Reincarnate as the Villainess's Husband - Chapter 45

Chapter 45: One to one
When Solara barely sat down in the bathtub, the semen she had been holding inside her poured out completely. The maids beside her caught a glimpse of this scene out of the corner of their eyes and blushed, but they professionally began preparing the bath. Solara, meanwhile, was struggling with these new feelings she was experiencing. She was now officially a woman, and unlike a few years ago, she was happier than she ever imagined. Moreover, it was the man she loved who had made her a woman; what more could she ask for?

Yet she still felt strange. After all, in this world’s culture—just like Neonidas’s previous world—losing one’s virginity was extremely significant. It was almost a rite of passage into adulthood, the beginning of a new era. Normally, one’s virginity should have been taken by the man they married or the one who declared them a concubine; otherwise, it was considered a great sin. The empire’s predominant religion was well known for its discrimination against women. Indeed, the empire was mostly built on a hierarchical order where men were superior. Of course, there were exceptions to this hierarchy, like Allea, but even Allea hesitated to do things that opposed the empire’s main religion.

“Please lift your arm, my lady.”

Hearing one of the maids address her, Solara snapped out of her daze and lifted her arm. As the maids continued to clean her carefully, Solara’s mind was still on last night. Her memories of it had been hazy until now, but as the scenes began to resurface clearly, her face started to flush.

“…My lady, would you like us to clean there?”

Looking at the place the maid indicated with her gaze, Solara felt like she was going to die of embarrassment, her already blushing face turning completely red, like a tomato.

“No! I’ll clean it myself…”

After replying in a trembling voice, Solara quickly turned her gaze to her reflection in the water. Her heart was pounding wildly as she oscillated between shame and happiness. Neonidas’s words and touches from last night echoed in her mind. He had touched not just Solara’s body, but her soul as well.

As the maids finished their work and quietly left the room, Solara took a deep breath. She was alone now. Trying to gather herself, she felt the warmth of the water and slowly placed her hand on her abdomen. “I wonder… has anything changed?” she thought involuntarily.

In this world, especially within the empire’s borders, “becoming a woman” was not just a title for a woman; it was the moment her destiny took shape. Solara was no longer just the woman Neonidas loved, but someone who belonged to him. This thought created a strange warmth deep in her heart.

Yet there was also fear. She didn’t know what Neonidas was thinking. Had he embraced her last night only out of desire, or were there deeper feelings involved? She knew Neonidas’s cruel, selfish, and reckless nature all too well. The question, “Does he love me?” began to gnaw at her mind.

Suddenly, she stood up and stepped out of the water. Wrapping herself in a towel, she went over to the mirror. Her face was still crimson, but determination shone in her eyes. “Neonidas… whether he loves me or not, I belong to him. That is my final decision.”

—

Meanwhile…

Neonidas sat at his desk, carefully reading the letter in his hand. At last, letters had arrived from Princess Allea and the empress. Both had given him positive responses. When Neonidas lifted his head to look at the person who had delivered the letter, he understood that Allea truly wanted to help.

“So, you are Captain Kaedin. Is your team ready?”

Captain Kaedin stood at attention and bowed his head respectfully. “Yes, my lord. My team consists of the finest soldiers, and we await your orders. We are ready to act according to Princess Allea’s instructions.”

Neonidas studied the captain for a while. There was an air of confidence in Kaedin’s posture. As Neonidas examined him carefully, the captain’s sturdy physique stood out immediately. Of medium height, broad-shouldered, and muscular, it was clear from his appearance that he had spent many years on the battlefield and enduring grueling training. His short, dark brown hair and the faint scar from an old battle ran from his left brow down to just below his cheek, giving Kaedin’s face a stern and authoritative expression. His steel-gray eyes were fixed on Neonidas without showing the slightest hesitation.

His uniform was pristine and perfectly fitted, the golden rank insignias confirming his captaincy and high status. However, titles and ranks meant little to Neonidas. To him, what truly mattered was a person’s skill and resolve.

