Reincarnate as the Villainess's Husband - Chapter 77

Chapter 77: A few things
After a brief conversation, Zalira and Neonidas stepped outside. It was now time for the presentation of gifts. Duke Maximilian’s family gathered in the sitting room to welcome Neonidas and his sister once again. Neonidas was the first to present his gift—a magical necklace crafted from pure Mana stones.

As he offered the gift, Neonidas maintained a calm and composed expression. The magical necklace, made of pure Mana stones, was not merely a decorative accessory but also an artifact with the ability to enhance magical powers. While placing the necklace around Cassandra’s neck, Neonidas spoke in a gentle yet deliberate tone:

“This necklace is not only meant to complement your beauty, Lady Cassandra, but it is also a token of power. As long as you are by my side, I wish for your safety.”

“Thank you, Lord Neonidas,”

The necklace held symbolic value as it was the first item produced from the Mana stone mines. This fact alone ensured that Duke Maximilian’s family was thoroughly satisfied with the gift.

Following this, Duke Maximilian signaled his servant to present Neonidas with a gift. The servant brought forth a magnificently carved wooden box adorned with the Valen family crest intricately engraved on its surface. Maximilian opened the box, revealing a pair of enchanted gloves that shimmered under the light. The gloves, crafted from sleek black leather, were embroidered with ancient magical symbols in golden thread.

Offering the gloves to Neonidas, Maximilian spoke warmly:

“These gloves are among the treasures of our family. They were crafted by one of the Empire’s most skilled master mages. They will enhance your strength in battle and protect you from dangers. I am confident that in the hands of a powerful leader like yourself, they will fulfill their purpose.”

As Neonidas carefully examined the gloves, a faint smile appeared on his face. He immediately recognized their value. Beyond merely increasing magical power, the gloves improved mana efficiency—a testament to their exceptional craftsmanship. Such a gift clearly indicated that Maximilian viewed Neonidas as a potential ally.

“Thank you for this generous gift, Duke Maximilian,” Neonidas said as he accepted the gloves with care. “It is an honor that a treasure of such worth is entrusted to me by a noble like yourself. I will make sure they are used wisely and with purpose.”

With the exchange of gifts complete, the atmosphere in the room softened slightly. However, both Neonidas and Maximilian were well aware of the political maneuvers hidden beneath these friendly gestures. Cassandra sat quietly, her fingers lightly touching the necklace, her expression thoughtful. Zalira observed the proceedings in silence.

Maximilian then turned to Neonidas and said,

“I am pleased with how productive our discussions have been, Duke Neonidas. However, we will need to meet again in the coming days to finalize the details of our trade agreements. In the meantime, I trust that you will ensure my daughter Cassandra’s comfort while she is in your care.”

Neonidas responded with diplomatic poise:

“Lady Cassandra will not only be comfortable, but also safe under my protection. Rest assured, we will take every step to strengthen the foundation of our alliance.”

Maximilian nodded in gratitude and rose to his feet, casting one last glance at Cassandra before addressing her firmly,

“Daughter, from now on, you will be at Duke Neonidas’s side. I trust you to serve him with loyalty and honor. I am certain you will do your utmost to uphold our family’s dignity.”

Cassandra obediently bowed her head at her father’s words.

“Yes, Father. I promise.”

With those words, the meeting concluded. Neonidas and Zalira left the hall, with Cassandra accompanying them. As they stepped outside, Neonidas cast a brief glance at Cassandra. In her eyes, he noticed a shadow of sorrow and anger hidden beneath her calm exterior. For now, however, he chose to ignore it. There was still time to determine whether Cassandra would be an ally or a potential threat.

Following unwritten traditions, Zalira boarded a separate carriage while Cassandra and Neonidas shared one. Even after the meeting, Neonidas remained uncertain about Maximilian’s true intentions. The duke was a far more skilled negotiator and strategist than Neonidas had initially expected.

Based on the scenarios he had formulated in his mind, Neonidas foresaw three possible motives for Maximilian. Either the duke genuinely sought an alliance and a mutually beneficial relationship with Neonidas, or he intended to plant Cassandra as a spy within Neonidas’s household. However, the most likely possibility, in Neonidas’s opinion, was that Maximilian aimed to use Cassandra to manipulate himself like a puppet.

