ICNC Chapter 2

Kyrus, having returned 8fc141c3ef late to his 605cca8ad4 manor the previous 91041e29c9 night and sought 8b714f0153 sleep, opened his 3e4b794ee2 heavy eyelids early c2037001a1 the next morning. His head throbbed, c89a0010b6 his thoughts tangled; 49ea91fe5c it was one 5481277d17 ofthosefamiliarly complicated feelings 8602a5f448 that always followed 28a9406b6a an interrogation. He hastily stuffed his 3adb87b825 pipe with tobacco, lit 5d80868bc8 it, and inhaled deeply, 6ab122d9f8 the smoke filling his fb7a1b3b4e lungs.0373ee76658fae75

“Haah…”55f8620598851336

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With just a d2c8b8b3ad few exhalations, the 4e9dffe407 room quickly filled e88ef20126 with acrid smoke. His stomach, empty of 0712b2e782 food and water, filled 625f92f1db with tobacco smoke, a 50cc8c2fdc tingling sensation spreading through 2ae0df0e8e him. Kyrus lowered his gaze.  4f3a439f6c62ef7f

That’s better. d11c0422437bf49b

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This was undoubtedly due to yesterday’s official duties.6badcbdcf158a126

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.fad6ed29a63d37c5

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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.’ 6b89e2d7e2eeeb9e

So why did they 97f7d87f6c struggle so vehemently? 2f21d5287064baf8

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Those who defied 830b861f9c their fate, resisting c8fc6074e6 for hell, were 0e31981435 best dealt with 40bc49cf27 by being subjected 5051210201 to even more ff620915ed potent instruments of 6b039ad5cd torture. As they teetered on 403a6d7235 the brink of death, 7249343f45 confessing their sins to 885c4c5661 God, a subtle thrill 9f82239728 of joy would course af9d167d71 through him.e5edd6f4f55dd7c1

But afterward, 196e3aecd8 the unsettling 0bace833fa nightmares always 92f7c98934 crept inside acf7e16bd8 him.7d294122f4b6f995

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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. f77f2956c75f71f6

That must 75bbe2ba0c have been 93f861f459 the reason d75547ffc9 why witnessing c2dead3a2f blood spilled b9158eccb3 from a 2cfd921286 human body a95cb94f3a was as 0f1bfbc077 easy for a4bd691ee9 him as d4e27cdf83 eating and 824c8405f6 relieving himself. In fact, wielding aa19ae1d80 his sword in 38b8bb1ce8 a frenzy, severing ef93651d3f the heads of e014017ab0 his enemies in 39db43b46f the name of 82b35f851a God, even served bcdfdbc3d5 to quell the f1071d6b1e deep well of 8284bc6847 suppressed emotions within c5a28cfb2f him.a6530b91f156e463

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Was it da094afc91 because of b6ccdac2b8 the abundance b160af1bd4 of enemy 7d19490b44 blood staining be5dff8c88 his sword, b171410503 or simple e63e2f986f perhaps the 431e0afb7a good fortune 0cd572578c of his de8cb78261 parentage? a8e47d25a828c59f

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.” f1e0ffe745c4bdca

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In the end, he intended to utilize Kyrus’ anger and rage, and to do so in secret.57e22285a77cc7fe

Haah… a 93d0b0973e hidden illegitimate 56e97ea405 child like f5a5c6b806 me, becoming 4b1697d962 the adopted f3b8508ed6 son of ce2073253d a father 666b3fa840 as high ca49d5d20c as the 4515d553ad heavens. 2ff0e87b553a4109

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At this point, e5093bdc68 he was less f240fa51c9 a servant of d363697e17 God and more 08d86e7258 a servant of 6719bbefee his father. In this precarious kingdom, 1378aa18a3 his father was as a24f814189 good as God.a0e4d0ceb59f963c

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.705a9e0bd050de74

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“Your Excellency, a d7df6b5592 letter has just a82defbdc9 arrived from the 1b2e7042fb Royal Palace.”dc14beb0e896f5a7

“Leave it there.”e90db59243af1cc0

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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.6ae36ef7ac22545b

“Damn it.”4364473f0fc66afa

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He immediately extinguished 88ce23e8fd the pipe he 49ae0519aa was holding. His furrowed brows smoothed, 12782271ad and his eyebrows shot 8361c35b97 up sharply in surprise 10b1d18d50 as he realized the ddf2121e50 sender was his fiancée. 402cca6f063bbe31

What could it be? How many c4510a24c0 times has b83780676c she sent f4bb7bd11c me a 506f00f545 letter during 5dce4ddf9f our engagement? A handful at best?29c8b31bfcb15876

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Strangely, it was 4fd476e446 intriguing and piqued f688d3d4fa his interest enough ce939b05da to jolt him 5c3112a5ba awake.7b844cffc16c759b

Was it because their f59c94662c wedding was approaching that a1700726c5 she was showing him 031a9e0a16 even the slightest interest ab2310ec8d as his fiancée? Was she trying 9121db25fe to appear favorable 372d9652bf to him now? 65ea9c05d9ae8f92

