The Soul Reborn: From Silence to Sovereignty Chapter 65

Chapter 65: The Courage to Return

I was reviewing the final confirmations for the banquet, notes on seating, menus, and which wine wouldn’t make me want to hurl. When Livia knocked twice and entered my chambers.

“There’s someone asking to see you,” she said with her unreadable tone.

I didn’t look up. “If it’s another baron requesting a seat closer to the wine table, tell him I’ll be arranging seats based on usefulness, not thirst.”

Livia gave a slight smirk as I looked up at her.

“It’s not a baron, and not even a man, for that matter.”

“Who,” I asked, not expecting any visitors at this time.

She hesitated and then spoke a name I remembered. “Lady Elowen Vance.”

I stilled for a second as I recalled who she was and what had happened between us.

The name tasted old and bitter on my tongue, like a perfume I once hated that still lingered in the back of my wardrobe. Elowen, one of the three noble girls who’d once tried to charm me just to sneak a little closer to Noah.

And yet, now she shows up out of the blue…

“She came alone,” Livia added, as if that mattered. “No guards or friends.”

I sat back slowly in my chair. “Bring her in.”

Livia nodded once and turned.

I expected Elowen to show a nervous appearance or have some hesitation, but she entered like someone who had thought long and hard about what to do.

Her once-flowing curls were pinned back simply, and Elowen’s gown was modest but elegant. No jewels or an entourage to prove she’s something. Once she got close enough, I could see the tension in her fingers as she curtsied low before me.

“Archduchess Seraphina,” she said with some reverence in her voice that kind of caught me off guard.

I folded my hands and simply nodded, letting her speak what’s on her mind.

She straightened slowly, but her gaze didn’t waver.

“I know I’m probably the last person you ever wanted to see again,” she began, voice clear but soft. “If you asked someone to throw me out, I would understand.” Elowen glanced towards Livia. “I wouldn’t even argue because I probably deserved it.”

“True,” I said lightly.

Her lips twitched, but she nodded in agreement.

"I only came to speak. I’m not seeking favors or recognition, and I expect nothing in return. I came because… I was wrong."

Those words gave me pause, and I seriously looked at her.

“I came here before because I wanted power,” she admitted. “Because I thought you were just some sharp-tongued girl who got lucky by marrying the most powerful man in the North. But, when you threw us out that day… I couldn’t help feeling hatred bubble up inside me.”

She swallowed hard as I raised an eyebrow.

“But at the same time, I couldn’t stop thinking about your words that day.”

Her voice trembled slightly, but she never looked away.

“You called me stupid, and I was. But not because I didn’t read enough books or know how many stars were in the sky. I was simply stupid because I couldn’t see what was right in front of me.”

She stepped forward, just one, hands clasped tightly in front of her.

“You’re obviously not in your position because of luck, Archduchess. I see now just how brilliant you truly are and how you’re challenging the old ways for something better. When I saw you speak in front of all those people… when I heard your words about building a world where everyone can actually think, not just follow… it made something inside me ache.”

I blinked a few times, surprised by her praise.

“I don’t know if you’ll ever trust me, and I wouldn’t blame you if that was true. But I believe in what you’re doing, and I want to help. Not to gain anything or to get near the Archduke. I don’t even care if it gives me a better chance to secure a marriage or a title, I just…”

Her voice cracked as she came to some kind of resolve.

“I want to stand beside the woman who made me realize I don’t have to be a silent decoration at someone’s dinner table for the rest of my life. My desire is to learn and to help… even if it’s from the back row.”

She bowed her head low, trembling slightly. I couldn’t deny she hit me in the feels, and I wanted to believe her.

“I truly admire you, Archduchess, and if you let me… I’d like to try again.”

For a long moment, I didn’t move or speak. Who would have thought she had all this in her? In all honesty, I was starting to like this girl named Elowen.

Watching her stay bowed deeply, it felt like she was truly repenting for the past transgressions. I couldn’t help but do something I honestly didn’t expect would happen anytime soon.

