Reincarnate as the Villainess's Husband - Chapter 59

Chapter 59: Measures
“So, you’re gathering information for Duke Draevos, is that it?”

The woman nodded in response to Neonidas’ question.

“Do you have a partner? Or at least another spy you know of?”

The woman shook her head violently. “No… I don’t. I don’t know,” she said in a trembling voice.

Neonidas stood before the woman and stared at her for a moment. He now had two options: either kill this woman or let her live. If he killed her, Duke Draevos would eventually find out and become more cautious. After all, Duke Draevos was currently Neonidas’ neighbor, one of the duchies closest to his own.

When Emperor Gredor ascended to the throne and the duchies’ territories were redistributed, much of Duke Draevos’ land had been handed over to Neonidas’ father, Duke Leonardo. This created a hidden enmity between the two families. Additionally, since they governed the smallest piece of land among the twelve duchies, they had developed an inferiority complex. They blamed Duke Leonardo for all their misfortunes. In short, building good relations with Duke Draevos was impossible, and it was certain they would attack at the first opportunity.

For this reason, Neonidas pondered whether he could use this spy to his advantage. It was clear that the woman was deeply afraid of him, and such fear might prevent her from betraying him. But this was not guaranteed. The greatest hatreds in a person’s heart often stem from either excessive love or excessive fear. However, Neonidas was confident that as long as he lived, this woman would continue to fear him. After all, traumatic experiences don’t fade easily.

Neonidas had to admit he had gotten quite carried away. Even he felt slightly uneasy about his earlier psychopathic demeanor. But considering the woman before him was a professional spy, it had been a necessary and effective plan.

“I’m giving you two options. First, you make a deal with me and work for me from now on. I’ll heal your wounds and pay you a good salary. The second option… is to die in even greater pain than what you’ve already experienced. Now, make your decision.”

She was breathing heavily; the wheezing sounds from her throat echoed in the silence of the room. Her eyes were fixed on Neonidas’ feet; she didn’t dare look directly at him, trying to avoid the piercing coldness of his gaze.

“I… I… Please,” the woman stammered, her words trembling and muffled. “I’ll do whatever you want, just don’t kill me!”

Neonidas slowly stepped toward her. The heavy sound of his leather boots with each step heightened the woman’s growing fear. Her breathing quickened; it was as if every step was a death knell. Neonidas crouched and leaned closer to her face, studying her frozen eyes and the fear-stricken expression that had overtaken her.

“There’s no need to be so scared,” Neonidas said, his voice laced with mocking calmness. Yet, there was a merciless glint in his eyes. “As long as you don’t try to play games with me.”

The woman’s lips trembled. Tears began streaming down her face. “Never… I would never do that. I swear. I won’t betray you… Just… Please…”

Neonidas pulled a chair closer and sat down beside her. He didn’t take his eyes off her for even a second, exerting an oppressive pressure on her. Her mind was in turmoil; the terror of the moment had wiped out any rational thought.

“Don’t look so desperate,” Neonidas said coolly. “If you prove useful to me, you’ll survive. But remember…” He leaned in even closer, his face just inches from hers. She could feel his breath on her face and began trembling even more. “If you try to deceive me, you’ll miss your current state.”

The woman lowered her head, unable to meet his gaze any longer. “I understand,” she said in a muffled and weak voice. “I will serve you.”

Neonidas leaned back and stood, a faint smile appearing on his face. “From now on, only pass on what I tell you to your masters.” With that, he left the cellar.

The woman was so terrified that the smell of urine in the room betrayed her loss of control, but feeling ashamed of herself was the last thing on her mind.

After giving a few instructions to the guards outside the door, Neonidas ascended the stairs and returned to his tasks. He still had work to do to expand the duchy’s agricultural lands.

—

Neonidas continued working and brainstorming new projects until evening. He couldn’t help but think about how he wished he had learned more about such matters in his previous life. Still, several reasonable ideas came to mind, but his thoughts were interrupted when someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Solara entered, looking radiant. Her carefully arranged hair and warm smile illuminated the room as she approached Neonidas. She was noticeably less shy than before, and her deep love for her master had emboldened her.

