ICNC Chapter 3

Kyrus’ cold face, his expression unreadable, radiated a palpable chilling aura. Eleanor felt a shiver crawl down her spine at his frigid reaction, but she pressed on, wanting to finish it immediately.

“I understand this sudden news must be disconcerting. Marrying me would only bring a misfortune for you, Lord Rochford. Instead, it would be far better for you to find a healthy woman who can provide comfort and build a noble family…”

The blue veins on Kyrus’ tightly clenched fists bulged. If he were alone, he would have roughly slammed his fist against the wall or the desk, but he forced himself to maintain a veneer of composure.

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“Even without me, there’s still the Second Princess, Margaret. She is a lovely and kind young woman, more than worthy to be the Marquis’ bride.”

Margaret was the current queen’s only daughter. After Eleanor’s mother, the previous queen, had died, Queen Louisa seemed diligently devoted to producing an heir, but she had only managed to bear one daughter.

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“I beg your pardon?” 

Hah, she wants to pass me off to her sister?

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Though likely meant as a considerate suggestion, Eleanor’s words not only stiffened his face but also ignited the deep anger he had been trying to suppress. He gave a twisted, imperceptible smile. 

Absolutely not. I won’t let you get away from me.

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For a moment, a cold silence descended between them.

Kyrus was remarkably adept at controlling his emotions. He continued speaking, his gaze sweeping over her face with a deceptive calm.

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“However, Your Highness, what if I don’t mind?”

“What?”

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Eleanor’s voice wavered slightly, her carefully laid plans to escape from him taking an unexpected turn.

“I am a loyal subject of the Cornwall Kingdom and your fiancé. Even if Your Highness is unwell, how could I abandon you as your betrothed? I am prepared to take responsibility for you and serve you as my wife, regardless of your condition. Even if it means we cannot have an heir.”

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“You truly don’t mind any of that?”

“That is correct. As I swore before God, I will never abandon you.”

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Damn it, why exactly does this man want me so badly?

Eleanor’s carefully constructed plan was unraveling, and anxiety gnawed at her.

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Kyrus watched her face grow even paler, a cold smile playing on his lips.

“Kyrus.”

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When was the last time she called my name…? 

The unexpected sound of his name on her lips reignited the anger he had momentarily quelled.

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“Kyrus, I’m asking just in case… do you… love me?”

“…”

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Love her? This foolish woman… such nonsense. 

Haah… this woman is an endless source of frustration. There’s no other reason why I want you. I know your secret. I know what your dead mother was. What she did. Eleanor, that’s why you must stay by my side.

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“Do my feelings matter to Your Highness? However, if you must ask, I can answer that I do adore you, Your Highness.”

His brilliant blue eyes widened, his tone more courteous than before, emphasizing the honorific title. Feigning concern for his fiancée, he began to pour out a torrent of his fabricated emotions.

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“Is it a sin to harbor feelings of love for one’s betrothed? If my true feelings are a sin, I shall confess to God and accept my punishment. My heart aches deeply today, so I implore you to reconsider your words of breaking off our engagement.”

“…”

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Eleanor’s face had paled considerably, and she turned her head away. Kyrus, glancing at her, gave a wry, hidden smile.

“Lord Rochford, even with your words, my decision remains unchanged. Please consider the Archbishop and the Rochford family carefully and also reconsider.”

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“Yes, Your Highness. Then I shall visit you again in a few days. Until then, as your fiancé, I sincerely ask you to take good care of yourself.”

“Yes, very well.”

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He’s a frightening man, clinging to me until the very end. Just what is the source of this strange obsession with me? I can tell just by looking at his cold eyes. His words are lies. No matter how sweetly he tries to coax me, it’s nothing but a silent mockery, a way meant to crush me. And am I being overly sensitive to feel such unfounded loathing from him?

“Lord Rochford, I shall escort you to the doors of the audience chamber.”

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“That’s not necessary, Your Highness. You needn’t trouble yourself.”

“I’m uneasy having given you such unpleasant news today. Please accept this small gesture of courtesy.”

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Eleanor insisted on accompanying him as he made his way to leave. Kyrus, maintaining his usual composed demeanor, bid her farewell and turned to go. Just then…

“Ah! Your Highness!”

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At the maids’ urgent cries, Kyrus spun around, quickly assessing the situation. His eyes widened as they landed on the princess, who collapsed helplessly on the floor where he had just left her.

“Your Highness!”

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Kyrus rushed to Eleanor’s unconscious body, scooping her up into his arms.

“Quickly, summon the royal physician!”

