ICNC Chapter 2

Kyrus, having returned late to his manor the previous night and sought sleep, opened his heavy eyelids early the next morning. His head throbbed, his thoughts tangled; it was one of those familiarly complicated feelings that always followed an interrogation. He hastily stuffed his pipe with tobacco, lit it, and inhaled deeply, the smoke filling his lungs.

“Haah…”

With just a few exhalations, the room quickly filled with acrid smoke. His stomach, empty of food and water, filled with tobacco smoke, a tingling sensation spreading through him. Kyrus lowered his gaze.  

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That’s better. 

This was undoubtedly due to yesterday’s official duties.

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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.

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.’ 

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So why did they struggle so vehemently? 

Those who defied their fate, resisting for hell, were best dealt with by being subjected to even more potent instruments of torture. As they teetered on the brink of death, confessing their sins to God, a subtle thrill of joy would course through him.

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But afterward, the unsettling nightmares always crept inside him.

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. 

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That must have been the reason why witnessing blood spilled from a human body was as easy for him as eating and relieving himself. In fact, wielding his sword in a frenzy, severing the heads of his enemies in the name of God, even served to quell the deep well of suppressed emotions within him.

Was it because of the abundance of enemy blood staining his sword, or simple perhaps the good fortune of his parentage? 

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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.” 

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

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Haah… a hidden illegitimate child like me, becoming the adopted son of a father as high as the heavens. 

At this point, he was less a servant of God and more a servant of his father. In this precarious kingdom, his father was as good as God.

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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.

“Your Excellency, a letter has just arrived from the Royal Palace.”

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“Leave it there.”

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.

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“Damn it.”

He immediately extinguished the pipe he was holding. His furrowed brows smoothed, and his eyebrows shot up sharply in surprise as he realized the sender was his fiancée. 

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What could it be? How many times has she sent me a letter during our engagement? A handful at best?

Strangely, it was intriguing and piqued his interest enough to jolt him awake.

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Was it because their wedding was approaching that she was showing him even the slightest interest as his fiancée? Was she trying to appear favorable to him now? 

Well… if that’s the case…

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With a derisive smirk, Kyrus rose and unfolded the letter with his long fingers that, contrary to his inner turmoil, moved with deliberate leisure. He meticulously used a paper knife to cut through the red wax seal. Even this small gesture was precise and perfect, like the wielding of a blade.

 

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Marquis Rochford,

I have heard that you are free from official duties today. I have an urgent matter to discuss with you. I will come to see you in person.

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Eleanor Gloucester

 

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“Ha!” 

Kyrus let out a short, dry laugh as he scanned the extremely short letter up and down. 

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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. 

If anyone were to read this, they would think it was from a vassal, not a fiancée.

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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.

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. 

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Kyrus ran a hand through his sleep-mussed hair and stood up abruptly when a thought struck him. 

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

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

Kyrus quickly ordered his servant to prepare a bouquet, a rather pleased expression spreading across his face.

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─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

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

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Despite her maid’s disapproval, Eleanor tossed her long, dark hair, which nearly reached her hips, over her shoulder and replied indifferently, 

“No, it’s even more important today.”

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She selected a darker, more modest dress than usual, smoothing it with a satisfied expression.

“Why, Your Highness?” 

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Seeing the princess’ silent and resolute face, her maid, Charlotte, closed her mouth as if she had asked a pointless question. No one could sway the princess’ stubbornness, which was nothing new. In the end, Eleanor donned the dress she had chosen, the fabric tailored to her frame perfectly.

The ample curves of her breasts, disproportionate to her petite frame, were flattened and concealed by the fabric. Her straight collarbones and slender arms, which might have stirred a man’s protective instincts, vanished beneath the long sleeves of the dark green satin dress. The only visible curve was her slender waist, accentuated by the fitted bodice.

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Although she usually allowed her maids to apply makeup on her face freely, today, even that was kept minimal. She didn’t even apply the red lipstick that usually highlighted her pale complexion, which her maids found baffling. 

She could be so breathtakingly beautiful with just a touch more adornment. So, why…? 

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Despite their protests that her pale lips made her look ill, the princess remained firm. 

‘Yes. This is perfect.’

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Eleanor gave a faint smile as she looked at herself in the mirror one last time.

“Shall we go?”

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Just as Eleanor was about to leave her chambers, a servant rushed in with news.

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

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“…What?”

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

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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.

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

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He took her hand with utmost courtesy and kissed the back of it.

“Lord Rochford, I sent a letter saying I would come to visit you. Why are you here?”

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“Surely, there’s no need for Your esteemed Highness to trouble yourself to come see me.”

“…”

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“If you wish to meet, it is my duty to seek you first.”

Kyrus presented her with the gorgeous bouquet of flowers he had placed on the table.

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“White roses, a symbol of purity and respect. I’ve always thought of Your Highness when I see them, and I’ve longed to give them to you. Today, your serene elegance shines like these white roses.”

Kyrus flashed a charming smile, his handsome features softened by the expression.

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Eleanor inwardly shuddered at that shallow smile. 

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.

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“Thank you.”

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.

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

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.

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“Yes. I am eager to hear what words will grace your lovely lips, Your Highness.”

You’ll regret those words soon enough.

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Eleanor, seemingly resolute, bit her lower lip and paused for a long time before speaking.

“I wish to break off our engagement.”

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The princess’s firm declaration struck him hard. 

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

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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.

“…Did I mishear something just now? Break off… the engagement?”

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“No. You heard me correctly.”

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.

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

“I apologize, Lord Rochford. This is not just my decision, but also something that His Majesty has approved. I recently received a… concerning diagnosis from the royal physician.”

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

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.

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“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.”

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

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“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.”