Neonidas had accepted the agreement, prepared for any of these scenarios. As the carriage headed toward the teleportation portal, he closed his eyes briefly, trying to collect his thoughts.

Cassandra sat silently beside him, her demeanor making it difficult to discern her feelings. Neonidas wondered about the depth of her loyalty to her father and whether she could truly be trusted. Cassandra’s presence was undoubtedly central to Maximilian’s plans, so keeping a close watch on her was imperative.

During the meeting, the most significant thing Neonidas had noticed was the small, pink-haired girl, Maximilian’s illegitimate daughter. When Neonidas saw the girl clinging to Cassandra with fear, it helped him eliminate countless possibilities and narrow Maximilian’s motives down to three. The pink-haired girl had also appeared in the original novel.

In the original story, Cassandra was said to harbor hatred toward the girl. However, today, the two appeared to be unusually close. Could this be something that differed from the original novel? No, at least not in Neonidas’s opinion. In fact, it was a clue that clearly reflected Cassandra’s situation.

“Lady Cassandra,” Neonidas finally broke the silence. “Rest assured, I will never harm you, nor will I touch you unless you desire it. Now that you are under my protection, I will do everything in my power to ensure your safety and happiness. And I do not say this lightly—I would not hesitate to start a war for your sake.”

These dramatic, albeit clichéd, words surprisingly left Cassandra visibly astonished.

“Do not misunderstand me, Lady Cassandra. I am not in love with you—not yet, at least. The reason I say this is that you now belong to me, and I do not take kindly to anyone harming what is mine.”

Neonidas’s words surprised Cassandra once again, but this time, she successfully maintained her stoic expression.

“Thank you, Lord Neonidas. Those words are quite meaningful,” she replied.

Her short, straightforward response didn’t surprise him. As the carriages reached the teleportation portal, the two fell into silence.

When they passed through the portal and the refreshing scent of Oreoned Duchy’s spring air filled their noses, marking their departure from the cold climate of the Valen Duchy, Neonidas took a deep breath and opened the window. This visit had once again reminded him of how valuable Oreoned Duchy was.

The lands acquired by the late Duke Leonardo were truly worth their weight in gold. Such precious lands naturally came with many enemies.

As the carriage made its way to the ducal residence, Neonidas closed the window and turned toward Cassandra. The young woman seemed to be gazing at the scenery, but Neonidas was certain her mind was occupied with other thoughts. While watching the view, Cassandra occasionally furrowed her brows and pressed her lips together slightly—subtle signs, in Neonidas’s opinion, of emotional turmoil.

“Lady Cassandra, welcome to your new home. This place can be a fresh start for you. Here, you have the chance to rewrite your destiny,”

And that was the bitter reality of being a concubine. No wedding, no celebration—she had been sent to another duchy as if she were a commodity for trade. A deep, emotional void formed within her, and Neonidas’s words weren’t enough to fill it.

She felt alone. In her cold home, she had never physically felt the chill, but here, it was as if she were freezing. Yet now, she understood her younger sister’s feelings better than ever before.

As the carriage entered Neonidas’s estate, the air was filled with the pleasant fragrance of blooming flowers. Shortly after, the carriage came to a stop. Neonidas was the first to step out, offering his hand as a courtesy to help Cassandra disembark. Reluctantly but politely, Cassandra took his hand and stepped down from the carriage.

As she looked around, she noticed the vast garden and the mansion’s majestic appearance. This part of Oreoned Duchy was lush and serene, with a calming landscape. However, the unease within Cassandra overshadowed the beauty she saw.

At the entrance, Solara and Yuanna stood at the forefront, with the servants lined up neatly on either side in a formal greeting. Yuanna’s expression subtly revealed her discomfort, while Solara’s face clearly showed her struggle to contain her jealousy.

As he slowly approached the two with Cassandra, a sudden growl from the corner caught their attention. It was Fenrilla, the wolf, glaring at Cassandra as if she were her greatest enemy, ready to pounce at any moment.

“Fenrilla, calm down!”

At the sound of the command, Fenrilla immediately relaxed, wagging her tail like a small puppy before retreating.