“Captain Kaedin,” Neonidas began, his voice carrying its usual authoritarian tone. “Because Allea sent you and your team, my expectations are high. But remember, no one is untouchable to me. If you make a mistake, I’ll erase you and your team from my sight.”

Kaedin didn’t show the slightest sign of discomfort. On the contrary, he accepted Neonidas’s words calmly. “Understood, my lord. I gave my word to Princess Allea; we will serve you and your command with loyalty.”

“Good. Then prepare your team—your target is Count Karjman. I want a silent and swift destruction in a single night.”

Kaedin’s eyes sharpened for a brief moment at Neonidas’s words, but his stoic expression remained intact. “Understood, my lord. Count Karjman and his lands will soon be under your command.”

Neonidas tilted his head slightly as he looked at Kaedin. “Karjman has hired mercenaries to defend the castle. They’re said to be skilled. This will be a good opportunity for me to see just how ‘elite’ you really are. If a single man escapes during the night, to me, that’s not a victory—it’s a defeat.”

Despite Neonidas’s sharp and threatening tone, Kaedin smiled. It was a controlled yet defiant smile, filled with confidence. “Don’t worry, my lord. My team will descend upon the enemy like a shadow and leave no trace. Regardless of the mercenaries’ quality, by the end of the night, Karjman will be nothing but a name.”

A look that appeared dissatisfied yet carried a faint trace of approval crossed Neonidas’s face. He liked Kaedin’s courage and resolve.

“Good. You will move tonight. Your soldiers will act in complete silence; I won’t tolerate any mistakes. I’ll be observing your performance closely.” Neonidas’s words filled the room, and Kaedin gave a deep bow.

“As you command, my lord.”

As Kaedin swiftly withdrew and exited the room, Neonidas leaned back in his chair. Count Karjman was one of the richest lords of the western lands and one of Duke Leonardo’s closest friends—or so Karjman believed. However, Neonidas knew from his memories that Duke Leonardo didn’t consider anyone a friend.

Thanks to Duke Leonardo’s cunning nature, many people believed they were his allies, including Emperor Gredor himself. Yet for Duke Leonardo, Emperor Gredor and other people was nothing more than a stepping stone to his goals. Leonardo supported him not out of affection, but because he believed aiding Gredor at the time served his own best interests. While the original Neonidas had despised his father, the current Neonidas could only respect the cunning man.

“The strong always win. Loyalty becomes real only when it is mixed with fear.” These words were a quote from the old duke’s book.

This book was written solely for those who succeeded him in the ducal seat. It conveyed the path to power and dominance through beautifully told stories. In a way, it was a guide, and it had captivated Neonidas’s interest quite successfully. He set the book aside and then looked out over his lands. From the imperial capital to the white sea in the west, these lands belonged to Neonidas. They weren’t the richest lands in the empire, but they certainly had the potential to become so. Yet within this duchy, there was a powerful man whom Neonidas didn’t want around.

Marquis Alexsaz. This man was the strongest of the old wolves and the one who underestimated Neonidas the most. In fact, in the past few weeks, Alexsaz had completely disregarded Neonidas’s authority, acting as though his wishes no longer mattered. Given that he possessed the richest lands in the duchy, it was clear why he was so confident. But Neonidas had decided—he would deal with this man himself.

Neonidas pushed his thoughts aside and looked out the large window of his room. The western landscapes with their yellow autumn colors reminded him of his strength and power. But the presence of the Marquis Alexsaz was always there, like a shadow. Although he had rich lands and power, his contempt for Neonidas annoyed him. “His contempt for me will be his undoing,”

He studied the map again. He had been strategizing against Count Karjman, but his real target was different. It was the Marquis Alexsaz who had caught his attention. If he could somehow destroy this man, he could consolidate his power in his duchy and cement his place in the Empire. A spark burned within Neonidas; he had no intention of giving life to anyone who threatened him.