I stood with the help of Livia, my very pregnant belly visible for all to see. Then I walked over to her and placed a hand lightly on her shoulder. She jumped the second I touched her, but at the same time she didn’t move.

“Get up.”

She did, slowly, as we met each other’s eyes.

“If your words are true, I don’t mind accepting your wishes, but if you lie to me or this is some elaborate scheme. I will end you.”

Elowen’s eyes widened as she hurriedly spoke. “I’m not…”

“I know,” I said, putting a hand up and stopping her next words. “Prove it to me, Elowen; I’m going to give you a chance… just one.”

She nodded quickly, breathing shakily.

I let my hand drop.

“You’ll attend the banquet,” I said calmly. “I will have you sit near the front, and you’ll listen carefully. If I see you making doe eyes at my husband, I’ll hang you from the chandelier.”

Her face slightly paled, “Understood.”

“Oh… and Elowen,” I added, stepping past her.

“Yes?” She said with some confidence in her voice.

“If you really mean what you’ve said… I suggest you start by learning how to fight more efficiently with words.”

She blinked, “My words?”

I smirked. “To stand next to me, you need to sharpen your tongue. I don’t need loyal little dolls; I want voices, ones that will carry the message.”

Her throat visibly swallowed, but then she smiled. “Then I’ll start today.” After another bow, she made her way towards the door.

I looked over my shoulder at Livia, who’d been watching the whole time.

“I’m not entirely sure what I just witnessed,” she said with a slight smirk on her face at this sudden development.

“Neither am I.” I said with a shrug of the shoulders.

The door closed behind Lady Elowen Vance with a soft click. Livia and I both stared at it for a moment in complete silence.

She was practically glowing when she left, like she’d just been knighted instead of lightly threatened and conditionally accepted into my orbit. On the other hand, she got further than any other noble before her.

I arched a brow at Livia, who had her arms crossed, slightly leaning to one side. Her face looked slightly skeptical about what just took place.

“Well,” I said with emphasis, “that was… unexpected.”

“Her words seemed to come from the heart,” Livia murmured, while also narrowing her eyes.

“That’s either bravery,” I replied, “or a spectacular performance.”

“Do you believe her?”

I let out a short breath. “I believe Elowen means what she’s saying… at least for now. But that doesn’t mean I’m about to hand her a sword and trust she won’t turn it on me.”

As I sat back down at the table, I started tapping my finger against the edge of the guest list.

“So…” I mused aloud, “What would be the best way to test her at the coming banquet?”

Livia’s eyes lit up with that quietly sadistic gleam she got whenever I asked her to help me evaluate someone, “Subtle or brutal?”

I tilted my head. “Subtle… Let’s give her a fair chance.”

She hummed thoughtfully. “Seat her near someone with just enough power to be tempting. Not too high, but influential enough to catch her eye. Maybe a young duke’s cousin or a baroness who actually holds sway, and let’s see how she reacts.”

“And,” I said, wanting Livia to continue on.

“Then call her up in front of everyone and ask her an open question. Nothing too cruel, just enough to put her on the spot and show whether she truly stands by the words she spoke today.”

I nodded at Livia’s excellent plan, already picturing it.

“She wants to stand beside me? Then let her show she can speak up in defense and in agreement with my vision going forward.”

Livia stepped over to the table, flipping through the guest scroll with purpose. “If she parrots you too hard, she’s trying to get close. If she panics, she’s not ready. But if she says something genuine, that shows she understands the why behind your movement…”

“Then we keep her,” I finished.

“What if she fails?” Livia asked with obvious intrigue on her face.

“Then she’s just another noble girl in a beautiful dress; we simply ignore her from now on.”

She smirked. “I could tell by the expression on your face earlier that you truly want her to succeed, don’t you?”

I lifted my teacup with a smile. “Are you afraid her presence might take away your spot next to me?” I said in a teasing tone.

