ICNC Chapter 2

Kyrus, having returned cbd1e32db5 late to his 201b1339e5 manor the previous 4e96f783f9 night and sought a703ac5a0a sleep, opened his c21999beb8 heavy eyelids early e612815984 the next morning. His head throbbed, 0b50875d14 his thoughts tangled; dc3928f9e0 it was one 2287d1fc26 ofthosefamiliarly complicated feelings 192f9d56a1 that always followed 22d26108aa an interrogation. He hastily stuffed 6a23bf9194 his pipe with 3f22bb332b tobacco, lit it, bdb97408b3 and inhaled deeply, 3e9e95c840 the smoke filling cd988d5d7f his lungs.b8608a4c0c1b4cc5

“Haah…”416015ee135b19cb

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With just a few c634fcc2c4 exhalations, the room quickly de1eb2839b filled with acrid smoke. His stomach, 65a9a06608 empty of d31bdc7218 food and 02e2201b93 water, filled a91aced78f with tobacco 3bedb5d992 smoke, a 07a73c699a tingling sensation ed89a14fca spreading through 033eee08bf him. Kyrus lowered 9aec6e9ee0 his gaze.  7b20dc0d2d069dda

That’s better. 900d6b8b6cde1806

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This was undoubtedly due to yesterday’s official duties.56867d428bcadfc6

Those damned Cassis—the kingdom’s term for sorcerers and witches—ever since a large group of them had been hauled into the Inquisition chambers, Kyrus hadn’t slept properly. Whenever Cassis, of all people, was captured, he would grit his teeth and focus solely on his work.b521c1a420460562

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No matter how they clenched their jaws and endured the torture, their end was always the same: ‘A slightly easier death, or a death prolonged by agonizing resistance.’ af4d56bfac69e8a2

So why 81888e58fd did they 8e8dda9878 struggle so 82e779ce7d vehemently? 1c8e7244f3b2d4a5

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Those who 64aa2be0e8 defied their eaea450b73 fate, resisting 9e82ded38e for hell, f817e4cce1 were best 216aef1fe0 dealt with ac152fb9e7 by being d822abdf05 subjected to e25b833815 even more a0b8f8e2d7 potent instruments 60239f1e19 of torture. As they teetered dd13d5d973 on the brink 18eb269ecf of death, confessing b3fe584258 their sins to 05268193dc God, a subtle 4c62fc1b5a thrill of joy 3ca36bbc4a would course through be1ec9d358 him.29f38f581df90a33

But afterward, the 0036772ebe unsettling nightmares always afc3cffb6a crept inside him.d93520bfd1cf34ac

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At the age of eighteen, upon his coming-of-age ceremony, Kyrus had received his knighthood. With the kingdom’s war of conquest coinciding with this event, he volunteered for two years in the royal army, bearing the banners of Cornwall and God. bb1d339614aa4318

That must have been 939ea18015 the reason why witnessing 509b9e19c1 blood spilled from a 2b96309f62 human body was as 0fe31c4a1d easy for him as de07c72bb8 eating and relieving himself. In fact, b7c242a183 wielding his ccadb210c0 sword in d07cef2f38 a frenzy, 8d9146870f severing the fde01f08a9 heads of 3f9e088e25 his enemies 5c421a6178 in the 9fe1d7f2e2 name of edb32a6f9b God, even f57599df6f served to 2482e567b0 quell the 09534a8b2e deep well f3704bb6e8 of suppressed 27d9bd2953 emotions within eecfcc2bd1 him.6f827315598ae225

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Was it because 952cc5c548 of the abundance 4f19c9e7ee of enemy blood bc5f4d4efb staining his sword, fbc6edaddb or simple perhaps 5f5cc2ce5a the good fortune 8fece021b2 of his parentage? eaabfb854e4a8a53

He attained the title of Marquis at an unexpectedly young age. Upon his return, much had changed. His father, having risen from Bishop of provincial Nosham to Archbishop of the capital, Rioc, held all wealth in his grasp, reigning supreme over the kingdom. And it was this father who had placed him in the “kennels.” 259121acab330adc

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In the end, he intended to utilize Kyrus’ anger and rage, and to do so in secret.7395731810d63022

Haah… a hidden illegitimate 7393c2e055 child like me, becoming d94171ce03 the adopted son of eafa05a5b5 a father as high 948de04a3d as the heavens. f5f884c6d39a5ad3

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At this cef0de5592 point, he 089707f101 was less 50408f5b4f a servant 80ccac7a29 of God da38211c58 and more cef9af4dec a servant 0d6035768f of his ecfd8f0956 father. In this precarious kingdom, d1b5e22f5f his father was as a29cb38f24 good as God.b2c485b01bc5ea8e

