Throughout his ti in the Kingdom of Hindonpon, Neonidas continued implenting as many reforms as possible. Changes in various fields had already begun to take effect across the kingdom at a rapid pace.
anwhile, a secret fleet belonging to Hindonpon was discovered in the past weeks. This fleet was not highly equipped, but it was still functional.
It seed that so Hindonpon nationalists or nobles had kept an eye on it, but sohow, it had fallen into the hands of the imperial army. Wasting no ti, Neonidas imdiately arranged for this fleet to be sent to his own duchy.
While it was not sufficient to protect future trade routes entirely, it would serve its purpose for a while.
Aside from his political and military maneuvers, Neonidas spent his nights with Allea and the other won.
Neonidas had already shared his plan to kill Avelina with Allea. Additionally, the male lead of the original novel, Hero Roman, also had to be eliminated. However, before that, Allea needed to be strengthened.
For this reason, Neonidas instructed Allea to head to the coastal mountains with a group of well-trained soldiers. A valuable wizard’s staff was said to be kept in a dungeon there. Without much hesitation, Allea accepted—after all, Neonidas had knowledge of the future and had no reason to lie.
But before that, the bond between Allea and Neonidas had grown even stronger. They spent nearly five nights a week together. The remaining two nights were, of course, dedicated to the forr princesses of Hindonpon.
Both princesses had recently beco much more obedient. Recognizing this, Neonidas proceeded with the second phase of his plan and released their mother, the forr queen of Hindonpon, Lysandra. However, the forr queen was still confined to the manor and was constantly watched by an attendant. Despite this, Elenora and Celeste were pleased to be able to speak with their beloved stepmother once again. In fact, from that day on, they beca even more submissive.
In addition to their newfound obedience, both won dared to make personal requests. Elenora wished to continue her combat training, while Celeste asked to regain access to the library. Neonidas granted both requests, and for the first ti in a long while, the two won seed genuinely happy to have sothing aningful to do.
As Neonidas solidified his influence in the Kingdom of Hindonpon, the impact of his reforms spread beyond the palace walls, resonating throughout the entire nation. Trade routes were reorganized, the justice system was modernized, and the military was instilled with newfound discipline. While so among the populace viewed these sudden changes with suspicion, the majority believed that long-awaited order had finally arrived.
As he watched the captured fleet set sail for his duchy, Neonidas’ mind was occupied with far grander plans. This modest fleet was rely the beginning of his future trade network’s protection. His true goal was to establish dominance over the seas, surprising both his enemies and allies alike.
Before setting off for the coastal mountains, Allea etched into her mory the last night she spent with Neonidas. His calculating mind was evident even in their monts of physical intimacy. Acquiring the wizard’s staff would not only increase her power but also make her an indispensable part of Neonidas’ ultimate plans.
anwhile, Elenora and Celeste’s transformation had not escaped Neonidas’ sharp gaze. With Lysandra’s release, their burdens had lightened, and their suppressed desires had begun to resurface. The echoes of Elenora’s sword practice once again filled the palace gardens, while Celeste imrsed herself in dusty tos in the library. By fulfilling their requests, Neonidas had not only pleased them but also strengthened their loyalty toward him. He understood that the most powerful weapon of manipulation was the mind itself.
As night fell, whispers echoed through the dark corridors of Hindonpon: Neonidas was not just a conqueror—he was the shadow that wrote destiny itself.
And the fate he was scripting had yet to reach its climax.
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A few months passed, and at last, the day of the oath ceremony was upon them. Tomorrow, Emperor Gredor would arrive in the Kingdom of Hindonpon—or rather, what was now the new Duchy. The beautiful Queen Velriona would likely accompany him.
Neonidas’ mission was nearing its end, and it was ti for him to return to his own duchy. As the first light of dawn bathed Hindonpon, a quiet anticipation spread through the palace’s stone walls, heralding the grandeur of the upcoming ceremony. Standing on his balcony, Neonidas gazed over the city with the glimr of victory in his eyes. Yet, his mind remained entangled in a web of intricate plans. Emperor Gredor and Queen Velriona’s arrival were not just a ceremonial event—it was a chess move in the ever-shifting balance of power. And Neonidas had already maneuvered every piece on the board into his grasp.
As preparations unfolded with all their grandeur, the echo of footsteps in the palace corridors caught Neonidas’ attention. Elenora approached, dressed in her combat attire, wiping the sweat from her forehead. Her eyes glead with newfound confidence.
