Reincarnate as the Villainess's Husband - Chapter 49

Chapter 49: First concubine
In a dimly lit dungeon, Neonidas walked with heavy steps, whistling with his lips as he waved the key in his hand. Everything had gone perfectly according to his plan so far, and now the only thing left was to avoid the radar of the grand imperial court. Neonidas had spent the last two days creating false evidence, working tirelessly without sleep.

Fortunately, Marquis Alexsaz had connections with other kingdoms, or at least powers outside the empire, as he was managing a major trade city. The letters he obtained were mostly about trade deals and mutual interests, but this was exactly what Neonidas needed.

These types of letters were the easiest to alter. All that was needed to present them as evidence of treason was a few minor adjustments. For example, changing a clause in a trade agreement and replacing it with something that could be seen as treasonous would work. Furthermore, Neonidas planned to accuse Marquis Alexsaz of secretly collaborating with the noble group in the duchy that opposed him, and in doing so, he would destroy all of his enemies without lifting a finger.

Imperial Supreme Court, among the most powerful institutions in the empire, took direct orders from the emperor. It didn’t matter whether their bloodline was noble or they were from the common folk—the only thing that mattered was their power. This institution had been established during the empire’s rise to maintain justice across its vast lands. Over time, however, it had become something of a whip that the emperor could wield whenever he wished. Still, they were officially responsible for ensuring justice.

It was said that one or more of the mages in the Imperial Supreme Court guards could see into a person’s memories, and if someone tried to invade Neonidas’s mind, he would undoubtedly face severe punishment. That’s why Neonidas needed the help of both Princess Allea and Empress Velriona. Fortunately, they had both promised to assist him. And Neonidas soon managed to change the letters and documents of Marquis Alexsaz. He was now ready to face the court with nearly 100 different documents proving Marquis Alexsaz’ treachery.

Now, all that remained was to resolve the rest of his task, which is why he was in this dungeon. Although he had been searching for the illegitimate child of Marquis Alexsaz through a large-scale investigation, there had been no progress so far. It had come to light that Marquis Alexsaz was an extremely loyal husband, and it seemed he had not touched anyone else other than his wife. Therefore, Neonidas was now heading towards the place where the only remaining child of the Marquis, a woman named Yuanna, was located.

Yuanna was looking around with fearful eyes, but the only thing she could see in the pitch-black darkness was a dim yellow light approaching. She could hear someone approaching her location, but she couldn’t see who it was. Knowing what the guards did to beautiful women in the dungeons, her entire body trembled with fear. However, when the last person she expected to see stood in front of her, holding a lantern and looking through the iron bars, Yuanna inexplicably felt a sense of relief.

“You look awful,” Neonidas said.

Yuanna, with her unkempt green hair and green eyes, tried to look away from Neonidas and accept her fate as tears began to fall involuntarily from her eyes. When she heard the sound of the solid door opening, she stared at Neonidas with disbelief. When he entered, Yuanna immediately stepped back and pressed her back against the wall.

“Running from me is pointless. You belong to me now,” Neonidas said, approaching her with the lantern and holding it up to her face.

As the light illuminated her worn-out body, the young woman’s physical features came into view. Although hunger and imprisonment had weakened her, her body still bore the impressive beauty of someone raised in nobility. The bruises under her eyes showed that she had been crying for days. Yuanna’s slender waist, delicate shoulders, and striking curves were clear signs of a woman who had been raised in luxury for years. However, the harsh conditions of the dungeon had cast a shadow over her elegance, covering her in dirt and torn clothes. Still, her wide hips and large chest formed a perfect hourglass figure.

Her skin, visible through the torn parts of her clothes, was pale and dirty, yet still smooth. Her long and thick legs were visible through the shredded fabric. The torn bust of her dress revealed her rounded and full curves, though the rips seemed to have been caused by her incredible bust, which had likely been too much for the poor dress to handle. Her neck was delicate and slender, though there were small scratches and bruises on her neck and arms from the dungeon’s toll.

Neonidas silently studied the scene, his eyes appreciating the strength Yuanna had to remain standing despite all her weaknesses.

“I can see the dungeon has ruined you,” he said in a calm tone. “But I see something else. A gem might be tarnished, but it only takes a little refining for it to shine.”

“W-what does that mean? Aren’t you going to kill me?”

Neonidas smiled lightly as he stroked Yuanna’s cheek with his free hand. “Kill you? No, absolutely not…. I will declare you my first concubine. So smile because you’re going to live a good life. Now put this on and follow me.”

