Reincarnate as the Villainess's Husband

The next day, Neonidas spent his time handling his last affairs in the Kingdom of Hindonpon. He needed someone to take over the less important duties of this duchy on his behalf. After all, managing two duchies alone would be incredibly difficult. For this reason, he chose Velmuth for the task.

Although Velmuth was experienced in the criminal underworld, he also had a strong background in governance. After all, he was the leader of one of Hindonpon's largest crime syndicates. And truthfully, there wasn't much difference between a crime lord and a noble.

Additionally, Velmuth's two daughters still wanted to stay with Neonidas rather than with their father. They had learned that Velmuth was their father, but they didn't trust him. This was exactly what Neonidas wanted. As long as Velmuth's daughters remained with him, Velmuth would never betray him. Despite being a crime boss on paper, Velmuth was, in reality, a soft-hearted man. He was already well-known for his acts of charity toward the elderly and children.

Neonidas needed to find a steward who could assist Velmuth and guide him in many matters. Without hesitation, he assigned his own duchy's steward to the task—someone he was certain would never betray him.

As for the child Celeste carried, it was true that she hadn't had her period for nearly two months, making her suspect she was pregnant. In fact, some clerics could use magic to determine whether a woman was with child. However, Neonidas disliked clerics and didn't want to take the risk, especially since there was still a possibility that Celeste wasn't pregnant.

Besides, even if she wasn't pregnant now, she would be eventually. Time was on his side. If Celeste's fertility ever became uncertain, he knew Elenora was also an option. Her noble blood could provide a strong heir for the kingdom. Neonidas never let emotions interfere with his decisions. Establishing a powerful dynasty was far more important than personal feelings.

As night fell, dim torchlight illuminated the stone walls of the Hindonpon Palace. Neonidas left his study and made his way toward Celeste's chamber.

They had been together for months. Celeste and Elenora no longer seemed to resent the idea of being concubines. Neonidas had treated them well and provided for their needs. Aside from their physical relationship, he had never forced them into anything and had given them the freedom to pursue their own interests. Because of this, the two stepsisters had gradually grown accustomed to Neonidas.

As he approached Celeste's room, the steady rhythm of his footsteps echoed through the stone corridors. The dim lighting cast shadows on the walls, adding a touch of warmth to the otherwise cold and somber atmosphere of the Hindonpon Palace. When he reached the door, he knocked without hesitation. A faint rustling sound came from inside, followed by Celeste's voice:

"You can come in."

As he stepped inside, he immediately noticed that her room was as tidy as always. The delicate silk curtains swayed gently in the breeze. Celeste sat on the edge of her bed, holding a slender silver cup filled with a warm beverage. Her gaze seemed lost in the night view beyond the window, but as soon as she sensed Neonidas's presence, she turned to him.

"Is something wrong?" she asked, placing the cup on the table.

Neonidas paused for a brief moment. He wasn't uneasy, but it was as if he was waiting for the right time to put his thoughts into words. Finally, he spoke in his usual composed tone:

"I've finished my business in Hindonpon. Velmuth will now govern these lands on my behalf. But I will still keep an eye on him."

Celeste nodded slightly. "He's a strong man. But are you sure of his loyalty?"

Neonidas smiled. "He cannot betray me. His daughters are with me."

Celeste didn't have the luxury of failing to understand Neonidas's cold calculations. She lived in his world, and she knew how strategic his decisions were. However, when it came to Velmuth's children, a thoughtful expression appeared on her face.

"Sometimes, a person's greatest weakness is also their greatest strength."

Neonidas didn't dismiss her words, but he didn't respond either. The atmosphere in the room grew heavier, but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. Their bond had reached a level of understanding that no longer required words.

Then, Neonidas looked deep into Celeste's eyes. "Are you eating the meals the servants prepare for you?"

For some reason, this question made Celeste smile. Neonidas asked her the same thing almost every day. The fact that he was so concerned about the baby warmed her heart as a potential mother.

As she smiled, Neonidas watched her intently. In a life filled with deception and political intrigue, this was one of the rare moments of genuine sincerity. Celeste's slender fingers traced the edge of the table as she spoke in a soft yet confident voice:

"Yes, I am. It's just… some things make me nauseous. I think I've become more sensitive to smells."

Neonidas furrowed his brow slightly. This could be a sign of pregnancy. But he didn't want to jump to conclusions before confirming it. As his mind rapidly calculated possibilities, he noticed Celeste still looking at him. Her expression carried a quiet expectation, contrasting with his own mechanical thoughts.

Neonidas took a step closer, the dim light sharpening his features. Celeste lowered her gaze, but she wasn't uneasy. She felt at ease with him. Sensing this, Neonidas finally spoke:

"If you are pregnant…" His voice remained as calm and firm as ever. "It changes everything."

Celeste met his gaze again. "In what way?"

Neonidas tilted his head slightly. "First, I'll need to ensure your safety more rigorously. I won't allow you to take any risks while traveling. Also, I won't expect you to be involved in the administration of Hindonpon. You need to stay strong and healthy to raise our child."

Celeste parted her lips slightly but didn't say anything. Knowing that she was being considered this much… felt strange. Beyond Neonidas's cold strategies, she could sense that something else was growing within him as well.

Neonidas broke the silence and continued, "But it's too early to say anything for certain. You know I won't call the priests."

Celeste nodded thoughtfully. "We can wait."

Neonidas didn't press the matter further. To him, the existence of a child meant securing the future of his dynasty above all else. He never mixed emotions with duty. Yet, in moments like this, when he was with Celeste, he sometimes realized he was feeling things he shouldn't.

Thinking about this, he sat beside Celeste. She was used to Neonidas adopting a stern expression in such moments. He never expressed emotions with words, but his mere presence was often enough.

For a few minutes, only the sound of the wind outside filled the room. Celeste turned her gaze back to the window.

"Elenora said she wanted to speak with you today," she said softly. "She has some thoughts about you."

Neonidas tilted his head slightly. "About what?"

Celeste shrugged. "She didn't share it with me. But she said it was important."

Neonidas sighed lightly. Elenora was different from Celeste. More cautious, more distant. She was loyal to him, but there was still a veil of doubt in her eyes. If she wanted a private conversation, it wasn't about something trivial.

Neonidas stood up. "I'll talk to her."

Celeste nodded, but gently held his wrist. For a moment, she seemed like she wanted to say something, but then she hesitated. Neonidas noticed this but didn't press her.

As he turned toward the door, Celeste's voice stopped him once more.

"Neonidas?"

He turned slightly to look at her.

"If we really are going to have a child…" Celeste's voice trembled at first, but then it grew steady. "Will you see them only as an heir? Or will you be a father to them?"

Neonidas remained silent for a few seconds. This was a question he had never considered. Power, alliances, governance—these were things he could calculate. But being a father?

His eyes met Celeste's. Then, as always, he gave a short and definite answer.

"If I am to have a child, they must be strong. And the strong are never left alone… They are protected and raised as they deserve."

Celeste understood Neonidas' response. Was it enough for her? Absolutely. The more she got to know him, the more she realized how terrible he was at expressing emotions. But she had learned something—Neonidas would care for and love their child, in his own way. And because of that, something inside her was beginning to change.

Perhaps the mask Neonidas wore—the one he used to manipulate those women—was slowly becoming his new face. It was as if the lies he told were gradually, or perhaps at an astonishing speed, turning into reality. And Celeste could see it.

Neonidas silently opened the door and stepped into the dimly lit corridor. Now it was time to speak with Elenora.