Reincarnate as the Villainess's Husband

The next day, when Neonidas woke up, he quickly headed to the bathroom. Last night, he had learned that Elenora was pregnant, and honestly, it was good news. After all, he was planning to bring down several duchies soon, and those lands would need to be governed.

Neonidas' plan was simple: to strengthen his dynasty as much as possible. At the same time, he aimed to elevate himself to an untouchable position.

Taking a deep breath, he let the warm water envelop his body. Elenora's pregnancy was not just a personal matter; it was also a political step. The birth of this child would solidify his dynasty and ensure a lasting legacy for future generations. However, power was not preserved through blood alone; it was cemented with intelligence, the right moves, and, when necessary, ruthlessness.

As water droplets trickled down his shoulders, he closed his eyes. His thoughts drifted to the history of the British Royal Family. For centuries, they had forged blood ties with Europe's most powerful nations through dynastic marriages, allowing them to claim vast territories without war. The Habsburgs, the Bourbons, the Romanovs… all of them had risen to prominence by merging political acumen with blood ties. But in the end, they had made a mistake.

Believing they stood at the peak of their power, they had failed to adapt to a changing world. Neonidas would not repeat that mistake. A dynasty did not survive solely through blood—it endured through loyalty and fear. That was why the upcoming war and the fall of the duchies were only the beginning. He would expand his dynasty while ensuring absolute obedience.

Neonidas would have to raise his children well. They needed to take pride in their family and be so devoted that they would do anything for it. They had to be trained in a way that would leave them loyal to no other house or dynasty.

Of course, that was not a concern for today. Neonidas had no children yet—or rather, none had been born. So, for now, he set these thoughts aside and stepped out of the bath.

As he left the bathroom, he pushed these thoughts deep into his mind. For now, he had to be patient. To build the future, he first had to conquer the present.

He put on a heavy black-embroidered robe and cast a brief glance at the morning sun rising beyond the wide windows. The sky was a pale golden hue, with gray clouds dancing just above the horizon. For Neonidas, this was not a new beginning—it was just another move in an ongoing war.

With heavy but resolute steps, he headed to his study. His desk was covered with strategy maps and diplomatic letters. Picking up a map, he scanned it. The duchies he planned to bring down were arranged like pieces on a chessboard. Each would fall with the right move, strengthening his position even further. But in this game, one had to be both an attacker and a defender.

The first target—the easiest among them—was Duke Draevos.

According to imperial law, if a duke wanted to declare war on another duke, they needed a justifiable and valid reason. These reasons had to be genuinely significant. Even espionage activities were not considered sufficient grounds for war. The purpose of these rules was to prevent conflicts between dukes and maintain the empire's stability.

Ultimately, however, it was the emperor who decided whether war would be allowed. And Neonidas knew he could persuade the emperor; he just needed a sufficiently important reason.

As he studied the map on his desk, his fingers curled slightly. Draevos might seem like a mere pawn on the chessboard, but his downfall would trigger a chain reaction. Yet first, the rules had to be followed—at least on the surface.

Neonidas' advantage lay not just in brute strength but also in diplomacy and intrigue. To gain the emperor's approval, he had to prove that war was inevitable. But it was not just about portraying Draevos as an enemy—it was about making his downfall an example to the other duchies.

There was a knock—three times. Entering the room was Oswald, the new leader of his intelligence network. A former diplomat, Oswald wielded words as skillfully as a master swordsman wielded a blade. This man was a gift from Allea and he was certainly very skilled at his job.

"Your Excellency," he said with a respectful nod. "We've obtained new information about Draevos."

Neonidas raised a hand. "Speak."

Oswald placed a small bundle of documents on the desk. "Draevos has secrets hidden in the shadows. Over the past few years, he has established illegal trade routes. Officially, it's evading taxation. But unofficially, there are strong suspicions that he has been supplying weapons to rebel groups in Hindonpon."

Neonidas narrowed his eyes. "Are these just suspicions or verifiable facts?"

Oswald smiled faintly. "Suspicions can become facts, Your Excellency—if we find the right people in the right places."