Yuanna stood in shock upon hearing Neonidas’ words. “Concubine?” she whispered, her voice so faint it was almost inaudible. The idea filled her with a mixture of fear and helplessness. Her attention was drawn to the simple but elegant dress in Neonidas’s hand. Its fabric was soft and clean, in stark contrast to the cold and dirty atmosphere of the dungeon.

“Oh, right,” Neonidas said, noticing the hesitation in her expression. “You must have a thousand questions running through your mind. Don’t think about killing me and don’t even think about escaping. Because if you do, I’ll kill not you, but your mother, who’s still alive. Her blood will be on your hands.” His eyes gleamed with a threatening coldness.

Yuanna’s breath caught in her throat. “My mother… is she still alive?” she asked, her eyes filled with hope. Neonidas nodded in response.

Neonidas’s nod only intensified the chaotic emotions swirling inside Yuanna. Her eyes filled with tears, and her hands began to tremble. “I won’t let anything happen to her,” she said, her voice shaky but determined.

Seeing her response, Neonidas smiled. “That’s better. Now you’re thinking clearly. You might be in a difficult situation, but remember, I’m your only chance at salvation.” He lowered the lantern a little to reveal the details of the dress. “Wear this. Shed the dungeon girl look and carry yourself like a noble. Your new life starts now.”

Yuanna hesitated for a moment as she took the dress from Neonidas’s hand. But thinking of her mother, she knew there was no other way out of this situation. As she began to remove her clothes, she noticed Neonidas’s intense gaze, and her face flushed with shame.

“Please turn around…” she said, her voice betraying her helplessness.

“Why? You already belong to me completely… And in the future, I’ll see you naked many times.”

Yuanna’s anger grew as she saw the grin on the young man’s face watching her. But with a deep sigh, she bowed to her fate. If she angered Neonidas now, she didn’t even want to imagine what he would do to her and her mother.

“Alright,” she finally managed to say, her voice weak. As she moved her hands to her torn dress, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Yuanna quickly removed her old clothes and began putting on the new ones. Her naked body was now at Neonidas’s mercy. Neonidas had to admit that Yuanna’s body was truly a priceless jewel. With breasts so large that they would probably not even fit in his big hand, a smooth, slightly muscular belly, and large hips that were evident even from the front, Yuanna certainly had a body that could easily seduce any man. Not only her body, but also her face was incredibly beautiful. Even her trembling, full lips were beautiful. Fortunately, Neonidas currently had enough willpower to control himself.

The moment the fabric touched her skin, a small feeling of comfort contrasted with the dirty and cold air of the dungeon. The softness of the new dress contradicted the harshness of their surroundings. Still, this luxury faded under the shadow of the fear she felt.

“Neonidas,” she called out in a trembling voice. “If you’re helping me, I want to see my mother. Please…”

Neonidas chuckled lightly. “Asking me for something like that is very cute, but whether I let you see your mother depends entirely on me. Prove your loyalty to me first.”

Yuanna wanted to respond to his words, but she couldn’t speak. Everything inside her screamed that this man was dangerous. She lowered her head and kept her eyes fixed on the ground. Neonidas, noticing her submission, stopped.

“I believe you won’t disappoint me,” he said, turning the lantern’s light toward the door. “Now, follow me. I don’t want to waste any more time in this filthy place.”

Yuanna’s situation, in fact, served only to play into his game. In Neonidas’s mind, calculations were being made about the destruction of Yuanna’s father, Marki Alexsaz, and his entire family. He had eliminated them for his own benefit, and now, he was giving this woman—nothing more than a tool, a girl carrying the blood of her destroyed family—an opportunity to serve him.

After changing into her new dress, Yuanna felt like a stranger in her own body. Though the fabric of the new dress seemed like an escape from the dark world she lived in, its soft texture offered no comfort. In fear, her eyes began to see a revolutionary truth. Her only option was to remain loyal to Neonidas. Could her mother’s life offer her an escape? But still, no other path seemed possible but to move as Neonidas wished.

Yuanna hesitated for a moment, her heart pounding, before silently starting to follow his steps. The darkness behind Neonidas seemed to pull her in. With every step she took on the cold stone floor of the dungeon, her fear and helplessness grew. Every moment, she feared that Neonidas would pounce on her like a hungry beast. Yet, at the same time, the fact that her mother was alive gave her strength. Serving Neonidas might be her only salvation… And who knows, perhaps the future wouldn’t be as bad as she feared.