Livia crossed her arms. “What?” I saw the sudden glare at the door where she had left. “Of course not. Who could replace me?” She said resolutely.

I took one of her hands in both of mine. “You will always be my best girl.”

Her expression, for once, completely broke as a flush of red bloomed across her cheeks. She turned away from me. “T-That’s right,” she stammered softly. “This is my position, and no one can take it from me.”

My face just smiled brightly at her without adding any more words; she, of course, felt a bit annoyed. But oh well… She’s done this to me in the past.

The banquet hall glowed with enchanted light and prestige.

Polished silver floors shimmered beneath long banquet tables, crimson drapery lined the walls, and the finest dishes in the North were on full display. Nobles arrived in waves, some dressed for a coronation, others more restrained. Curiosity lingered in the air, thick and undeniable.

All eyes were drawn to the highest dais, where Noah and I sat side by side, a single step above the rest. Not just for ceremony, but because we weren’t equals with the individuals in this room.

We were what the room answered to.

I couldn’t help but look hungrily at Noah, who was devastating in black with silver accents. His presence was calm and regal as ever, with a dangerous aura around him.

As soon as the last noble took their seat, Noah raised a glass.

The chatter died down instantly. He didn’t raise his voice because it carried without much effort.

Noah looked at me with a smile before he started speaking to all those who decided to join us tonight. I had wondered if those nobles who were hiding had shown up.

“I imagine many of you came here tonight because of the rumors,” he began, his voice steady and commanding. “That my wife, Archduchess Seraphina Velmoure, is a danger to the North. That she speaks too boldly, unafraid to question tradition, challenge faith, or disrupt the world we've always known.”

He paused, scanning the hall slowly. “Those rumors are true.”

Soft murmurs rippled through the crowd.

I just smirked and admired my husband defending my honor.

“She does question things, but that’s because this world stopped asking them long ago. While some of you may believe she speaks for me… Know this: I believe in her words as if they were gospel.”

My breath caught, but I tried hard not to show it in front of all these people. But I felt it all the way down in my bones.

"Seraphina will never stand behind me. Her place has been and will always be beside me, the heart of my rule, and the mind shaping the North’s rebirth."

His eyes found mine.

“I’ve led men into war and built armies, but what she’s trying to build now will outlast any wars. It will shape not just the next generation, but the kind of people we raise.”

He turned back to the nobles.

“You may think it’s her voice changing the North. But those who truly know me understand… I wouldn’t fight for anything I didn’t truly believe in.”

He nodded once, final and firm.

“That’s why I fight for her and allow her to speak the words you’ve all come to know. I suggest listening carefully because if you’re lucky, she might invite you to stand with her too.”

After Noah’s final words, applause rose in the hall, echoing along the walls. I sat still, hands folded neatly in my lap, but inside I was beaming like the sun.

Noah heard every word I’d ever whispered in his ear and trusted I was doing it for the right reasons. He sat back down beside me, calm as ever, like he hadn’t just melted half the room into awe.

“I love you,” I murmured softly, wanting to claim his lips right then and there.

He looked at me with a playful look completely contrary to his previous demeanor. “I know.”

The food was brought out in a grand procession, but I had work to do before anyone got too comfortable.

I lifted my glass delicately and tapped it with a spoon… just loud enough to draw every ear.

“Before we indulge too deeply,” I said as my voice carried. “I’d like to hear from someone I recently interacted with.”

A hush fell over the room, like the drawing of a curtain before the next act.

“Lady Elowen Vance,” I said, my gaze drifting to where she sat a few seats down from the dais. “Would you care to share your thoughts on the new school and explain how you interpret our vision for a more educated North?”

Several heads turned in her direction.

The test had begun.

It was time to see if all her words were from the heart or a well-designed plan to get closer to me for reasons unknown.

Elowen’s eyes slightly widened as everyone was now paying attention to her. She stood slowly with grace and offered a curtsy before straightening up.

Then… she began to speak.