Reincarnate as the Villainess's Husband - Chapter 61

Chapter 61: Inputs and outputs
When everyone took their seats, Neonidas stood up and tapped his bottle a few times to quiet the crowd. The room fell silent, and everyone eagerly awaited what Neonidas had to say. Especially under the hostile gazes of some nobles, Neonidas cleared his throat and began to speak.

“Welcome to my home, everyone. First, I would like to explain the purpose of this gathering. Recently, I discovered a Mana stone mine within my lands. To celebrate this new resource, which will strengthen our empire, I wanted to share this moment with you, my dear friends. But I have another piece of good news to share. To make these Mana stones even more beneficial for our empire, I have decided to establish a magical center. Today, we will also hold a fundraising event for the establishment of this center,” Neonidas said and gestured to one side.

From the corner, Neonidas’ sister, Zalira, emerged and embraced him. “The head of this new magical center will be none other than my beautiful sister, Zalira. She will answer any questions you may have about this new project,” he announced.

Neonidas’ words caused murmurs in the room. Some nobles showed signs of satisfaction, while others openly displayed concern. Discovering a Mana stone mine was already a significant development, but establishing a magical center under Neonidas’ direct control represented a strategic threat to many. The hostile glances made this clear.

Zalira gracefully stepped forward and joined Neonidas. She made a polite bow to the guests, her confident demeanor signaling that Neonidas’ choice was no coincidence. Taking a glass in her hand, Zalira began to speak slowly.

“Esteemed friends, the magical center we are establishing to make the most of this new resource will not only strengthen the Oreoned family but all of us. This center will not only process Mana stones but also lead the education of young magicians. Strong magicians mean a strong empire. Without your support, we cannot achieve this great goal,” Zalira said.

Her tone and delivery captured the attention of the crowd, though whispers spread among some nobles. Rivals from other families quickly realized that this move could elevate Neonidas to a powerful position. However, with the empress and crown princess Allea present, no one dared to show disrespect.

Meanwhile, smaller nobles and those without Mana stone mines or magical centers in their lands sought to build closer ties with Neonidas, which was precisely what he wanted. No emperor would risk a conflict with 11 duchies, so why would Neonidas put himself in such a precarious position? His goal was to create factions among the duchies and disrupt their unity, all while building the strongest alliance for himself.

When Neonidas returned to his seat, he noticed Allea grinning at him. “Not bad,” she whispered.

Allea had quickly grasped Neonidas’ intentions. She began to see this new version of Neonidas as more useful and was even considering changing her plans regarding him. After all, with someone this clever and resourceful, she could better govern the empire. But for now, she had another matter she wanted to discuss with Neonidas, though the setting was not yet appropriate.

The feast continued. The first donation for the magical center came from the empress, followed by declarations of support from several dukes. The true purpose of the fundraising event, however, was to determine who would align with Neonidas and who would not. Additionally, reducing the costs of the project was a beneficial side effect, making it a well-thought-out plan.

Throughout the evening, Neonidas mingled with the guests, seeking allies and gauging the intentions of his rivals. Though officially a celebration and fundraising night, for Neonidas, it was a strategic battle. Every word, glance, and donation carried meaning.

At one point, Neonidas felt Allea’s gaze from across the hall. She was watching him with a subtle smile, conveying approval, interest, and perhaps a hint of challenge. As he pondered the meaning of her look, Allea continued her conversation with a nearby duke. Neonidas resolved to have a more serious discussion with her in the future.

Zalira, meanwhile, moved gracefully among the guests, answering questions about the magical center. Her elegance and intellect left a strong impression on many. However, members of rival families openly displayed concern, attempting to corner Zalira with their inquiries.

Zalira skillfully addressed each question, emphasizing that the center would benefit not just the empire but all nobles. Of course, this wasn’t entirely true. Zalira had spoken extensively with Neonidas beforehand and fully understood her brother’s intentions. She had no intention of leaving him alone on this dangerous journey, which was why she was here tonight.