“I apologize for interrupting your work, my lord, but I’ve brought you something to drink. I also ran into the steward on my way here, and he handed me the finalized guest list for the banquet you’re planning.” Solara placed a tray in front of Neonidas.

The tray held carefully prepared cookies and hot chocolate milk. These were cookies Solara had baked herself, and they were undoubtedly delicious. Neonidas grabbed her by the waist and pulled her closer. Solara’s face flushed immediately, but she didn’t resist.

“Sit on my lap.”

Solara hesitated, her eyes darting over Neonidas’s face with a momentary look of surprise. However, Neonidas’s firm and confident demeanor left her with little choice. Slowly, she settled on his lap, her hands clasped nervously on her knees. Her face remained flushed, and her breathing quickened slightly.

Meanwhile, Neonidas reviewed the guest list, one hand idly resting on Solara’s waist. The list included all the dukes, members of the imperial family, and numerous powerful nobles. It was satisfactory, but Neonidas added a few nobles from foreign lands with whom he could establish trade relations before setting the list aside.

Then he turned his full attention to Solara. Starting from her neck, he trailed soft kisses up to her ear. “Are you uncomfortable with the new concubine?” he whispered gently.

Solara paused for a moment, but then shook her head vigorously. “No, my lord… The only thing I want is your happiness. The last thing I desire is to stand in the way of that.”

“I didn’t take Yuanna as my concubine for my happiness, Solara,” Neonidas said, his voice calm yet firm. “I did it because of the benefits she brings. But keeping you by my side isn’t about profit—it’s about my desire for you. Never compare yourself to her or any other woman.”

Neonidas’s words caused a brief flicker of light in Solara’s eyes. His candid expression of his feelings resonated deeply within her. Solara lowered her head slightly, her eyes filled with a mixture of shyness and profound happiness. Neonidas’s hands remained gently on her chin, holding her face with a warmth that sent waves of emotion through her.

“My lord,” Solara whispered, her voice trembling with passion. “I would do anything for you—anything to ensure your happiness and safety. Just… please don’t send me away.”

Neonidas, sensing the sincerity in her words, smiled faintly and pulled her into a tight embrace. Solara’s frame seemed to disappear within his broad shoulders. She rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. In that moment, everything in her world felt complete within Neonidas’s arms.

“You’re not going anywhere, Solara,” Neonidas and he was stroking Solara’s plump legs with his hands.. “Even if you wanted to leave, I wouldn’t allow it.”

He held her even closer, the warmth of her delicate body seeming to dispel any lingering heaviness in the room. Solara, her head still against his chest, closed her eyes as if wishing this moment would last forever.

“Have you spoken with Soren?”

Solara nodded slightly. “Yes… I don’t think he’s as troubled by this as I initially thought. He doesn’t seem too upset about the situation. Besides, I’ve always wanted a sister. Still, it feels a bit strange.”

“That’s perfectly normal. You should have some important conversations with him about women.”

Solara paused briefly at Neonidas’s suggestion, but then smiled faintly. His warmth and confidence seemed to ease all her doubts. She slowly raised her head to meet Neonidas’s gaze.

“Of course, my lord. I’ll talk to her,” Solara replied softly.

Suddenly, Neonidas sat upright as if remembering something. Under Solara’s curious gaze, he retrieved a box from a drawer. Inside was an herb he had used before. While Solara had mostly recovered, Neonidas knew her mana might still have suffered some permanent damage, and this herb was excellent for healing such issues.

“Take this and have the servants prepare a soup with it. Make sure you drink every last drop of it.”

______

I finally found a good women’s novel. Yes, for the first time I found a good one. I’ve read fifty chapters so far, but so far it’s very good and I can say that it inspired me a little bit. The title of the novel is something like “my ex-husband chase me back”😲