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Well… if that’s the 97fc83c588 case…4d302bdea909627a

With a derisive 0ce3976d77 smirk, Kyrus rose ca4f912289 and unfolded the 43caba2f96 letter with his 53f08f70a1 long fingers that, 487d385308 contrary to his c21e1be6d3 inner turmoil, moved c0c657ffdd with deliberate leisure. He meticulously used 7e46816e23 a paper knife ac4362d13f to cut through 44cda046d0 the red wax 710240c3b0 seal. Even this fc6d0518be small gesture 0c08abfb42 was precise cb8365c35c and perfect, ee1ac9cb61 like the 4983293cf9 wielding of 2f460fc6de a blade.1035fa11c0481d9e

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 71688d08c6163b6a

Marquis Rochford,190419ce6e697474

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I have a03dcd659d heard that a800836aa2 you are dbfdd03db0 free from 425acec49e official duties 30da266da0 today. I have an urgent 0f8d8dde6a matter to discuss with c9d71f16e7 you. I will dfca3be0f2 come to a6afe336ca see you a4ea61f456 in person.80778316ec593a96

Eleanor Gloucesteraa4bd11a025e1207

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 8aa2535ff34bbd69

“Ha!” 2108a66f6b67e4e4

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Kyrus let 17c8c2eaa0 out a f2c2c52702 short, dry 125090f3d5 laugh as d05ef04cb4 he scanned 84112dc665 the extremely 334998d866 short letter 34d57048f1 up and 3a2eea63b5 down. f781866002ce4d1f

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. e9eef43c222399cb

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If anyone were to 0bdef22593 read this, they would cfcd288d93 think it was from 9ea8215281 a vassal, not a c2ad0ebc83 fiancée.99cd75f84fc74b22

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.7e09922d2530fe35

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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. ff80621f50497a03

Kyrus ran 80122320a5 a hand da01f1c08b through his b0a920c1d5 sleep-mussed hair 3e28a23cae and stood 6b1349749b up abruptly a9a1bc7374 when a 3654f486aa thought struck 02a52ffac0 him. cfebef5d04e036b3

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Ah… there’s 59628dd2c2 one thing 82420e70af missing from adfcecf787 this heartfelt 9f8bfba97b fiancé performance!e5e6f99d164516b2

Flowers. She’s hardly the type to be swayed by such gestures, but…no woman could dislike them entirely.5cfed9092179c5e7

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Kyrus quickly ordered his 7346846192 servant to prepare a 8d54a49632 bouquet, a rather pleased f8828758cd expression spreading across his 05471e7794 face.3dbb18e9f27330a9

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───6b63be097246993a

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“Your Highness, how about this dress? You’re going to meet Lord Rochford. That dress is a bit…”1d015163d61df7f3

Despite her maid’s 1746a4eec2 disapproval, Eleanor tossed 1989385a73 her long, dark f31e772233 hair, which nearly 0dc06684bb reached her hips, 3a83ae4411 over her shoulder 081b74a646 and replied indifferently, 07e23f799441e0a0

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“No, it’s even more important today.”09ad389520816104

She selected a darker, 5c7009986b more modest dress than 4853168b2a usual, smoothing it with f18e58898d a satisfied expression.cc651cbef188468e

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“Why, Your Highness?” f41bb1e88d847518

Seeing the 1e81c56bb9 princess’ silent 196644d1a3 and resolute 264eb7e623 face, her 67743f6e52 maid, Charlotte, faeb563581 closed her 37773f9588 mouth as 05e484cf1d if she 19b9205baa had asked 1337abeeac a pointless 0a7ab524f5 question. No one could 1cf47f9a9e sway the princess’ 324e8f78ab stubbornness, which was d0faea70c3 nothing new. In the end, Eleanor 475a4a1223 donned the dress she 64305c2233 had chosen, the fabric f548c019a5 tailored to her frame f33e63b754 perfectly.f8abff4e454dc003

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The ample curves of 6de550f83c her breasts, disproportionate to 8c15868ff3 her petite frame, were cd49607f73 flattened and concealed by 73ceab2c4f the fabric. Her straight collarbones a915878cfa and slender arms, 131f9d5334 which might have 6b8601684e stirred a man’s 90f8a76dbb protective instincts, vanished 9b3cce4919 beneath the long f8391e26c4 sleeves of the 0ab0a064b6 dark green satin 80f8c1a390 dress. The only 84a926fe86 visible curve b8ab58886e was her 762e036a66 slender waist, b21610ba4a accentuated by a61127adab the fitted e51264c468 bodice.f28360e9b75dd859

Although she usually allowed 4a80124f06 her maids to apply fc112a12db makeup on her face a94e774778 freely, today, even that 62724db581 was kept minimal. She didn’t even bf1fc13b2d apply the red e185b12f00 lipstick that usually d695137171 highlighted her pale edac619fdd complexion, which her 0abcac06e2 maids found baffling. 4505e2ec067ef959

