The Soul Reborn: From Silence to Sovereignty Chapter 60

Chapter 60: Warmth Before the Cold

I stared out the window of our chambers, watching the city bustle beneath the early afternoon sun. Merchants were shouting, children were chasing one another through the market, and music drifted faintly from somewhere near the eastern fountain.

My hand rested atop my bump, fingers tapping idly. Since I was officially done with my week of teaching, I’ve become incredibly bored.

“I really want to say, let’s go into the city and have some fun,” I muttered. But realistically I couldn’t because of the fame I’ve started to receive lately, whether good or bad. Being pregnant, I didn’t want to put myself into another dangerous situation.

From behind me, Noah’s voice was warm with amusement, “But?”

“But… right now, I know it’s not really feasible.”

I turned and gave him a flat look, gesturing to myself. “I’m huge, my back hurts, my ankles are swollen, and my bladder has me running to the bathroom every twenty minutes like it owns me.”

Noah chuckled as he crossed the room and placed both hands on my waist, carefully picking me up like my body literally weighed nothing.

“I’ll carry you,” he offered as he looked into my eyes, his voice smooth with confidence. “We’d cause a scene, of course, but it would be a very romantic one.”

“Oh yes, let the nobles see their terrifying archduchess being bridal-carried through the capital like a sleepy cow… very dignified.”

“You’d look radiant.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You always say that.”

“Well… because it’s true.” This guy literally can’t stop smiling when he’s around me; it’s a funny contrast when someone other than Livia enters the room. He instantly gets all cold and gloomy, hehe.

I sighed and leaned into his chest after he let me down, letting his warmth melt the frustration from my body.

“Just once, I want to do something light,” I said softly. “Nothing involving school projects, reforms, or intimidating nobles. Something simple, like a quiet walk, a shared pastry, or a carefree dance in the square while onlookers try to guess who the smiling, slightly unhinged woman twirling around is.”

Noah’s hand moved to the back of my head, fingers combing through my hair with gentle strokes. “Then let’s bring the city to you.”

I blinked. “What?”

He pulled back just enough for me to see the smile on his face. “Since you can’t enjoy the city comfortably, we’ll bring a piece of it to you. Like music, food, a bit of entertainment, and maybe a few market stalls in the outer courtyard. Something quiet and peaceful made just for us.”

My lips parted in surprise. "You’d really…”

“You’re the love of my life,” he said simply. “Also, the beautiful mother of my unborn child, of course I would do something like that for you.”

It was an obviously dumb question; I don’t know why I even asked.

I grinned and then groaned a little as I shifted my body. “I love you so much, Noah. You’re dangerously close to earning foot rub privileges for life.” The smirk on my face I could see clearly in those clear sapphire eyes of his.

“Wasn’t that already guaranteed after I married you?” He teased.

“No… Marriage gives you husband privileges. Foot rubs are a higher tier.”

He laughed, kissing the side of my head. “Then I’ll earn it. Livia, could you coordinate with the staff to make this happen?” She gave a nod. “By evening, you’ll have your little festival, Archduchess style.”

I felt a warmth bloom in my chest that had nothing to do with hormones.

“Just… don’t let Bors try to dance again.” I laughed, thinking back to that one time.

“No promises.” Noah replied with a smirk.

By late afternoon, I was beginning to suspect Noah could secretly bend reality.

Somehow, without sending a single messenger or lifting a finger in front of me, he had turned the castle’s outer courtyard into a private festival.

Colorful banners fluttered between the stone pillars as fresh flowers, somehow sourced by Livia, adorned wooden stands. Real market stalls lined the space, staffed by familiar faces from the city offering treats and handmade trinkets. Lanterns floated in bowls along the fountain’s edge, their flames flickering in the evening breeze.

Music drifted from the trio of bards, their melody soft and cheerful.

“Did you… actually create a festival?” I asked, blinking wide as I stepped into the courtyard with Noah on one arm and Livia on the other.

“No,” Noah said smoothly. “I created your festival; there’s a big difference.”

I gasped at him. “You’re unfair.”

“I’m devoted.”

“Oh please… Stop before you make me cry.” Those damn hormones are acting up again as I gently dab a tear that had dropped with my finger.

Livia snorted under her breath. “You’ll cry anyway; that’s how it’s been recently.”

“Livia,” I yelled, feeling wronged.

She just raised a brow. “Am I wrong?”

Noah interrupted our bickering, trying his best to comfort me as he placed light kisses on my upper body.

A soft pop sounded nearby as one of the kitchen staff handed me a warm pastry drizzled with honey.

