Reincarnate as the Villainess's Husband - Chapter 82

Chapter 82: First but not last kiss
Two weeks later, the entire army of the Oreoned Duchy and the forces of Allea had finally gathered. The following day, the army would begin marching south, and Neonidas would, at least for a time, be far from home. Of course, while the army advanced southward, Neonidas would have to head to the capital.

During this period, Neonidas had no close interaction with Cassandra. Unlike Yuanna, Cassandra was much more calculating and far less emotional. Controlling women like her was difficult. Even though Cassandra had once hugged Neonidas and cried audibly, that did not mean she was an emotional woman.

That night, Cassandra’s defenses had collapsed, overwhelmed by the guilt of betraying Neonidas and, at the same time, by the fact that he had forgiven her despite everything. Her emotional outburst of crying was because of this.

Until now, Neonidas’s goal had been to create an environment where Cassandra felt both safe and valued. For that reason, he showed her love and attention without touching her. This way, Cassandra would slowly lower the defensive walls she had built around her heart, of her own accord, for Neonidas.

However, since Neonidas was about to go to war and would not see Cassandra for a long time, he thought of taking a step to ensure their relationship wouldn’t reset.

For Cassandra, sitting on Neonidas’s lap in his study was truly embarrassing. But this was Neonidas’ first step in creating a lasting impression. At that moment, he was signing some documents or reading letters. Occasionally, he asked Cassandra questions about them, as if everything was completely normal.

“Do you think this man is sincere in his letter?” Neonidas asked, showing Cassandra a letter from a count in her father’s duchy.

As she sat on Neonidas’s lap, Cassandra found herself wrapped in a strange mix of unease and an oddly comforting sense of security. After carefully examining the letter, she answered thoughtfully.

“He seems insincere,” Cassandra said, furrowing her brows. “His words are carefully chosen but overly contrived.”

Neonidas glanced at her with a faint smile. “Then that means we won’t trust the count.”

Occasionally, Neonidas consulted her opinion without fail. Cassandra, having no choice but to adapt to this strange situation, answered his questions one by one with care. Neonidas’s hand gently caressed her soft back, soothing her.

When Neonidas finished his daily tasks, Cassandra moved to stand up, but his strong arms did not allow it. While gathering his documents, Neonidas looked at her and spoke in a calm tone.

“Leaving so soon? Your presence calms my mind before the war. Also, don’t forget, Cassandra—you are my concubine. You are meant to stay by my side.”

His words carried a faint glimmer of mockery in his eyes.

Cassandra felt her cheeks flush with warmth and furrowed her brows. Neonidas’s words sparked a flicker of anger in her heart, but expressing it wouldn’t be wise right now. Meanwhile, Neonidas watched her reactions closely, as he always did in such moments.

“Does that mean I have to sit here and accompany you all the time?” Cassandra’s voice carried a barely perceptible hint of fear, as though she were genuinely imagining spending the rest of her life on Neonidas’s lap.

Neonidas let out a soft chuckle, withdrawing one hand from her back to lift her chin gently and meet her gaze.

“You can use my lap as a chair whenever you like; I’ll never mind. But I fear at some point I might lose control, thanks to your soft legs.”

Cassandra blushed even more at Neonidas’s words. She wanted to look away, but the hand holding her chin left her no choice but to keep her head slightly raised. Neonidas’s gaze was confident, yet deep. He noticed the redness on her face but chose to remain silent, observing her reaction for a moment.

“Is there a reason you insist on embarrassing me so much?” Cassandra asked, her voice trembling slightly despite her effort to control it.

“Other than how adorable you look? Cassandra, I’m just making you face yourself—your insecurities and your emotions. You sit here, but you’re still trying to figure me out in your head. I’m very simple. Everything that is mine belongs to me. And so do you.”

Cassandra was momentarily stunned by Neonidas’s words. His direct and possessive demeanor sparked both anger and an inexplicable acceleration in her heartbeat.

“Tomorrow, I’ll leave this place, Cassandra. We won’t see each other for a while. That’s why I want to savor you fully.”

