“The previous Duke of Hastings had an influence.”

“…!”

As expected, but the shock was still considerable upon hearing it. Jane couldn’t even breathe and froze.

“Jane! Jane, are you alright?”

Cedric abruptly stood up and approached Jane. He grasped Jane’s shoulders and shook her.

Jane gasped for air as if she had been underwater for a long time.

“Jane, for now, lean on the sofa.”

As Cedric said, Jane leaned her head on the sofa and lowered her gaze.

“Can you explain in detail?”

Before the heavy feeling of exhaustion could take over her body, Jane barely managed to ask.

Cedric bit his lower lip. Could she handle it?

Jane’s condition didn’t look very good.

“Please tell me, Cedric.”

But because it was Jane’s request, Cedric sighed repeatedly and opened his mouth.

Instead, he was very cautious even when uttering a single word.

So Jane listened to his words even more attentively.

* * *

Cain, who had left the capital in the morning, arrived at his destination well past afternoon.

“Over there!”

Nathan, who slowed down the horse’s speed, pointed somewhere with his hand.

Following the direction of his fingertips, a lonely cabin in the middle of the field came into view.

There was a person who would explain the incident from 7 years ago.

It was the person Mary had found.

Cain recalled Mary, who had come to him late at night some time ago.

〈Do you remember, young master? There was a blind masseuse who served the previous lady for a long time. I thought that person might know something, so I searched and found out they’re still alive. And they sent a reply saying that if you want to know the truth, you should visit in person.〉

Cain wanted to leave immediately upon hearing those words, but the timing wasn’t good.

It was right after he had sent a message to Hugo that he would visit him.

He could always postpone his appointment with Hugo, but there was something he wanted to do for Jane.

So he delayed going to meet the masseuse and spent time with her.

That time was very satisfactory.

Even if it wasn’t perfect, he had captured Jane on the canvas.

‘I should touch up the painting first when I return.’

With that thought, Cain dismounted from the horse and looked around the shabby house.

“Wow, this house is really old.”

It was as Nathan said.

The cabin was covered with old planks and a roof that wouldn’t be strange to collapse with a single downpour.

Wild ivy vines blocked the walls and the only window.

‘I wonder if sunlight even comes in.’

Judging from the exterior alone, it was obvious that it would be dark even in broad daylight.

‘Well, since they said they can’t see well, the lighting doesn’t matter.’

Cain had a somewhat heartless thought.

“I’ll go in.”

Nathan knocked on the door. The peeling wooden door spewed dust every time it was knocked.

There was a presence felt from inside. First, the sound of a cane tapping the floor, tuk, tuk, and then the sound of dragging feet followed.

Just as the wait was becoming unbearable, the door opened. The rusty hinge made a spine-chilling sound.

“…You must be Lord Hastings.”

The old woman with gray hair deeply bowed her already bent waist. It was precisely in the direction where Cain was standing.

How did she recognize him when she said she couldn’t see?

“You always had a forest-like scent, young master. You still do.”

Her sense of smell must have been remarkably developed. She seemed quick-witted as well.

“Please come in, it’s humble.”

Guided by the wrinkled old woman, Cain entered.

As Cain expected, the inside of the house was very dark. It took time for his eyes to adjust to the darkness.

The old woman moved around well in that darkness and prepared tea.

Shortly after, the old woman placed a tray with teacups on the table.

It was surprising that there was a table in this one-room house with no distinction between the bedroom, living room, and kitchen.

Although its purpose seemed unclear.

“Please have a seat.”

“You sit down.”

The two offered the only chair to each other.

“No, young master. I can sit on the bed.”

The old woman turned to look at the bed about three steps away from the table. More precisely, she pointed at it. Because she couldn’t see.

There was no need to delay any further, so Cain sat on the chair. Only then did the old woman head towards the bed.

“Umm… Grandmother. The person who came today is no longer the young master. He is the Duke now.”

Nathan followed her and unnecessarily pointed out the obvious.

“Oh….”

The old woman opened her mouth and then closed it, her wrinkles moving like waves.

How interesting.

Her emotions could be read from her wrinkles.

She regretted the past that had already passed, and she was also proud.

‘Anyway, the Hastings old folks all think they gave birth to His Grace.’

Nathan recalled Norbert and Mary and smiled. He suddenly felt envious that Cain had grown up in a warm family.

“I apologize, Your Grace.”

“No need. Since the me you remember would be the young master, you can call me that comfortably.”

“You’re just like the Duke of Hastings. I mean, your father, the Duke.”

It seemed the old woman remembered the previous Duke of Hastings as a good person.

Who wouldn’t like to hear their parents being praised? Especially when it was Cain’s parents whom he respected.

Cain’s guard slowly came down.

“You said you had something you were curious about.”

Groaning, the old woman sat on the bed and spoke. Cain stared at the chipped teacup for a moment and then nodded.