As the night progressed, the list of donations grew. Everyone saw how meticulously Neonidas and Zalira had planned this project. Some nobles, especially representatives of rival duchies, opted not to donate, a fact that did not escape Neonidas’ notice. Instead of being bothered, he silently took note of them, planning how they should be dealt with in the future.

When Zalira caught Neonidas’ gaze, she gave him a slight nod, signaling that everything was going according to plan. Neonidas continued observing for a while longer. Understanding the dynamics among people was crucial to such gatherings. He could clearly sense the discomfort among his rivals, a sign of his victory.

At one point, the Empress stood up to leave the hall. She was Neonidas’s guest for the evening, and she expressed that she wished to go to the room reserved for her. Neonidas stood up to accompany the Empress and walked with her. They were alone in the corridors, and it was impossible for anyone to overhear them.

“Do you now believe in me, without a doubt?” Neonidas broke the silence and asked.

“Yes, I do believe you. Later tonight, after the banquet ends, I would like to speak with you,” the Empress replied.

Upon hearing the Empress’s answer, Neonidas smiled faintly. “Of course, Your Majesty. What you wish is an order for me,” he said, and kissed the Empress’s hand.

The Empress smiled gently and then turned her back, entering her room, leaving Neonidas in silence. Neonidas, after taking one last look at the Empress’s wide hips that were noticeable despite her modest dress, returned to the banquet hall.

When he returned, the first person to approach him was surprisingly Duke Maximilian Valen from the North. Right beside him was his daughter, Cassandra Valen, a stunningly beautiful woman with golden blonde hair and blue eyes that sparkled. Cassandra had graduated first in her class from the Imperial Academy and was recognized as the genius of her generation. She was also considered one of the six most beautiful women in the Empire, alongside Princess Allea.

“Lord Neonidas. You have accomplished much in a short time. Congratulations,” said Duke Maximilian Valen.

“Thank you for your kind words, Lord Maximilian.”

Duke Maximilian Valen, a prominent supporter of Avelina in the original novel, was also one of the main adversaries of Princess Allea. He had played a significant role in Avelina’s usurpation of the throne. But now, he approached Neonidas with a friendly smile.

“This is my one and only daughter, Cassandra,” said Duke Maximilian, making a gentle hand gesture toward Cassandra to greet Neonidas. Cassandra saluted Neonidas with an elegant bow, her eyes exuding a sense of cool composure and confidence.

“Lord Neonidas,” Duke Maximilian continued, “Your leadership abilities and the success you’ve shown in such a short time have inspired great admiration within my family. I believe that establishing a closer bond between our families, with my daughter Cassandra, who graduated top of her class at the Imperial Academy and is regarded as a genius of her generation, would be a significant benefit to both our families and the Empire.”

After a brief pause, Duke Maximilian lowered his voice and added: “Of course, this is merely a proposal and a gesture of respect. I wish to foster a deeper connection between our families by having my daughter form a closer relationship with you. If you find it suitable, having my daughter serve as a concubine in your household could further strengthen the power of your house.”

Cassandra did not show any hesitation at her father’s proposal. She gave Neonidas a look that conveyed both her father’s decision and her own confidence. Her eyes were sharp and bright, as if she were trying to catch Neonidas’ attention.

Duke Maximilian stepped back, raising his glass once again, waiting for Neonidas’ response.

“I would like you to know, Lord Neonidas, that this offer is made solely to express my family’s admiration and respect for you.”

Neonidas had to admit that he hadn’t expected this offer. A girl as talented and intelligent as Cassandra could be used in a much more beneficial way. Although, since the Emperor had no male heirs, most dukes’ daughters were married off either to other ducal families or to lower nobles.

If they were fortunate, they could marry into royal families of other countries, establishing profitable alliances. However, in extremely rare cases, a duke would offer his daughter as a concubine to another duke. Of course, Duke Maximilian had many daughters, and it wouldn’t be surprising for Neonidas if one of them was being offered to him in order to establish a good relationship with him.