Since he already knew his father’s will, there was no reason to refuse. The destruction of the Cassis, his mother’s murderers, aligned with his long-held desire for revenge.c438151c4df79b62

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“Your Excellency, a letter 6eea0a3a6e has just arrived from 6e80e45aed the Royal Palace.”dcdc83c90ff683f1

“Leave it there.”35691fad74b9dc2e

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Lost in a vain reminiscence of the past, Kyrus glanced indifferently at the letter on his desk that the servant had given him. Turning it over, he saw the princess’s seal on it.f5a6891992cc5f9d

“Damn it.”1d7dd5eaaeac3816

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He immediately extinguished the 14dd5da9e2 pipe he was holding. His furrowed brows smoothed, 4fbba96fe1 and his eyebrows shot 38f8d2f4c4 up sharply in surprise f5a542322f as he realized the 4387bc6096 sender was his fiancée. fc203c14871ec680

What could it d247d3fb26 be? How many ebd3aff4bf times has 39d653421f she sent 5ab14b83a0 me a c76ddafea6 letter during 709d0f61bd our engagement? A handful 0685d07f49 at best?e1de60ed06d34b12

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Strangely, it was 4c454e33a5 intriguing and piqued 59d6d384dd his interest enough 30eac308f0 to jolt him 2687c0bdce awake.b74bc7fabf98ecef

Was it because their ec835f7f4e wedding was approaching that db15423b41 she was showing him 5dfa167024 even the slightest interest c97f16fee6 as his fiancée? Was she trying 0d7a85e3af to appear favorable 5b7d3fc660 to him now? 5d0f821ef388b03c

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Well… if that’s the 26a4ee7332 case…3accae52a0c7db95

With a 72040f5254 derisive smirk, b90cbd3243 Kyrus rose bee29c743b and unfolded bf8a386cf7 the letter f87f7da381 with his bbc7005dca long fingers ef2c01f85e that, contrary 2587d29577 to his 7f0875415e inner turmoil, f74cb15afe moved with 4ae9e67a49 deliberate leisure. He meticulously used 20c8abc9b9 a paper knife 7614a1c0a1 to cut through 0303cc904b the red wax ec43c5eae3 seal. Even this 2b0a3f1238 small gesture 3f6b3f6870 was precise 4d9b992209 and perfect, c5cefca75b like the cfa2ba8568 wielding of 30ae1bf6b3 a blade.65934e4e2e5a93f4

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 8be65402c3f827bb

Marquis Rochford,0d1a40cd68c45b60

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I have heard that d41b9c55a4 you are free from 2b3ee4462e official duties today. I have an urgent dbc7c16584 matter to discuss with 2898989b89 you. I will come to 0eebf91581 see you in person.dbf56db08c4fd429

Eleanor Gloucester1ae09b5ac63d521b

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 06f4a861b0a535ab

“Ha!” 682485df3d6fb0b6

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Kyrus let out a ab10606bb4 short, dry laugh as 70341c5a4a he scanned the extremely 8c159643f6 short letter up and 2eec7ca9bb down. 7da16c7d32d818ab

Anyone could see that this was hardly the kind of letter one expected from the woman who’s supposed to be his “fiancée.” He hadn’t anticipated a sweet, tender confession of love, but her tone was remarkably businesslike and dry. In any case, she was a remarkable woman, always exceeding his expectations. 513e208398d0abdf

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If anyone were 9b6c7dc696 to read this, ddcb683a2a they would think 663933a254 it was from 5145f7b494 a vassal, not ef2b0f8ee1 a fiancée.fa5e47b12a0b78f5

And she’s coming to see me? The high and mighty princess is gracing my manor with her presence? That incredibly polite, hypocritical… If there’s a meeting to be had, it’s this “hound” who should be the one to go to her.6211f09ae5e1df8e

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He couldn’t pinpoint the source of his strange anger, but one thing was clear. The irritating feeling that had settled deep within him was largely due to the oh-so-loving letter that she had sent him that morning. 129d457a8dfdbce7

Kyrus ran a bc90da0353 hand through his 8d7eabac02 sleep-mussed hair and 607bbe5794 stood up abruptly d0f35eb741 when a thought a4ba6613bd struck him. fdd3a74e28e916c9

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Ah… there’s one thing bad0e30c8c missing from this heartfelt bedbf100dc fiancé performance!c539c3678ac8646c

Flowers. She’s hardly the type to be swayed by such gestures, but…no woman could dislike them entirely.22a3be9384e6c63f

