The Soul Reborn: From Silence to Sovereignty Chapter 62

Chapter 62: Drown Him in Brilliance

He arrived in a red-laced carriage with golden trim, because of course he did. Nothing says “the king’s favorite” like flaunting your status the moment the wheels touch the dirt.

Noah and I stood at the top of the castle stairs, flanked by Bors and Kellan. Livia stood just behind me like my cute little shadow. I didn’t have any interest in showing this guy even a little bit of respect, but for our intentions, we had to try somewhat.

After the carriage had come to a complete stop, the door opened with theatrical slowness. Out stepped a man whose appearance shouted, I’m better than you, even though he was just an advisor.

He was in his mid-forties, tall, and thin, with graying hair brushed so precisely I was certain he measured it. His tunic was forest green and gold, layered under an ivory cloak lined in fur. A chain of standing hung from his shoulders. His smile was calculated and oily.

“Archduke… Archduchess,” he said while bowing low. “I am Corven Malhart, His Majesty’s humble advisor. It is… an honor to finally lay eyes upon the North’s new jewel.”

His hand reached out towards mine; I’m assuming to kiss it or something. I wanted to hurl, and of course I just stood there, unwilling to do as he wished.

Instead, I just smiled sweetly and said, “Welcome to our home, Lord Malhart. I trust your journey was uneventful?”

“Quite so,” he replied, straightening. “Though I must admit, I’ve been looking forward to this assignment. There’s been so much… chatter about your endeavors recently, your school, speeches, and the surprising rise to power.”

His words were honey, but those eyes were like knives.

“People do love to talk,” I said calmly, “especially… when they’re too far away to see the truth for themselves.”

He chuckled. “Then I am most fortunate to witness it firsthand.”

Noah offered only a nod. “We’ve prepared quarters for you in the east wing. Meals will be served in the great hall at the second bell. I hope you’ll find your accommodations comfortable.” In all honesty, he was only given the bare minimum of what we could provide. Why should an enemy have a pleasant stay in our home?

“I’m sure I will,” Malhart said, already looking past Noah… at me.

It’s obvious he was unconcerned with the Archduke. His obvious goal is to pick my mind and probably find any flaws.

“I would like to request,” he added, “a private tour with Her Grace. Just to observe the school and its workings. I’ve been told she has quite the… progressive vision.”

Even though my smile in reply was extremely forced, I tried my best to play the part for now.

“I’d be delighted, and afterwards, I can introduce you to the children who will one day replace the nobles you serve.”

Livia made a noise that was definitely a cough and not a laugh.

Malhart didn’t flinch. “Ah, yes… a generation of readers and thinkers, such a bold vision for the future.”

He gave a final bow and allowed himself to be escorted inside.

As soon as he was out of earshot, I turned to Noah and muttered, “He’s so slimy, I feel like I need to go take a shower.”

“I noticed.”

“I hate him already.”

“I noticed that, too.”

“He’s not here to observe but to try and find something to use against us.” I exhaled slowly.

Noah’s voice was low. “Then we don’t give him anything. Be polite and precise, and show him exactly what we want him to see.”

I turned to Livia. “Did we clean up everything? No loose books, letters, or plans?”

“Scrubbed and cleared. I used a maid I somewhat trusted and a few I didn’t. Let’s see if we get any bites.” She smirked.

My lips curled, “Great job as always.”

Later that evening…

I watched from the head table in the grand hall as Malhart mingled during dinner. We had sent out an invite to the nobles who wished to show their faces; surprisingly, most joined us but said nothing. Just looking as we converse with the advisor with slight tension in the air, finally learning they shouldn’t provoke me.

I’m sure behind closed doors they complain about me plenty, only to greet me in public with practiced grace.

He barely ate, only sipped his wine, and asked harmless questions. His mannerisms were too perfect, almost robotic. The way he watched the staff gave insight into possibly having more moles.

His eyes followed the servants as they came and went. He asked for names more than once, nodding slowly each time as if committing them to memory.

When I caught him watching me, he would just smile and raise his cup.

My reaction was always subtle, but an eyebrow was always raised.

Let the games begin, I thought.

The sky was overcast the next morning, grey clouds smudging the light like ash on parchment. Fitting, considering I was about to walk through my proudest creation with a man who looked more serpent than human.

I wore deep navy today. Modest, yet regal with No embroidery, no jewelry, not even anything special done with my hair. The message was clear. I would not dress up for a man who meant nothing to me.

Malhart was waiting at the gates of the school before I even arrived, flanked by two attendants who looked more like polished statues than men.

“Your Grace,” he greeted with another one of those perfectly shallow bows. “I must say, I admire your punctuality.”

“Of course you do,” I said, gesturing toward the entryway. “Let’s begin, shall we?

He simply nodded as he followed behind. This time he didn't try to reach out and grab my hand; he understood my message.

We started with the front, which was still unfinished but well-framed. The central corridor had large archways and wide windows; everything was built with both beauty and functionality in mind.

“Our goal was light,” I explained, gesturing upward. “Natural sunlight keeps the space warm and reduces the need for costly lamps. We want schools accessible, not gilded.”

“How… efficient,” Malhart murmured, taking slow, measured steps beside me. “Was the structure paid for by the Archduchy?”

“Initially,” I said. “But soon it will be publicly funded.”

“A tax, then?” he asked, voice neutral.

