Reincarnate as the Villainess's Husband - Chapter 101

Chapter 101: Ruler
The door had closed. Neonidas was gone.

What remained was the wide bed illuminated by the pale golden hue of the morning light and two sisters holding each other tightly. Elenora clung to Celeste’s delicate shoulders. Her little sister’s body trembled—whether from the cold or the fear within, she did not know.

Celeste rested her head against her sister’s chest. She realized even her own breath was shaky. Everything had happened in the blink of an eye. War, loss, captivity… And now, Neonidas’s words echoed in her mind.

“He won’t leave us…” Celeste’s voice was barely audible.

Elenora closed her eyes. Tears slid down her cheeks, but she refused to let go of herself. Weakness was the last thing they needed right now. But what could she do? How could she protect her sister?

Celeste’s fingers tightened around the fabric of Elenora’s dress. “Are we going to surrender to him?” she asked. Her voice was filled more with sorrow than anger. “Are we really… never going to escape from him?”

Elenora cupped her sister’s face in her hands and looked into her eyes. “If there is no escape, then we will survive,” she said slowly. The trembling determination in her voice was meant to conceal the helplessness growing inside her.

A fractured light flickered in Celeste’s eyes. Her lips parted, but no words came out. No matter how hard she tried to resist, the fear inside her was overwhelming. Neonidas was powerful. Every move he made was calculated. He was like a man who could read their thoughts. He played his game well.

“What about Mother?” Celeste asked, her voice cracking. “Just like he enslaved us, he’s keeping her as a slave too.”

Elenora’s throat tightened. Just the mention of their mother’s name stirred the storm of suppressed rage and grief within her. Their mother… A noble, strong woman. And now… a prisoner in Neonidas’s hands.

Elenora averted her gaze. “She is a strong woman, Celeste,” she forced herself to say. “No matter what Neonidas does to her, Mother will keep fighting for us.”

Celeste took Elenora’s hands in her own. “And us?” she whispered. “Will we fight too?”

Elenora took a deep breath. Thousands of thoughts swirled in her mind. Would they resist? Or… would they be doomed to the fate Neonidas had carved for them?

After a long silence, Elenora lifted her head and locked eyes with her sister. “Neonidas thinks he has conquered us,” she said in a cold voice. “But we are still here. And if I’ve learned one thing, it’s this: Even captives can fight.”

Celeste’s eyes widened slightly. But then, she felt a small ember ignite within her. Her sister was still here. She had not given up.

Elenora cradled Celeste’s face in her hands and rested her forehead against hers. “We will survive,” she whispered. “But we will decide how.”

That silent vow, echoing between them, would seal both of their fates.

Elenora helped her sister get out of bed. “Go and clean yourself up properly,” she said, gently stroking her sister’s shoulder.

Despite the aching pain in her lower body, Celeste barely managed to reach the bathroom door, leaning against the wall for support as she stepped inside. Elenora, meanwhile, turned to look at the bed. There were two stains of blood in different spots. Those stains were like a symbol, marking the path of their lost innocence.

Elenora bent down and removed the bed sheets. Tears streamed down her face as she did, but she knew she had to be strong—not for herself, but for her sister. Besides, Neonidas was not as terrifying as she had thought. Maybe… maybe this would not be so bad after all.

With trembling hands, she gripped the sheets tightly. The bloodstains blurred before her eyes, but she did not look away. This was not an end. It was a beginning. She tried to remind herself of that. They had lost something—but there was still something to gain.

Neonidas was not just a conqueror. He was a man. He had desires, weaknesses, and pride. In this world, only the strong survived, and Elenora knew the sword did not always win that strength. She would play his game, but on her own terms.

The sound of running water from the bathroom ceased. Celeste’s strained footsteps echoed in the quiet room. Quickly, Elenora wiped her tears away, set the sheets aside, and sat properly on the bed. Her sister needed to see her as someone strong.

Celeste sat at the edge of the bed, her damp hair falling over her shoulders. Her eyes were still filled with fear.

Elenora spoke in a soft yet firm voice. “Celeste, survival is not only about resistance. Sometimes… it requires acceptance and patience.”

Celeste flinched. “What do you mean?”

Elenora took her sister’s cold hands in hers. “We are not in the hands of a man who wants to destroy us. Neonidas wants to own us. And that means we can guide him.”

Celeste furrowed her brows. “I hate him.”

Elenora took a deep breath. “I know. But we must survive, Celeste. You, me, and Mother. The only way… is to give him what he wants.”

Celeste was silent for a moment. Then, in a hushed voice, she asked, “Are you forcing us to become happy slaves?”