Realizing his unintentional action, Cain immediately made a sound.

“That’s right. Do you remember the Whitney family being involved in the treason incident 7 years ago?”

Even though the old woman’s eyes had never opened, to Cain it seemed as if she was tightly closing her eyes.

Her calm demeanor that had persisted throughout was disturbed. Cain immediately asked a question before she could regain her composure.

“The crime of Count Whitney was by no means light. But the process leading to his execution was too fast, even considering his crime. I’m curious about the reason.”

“What do you think the reason is?”

The old woman was not an easy person to deal with. Although lacking in formal education, the years had taught her.

The old woman’s calculations continued, whether her words would become poison or gain to the other person, whether she would die or live because of it.

“Someone must have wanted the incident to be concluded quickly.”

The old woman nodded very slowly. It was unclear whether she was agreeing with Cain’s words or simply giving a perfunctory reaction.

“Please tell me more, young master.”

When Nathan tried to point out the form of address that had reverted back to young master, Cain stopped him.

He thought it would help her recall 7 years ago.

Just as a single book had summoned a string of memories for Jane and Cain, perhaps the form of address could play that role.

“When there are signs of manipulation in the process of resolving an incident, two cases should be suspected. Who suffered serious losses from this? And who reaped enormous benefits from this?”

“That’s right. You’ve learned well. The lady would be pleased.”

The lady the old woman referred to was the previous Duchess of Hastings.

The old woman pulled her clean but frayed sleeve and pressed the corners of her eyes.

“Much appreciated. Now, will you focus on what I have to say?”

Cain was gradually getting irritated. Time was being wasted because of the old woman who was immersed in recollections and indulging in sentiments in between.

As Cain’s voice lowered, the old woman tried to straighten her bent waist. It was her way of showing that she understood.

Her actions were adapted to a person who could see well, even though she was blind.

“The ones who suffered losses from Count Whitney’s death for treason were the entire Rose faction. And the ones who benefited… there were none. At least not directly.”

Cain took a breath for a moment. Like a beast holding its breath before tearing into the neck of its prey.

“But looking from afar, it became visible. The family that benefited. It was none other than the Hastings.”

Cain spoke as if he were a third party completely unrelated to the Hastings.

“I think you have something to tell me about this matter, am I right?”

The old woman stroked the round handle of the cane. It wasn’t as if she was surprised as if something had come, as expected.

Nathan lowered his head with a troubled expression, looking at Cain and the old woman.

“I’ll say it again, the master and the lady only did their best to protect the family.”

“That’s not an answer to my question.”

Cain spoke firmly.

“Do you want to know the truth?”

“If not, there’s no reason for me to come all the way here personally.”

The old woman was deep in thought. The time she spent contemplating was short, but it felt long to Cain.

Just as he was about to urge the old woman for an answer, feeling impatient.

“The master and the Count had many exchanges. You could say they shared almost everything.”

“Does that mean my father knew Count Whitney was colluding with the Rose faction? Before the accusation was made?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Cain’s eyebrows shot up like mountains.

Then why didn’t father stop Count Whitney before he was in danger?

The old woman provided that answer.

“The master also agreed with Count Whitney’s views.”

“…!”

Cain gripped the teacup tightly. Fearing the teacup would break, Nathan pulled it out.

Then Cain clenched his teeth. His confused eyes keenly observed the old woman.

Was the old woman’s words true or not?

Cain sighed and suspended his judgment. It didn’t seem like an answer would come easily. Instead, he urged the old woman to continue her story.

“So?”

A suppressed voice flowed out.

“When opinions within the Rose faction were divided, Count Whitney and the master’s views also diverged.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know the details either. All I know is that the master tried to persuade Count Whitney, who wanted to draw the line with the Rose faction, for quite a while.”

Shouldn’t it be the opposite?

Count Whitney must have been executed for insisting on supporting them until the end.

Before Cain could organize his thoughts, a shocking statement followed.

“And the one who informed His Majesty about the relationship between Count Whitney and the Rose faction was.”

The old woman took a breath. Cain focused on her lips without even blinking.

“None other than the Duke himself.”

At the thin voice that flowed out, Cain’s mind went blank. The surprised Nathan staggered and bumped into the wall with a thud, his feet getting tangled.

If Cain had been standing, he would have been no different from Nathan.

What did he just hear?

What is all this about?

Could it be a play staged by someone to mock him?

Words like Rose faction, Count Whitney, the Queen, Duke of Hastings, informing, execution, support, and such floated around.

Originally, it was a perfect sentence.

Count Whitney supported the Rose faction, and someone informed the Queen, leading to his execution.

When the word Duke of Hastings was inserted in between, everything became a mess.

It was like an overturned puzzle.

If it were true, who would know about this?

If it were really true, then he…

‘What have I done to Jane?’

Cain didn’t even have the presence of mind to ask the old woman if it was the truth.