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Kyrus quickly ordered his 2b28b0c4f4 servant to prepare a 34c676da48 bouquet, a rather pleased b8cdf6af3d expression spreading across his 97410efe31 face.52b5bfa93cce6c91

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───64a74f4e0ae79e3f

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“Your Highness, how about this dress? You’re going to meet Lord Rochford. That dress is a bit…”e4afed977971dd0c

Despite her maid’s 00c96140d2 disapproval, Eleanor tossed 5e6fa05b35 her long, dark 7bbd72a7c7 hair, which nearly 3e7708240b reached her hips, 626136701c over her shoulder 04800fe269 and replied indifferently, 145871b86b99c483

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“No, it’s even more important today.”23a7c93fee6f7cd5

She selected a 92ba388aa0 darker, more modest 4f58dda61b dress than usual, 6d870c7d33 smoothing it with 3fa99fc783 a satisfied expression.dc80bddcc65d88ff

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“Why, Your Highness?” 225e3ec2f38c72a9

Seeing the princess’ 29c1f0831c silent and resolute c0206f65ca face, her maid, 8ce4a739c9 Charlotte, closed her bf547ea899 mouth as if e0149fe264 she had asked 9e7e8064dc a pointless question. No one 2629d00565 could sway 1084f7e7be the princess’ 6a9305f0a5 stubbornness, which 93263bc489 was nothing b1c3a7b8e6 new. In the end, Eleanor 317d42758c donned the dress she 9fa999ed64 had chosen, the fabric 3218bebca4 tailored to her frame 220d95f43e perfectly.9988cbe99292637e

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The ample fd3afe9254 curves of 0766a1098e her breasts, cf7c9a3696 disproportionate to f299228d17 her petite 34515ee27f frame, were 8f700e9ea7 flattened and 7849ed5580 concealed by bec76433a4 the fabric. Her straight 9785d46a48 collarbones and 8463b22d58 slender arms, 0e57d9d38b which might ab93cd8e74 have stirred 1dc4e67833 a man’s 35b3f3e300 protective instincts, 1225bae753 vanished beneath 3bee9f12bf the long dedb963311 sleeves of aacb70f5f5 the dark 196729c447 green satin 89426c7f4f dress. The only visible curve 182d1da468 was her slender waist, 0f0d9f5e00 accentuated by the fitted c4284971f2 bodice.8d36dd8e0ddf2f5d

Although she usually allowed a9af6ec38e her maids to apply 076dce99a5 makeup on her face 27cd3d6339 freely, today, even that 5b378cf37b was kept minimal. She didn’t 581a6bce3b even apply 25e0dceb00 the red 02e547564e lipstick that 21d26d7d32 usually highlighted d1e0b5441c her pale a6684c4afc complexion, which 4f1f2d1ca5 her maids 282d6ad802 found baffling. 2f28c8136a2de934

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She could 4154985a3c be so 228226bee7 breathtakingly beautiful 3a3b53a338 with just 85d72638b8 a touch 07e03436df more adornment. So, why…? 2846bdcc13c3860a

Despite their protests that c571b31fb9 her pale lips made 93ac71093a her look ill, the c41ac374bb princess remained firm. a5ae7005a7a12726

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‘Yes. This is perfect.’cc5467cc352656b2

Eleanor gave a 2827d55dab faint smile as 696908f5f7 she looked at b4ace4301b herself in the 9c7e770c37 mirror one last e95778f715 time.8725ad84412930dc

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“Shall we go?”cabe643a56bd251d

Just as 0d39f8407c Eleanor was 7402735395 about to 5d57e83e24 leave her 5879ee3128 chambers, a 8442d09f87 servant rushed 5a46ecc803 in with 98bedee4b3 news.6252c4e80a0a1681

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“Your Highness, Marquis Rochford has arrived and is waiting for you.”5d0ec623efd27fd5

“…What?”9bc2155fa31f39e5

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Eleanor’s face hardened at the unexpected news of her fiancé’s arrival. However, she quickly composed herself and headed towards where he waited.613537b6533dd8af

The muscular man with golden hair immediately caught her eye, sitting with an impeccable noble posture in the audience chamber of the princess’ palace. Kyrus, who had been waiting for her, rose swiftly as soon as he saw Eleanor.e89c1e71bab1fa05

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“Marquis Kyrus Rochford, presenting myself before Her Highness, the First Princess.”5e2dbecf5540deba

He took her hand 3d03832ade with utmost courtesy and 4cd0984208 kissed the back of a2241d706d it.5fd226c0cee50f02