"We’ll be leaving soon. If you or your sister wish to say goodbye to anyone, today is your last chance."
Hearing Neonidas’ words, a faint lancholy flickered across Elenora’s expression. But she had always known this day would co.
Her lancholic gaze clashed with the determination on her face. She took a deep breath, as if suppressing the storm raging within her. Neonidas’ piercing eyes studied her intently, as though peering into her very soul. No matter how free Elenora and Celeste believed themselves to be, they were rely key pieces on his chessboard.
After leaving Elenora, Neonidas went to see Allea. For the past few weeks, she had been engrossed in training with her newly acquired staff. Seeing Neonidas approach, she decided it was a good ti to take a break.
When Neonidas reached Allea, he noticed the gleam of newfound power in her eyes. Though still exhausted from the struggles she had endured in the dungeon and the energy she had spent mastering the staff, she remained as confident and provocative as ever. The black obsidian-etched staff in her hand rested effortlessly between her fingers, as if it were an extension of her own body.
"Did you miss , Neonidas?" she asked with a teasing smile. Her voice was soft like silk, yet carried an underlying danger. As she walked toward him, a distinct smirk played on her lips—the sa smirk that had only recently beco part of her character. She was clearly pleased.
Neonidas smiled in return. Taking a few steps toward her, he slowly circled around her, locking eyes with hers.
"Actually, you’re right—I did miss you, princess."
Allea’s smile deepened. She scrutinized him, as if trying to discern whether there was any truth in his words. Yet, despite her suspicions, she wanted to believe that this mont was real.
Neonidas, as always, was watching Allea closely. When he noticed the doubt in her eyes, he smiled slightly. He took another step toward her, his movents cautious yet authoritative. His gaze briefly flickered to the obsidian-engraved staff in her hand before returning to her eyes.
"What’s wrong?" he asked, his voice soft but carrying a hidden challenge. "Has growing stronger made you more wary?"
Allea tilted her head slightly, a sly smile curling at the corners of her lips. "Growing stronger has only heightened my awareness," she replied, twirling the staff more comfortably in her palm. "Now, I can see one step ahead more clearly."
Neonidas let out a quiet chuckle. "And what do you see?"
Allea began to circle him, her gaze carefully studying his face. "A man. A man looking for an excuse to kiss the beautiful woman in front of him."
Neonidas smiled faintly at her words. He tilted his head slightly, as if suppressing the mischievous amusent within him, but his eyes remained locked onto hers—clear, sharp, and as calculating as ever. Allea, in turn, t his gaze with her head held high, her confident smile playing at her lips like a silent challenge.
The ga continued.
Neonidas took a few more steps forward, closing in on her with slow yet deliberate movents, as if cornering her. The dim light of the room cast a soft glow on their skin. The distance between them had now shrunk to nothing more than a whisper. Allea still held her staff, but the grip between her fingers had loosened slightly. Neonidas noticed. He lowered his head just a little, his voice dropping into a deep, hushed tone.
"Looking for an excuse? Is that really what you think?"
Allea t his gaze and laughed softly, her voice gentle yet provocative. "It’s obvious what you’re after," she whispered, her words like an invitation echoing through the night. "But trust , you don’t need an excuse."
A faint smirk ford on Neonidas’s lips—a spark of both victory and desire. He lifted his hand gently, his fingers tilting Allea’s chin up ever so slightly. In that mont, everything, seed to fade into the background. It was just them.
Before closing the remaining distance, Neonidas hesitated. He waited. He wanted to see what was in her eyes—was it rejection or acceptance? But her gaze had already made the decision for him.
And then he kissed her.
At first, the kiss was slow and teasing, but within monts, it deepened, ignited by the intensity of their suppressed emotions. Allea’s breath trembled with montary surprise, but she didn’t pull away. On the contrary, she placed a hand on Neonidas’s chest, drawing herself closer, while her other hand still held the staff—though now, for an entirely different reason.
Ti seed to freeze within the dimly lit room. Neonidas’s hands slid to Allea’s waist, pulling her against him. The sweet warmth of the kiss dissolved all tension between them—yet at the sa ti, it ignited a new fire.
A few seconds later, Allea slowly pulled back. Her breathing was uneven, a faint heat spreading across her cheeks, but that sa defiant smile never faded. Tilting her head slightly, she whispered with a teasing smirk on her lips,
"Well, now you didn’t even need an excuse."
Neonidas chuckled softly, lowering his head as he murmured in response,
"I think I still need more."
And that night, it wasn’t just their minds that intertwined—but their bodies as well.
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