Reincarnate as the Villainess's Husband

Gredor looked at Neonidas after a brief silence. The young man's posture was upright, and there was nothing but determination in his eyes. A faint expression appeared on the emperor's face, but it was difficult to discern what he was thinking.

"Interesting," he finally said. "Haven't we discussed this before, Neonidas?"

Neonidas lifted his head. "We have, Your Majesty. However, I wanted to formalize it in front of everyone."

Gredor nodded slightly. "Very well." He shifted his gaze to Allea. "Do you truly want this marriage?"

The princess looked at her father without breaking her posture. "Yes."

The emperor tilted his head slightly in thought. Then, leaning back on the armrest of his throne, he spoke in an expressionless voice:

"Then this marriage will take place."

A brief stir spread through the hall. Some dukes looked at Neonidas, while others whispered among themselves. However, it was clear that Gredor had made his decision.

Neonidas bowed his head in gratitude. "I will prove myself worthy of Your Majesty's decision."

As the emperor's words echoed through the throne room, Neonidas stood firm, unmoving. The weight of the decision seemed to press upon everyone present. Among the hushed murmurs, some dukes displayed clear displeasure, but no one dared to openly oppose Gredor's judgment.

Princess Allea closed her eyes and nodded slightly, as if satisfied with her father's ruling. Then, with an unreadable expression, she turned to Neonidas. The emperor's silent, yet piercing, gaze followed them.

Raising his hand slightly, Gredor silenced the murmurs. "This marriage is not merely a union between two people—it is a matter of the empire's future," he added, his voice authoritative yet tinged with weariness. "And for that reason, I will hold the grandest wedding in history. No expense shall be spared for the marriage of the Conqueror of Hindonpon and my beautiful daughter!"

With these words, the wedding was officially declared.

Among the nobles standing in the corner, a strikingly beautiful woman stood out. Avelina had been silently listening to everything, a faint trace of jealousy visible on her face.

Among the court's gossip, the progressing relationship between Duke Neonidas and Princess Allea was an ever-present topic. But Avelina refused to believe it. However, the truth was now undeniable. From this day forward, nearly every noble conversation would be filled with rumors about Neonidas and Allea's relationship.

For Avelina, this would become an unbearable torment. She had finally mended her relationship with her father and was slowly securing a place for herself in the palace. But now, it felt as if everything was about to be taken from her. As she slowly stepped out of the throne room, the ceremony for the new duchy's declaration was also coming to an end.

Of course, celebrations and military parades would continue in Hindonpon's capital, but the emperor needed to return.

This time, Emperor Gredor himself sent an invitation to Neonidas for tea. The two would meet in the palace's privately cultivated flower garden just before dinner.

When Neonidas received Gredor's invitation, he paused for a moment. Despite his extensive experience with the palace's intrigues, power struggles, and political maneuvering, he was surprised that the emperor had personally sent for him. Just hours ago, a decision had been announced before the entire empire, and now, a private tea meeting... He knew this conversation would be more than a mere congratulation or casual discussion.

As the sun neared the horizon, he made his way toward the palace's secluded garden. The air carried the scent of carefully selected rare flowers, and lanterns swayed in harmony around a small pond. While the scene was serene, there was an underlying tension in the atmosphere.

Emperor Gredor stood by a stone table, his back turned, gazing at the horizon. His stance was silent yet dignified, clad in a heavy, dark blue embroidered robe. As Neonidas approached, Gredor slightly turned his head and gestured subtly to the seat across from him with a faint smile.

"Come, sit."

Neonidas took his seat calmly. The emperor stared at his porcelain teacup for a moment before speaking without any preamble,

"I suppose I believe you now. It seems there truly is a faction within the empire preparing to betray me."

These words did not surprise Neonidas. After all, for the past few weeks, he had been covertly feeding the empire's intelligence network suspicious information about certain dukes. The emperor had likely requested—or somehow become aware of—this intelligence after their conversation the previous day.

Neonidas had never lied in his reports, only exaggerated the truth. Moreover, with Allea's help, he had uncovered information even he had not known. Thanks to this, he realized that the hidden alliance among the dukes was larger than he had initially thought.

As he took a small sip of his tea, Neonidas maintained his composed expression. He couldn't be certain of what was running through Gredor's mind, but he sensed that this meeting was a test for him. The emperor lightly tapped his spoon against the teacup, the soft chime breaking the silence of the garden.

"Aside from what you know for certain, who else has weak loyalty? Who do you suspect?" Gredor asked, fixing his gaze on Neonidas.

"There are a few names, Your Majesty," Neonidas replied carefully. "But the real danger doesn't come from individual dukes—it comes from the bonds they form with one another."

Gredor tilted his head slightly, as if weighing this thought. "Go on."

