“Problem…..”

“Just say it. Don’t make people nervous.”

Jane pressed her lips tightly. Jane was distressed because of the note she received yesterday.

In a brief moment, her mind changed more than a dozen times about whether to tell Cain about the note or not.

There were many reasons not to tell.

It could arouse Cain’s suspicion that she might be related to the Rose Faction.

Moreover, she was also bothered by the fact that she couldn’t verify whether the content of the note was true or false.

If action was taken because of this note and nothing happened, it would be awkward for Cain. She would look foolish too.

On the other hand, there was only one reason to tell.

If something happens at the new station construction site, someone could get hurt.

But the probability was fifty-fifty.

Either something would happen or not.

When simply compared, it was better not to say anything.

Even from a purely selfish perspective, it was more beneficial for Jane not to say anything.

‘But what if someone gets hurt?’

If something happens and people are injured because she didn’t pass on the note.

The color drained from Jane’s face.

Then she would never be able to forgive herself.

Jane squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them. She grabbed Cain’s wrist as he was about to get off, having just arrived at the new station construction site.

“Cain, I have something to give you.”

* * *

Cain watched the lively movements of the people.

The completed Delphion New Station, built by renowned architects and engineers, was itself a good tourist attraction.

Even though trains weren’t running yet, it was crowded with sightseers.

As Cain and Jane approached the new station, the project manager came running.

He removed the safety line that had been set up.

“You’re here, sir.”

Here, Cain was the president of Heis Railway, not a duke.

“And the person next to you…”

As the man’s gaze fell on Jane, Nathan stepped forward.

“This is the president’s wife.”

“Oh, it’s the madam! Congratulations on your marriage. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Cain raised one eyebrow. The project manager shut his mouth at the uncomfortable look.

“If you have anything to report, do it quickly.”

Nathan poked the project manager in the side, who had frozen at Cain’s attitude.

Nathan whispered so only the project manager could hear.

“He’s in a very bad mood right now.”

“What did I do wrong?”

Cold sweat ran down the project manager’s back. Nathan shook his head slightly and pushed his back, telling him to hurry up and explain.

“Well, please come this way.”

The project manager, who had suddenly jumped forward, volunteered to guide them around the station.

“This part, as you know, was carefully designed from the planning stage…”

The project manager’s explanation was no different from what Cain had already read in the reports.

“Wait! Stop telling me things I already know, talk about the security aspect.”

“Pardon?”

Faced with an unexpected question, the project manager awkwardly smiled and looked at Nathan.

He remembered the advice to ask Nathan for help when communication with Cain wasn’t going well.

But Nathan had no way to help him either.

It was clear that Cain was in a bad mood, but he had no idea why.

And why was he suddenly asking about security?

“There are a lot of people around the station. If something happens, can all those people be evacuated quickly?”

“Huh? Those people are just onlookers…”

“Are you saying it’s okay if onlookers get hurt?”

“That’s not what I meant…”

The cold sweat beading on the project manager’s forehead was now about to trickle down. Nathan let out a small sigh and intervened in their conversation.

“Sir, is there something you’re concerned about? If you tell us, we’ll rectify it immediately.”

Cain closed his mouth. It was difficult to pinpoint exactly what the problem was.

The note Jane had given him didn’t contain any information specifying a terrorist act.

As soon as he recalled the note in his inside pocket, the pulse in Cain’s temple throbbed. Then, a murderous glint flashed in Cain’s eyes.

Those damn Rose Faction bastards had sent a declaration of war.

And Jane had boldly handed it to him.

‘Doesn’t she know I’m tracking the Rose Faction? Is she relying on her position as the duke’s wife?’

Thinking I won’t be able to throw her in the security force’s detention center?

No, it wasn’t a matter of whether to do it or not. First, he needed to figure out why Jane had given him the note.

Why did Jane keep giving him evidence proving her connection to the Rose Faction, when she should have hidden it?

The Rose Faction flyer that was in her house, the flyer that had fallen in the study, and today’s note.

After receiving the note, he even wondered if Jane had intentionally left the previous two incidents.

If she had acted according to his thoughts, Jane was practically begging to be recognized as part of the Rose Faction.

For what reason?

His mind was foggy, as if enveloped in mist.

Cain came to his senses at the sound of the manager taking a sharp breath as he watched him.

Right now, there were things that took priority over determining the authenticity of the note or Jane’s intentions.

“There are a lot of people, nothing big will happen. I’m just giving this out of an old woman’s worry.”