Neonidas pondered for a moment. Simple accusations would not be enough to gain the emperor's approval. But illegal trade? Supporting rebels? These were crimes that threatened imperial order. And more importantly, they were unforgivable in the emperor's eyes.

"Bring me a detailed report on Draevos' trade routes," Neonidas commanded. "If he truly supports the rebels, we'll prove it. And if he doesn't… then we'll create a reality that makes it look like he does."

Oswald bowed slightly and stepped back. "As you command, Your Excellency."

As the door closed, Neonidas leaned back in his chair. Wars were sometimes won with swords, sometimes with words, and sometimes with perception. Framing Draevos as a traitor would not only convince the emperor, but also serve as the perfect warning to the other dukes.

Placing his finger on the section of the map representing Draevos' lands, he murmured, "You will be the first to fall. And your fall will mark the beginning of my dynasty's rise."

------

Neonidas was sitting in the garden with his fiancée and future wife, Princess Allea. The servants had positioned themselves at a respectful distance, leaving the two of them to converse in private. The nature of a good marriage had always been a topic of debate, but to Neonidas, the key was simple: if a couple could speak openly about anything and genuinely enjoy each other's company, that was the mark of a long-lasting union.

And truly, he enjoyed speaking with this red-haired beauty beside him. Allea wasn't just intelligent—she had been rigorously trained as a princess. She spoke nearly six languages and possessed extensive knowledge in fields such as physics, alchemy, mathematics, philosophy, and astronomy, in addition to her mastery of magic. Moreover, thanks to her poetry lessons, she was actually a talented poet and writer.

From the moment she gained consciousness, the finest tutors had educated her and faced the most challenging problems.

Perhaps this was another reason why the novel written by his ex-lover had been so utterly ridiculous. A supposedly uneducated, relatively foolish slave woman had somehow managed to outwit an exceptionally intelligent and highly educated princess—simply because of the "power of love." It was the height of cliché, not to mention completely absurd.

Thankfully, unlike in that novel, Avelina had actually attended imperial lessons. Though she hadn't undergone as rigorous a training as Allea, she had still received a certain level of education.

As Neonidas listened to Allea's words carefully, he found himself once again thinking that he was fortunate. Before him sat not just a woman of breathtaking beauty, but also one with a sharp mind and profound thoughts. A ruler's wife was meant to share not only his bed but also his throne. That was why, to Neonidas, Allea wasn't merely a wife—she was the greatest allie who would solidify his dynasty.

At first, he had viewed Allea merely as a convenient stepping stone for his rise to power. He had even considered killing her if necessary. But now, looking back, that thought seemed foolish. A man who wanted to kill a woman like Allea had to be nothing short of a monster. At least, that was how Neonidas saw it now.

Perhaps these thoughts had surfaced due to unfamiliar emotions stirring within him. Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire

Neonidas watched as Allea lifted her wineglass with a graceful motion, bringing it to her lips. Her sharp yet calm gaze met his.

"You seem distracted," Allea remarked, setting her glass down on the table. "Are you not listening to me, dear?"

Yes, in the past few days, Allea had grown close enough to call Neonidas "Dear". Yet she said it so naturally that he hadn't even noticed.

Neonidas smiled slightly. "I always listen to you."

Allea tilted her head, sensing there was something hidden beneath his response. Neonidas appreciated her intelligence, but sometimes, her sharp intuition could be inconvenient. Without letting himself get lost in thought again, he returned to the topic at hand.

"I'm going to bring down Duke Draevos," he said simply.

Allea's expression became even more focused. "Without the emperor's permission?"

Neonidas narrowed his eyes at her. "I'll get the emperor's permission. I just… need a little help."

Allea traced her fingers along the rim of her wineglass. "Are you asking for my help, or do you just want my opinion?"

Neonidas leaned slightly toward her. "You know I value your thoughts."

Allea smiled faintly, but her eyes remained watchful. "Draevos is a powerful noble. His roots run deep in his lands. But he's also greedy and ambitious. He'll do anything to maintain his power and status."

Neonidas nodded. "Which is precisely why his fall is inevitable."