Leaning back slightly, Neonidas continued. "After the conquest of Hindonpon, some nobles believe the balance between those who gained land in the imperial center and the old aristocracy has been disrupted. They do not target you directly, but they question your choices. There are those who see the new order as a threat."

The emperor listened silently, his face unreadable.

"Duke Luthen and Duke Maximilian Valen are the most prominent names in this regard. Officially, they appear loyal, but behind the scenes, they exchange secret correspondences and hold covert meetings. They embolden other nobles who fear losing their influence. If no action is taken, they could become a legitimate faction within a few years. Duke Draevos is likely involved. I also suspect Duke Alanor Ellorien and Duke Valcair."

Gredor's brows furrowed slightly, but he showed no anger or surprise.

For a brief moment, Neonidas tried to read the emperor's thoughts. Understanding this man's mind was more difficult than predicting an enemy's movements on the battlefield.

"... So, half the empire is betraying me, is that it? Do you think they will try to overthrow me?" Gredor asked, his voice cold as ice.

Neonidas shook his head slightly. "Not yet. But they will try to pressure you into becoming a more passive ruler. They will attempt to weaken your decisions and limit your authority. They lack the courage to betray you outright, but deep down, they wish to steer the empire themselves."

Gredor silently nodded and brought his cup to his lips again. He didn't speak until he had finished his tea. Amidst the dim lights of the garden, as reflections rippled across the pond's surface, the weight of silence was palpable.

At last, the emperor placed his cup down and took a deep breath. "What do you propose I do?"

Neonidas looked directly into the emperor's eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips. This was his favorite question.

"If they lack the courage to wage war against you, force them to do so."

Gredor fell into a deep silence, contemplating Neonidas's words. The gentle swaying of flowers in the breeze, the flickering reflections on the pond, the soft glow of candlelight on the stone table… Beneath this tranquil atmosphere, decisions that would shape the empire's future were being forged.

The emperor leaned back in his chair. When he turned his gaze back to Neonidas, there was no anger or surprise in his eyes—only a look of careful calculation.

"Forcing them into war, huh?" he murmured, tracing the rim of his porcelain cup with his fingers. "Let's say we do that. Let's say we push these dukes into openly opposing me. Then what?"

Neonidas took another sip of his tea. "Then we prove beyond doubt that they are disloyal, Your Majesty. If you target your nobles without a legitimate reason, you risk upsetting the balance within the empire. But if their betrayal becomes undeniable, your justice will remain unquestioned."

Of course, this was not the best strategy—not by far. But Neonidas's true goal was not to eliminate the emperor's enemies. His true goal was to eliminate both the emperor, and the hidden faction conspiring against him. That was why every move he made ensured that both sides would suffer damage, while he himself remained untouched.

Gredor took a deep breath. He closed his eyes for a moment, gathering his thoughts, before turning back to Neonidas. His expression was still firm and dignified, but there was something new in his gaze. Was it doubt? Or curiosity?

"If we provoke them without solid evidence, it will be a risky move," he finally said. "However, if they are truly disloyal, they will reveal their treachery sooner or later. Forcing them to expose themselves… That is a reasonable strategy."

Neonidas gave a slight nod. "Offer them a choice, Your Majesty. Create an issue that will clearly separate those who stand with you from those who oppose you."

Gredor frowned slightly. "What kind of issue?"

A shadow of a smile flickered across Neonidas's lips before disappearing. "Announce a new reform. Something that does not directly threaten their interests but alters the balance of power within the empire. Something that appears neutral but forces them to take sides."

The emperor lowered his head slightly, his gaze drifting into the distance. As he watched the gentle swaying of the garden flowers, his thoughts swirled like a heavy mist. Governing an empire was far more complex than commanding armies on a battlefield. Victories here were won not with swords, but with words and well-planned moves.

They sat in silence for a while. As Gredor weighed Neonidas's plan, the young duke waited patiently.

At last, the emperor gave a faint smile. "I will consider this reform matter, Neonidas. However, one thing has become clear to me."

Neonidas raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Your loyalty to the empire." Gredor slowly placed his teacup down. "Like some of the dukes, you act in your own self-interest, but you do so to keep the empire strong. If you had truly planned to betray me, you would have done so already."

Neonidas did not break eye contact with Gredor. Trying to fully decipher what the emperor was thinking was impossible. But a game was being played here, and only time would tell who would emerge victorious.

Gredor rose from his chair. "Let's end the night here. But, Neonidas, remember this: As long as I live, this empire belongs to me. No one—not even the most capable duke—will be allowed to rule from the shadows."

Neonidas smiled faintly. "Of course, Your Majesty."

The emperor turned without another word and walked away. Under the dim lights, his dark blue robes seemed to merge with the night's shadows.

'Just as your body will one day merge with the earth,' Neonidas thought as he watched the emperor's retreating figure.