“It’s… contribution,” I replied, sharply. “One that buys each child the right to an education—knowledge shouldn’t be a luxury hoarded by nobles.”

That earned me an obvious flicker in his eyes as they narrowed.

We entered the first finished classroom next, where my initial class took place with the original scholars, now professors.

A slate board stretched across the front wall. Desks lined up in perfect rows. Charts hung near the windows with drawings of stars, plants, and simple equations.

“These materials?” he asked, touching a rolled-up map. “Designed by your scholars?”

“Yes, but guided by me,” I said. “They were poorly educated when I began; some barely know the difference between science and myth. But now, they’ve passed my tests and proved themselves to be true educators.”

Of course they still had a long way to go, but they were on the right track. I wouldn't let him know that, though.

He hummed at my words. “What, if I may ask, defines real education in your view?”

I turned to face him, meeting his eyes without flinching.

“Real education helps a child understand why something works, not just what they’re told to memorize. I am not looking for parrots. I want real thinkers—people who ask questions, challenge ideas, and change the world because someone finally gave them the chance.”

He said nothing as he studied my face; honestly, I wanted to have Bors remove him from my sight. I felt icky.

Then, with those same polished graces he’s been shoving into my face all day, he replied, “A noble ambition.”

“But not one you or those in the South would support?” I said, completely unbothered.

He smiled slightly. “I want stability.”

“You think critical thinking causes instability?”

“I think it encourages disruption; this change will only lead to dissatisfaction on both sides.”

“That’s the whole point.” I said with a sigh. “What gives those privileged individuals the right to take away people's chance at a better life just to keep the status quo?”

We walked in silence for a moment before he pivoted.

“Do you not worry,” he asked, his voice like silk, “that this institution might… foster resistance to the crown?” He adjusted his posture slightly. "If children learn to challenge what they’re taught, will they not also challenge the king’s laws?”

“Perhaps, but they’ll also challenge cruelty, waste, and exploitation. That’s a price I’ll gladly pay.”

“What if the crown isn’t as forgiving?”

I smiled, baring my teeth just enough.

“Then the crown will have to get used to being outsmarted by its own citizens.”

I watched him take careful notes as we moved through the library. He focused on mathematics, language, science, and geography.

“Eventually,” I said, “we’ll have full textbooks in every core subject. I’ve already begun writing the framework myself.”

“You write textbooks?” he asked, tilting his head like I was some sort of oddity.

“Someone has to,” I replied. “If we rely on existing knowledge, we stay in the past. So I’ll build the future page by page.”

“If I might ask, what does faith play in this education?”

There it was… something I’ve been trying to fix with the five students I’ve taught recently. It’s not that I’m against faith; it’s just this world doesn’t change if you expect some god to do it for you.

“None,” I said plainly.

He blinked, “None?”

“Faith belongs in churches, not in education. We’re raising thinkers, not priests.”

He tucked that one away in his mental file cabinet, I’m sure.

In all honesty I was surprised how the church never tried to contact me when the people labeled me a saintess. I wonder what they're up to.

After the tour was concluded, we stepped back into the courtyard. Livia was waiting at the edge with a flask of water, which I gratefully accepted.

“I must admit,” Malhart said as I drank, “you’re more… formidable than the rumors suggested.”

“Oh… I’ve worked hard on that.” Many individuals in the North could testify.

He smiled faintly. “You speak like a woman with nothing to lose.”

I stepped forward, my gaze locked on his.

“No,” I said. “I speak like a woman who has everything to protect.”

His expression stayed the same, but I noticed it. A subtle change, just enough to count as acknowledgment.

Of course none of that mattered in his world, where the king was the only voice that mattered.

It wasn’t quite checkmate, but at the very least the South was put in check. The board was mine to control going forward, and I would take full advantage of any missed moves in the future.

Malhart gave a polite bow as we parted, his cloak catching the light as it swirled behind him. “Thank you, Your Grace. I look forward to observing further. There is… much to consider.”

“Of course… I recommend getting a good night’s sleep. You’ll need to be sharp for tomorrow.”

His brows lifted faintly. “Oh?”

“Tomorrow I will show you what the North is truly capable of.”

I turned on my heel and walked away without waiting for his reply.

By the time I returned to my chambers, Noah was already waiting. I didn’t even sit before saying, “I want to host a demonstration.”

He tilted his head, “Of the school?”

“Of what education can do,” I said. “Tomorrow, I want scholars, commoners, and nobles. Everyone we can fit into the castle. Malhart will sit in the front row and watch as a group of newly trained professors, molded in just a week, present ideas the capital has never even imagined.”

Noah’s eyes lit up with pride. “You want to blind him with brilliance.”

“I want to drown him in it. No whisper campaign or accusations will matter once the people see it. He’s here to find flaws? Let’s bury him in undeniable truth.”

He stood slowly and walked in my direction.

“You’re so alluring when you get like this.”

“Well… I am beautiful after all.” I smirked, completely confident in my appearance.

He took my hands in his and smiled with that calm, ferocious steadiness that had always been my anchor. “Then let’s give them a show they’ll never forget.”

So… just like that, a counterstrike through words was set.

Let the North’s newest professors speak for themselves. Knowledge will become our sword.

The snake will learn what happens when he slithers into the den of a queen who despises venom and knows exactly how to strike back.