“Try this,” the cook offered proudly, “a festival special.”

I took a bite and nearly melted on the spot. “Oh my god, this should be illegal. I might get addicted. Arrest someone; I don’t care who.” My joke caused the cook to slink back with some fear on his face; I just ignored him and went on with my day. I was just messing around, geez.

Noah took a bite from my hand without asking and nodded appreciatively. “You’re lucky I married you; I’d have to confiscate this in the name of Coldmere.”

I snorted at his obvious, horrible joke, “Power abuse, scandalous!”

Livia peeled away to join the guards in checking the perimeter while I waddled my way from stall to stall, sampling everything from spiced apples to sugar-dusted pastries shaped like foxes.

At one point, Bors tried to juggle. The key word there is tried.

Two apples hit the ground, and a third hit Kellan square in the chest.

I doubled over laughing… Well, as much as a woman six months pregnant could achieve.

“Bors, I always thought you were so graceful with an axe; how come it doesn’t translate into this?” My tone was teasing; it was fun to mess with the big guy because he was like a massive, obedient dog in front of me.

“I hold a giant axe, not fruit.” He grumbled, retrieving the bruised produce.

All I could do in response was to continue laughing.

After that little sideshow, we wandered toward more stalls. I tried on flower crowns, argued over which pastry shape had the best structure, and debated with a spice merchant about whether cinnamon was a divine invention. In the end, all I could do was let out a heavy sigh.

I love me some cinnamon, but this crazy bastard thinks it’s of the gods.

Eventually, I dropped onto a soft cushion bench decorated in the highest of quality near the fountain. I needed somewhere to just chill out for a while, having walked too much for my current body to handle.

“This was fun,” I whispered.

Noah took a seat beside me, his fingers lacing through mine where they rested on my belly. “You look better now,” he murmured, “calmer than this morning.”

“I do,” I admitted. “I think I’ve been so focused on fixing this life that I’ve forgotten to enjoy it.”

We watched as one of the maids dropped a little floating lantern into the fountain, the light bobbing gently along the ripples.

“I have a theory,” I said suddenly.

“Oh no,” Noah immediately replied, obviously joking.

“Hush.” I put my finger over his lips. “It’s a good one.”

He turned towards me, clearly amused. “Go on.”

“Okay, listen. I think our baby can already hear us.”

“She can,” he said, obviously humoring me.

“No, I’m serious. I think she already has preferences. When you kiss my stomach, she stays calm. But when Livia reads out loud? It’s pure chaos in there.”

“So she hates poetry,” he said with a straight face.

“Exactly, and I think she loves apple pastries. Every time I eat one, she flips like a dancer in a tiny ballroom.”

Noah looked down at my belly. “You’ve got opinions already, haven’t you?” Seeing Noah actually do baby talk blew my mind!

I nodded solemnly, trying not to laugh at him. “Strong ones—she’s probably already planning her political platform.”

“Do you want her to be like you?” Noah asked with a quizzical look.

“I want her to be better than me,” I said softly. “Brave and clever too... someone who isn’t afraid to question everything, even us, if it means creating something greater for the future.”

“For some reason I don’t think she will be able to get away with anything when it comes to you,” he said with a smirk as he took my hand and kissed it. “I feel like you’re going to treasure her even more than me.”

“Are you jealous, Noah?” I couldn’t help but chuckle at this man. “You know my love will be equal between you two, and I will shower you both with everything I have.”

He smiled at my words. “I feel that exact same way.”

“Good,” I whispered, eyes fluttering. “God forbid a guy ever approaches her; I feel like one of us will probably kill him. Neither one will allow her to leave home; she is ours after all!”

I’m going to try my best not to be too clingy with Lyra, but I already know it’s something that will be very difficult.

It’s always fun talking with Noah, laughing the day and night away as we spend time together. Of course it’s a lot more hot and heavy when I’m not pregnant, but that’s only a matter of time.

We sat like that as the sky deepened to twilight. The music faded into a gentle lull, the courtyard glowing with soft lantern light. I heard laughter from the guards, murmurs from staff, and the rustle of leaves in the distance.

Eventually, Livia returned with a blanket and tucked it over my legs like I was a child. I was too content to complain, though.

“You should rest,” she suggested.

“I am resting,” I replied while closing my eyes. “I’m just resting in a magical pastry kingdom that my husband conjured out of thin air. What a good life!”

Noah chuckled. “We should do this more often.”

“I agree!” I said, curling my body against his.

“Every month,” Noah inquired.