That’s what Jane had said when handing Cain the note.

How foolish.

They’re planning something because there are many people. It will become a hot topic, it will cause a commotion.

“Send away all the people around the station.”

“Sir, they’re just onlookers. We don’t have the authority to send them away.”

Nathan carefully expressed his opinion. There was nothing wrong with what he said.

“Since when did you only do things that were possible? Send them all aw…”

BOOM!

At that moment, a massive explosion rang out. Startled, Jane staggered, and Cain firmly grabbed her arm.

“Wh-what’s happening…”

The project manager’s mouth fell open.

One side of the station collapsed with a crash, and flames rose from that spot.

“What are you standing around for! There’s a risk of a secondary explosion, so gather all available personnel and evacuate the people!”

Cain wrapped his arm around Jane’s shoulder, who had gone blank, and headed towards the carriage.

“Yes, understood!”

Nathan slapped the dazed project manager on the shoulder and started running.

“W-wait a moment, Cain.”

Jane, being led to the carriage by Cain, stopped her feet.

“I want to help too.”

“What can you help with? Get inside.”

“I… want to go see.”

Jane tightly gripped Cain’s collar. She talks well despite her trembling lips.

“…It might be because of me.”

Cain couldn’t readily tell her it wasn’t her fault. But he didn’t blame her either.

“Please let me help. I’m sure I can be of use.”

Cain looked back.

People panicking from the sudden explosion, injured people screaming shrilly, Heis Railway employees running frantically between them.

The strength in Cain’s hand gripping Jane’s shoulder loosened.

“Do as you wish. But stay in my sight.”

Jane nodded and ran towards where people were gathering.

“I said stay in my sight.”

Tsk, Cain clicked his tongue. He wanted to hold her and keep her by his side, but there was no time for that.

“Sir, you should come see this.”

Nathan, who had been to the explosion site, handed him a paper.

“Found at the explosion site.”

It was a Rose Faction propaganda flyer.

“‘The Queen’s dog must step down, punish the parasites sucking the blood of the kingdom’s people’? Am I the dog and the parasite?”

Nathan swallowed hard. Cain neatly folded the propaganda flyer and tucked it into Nathan’s pocket.

“Send someone to the security force. Have the Black Hawks converge on Delphion by evening as well.”

“What do you plan to do?”

“Why ask the obvious? We have to catch them. We can’t avoid a fight they’ve openly started.”

“What about the station opening?”

“With the station in this state, we have to postpone it.”

Nathan, who had been quickly calculating the losses, frowned.

Nathan, who had experienced a lot of discrimination due to his background, didn’t particularly resent the Rose Faction.

But from this moment on, he was about to develop resentment.

‘Increasing our work, burning our money, thank you very much.’

Nathan gritted his teeth and followed Cain heading towards the scene.

* * *

“P-please save me! My child, my chiiild!”

A woman covered in dust wailed.

“What’s wrong, madam?”

Jane quickly approached her and held her hand.

The terrified woman pointed to one side, trembling. It was a corner of the station that had collapsed.

“My child, my child is trapped… He’s there, my child, my precious child…”

Jane’s lips parted. A thin moan escaped through her lips.

The scene before her eyes was horrific. The faces of the injured, hurt by the explosion’s debris, were filled with terror and pain.

Torn, ripped, broken… Even at a glance, there were more than ten seriously injured.

The price for her hesitation seemed too cruel.

“Please save him, please.”

The woman clung to Jane desperately, not even knowing who she was.

She couldn’t hesitate any longer. She had to handle this well.

Jane gripped her hand firmly.

“Yes, I’ll make sure to save him. Absolutely.”

Jane called over a Heis Railway employee in uniform.

“I’m Jane Hastings. Please take this lady to a safe place. And there’s a child trapped under there. Please prepare equipment to lift the pile of stones and a stretcher.”

“Uh, y-yes. Yes.”

Overwhelmed by Jane’s forceful demeanor, the Heis Railway employee didn’t even think to verify her identity and hurriedly moved.

Jane called over another person as well.

“Please arrange for a hospital close to the station, and send all the injured there.”

Jane efficiently organized the incident scene.

Cain, who had confirmed there was no risk of a secondary explosion, watched Jane from afar.

“We would have been in big trouble without the madam.”

At Nathan’s words, Cain gave a bitter smile.

If Jane hadn’t been here, perhaps this explosion wouldn’t have happened at all.

This sudden thought made his throat tighten.