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She could d7b5df4517 be so 05ff8545c1 breathtakingly beautiful 31c60cb5b7 with just 72f5e618b3 a touch b176ac5ad1 more adornment. So, why…? 8d29b95f761f8553

Despite their 70a8e91407 protests that f1cd2cedda her pale 7b5a52da6c lips made 4e571fac90 her look c85a57cefd ill, the a5fd1be4e3 princess remained 560d9da173 firm. 51591461994dddf9

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‘Yes. This is perfect.’2422d676b05ccb7d

Eleanor gave a 309c1cc75f faint smile as 68012de005 she looked at 5a679a94d1 herself in the 296ee50db6 mirror one last 475abb2b91 time.abba37bfb8272f92

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“Shall we go?”0bbea610c6ec82e5

Just as Eleanor a6177c1b98 was about to 7d2901c21d leave her chambers, b118051bf5 a servant rushed cb64879254 in with news.33d1238dc9368734

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“Your Highness, Marquis Rochford has arrived and is waiting for you.”9658153832521184

“…What?”5d81f435a8fbfbb3

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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.8139dc042c7cf0d1

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.5274234f3d5d366d

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“Marquis Kyrus Rochford, presenting myself before Her Highness, the First Princess.”79dbf6089da9923a

He took her hand b1d46ec33e with utmost courtesy and cead025d9d kissed the back of 74146abe9d it.41c0546261a298ae

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“Lord Rochford, I sent ef78f58e77 a letter sayingI would come f38468ec83 to visityou. Why are you here?”110fc5bece31da88

“Surely, there’s no 14eb36f6c9 need for Your 9c761f2007 esteemed Highness to 5cd4d0caf8 trouble yourself to 212a46703c come see me.”389b3f8c17591263

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“…”d430558dc5d3cc2f

“If you 03265ce416 wish to 0d64e86bb5 meet, it 6a1b539fab is my 0965c6468f duty to 1ac23046f9 seek you a4beaccfee first.”d4dae6ff186d6e47

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Kyrus presented her cd1135c349 with the gorgeous 25502d9f10 bouquet of flowers 3315680355 he had placed b58120ac6f on the table.4d5deeb38256bd14

“White roses, a symbol 3c2af8c3c7 of purity and respect. I’ve always bf0f5268b6 thought of f136282f8b Your Highness faae471705 when I 075651a4f0 see them, a7a82e78b0 and I’ve b5b7893fd6 longed to ede973de4e give them c5a892e21b to you. Today, your b046c96bb9 serene elegance c711fb5d6a shines like 09b8abab6a these white d5670dfc69 roses.”b8f140a9e17c999e

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Kyrus flashed a charming 236819a5fc smile, his handsome features c964d5d2a6 softened by the expression.63d36cb96d80bc73

Eleanor inwardly shuddered at 81e2ee03f5 that shallow smile. a303e0853e1ad794

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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.d6d7c53df7d2c408

“Thank you.”c1b622816bdcc1a8

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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.28b72a2f635870e2

“Then, since you’ve come all this way, Lord Rochford, shall we get down to business?”668d7f7f14b3d09c

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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.17b20edfa45d366b

“Yes. I am eager 60994e414c to hear what 1716aac4d6 words will grace 6c1d1acf3d your lovely lips, 1520f7bee7 Your Highness.”1964c9a817126150

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You’ll regret those 2d3c7ef44c words soon enough.1804262db0f48405

Eleanor, seemingly resolute, 6c6e31e0e0 bit her lower 35f2bbb17b lip and paused 56b2936051 for a long 0357c72812 time before speaking.c066205d66ef9aae

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“I wish to 57c24c4b33 break off our 93c0e8b436 engagement.”e3f3dfd410ce7d44

The princess’s firm declaration struck him hard. 0d0394f7ee72494c

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Kyrus’ eyes, usually unwavering and sharp, shook violently. 072396ed6ab37e22

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.91318f119768fd76

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“…Did I 8bddefebfe mishear something 422da60633 just now? Break off… the engagement?”b655db53510789c8

“No. You heard 4d6551be68 me correctly.”0bece524ee5db728

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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.8ac0c5a740b70cb9

“So suddenly… 027070e245 Your Highness, 1ed2bfd51f what is f6756b6eea the reason?”b1dc518965f936a1

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“I apologize, e516fb57c2 Lord Rochford. This is not 5c70a8776f just my decision, 415b45549f but also something 714f610861 that His Majesty e104016854 has approved. I recently received 8a7dbc6c6c a… concerning diagnosis 4e1096dd66 from the royal a7d472ae6e physician.”368aea51bbec9d0c

“What do you mean? Weren’t you in good health, Your Highness?” 44a2962ef4431b34

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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.d1e7f4df50a9d467

“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.”0533aced6835c38a

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Kyrus was speechless, stunned into silence as he listened to the princess’ words.e3e3f03c0cc842e0

“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.”fb2d53e663d74795

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