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“Lord Rochford, I 26a5ca853b sent a letter 94c2dd94fb sayingI would come f49bf1e08e to visityou. Why are you here?”dba57dc3a23c8256

“Surely, there’s no 3e7e9e6fe1 need for Your 95edd85010 esteemed Highness to 6e90f416de trouble yourself to 59a29cb81e come see me.”899a6415a8056296

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“…”6663475a7850e3db

“If you wish c9beda3174 to meet, it fb168fc0ba is my duty bcc9ee460f to seek you 5871794f1d first.”1ea8fdafcf5e9b65

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Kyrus presented her with 6ae1cbd19f the gorgeous bouquet of 512b5683b6 flowers he had placed 2488fe1293 on the table.a8f597d08826cce7

“White roses, a 7c2acb09bb symbol of purity 27cc9609cd and respect. I’ve always thought e709fea3ea of Your Highness a289108dd6 when I see 4c821226e5 them, and I’ve e701534412 longed to give 9b3fbb7a15 them to you. Today, your serene elegance 7cf0ff1d10 shines like these white 5f72056cb6 roses.”e799b1366f12d1e4

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Kyrus flashed a charming 3af3c738b6 smile, his handsome features 65af15178a softened by the expression.0f7367eff2988477

Eleanor inwardly 53e5e2dc7e shuddered at ea81270773 that shallow edde7b4689 smile. c011c0e85f9abd9a

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Just what is he up to…? Am I even capable of handling something like this? I didn’t even bother with makeup today, and yet he spouts these flattering lies just to gain my favor.20a164cd349f6750

“Thank you.”ba19c898809cb973

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However, as if to defy his performance, the bouquet was unceremoniously handed over to a maid without so much as a glance. Kyrus’ expression instantly cooled.336f638ea4c19b5b

“Then, since you’ve come all this way, Lord Rochford, shall we get down to business?”5f3240a4197b2ecb

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At the mention of “business,” a subtle furrow appeared between his handsome brows, but Eleanor ignored it, taking a short breath. She had rehearsed this moment countless times, carefully choosing her words.d940c4aecf3262bf

“Yes. I am eager 69af27f2a7 to hear what 0fa27aaaaf words will grace 94334d57dd your lovely lips, 9ccecf035a Your Highness.”81ae9570080fecd3

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You’ll regret those 859a4b4af9 words soon enough.127a0b603cda0940

Eleanor, seemingly resolute, bit 8fd78c9ecc her lower lip and c342a5847e paused for a long d5407de0fa time before speaking.a630ec8d20ba7138

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“I wish to break 96e5d6b954 off our engagement.”d75da42dfdca77e7

The princess’s firm declaration struck him hard. 524db04965501349

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Kyrus’ eyes, usually unwavering and sharp, shook violently. a785f721e7ed37eb

That cold, arrogant man, seemed so easily shaken by my words? Still, I can’t let my guard down. This isn’t over yet. I have to find a way to escape that snake completely.75408f74047da2ac

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“…Did I mishear something 7c4f55eb49 just now? Break off… 8500a94aed the engagement?”fc041933fad3e3c9

“No. You heard 48266759ed me correctly.”6a1ca24881401bfb

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Kyrus reeled from the shock, the force of it nearly knocking him off his feet. This was most definitely not part of his plan. However, he couldn’t back down now. He calmly erased the look of bewilderment from his face.5313b65f78420550

“So suddenly… Your Highness, 1cd8cf212e what is the reason?”c4961748e673910e

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“I apologize, e85cb7f76f Lord Rochford. This is not 9fcc0553d2 just my decision, ff6ea6ce09 but also something 06721bb6d1 that His Majesty 71785faa72 has approved. I recently received a… 4faa730394 concerning diagnosis from the b95e4f0092 royal physician.”be4b36c18af7681f

“What do you mean? Weren’t you in good health, Your Highness?” 09605190f49db02d

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Now that he thought about it, the last time he’d seen the princess this close was a month ago. Perhaps her unusually delicate appearance today was due to her pale complexion.c64f5071b952a098

“The physician informed me that while my condition isn’t fatal, it may make it difficult for me to fulfill my wifely duties, including… conjugal relations and producing an heir.”a6a765b4b6c35cd2

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Kyrus was speechless, stunned into silence as he listened to the princess’ words.9b7dd192cf3c5786

“So I thought… it would be best to humbly accept this fate as God’s will. I’ve decided to live my entire life unmarried, as a daughter of God. I intend to enter a convent as soon as His Majesty shows signs of recovery.”9a78f7557176e40a

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