Cassandra flinched at Neonidas’s words. Her heart tightened as if caught in a vise; she was at a loss for what to say. Neonidas, still holding her chin, kept his eyes locked on hers. This gesture made her feel as if she were trapped in a small cage, but the sensation was not as unsettling as she had expected. His gaze held a sharp determination, coupled with a strange warmth that made her feel more vulnerable than ever.

As Neonidas’s hand moved from her chin to gently caress her cheek, his touch was as light as a feather but carried an intensity that stirred storms within her. Despite the chaotic emotions rising inside her, Cassandra couldn’t tear her eyes away from his. His gaze was both a haven and a dangerous precipice.

For a few seconds, Cassandra didn’t move. This wasn’t surrender; no, it was a temporary truce in the midst of a battle. But Neonidas saw this moment as his own victory. Slowly, he leaned toward Cassandra’s face, each movement as deliberate as a triumphant march.

“Neonidas…” Cassandra’s voice was barely a whisper. It echoed through the room as both a protest and an invitation. As his lips approached hers, time seemed to stand still. The only distance remaining between them was enough for their breaths to mingle.

Finally, Neonidas’s lips touched Cassandra’s. This wasn’t just a kiss—it was an earthquake. Their lips explored each other slowly, as if they had all the time in the world, yet moved with a hunger that demanded more with each passing second. Neonidas’s lips captured hers so carefully that it was more than possession; it was a storm of emotions that seeped into Cassandra’s very core.

Cassandra, at first, didn’t know what to do with her hands. Every cell in her body seemed to dissolve under the intensity of the kiss. However, she eventually gathered herself and let her trembling fingers touch Neonidas’ shoulder. This touch was a sign of her vulnerability and surrender. Neonidas noticed her gesture and pulled her even closer. His hands, as if holding a delicate treasure, wrapped firmly around Cassandra’s waist.

As the kiss deepened, Cassandra found herself breathless. Neonidas’ lips weren’t just forging a physical connection; they were also captivating her heart and mind. Each contact between them tore down the walls Cassandra had painstakingly built, leaving her entirely defenseless. The kiss tasted like the sorrow of a farewell and the passion of an unexpected love, all at once.

When Neonidas finally pulled away, his eyes met Cassandra’s. Her cheeks were flushed red, and her lips still tingled from the kiss. At that moment, she looked more beautiful than ever.

Noticing a stray strand of hair falling across Cassandra’s face, Neonidas reached out and gently tucked it behind her ear. He took a deep breath, his gaze still fixed on her, and spoke with a teasing yet tender smile.

” That was that enough for you to miss me more? Or would you prefer me to utterly ruin you?”

Cassandra couldn’t muster a response to his daring question. Her heart raced, like it was trying to find a rhythm in a chaotic labyrinth. But the faint, shy smile curling her lips revealed her silent surrender to him.

“Th-that’s more than enough!” she stammered, her cheeks burning crimson.

She couldn’t comprehend what was happening to her—especially to her heart—but just as milk leaves its mark on a soaked cake, the memory of this kiss would forever linger in Cassandra’s heart, replaying in her dreams to keep it alive.

“I have to go now, Cassandra.”

Neonidas slowly loosened his arms from around her waist, his teasing smile giving way to a more serious expression. He stood up and adjusted his robe while Cassandra remained seated, still under the spell of his kiss. Her eyes followed his every movement as she took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

She wanted to ask, “Do you really have to leave?” but knowing the inevitability of his departure, the words stayed locked in her heart.

“When I return, I’ll make sure to finish what we started,” Neonidas said, his parting words laced with promise, before exiting the room.

Cassandra listened to the door close behind him and felt a strange emptiness settle within her. Silence filled the room, but the echoes of what had just transpired still reverberated in her mind. For a long moment, she didn’t move, basking in the lingering presence of him. The sensation left on her lips by his kiss felt like a seal—one that bound her to him.

Finally, she took a deep breath and stood up, trying to compose herself. Yet her thoughts remained fixated on Neonidas’ last words: “When I return, I’ll make sure to finish what we started.” Those words stirred something deep within her—something she couldn’t yet name.