“Every week,” I countered.

He kissed my forehead and dropped a bomb: “Every day.”

I grinned. “That’s a dangerous promise, Archduke.”

“I’ll risk it.”

 We both knew that was impossible, but we could still dream.

The last of the stalls had been packed away, and lanterns flickered out one by one as twilight faded into full dusk. Livia eventually coaxed me back to my chambers, threatening to carry me herself if I so much as glanced at another pastry booth.

Noah and I had just settled onto the cushioned bench near the fireplace, a blanket across my legs and a fresh cup of warm milk in my hands. My head rested on his shoulder, the kind of peace that tasted like the perfect ending to an amazing day.

So of course, the universe couldn’t leave it alone.

A soft knock came at the chamber doors.

Kellan entered with his usual stoic atmosphere, though the tight line of his mouth told me something was off. “Pardon me, Your Graces,” he said. “A courier arrived during the festival. He insisted the letter must be delivered tonight.”

He stepped forward and handed Noah a sealed scroll. It was a thick parchment with gaudy red wax insignia. I recognized it immediately.

The royal crest, damn it!

My good mood snapped like a brittle twig.

Noah didn’t open it immediately. He just stared at it for a long moment, his thumb brushing over the seal. When he finally broke it, I sat up straighter, every nerve suddenly alert.

He read it quickly, brows furrowing.

“What is it?” I asked with slight hesitation, not really wanting to know what’s on it.

He said nothing and just handed over the letter.

***

To the esteemed Archduke Velmoure and his wife, Archduchess Seraphina Velmoure,

His Majesty requests your presence at the Winter Court gathering, one month from now, to present updates on the governance of the North. Particular attention will be given to your recent civilian restructuring efforts along with your unconventional public initiatives.

As the North continues to rise in prominence, it’s the Crown’s will to ensure unity, transparency, and fealty among all noble territories.

A royal advisor will arrive in advance to assist with any preparations and to observe ongoing developments.

May your loyalty to King Elric Duskmoor shine forever!

High Chancellor Reynar

***

I lowered the letter slowly, my face scrunching.

“A royal advisor,” I said, deadpan. “So we’re being inspected now?”

Noah’s expression darkened. “Not inspected, but watched.”

I stood, ignoring the ache in my back. “They’re threatened. That’s what this is. We’re becoming competent, independent of their groupthink. The school, the reforms, and the way people are starting to treat me like some kind of makeshift saintess. This is how they responded.”

Livia, who had entered silently behind Kellan, accepted the letter I had given to her. She scanned it with narrowed eyes.

“They want to clip your wings,” she said bluntly.

“Well, they can choke on the feathers,” I snapped, pacing the room. “A royal advisor… Absolutely not! They want to plant someone in my castle to monitor everything I’ve built and report back to a group of boot-licking nobles who’ve never even shoveled snow in their lives.”

Noah remained calm, at least on the outside. He was always my anchor when I felt like a hurricane. “We’ll handle it.”

Upon hearing Noah’s words, I muttered while rubbing my temple, “Oh, I’ll take care of it. We'll greet him with a smile, host a welcoming feast, and then feed the advisor dried beetroot followed by a steady diet of old poetry for the rest of his stay.”

“I meant politically,” Noah said gently.

“I know, but let me dream.”

He stood and slipped his arms around me from behind, drawing me close against his chest. I rested my hands over his, fingers gently circling his wrists.

“They’re testing us,” he murmured into my hair. “Because we’re making too much noise up here, and they found out.”

I closed my eyes. “I hate politics.”

“You’re brilliant at it.”

My sigh was long. “I’m also tired of the back and forth between mostly stupid people.”

“Then let me carry the burden for a while.”

I leaned into him, breathing in his warmth. “We’re not letting them take anything, Noah. Not the school, people, child; anything they want from us is off limits. If they want to challenge us, they’d better bring more than wax seals and pompous titles.”

He kissed the top of my head. “Then we’ll prepare.”

I turned in his arms to face him.

“Can we just exile the royal advisor?” I asked seriously.

“Not legally.”

“What if they ‘accidentally’ fall into a wagon full of angry goats and end up lost in the woods for a few days?” I suggested being fully willing to prepare it.

Livia snorted behind us. “I’ll start scouting out goat farms.”

Noah just smiled. “Let them come and see what we’ve built. You won’t need any tricks, Sera. The truth will be enough to blow their minds.”

I couldn’t deny it, but when it comes to dealing with royalty, especially after all the novels I’ve read, I can’t help feeling wary about what might happen next.