G. Kitsune
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The Soul Reborn: From Silence to Sovereignty Chapter 27
🕑 Added 2025-06-05 16:56:53 +0000 UTCChapter 27: Uncivilized and Unbothered
The grand tour came first, with Noah at the helm, of course.
It felt like walking through a cathedral made of stone and frost. Every roof for as far as you could see was painted white by snow. The walls were high, and the ceilings were vaulted. Deep blues, silver trim, roaring fireplaces, and velvet curtains.
The beauty of this place was overwhelming.
He showed me everything from the kitchens to the indoor baths, even the war room where all the important decisions are usually made that deal with the archduchy.
My most anticipated room was also the one Noah left for last, our chambers, where I’m sure we would spend a lot of quality time together.
It was a luxuriously large room; the fireplace was more of an inferno with how much larger it was than anything I’ve ever seen before. I lay down on the bed to see how it felt, and it was like being sucked into my very own personal heaven.
There was a thick fur blanket and a balcony that overlooked the northern mountains. I had already planned to watch the stars from there with Noah in the future.
One thing this world sure does get right is the quality of the furniture.
After I rolled around for a while like a kid playing with a new toy, Noah brought me to the barracks.
Rows of towering, stone-faced soldiers stood at attention, most of them nearly seven feet tall. Their arms were thick like tree trunks, a clear result of extreme, disciplined training. Each one wore armor polished to a mirror shine, reflecting the flickering torchlight around them.
When we got close, I found myself looking up at them; without any warning or word, they all suddenly dropped to one knee.
Their voices echoed throughout the training hall.
“We swear to protect the Archduchess until death.”
I stood there stunned for a moment; my heart was hammering with the thrill of so many powerful men bowing their heads.
Of course my heart will only ever belong to Noah, but seeing such a spectacle gave me a bit of a lightheaded feeling. To think so many would put their lives on the line for my safety.
My pessimistic self couldn’t help but wonder if they would actually follow through with their words.
After I took it all in with a smile across my face, I stepped forward.
“Thank you,” I said warmly, with a nod in affirmation of their vow.
Noah leaned down and whispered into my ear, “This is also your army now, so you can send it in any direction you please.
I looked at him dumbfounded… Isn’t that too much power to give to an emotional being like myself? I’m not even talking about being female, but in general I will probably overreact more than the average person.
“Isn’t that too much power to give to someone like me?” I couldn’t help but ask.
Noah, with his slight smile and near unreadable face, said, “Of course not; what’s yours is mine.”
I couldn’t help myself but kiss this man on the lips right here in front of all his men. Their faces grew wide with astonishment; I’m sure because of the way Noah reacted to me.
He didn’t just leave me hanging but put his hand behind my head, not allowing me to pull away. All I could think was touché.
After Noah’s men started getting loud, I pushed him away and said, “Save some of this for later.” I gave him a wink that only he could see.
His smile was infectious as he looked at his men. “Get back to work.”
Noah picked me up into a princess carry with our lips pressed together and my arms around his neck. We walked away like that to the bewildered gazes of all those around.
Were we showing off? Yes.
“Do I care if they were bothered by it?” No.
I planned on being very visual with these people to show how much Noah cares about me to block any twisted ideas from forming.
After the tour and a little show to unwilling spectators, we headed to the very large dining area.
All the top officials and inner servants attended, including military commanders and estate leaders. A large amount of polished cutlery, flickering candlelight, and a variety of meat littered the table.
Along with many fruits and vegetables, the only thing to drink was wine or water—what a rip. This was something I very much missed from my past life. Having an actual choice when it came to what I drank.
For my own comfort, I put Livia on my other side with Noah on the opposite. I didn’t want to sit next to anyone unfamiliar.
She, of course, tried to protest, saying it wasn’t her place. But… this time I wasn’t having any of it. Noah had said nothing; he obviously understood my intentions.
We need to make it clear from the very start that she was my person.
Anyone thinking of harming her would now have to weigh whether it was worth challenging the archduchess’s favor.
I noticed the whispers about putting her at the main table. The annoyed looks, but I just ignored them and smiled at the two people I enjoy being around the most.
As I sipped from my glass and let Livia fill my plate, I leaned towards Noah and said quietly, “There are a lot of eyes I didn’t like today.”
He turned to me, sharp expression. “Explain.”
I frowned. “There were quite a few who looked at me like I didn’t belong.” My voice grew as more started to pay attention, “Like I don’t deserve this title, seat, or even you.”
My fingers curled slightly against the table.
“They don’t know anything about me, but they already decided to judge me on the way I look or act, thinking I’m unworthy.” I couldn’t help but gaze around the room with contempt written all over my face.
I exhaled slowly, my tone edged with disdain. “Maids might be the most wretched role in society. Always ready to flatter, whispering behind closed doors, and striking the moment they catch a hint of weakness.”
My voice carried farther than I expected, and the room began to quiet as people stopped talking to listen. It was also a subtle jab at the nobles in the room. I hadn’t said it directly, but my words were meant for them too.
The fear of the unknown crept up my back with a sudden realization.
“Hubby, make sure the people who prepare our food are those you can actually trust. I know I sound paranoid, but just promise me it’s safe.
He blinked a few times at me for a moment, a soft smirk tugging at his lips.
“Did you just call me hubby?”
With slight embarrassment and shyness bubbling up inside me, I said, “I did. What of it?”
He chuckled.
“I’ll make sure it’s safe, wifey."