Elenora shook her head. “No. I don’t want us to be happy. I want us to be strong. If we can make Neonidas love us, he will hurt us less. If we can gain his trust, we can control our own fate in time.”

Celeste clenched her teeth and looked at the floor. Then she lifted her head. “What if we fail?”

Elenora cupped her sister’s face. “Then we die.” There was not the slightest hesitation in her voice. “But before I die, I will not give up until I take back everything that belongs to us.”

The fear in Celeste’s eyes lessened slightly. Elenora was the same as always. She would not fall before she had fought… In fact, that’s exactly what Neonidas wanted.

—

There was a beautiful garden filled with tall, majestic trees. Once, royal children played here, noblewomen sipped tea beneath the shade, and men engaged in friendly duels. This was the famous royal garden of the Hindonpon Kingdom.

Rare plants that could not be found even in the empire flourished here, alongside fruit-bearing trees in abundance. Neatly trimmed green grass, fragrant flowers, and luxurious pavilions arranged amidst this paradise made it a truly breathtaking place. The renowned royal garden was just as beautiful as the rumors claimed.

Among all this greenery, Allea and Neonidas walked slowly along the stone path. Most noble couples would take frequent garden strolls after their engagement, trying to get to know each other better. Yet, this was the first time Neonidas and Allea were doing so.

Neonidas walked with slow, deliberate steps, his hands clasped behind his back. His cold and dignified posture gave the impression of a man utterly devoid of emotion. Yet, his sharp gaze carefully studied the surrounding splendor.

The famed garden of Hindonpon Kingdom… He did not walk through it as a mere nobles, he were its rightful ruler.

Allea stood beside him, her red hair swaying gently in the breeze. She appeared indifferent to Neonidas’s presence, yet in truth, she was observing his every move. This man was her fiancé—at least, that was what everyone said. But to Allea, this bond had once been more of a chain than a fate.

Now, however, she saw it as an opportunity, perhaps even a blessing. After all, the man from the future was her betrothed.

“Do you like this place?” Neonidas asked, without turning his head.

After a brief silence, Allea replied, “It’s not as peaceful as it seems.”

Neonidas smiled faintly. “Because this is the garden of a conquered land. True peace can only be savored when power rests in your hands.”

Allea hesitated, turning her gaze to him. “And you?” she asked coldly. “Are you at peace, since power is in your hands?”

Neonidas slightly turned his head to look at her. A strange flicker passed through his eyes. “I’ve never tasted peace.”

His answer, yet something stirred inside her did not surprise Allea. Neonidas was a ruthless warrior, one who had burned and shattered this land. To him, the world was nothing more than a battlefield of victories and losses.

So then… why was he here, walking through a garden with her?

“Why did you feel the need for this walk?” she asked, genuine curiosity in her voice.

Neonidas paused for a moment, then gave a slight shrug. “Because I have a fiancée,” he said calmly. “And people say fiancés should get to know each other.”

Allea looked at him skeptically. “Since when do you care about what people say?”

Neonidas let out a quiet chuckle. “Since I started caring about the surrounding women.”

Allea turned her head sharply to look at him. Shadows of old memories flickered in her eyes. This man… was once her childhood friend. There was a time when they trained with swords together, ate at the same table, whispered secrets to each other—until their paths diverged.

“And am I just one of the women around you?” she asked, her voice sharp and measured.

Neonidas slowed his steps. He looked at her in silence for a moment before speaking without a smile. “No, Allea. You are my fiancée and my future empress.”

Allea bit her lip slightly. Neonidas knew how to compliment her. For someone like her—constantly praised for her beauty, charm, and allure—such words had long lost their meaning. The only thing that truly interested her was the thirst for power.

“When we were children… I always wondered something about you, Neo,” she murmured. “Back then, I was older than you, so perhaps I had different thoughts.”

Neonidas tilted his head slightly, watching the flickering emotions in her eyes. Was this mere childhood curiosity? Or something more? As the wind swept through her crimson hair, the cold expression on her face seemed to falter for just a moment—but only for a moment.

“What did you wonder, Allea?” he asked, his voice soft but still carrying that unshakable confidence.

Allea narrowed her eyes at him. “I wanted to rule over you,” she stated bluntly. “Back then, you were smaller, weaker, an inexperienced child. I always thought that one day, I would have you in the palm of my hand.”

Neonidas raised an eyebrow slightly. Then a smirk spread across his lips. “Is that so?” he murmured.

Allea lifted her hand and looked at the engagement ring on her finger. It was gold, adorned with a deep crimson gemstone. It suited Neonidas’s tastes—extravagant yet laden with meaning. She rolled the ring between her fingers, then met his gaze directly.

“Now you have grown up, stronger and, most importantly, you are an experienced… In truth… I want to rule over you even more now.”