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Carrying her to her bed chamber, he laid her down and gazed at her absentmindedly. A strangely unfamiliar scent tickled his sensitive nose, putting him on edge.

What is that? She has a rather pleasant floral fragrance. Is it gardenia? Tuberose? It’s certainly not a common musk.

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Kyrus lived an ascetic life and was almost prudish when it came to women. The act of embracing a woman was, to him, nothing more than a disillusioning act of succumbing to wicked desires. 

After all, he had lived in a monastery since childhood, under the strict guidance of his father. Of course, as he matured, he often experienced the usual surges of lust and immoral thoughts, but controlling his sexual desires was never difficult.

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The only time this fastidious man had been with a woman was years ago, on the battlefield as a knight. Unable to contain the surging physical desires amidst the frenzy of war, Kyrus had broken his vow of chastity and taken a woman from the conquered territory.

The unpleasant and uncomfortable feeling that lingered afterward hadn’t been washed away even after confessing and repenting his sin to God.

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But something was strange. Looking at the princess, bundled in layers to conceal her bare skin, he felt a strange stirring within him, an urge he hadn’t felt even with other noblewomen who displayed their cleavage freely. At the same time, a suppressed, visceral desire reflexively arose.

It was now that he became acutely aware of this unwelcome change. His only physical contact with the princess, his fiancée, had been a brief touch of her hand in formal settings.

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The sensation of her soft skin against his hands as he’d held her just moments ago was still vivid. The yielding, smooth curve from her right arm to her side had nestled against his hand. It was a damned mistake, a result of his panicked, clumsy actions upon finding her collapsed.

Now that the situation had calmed down, unpleasant thoughts filled his mind, and just thinking about it caused a tightening ache in his groin.

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Damn it. Am I going mad?

He cursed himself inwardly. The princess undoubtedly possessed the power to arouse a man’s lust. As if proving her mother’s promiscuous nature as a witch, even in her unconscious state, there was something subtly sensual about her.

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But she’s not a witch, is she? 

She’s the daughter of a witch, but I’m certain she’s not one herself.

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What is the truth, Eleanor? Are you truly ill?

Lost in thought, he absently stroked his chin as he gazed at her.

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─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

“Your Highness, Marquis Rochford has just left the palace.”

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“Thank you, Charlotte.”

Charlotte, Eleanor’s shadow and ever-attendant lady-in-waiting understood her mistress’s every thought. Except for the one secret Eleanor kept hidden.

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“Are you truly alright?”

“Of course.”

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Eleanor slowly opened her eyes and lifted herself from the bed, her body stiff.

Haah… I wonder if that was convincing enough.

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Whether it was a complete or partial success, she had at least managed to avoid a disadvantageous situation. Judging by his panicked reaction upon finding her collapsed, he seemed somewhat inclined to believe her.

Kyrus, I’m not as easy as a woman as you think.

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But was I being too sensitive?

Though it had been an accident, his hand had grazed her breast as he’d hastily lifted her. She had almost pushed him away instinctively. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to be the sort of unscrupulous pervert who would take advantage of an unconscious woman.

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Still, this is unsettling. Why does that incident bother me so much?

Even with her eyes closed, she could feel the burning intensity of his gaze as he looked down at her unconscious form. If that time had lasted any longer, her charade might have been exposed.

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As if cold water had been poured on Eleanor’s spine, a shiver ran down her entire body. 

Why did he stare at me like that?

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His unreadable gaze, sharp enough to pierce her very soul, was something she had to be absolutely wary of. 

Eleanor’s decision to break off the engagement stemmed from the report she had received two weeks prior, delivered by her messenger raven, Reveille.

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To the Honorable Ramon,

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It was Kyrus Rochford, the Marquis. He is the secret Inquisitor leading the Cassis Hunters. His location is the Religious Tribunal in Baronscourt, Rioc. Please be wary of him, Ramon.

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The moment Eleanor read the unbelievable report from her adjutant, Decker, a wave of nausea welled up inside her. 

‘Him…? That… that guy? I almost married that scum.’

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It was clear now that the ongoing arrests and deaths of the members of the Periant―the Magical Order―that had been occurring for months were all connected to him.

The Cassis Hunters—witch and sorcerer hunters—had been relentlessly pursuing them, targeting the Periant’s headquarters. And then, when they let their guard down for a moment, something happened.

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A recent Periant gathering, which Eleanor had been unable to attend due to royal engagements, had ended in a tragedy. Over a dozen of Periant members had been captured, having fallen into a trap laid by him.

Kyrus, because of him…!

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