain was giving her the right to decide Lady Burnett’s whereabouts, but Jane took this as an opportunity.

“Thinking of Uncle’s position, I can’t keep Aunt here.”

Lady Burnett looked dumbfounded as she reached for her water glass.

“I’ll make sure everything is well prepared for Aunt to leave comfortably, Cain. I’m thinking of preparing a gift too, since I received a lot of help while she was here. Is that alright?”

“Do that.”

Lady Burnett, not expecting Cain’s permission, trembled. She glared at Jane.

Of course, such a thing was no threat to Jane at all.

To be precise, Jane had no mind to consider Lady Burnett’s feelings.

She wasn’t used to the situation of Cain asking for her opinion and following it. Especially regarding Lady Burnett’s living arrangements.

‘Has Cain found out something?’

If so, he must not be feeling good either……

Jane glanced at Cain throughout the meal. Every time she saw his composed face, guilt crept up on her.