I couldn’t help but stick my tongue out at his attempt to use my words back at me.
“Wifey doesn’t sound nearly as good as hubby.”
Noah just chuckled, unbothered. “I’ll workshop it.”
As if on cue, I felt all the stolen glances from across the table shift. Their surprise was delicious, like honey on warm bread.
I’m sure none of them could fathom how an individual like Noah could actually be enjoying himself and laughing at the same time.
I couldn’t help but reply to their dumbfounded expressions with a smug smile.
My inside voice was mocking them all.
Look at the both of us; do you see how much this man loves me? Be gone, foul creatures. You won’t destroy this happiness.
The impulsiveness of my nature, along with the mischievousness that I developed ever since I became Seraphina, blended together to make a grand scene for all to witness.
I stood up slowly, getting the attention of most people in the room. Then I gracefully, shamelessly, slid myself right onto Noah’s lap.
His hands instinctively settled on my hips, steadying me as I leaned back into him.
“Feed me,” I said sweetly, but at the same time it came off as a command. Turning just enough to see the smile on his face.
To the absolute shock of everyone in the room, Noah didn’t even pause before picking up some honey-glazed fruit and placing it into my mouth.
I took slow, deliberate bites, locking eyes with the group of maids in the corner who couldn’t stop whispering. A noblewoman two tables down had turned red with poorly concealed jealousy.
Noah grabbed some roasted meat and held it out in front of me.
“You know… You’re supposed to make a scene by accident. Not with intent.”
I chewed on the meat and grinned at him.
“It was very intentional.” As I took another bite, I washed it down with some wine.
Then I leaned in and whispered into his ear with mock innocence.
“Think of it as pest control. I’m flushing the rats out early.”
Noah let out a low laugh, clearly trying not to smile too wide.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Livia watching me. With that neutral, calm look, at the same time she had a slight smirk as if actually enjoying my little show.
It’s obvious that she’s used to it by now and probably could have predicted what I would do. Her response to everything I did was none at all. I watch her reactions with amusement every day because making her break that impenetrable face was one of my joys in life.
I smirked.
Then I leaned in closer to Noah and whispered, “So… just how much of what I’m doing right now is going against noble etiquette?”
He didn’t miss a beat, “Everything.”
“Good,” I giggled with delight.
Murmurs stirred through the room, and I could feel the irritation rising from certain guests. Their discomfort hung in the air like the overpowering perfume that coated nearly everyone present.
“They’re probably going to call me uncivilized.” I said aloud as I mused about it.
I turned slightly to face Noah and asked in a louder, more playful voice. “Hey, hubby, what do you think an uncivilized person would do to someone who talked down to them?”
His instant smirk told me he was on the same page.
“Probably attack or kill them.”
“Exactly,” I said, clapping once with a cheerful face as I stared around the room.
Multiple glasses dropped, shattering on the ground, and then finally someone cracked.
A noblewoman whose pale face was caked with powder, lips curled into a righteous frown. She stood from her chair like she was leading a rebellion.
“This behavior is… unbecoming of a noblewoman!” She spat. “It’s crude! Unladylike! You’re being so disrespectful towards the Archduke himself!”
I just tilted my head at the woman’s accusations and looked back at Noah sweetly.
“Am I disrespecting you, love?”
He slowly shook his head, completely relaxed.
“Not in the slightest.”
I turned back to her, “Now what?”
The woman was so stunned she almost fell over in a fake attempt to get sympathy from those around her. She was huffing and puffing through her nose like an offended pig. “You’re so unrefined it’s disgusting!”
This woman was obviously beyond helping at this point, but she was fun for a little entertainment.
“So is your face.” I said casually, and at the same time I cringed at a response a ten-year-old would give.
The silence carried throughout the room; no one was saying a thing. Nobles always enjoyed watching a show and only interfering if it was worth it for their own personal gain.
A few people choked on their wine and spit it out, creating chaos as some individuals got it right in the face.
From the far side of the room, I spotted one of Noah’s men. He was also one of those who knelt down in front of me earlier when we went and visited them.
“Noah,” I said in a whisper. “Who’s that guy in the back?” I pointed.
“His name is Borgun.” Instead of waiting for me to call out to him, Noah did it first. ”Borgun, come here; the Archduchess has a task for you.”
The massive man turned at once and approached with heavy steps, kneeling in front of me without hesitation.
“At your command, your grace,” I gestured lazily towards the indignant noblewoman, whose face had gone pale.
“You see that pig-headed woman?”
Her mouth dropped open at my words.
“I’d like her to be thrown out of here, headfirst, into the snow, and make it dramatic.”
A slow, cruel smirk curled across Borgun’s lips, “As you wish.”
She shrieked the moment he grabbed her, flailing like a panicked bird as he lifted her like she was made of air. I couldn’t help watching with satisfaction as he marched her straight towards the door.
Everyone’s attention was on that noblewoman, wondering just what in the world was about to happen to her. After she left the room, no one spoke, but we could still hear the screaming before she went completely silent.
I can only assume she was just thrown into a mound of snow and sunk deep into it, or possibly it was too hard, causing her to have an even worse day.
Everyone instantly turned to Noah as if trying to force him with their glares to rebuke me. Surely the Archduke would restore order.
But instead… he just smiled down at his lovely wife, me.
I could feel the terror radiate throughout every person present.
They all knew what I was to him.
What he would do to anyone who went against me.
This was my wife, the Archduchess, and I wouldn’t change a single thing about her.
Comments
Brian Smith
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