I reincarnated as an elf .......and married the yandere villainess.-Chapter 85:I don’t need to spread my influence.

His standing among high elves was high especially with his father’s backing and someone of that calibre agreeing to a marriage without so much as a flinch did not sit well with them.

He had to admit that their skepticism was right but it seems Lilith had clearly silenced them and now that they’ve got the opportunity which they clearly planned to use it.

’I get why she had so many meetings before the wedding there were bound to be opposition despite the council approval of the marriage’

The fact that he was from the first-generation elf bloodline added to the charge.

Lilith was about to respond when Atheline touched her arm, silencing her.

He leaned back on the seat one arm resting effortlessly on the side and looked down at the elf his lips curved.

Playing with words came as naturally to him as breathing.

"The significance is a matter of perspective on both sides," Atheline replied addressing everyone," from where I stand, this is a marriage but from where you sit..."

His gaze moved around the room as he met some while passing over the others.

".... it seems you see this as nothing but a mere negotiation between two kingdoms."

Some of the nobles looked away but most of them didn’t react but only continued to listen.

Simion clasped his hand behind his back and inclined his head a fraction.

"Your view is quite naive your highness," he calmly said," in this kingdom, the two are rarely separate."

Atheline chuckled softly.

"Then I commend you for your consistency, " he said and added more sharply," but let’s not pretend the concern is abstract. "

They all knew this was just some mindless excuse. There was no way they were concerned about the marriage.

Simion was silent as the nobles started to whisper.

’This is fun’

"You’re not asking what this marriage means," he continued with a more steady and firm voice, "you’re asking whether I intend to carry my influence here.."

"That..."

"You’re also doubting your own queen, wondering whether she has brought the high elven influence into the court."

Silence ensued. What Atheline had done was basically lay bare everything instead of playing a pretense game filled with idle conversation.

He glanced at Lilith who was looking at him, a small smile on her face.

Simion proved his fearlessness and bravery at that moment.

"Have we?" He asked Atheline plainly.

Atheline took Lilith’s hand that was resting beside his and lightly played with it before the nobles’ gaze.

"Tell me, "he let go of Lilith’s hand, stood up, and started to descend the dias," if I had intended to extend my influence onto your kingdom..."

He came to a stop a few steps from Simion who was seated among the first few tables.

"... do you believe you would be asking this?"

’I do plan on doing that but I’m not stupid enough to try just a few weeks after coming here especially inside the capital’

Those words hit harder than he had intended. He had practically told all of them that if he wanted to spread his influence, they would not be able to stop him.

Older nobles stilled completely at his implications. Only a fool would go around saying that.

"I did not come here as an envoy," he said," nor as an agent of my people."

He turned and met her eyes with a smile on his face. She raised an eyebrow clearly wondering what he was going to add.

"I came here because I chose her and I will remain, " he said in a low voice," for the same reason."

Atheline turned back to the nobles.

"If..."

"Come back here," Lilith’s commanding voice cut off what he was about to say.

Atheline sighed inwardly and walked back to the throne under her gaze. The moment he settled beside her, she looked at the nobles her eyes narrowed.

"My husband," she clearly and precisely said," does not require justification."

She shifted slightly in her seat as her gaze passed briefly over every noble.

"If you have any qualms about my decision," she said," I wouldn’t mind a challenge, my blade has been feeling the need to bathe in blood."

No one responded. Simion the instigator sat down and everyone acted as if nothing had happened.

Atheline leaned in closer, prompting her to lean closer.

"You could have let me continue," he murmured, amusement in his tone," I was beginning to enjoy that."

It had been a while since he’s had such a meaningful talk. She rolled her eyes, only visible to him.

"I know," she said, her fingers brushing the sleeves of his robes slightly," that is precisely why I stopped you."

He huffed a soft breath almost like a laugh.

Below them, nobles as usual had recovered and were engaged in their own conversations.

"They will not try that again soon," she whispered to him.

Atheline nodded.

"No they won’t, " he agreed, " but they might try something else."

Before she could answer, the music resounded across the room marking the official beginning of the celebrations since no one else had stood up again.

He had gained the acknowledgement of most and that was all he needed.

One step at a time.

Dancers materialised out of nowhere, their figures moving with the music. It was a mixture of both male and female as they moved around the hall.

Atheline watched with interest but his gaze wasn’t on the dancers alone.

It was moving among the nobles, cataloging their reactions and placing them in boxes. Neutrality, support, and clear opposition towards Lilith.

He knew it wouldn’t be accurate but it was better than nothing. He will come to learn more as he moves forward.

He also eventually got to place a face on the many names he had crammed.

In front of him at the first table, were older and clearly rich nobles who barely spared the shadow dance performance a glance. All their attention was on Atheline and Lilith.

To his right, a younger group leaned forward as they watched the dance clearly acting their age.

On his left closer to the dias a man in long purple robes and black hair tied in a loose bun was swirling his glass but his narrowed gaze was directed towards him.

Atheline identified him, one of the high nobles from the older bloodlines. A man with significant influence.

Good.

’Guess I’ve got most of their interest.’

A dancer passed closer to the dias and bent in ways that would clearly break bones while still managing to look artistic.

’Wow! Her back must hurt’

Atheline let out the quietest sigh and without turning his head, he spoke to Lilith.

"Your people really shine at dancing," he said his gaze moving to two dancers who seemed to be integrating beautifully and creatively.

Elven dances were more restrained.

Lilith nodded but the small response was enough for him.

The performance ended with the music slowly dying out and the dancers vanishing like before into the shadows.

Conversations resumed like they never ended then the servants like the dancers entered.

Atheline’s fist clenched and a small exhale left him.

’May the light guide me in what I’m about to do’

He glanced at Lilith who was already looking at him, head tilted.

’This is for the greater good’