G. Kitsune
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The Soul Reborn: From Silence to Sovereignty Chapter 23
🕑 Added 2025-06-04 06:40:52 +0000 UTCChapter 23: The Day My Name Changed
So… the day had finally arrived. I haven’t made it a habit in this new life to wake up early, but today I was excited and couldn’t sleep.
It’s my wedding day! Supposedly the biggest wedding the capital has ever seen and it was mine.
I still have no idea what to think about that. To be honest, I was more excited for what happens tonight. The thought of exploring each other for probably multiple hours was thrilling. I’m sure his words the other day are what really got me going.
Noah once said, “He would always be at my mercy during the day, but at night, he wouldn’t hold back the side of himself that wants to devour me.” What woman wouldn’t get chills hearing that? Just what in the world is he planning to do?
I rolled over in bed, pulling the covers around me and grinning like a complete idiot. That smile was glued to my face.
The king had offered us the most exclusive venue in the castle, some ornate golden chamber with ivory walls and dragon bone pillars, but I refused.
Hard pass!
I wasn’t marrying in a stuffy palace, no matter how regal it looked.
There was only one place I wished to make our vows. The water feature he built for me was breathtaking. I pictured myself standing before it at the altar, beside Noah, while the fountains danced and shimmered in my sight like something out of a dream.
Noah just gave me a warm smile and agreed to it immediately; I guess he also liked the idea.
A whole section of the estate had been transformed overnight. Elegant seating stretched out in arcs of white and gold. Flowers framed every aisle, and a glittering altar had been placed right in front of the water.
It was a dream I didn't even realize I had.
Livia walked in like she knew I’d already woken up. She gave me a long look and then sighed dramatically, one hand on her hip.
“You’re glowing.” Her face was its normal level of stoic, but at the same time she had a small smile.
“I can’t help it!” Who wouldn’t feel that way on their wedding day! I feel so wronged.
Her smile softened. “Come on, you radiant disaster. We need to get you ready.”
Livia sure has been getting more comfortable with me lately. But I don’t mind it; I see her as a big or little sister. Not sure which one yet. She definitely tries to act like a big sister; that’s for sure.
I groaned like I was being dragged to an execution.
“Do we have to do the whole glamour thing?” I muttered, pulling a pillow over my face.
“Yes,” she said sweetly in direct contradiction to her face! “You’re the bride, so you have to at least do this much.”
“I like my face natural! Minimal war paint, please. Don’t turn me into one of those powdered pastries.”
“No promises.”
Livia was merciful, though. It still took hours…
Hair, makeup, nails, and accessories… I felt like a statue being sculpted by a team of well-trained artists with far too many opinions. Livia, of course, played every role because I refused to let any other maid get close to me.
After I finally got it all put together and looked in a mirror, I went completely still.
“That’s me?” I asked nobody in particular. The visage of the girl who looked back at me was something so captivating that I couldn’t help but gaze upon it for a while.
Livia smiled at me through the reflection, placing my veil gently behind my ears.
“That’s you.” The look she was giving off was of complete satisfaction with her work.
I didn’t get to see Noah before the ceremony, which was a crime against nature, honestly. My brain kept playing ridiculous loops in my head.
Was he nervous too, thinking about me, or just sitting there calmly with that smug little smirk on his face? Who am I even kidding? He is probably more of a mess than I am.
I couldn’t help but giggle at the thought.
As we were getting ready to head out, my mind couldn’t help but drift, thinking about where I would be standing very soon. All those people staring and having to perform like the perfect bride in front of so many individuals who I care nothing about. But, seriously… would Noah expect me to be a perfect bride?
Then my mind wandered once again to tonight, and I blushed fiercely.
Livia obviously saw it with the face she made.
“You’re thinking about the wedding night, aren’t you?”
I snapped my hand over my mouth, horrified.
Her smirk widened. “You’re so easy to read, it’s embarrassing.”
“Livia, are you some kind of mind reader?” I couldn’t help but ask because of how often she does something like this.
She just shrugged. “No… You’re just incredibly obvious.”
A rare smile tugged at her usually unreadable face. “If you ever plan to lie, don’t. It’s painfully clear the moment you try.
Her words made my eye twitch. Slightly offended, I lifted my chin. If I really wanted to act, I could pull it off.
“Hmph, what do you know?” I sniffed, spun around, and marched out of the door towards the wedding ceremony.
The long corridor before the aisle stretched out before me. Every step echoed, delicate and dreamlike. Music could be heard in the distance; my heart thudded even louder.
Then, I saw him; Noah was waiting at the altar like a divine sculpture made of pure temptation, of course, for me and no one else, hehe.
His hair was styled more than usual; I have to say I prefer his more natural look. As I stared at him for a while, he walked up to me, offering his arm with a gentle smile.
I took it without any hesitation, hanging off of it like a lifeline. The number of people in attendance was something else. Is my wedding a literal sporting event?
As we walked down the aisle together, he whispered in my ear. “You’re absolutely gorgeous; I’m feeling a bit regretful that I made the wedding so big.” His eyes piercing into mine, my heart couldn’t handle it, literally. I felt like I was flying in the air with how powerful that twisty feeling had become.
There’s no doubt in my mind that I truly love this man, and honestly, it felt pretty good to admit it to myself. I couldn’t help but wonder if my life was always supposed to be like this, but I had to wait until now to finally see it become reality.
Could it be that my last life was just a dream, caught in the matrix of something I didn’t even understand, but… now I’m in the real world where I belong.
It was probably a question I would never get answered, but right now I really didn’t care.
I finally reached the altar, slipping out of the dream where only Noah and I existed. A glance around the venue caught my heart in my throat. Was it really necessary to invite so many people to our wedding?
The music softened. A hush fell over the garden as a man in church clothing stepped forward, greeting both of us before speaking.
I couldn’t help feeling wary of this man. Church tends to be the root of evil in the world when it isn’t royalty. Hopefully, this wedding passes without incident.
“We gather here today to witness the union of Archduke Noah Velmoure and Lady Seraphina Durel.”
Thank the gods that after today I no longer have to use that disgusting name anymore. That name dies today.
The priest continued, “A union not of power, but of connection. It was not arranged but chosen between two hearts. These two now stand before us all as destined partners in life.”
Noah turned toward me fully, his face glowing with warmth beneath the sun and the occasional water splashing in the background.
He took both my hands in his and started speaking…
“Seraphina,” his voice was steady but soft.
“When I first met you, I didn’t know what to expect, especially since you literally fell out of the sky right into my arms. You were unlike anyone I’d ever known before. A sharp-tongued, very beautiful, and broken girl from a past that I wish I could have saved you from much earlier. But even then you were still so honest and hilarious, brightening up my day.”
I seriously felt like I was going to cry as he looked at me with such passion.
“Your existence challenged everything I ever thought I wanted and at the same time gave me everything I never knew I needed.”
His hands were tightly wrapped around mine, and I could feel the raw emotion in his voice.
“I’ve watched you rise from ashes, through storms not of your own making, and your smile stayed consistent. To be strong, you don’t always need to be powerful, but you do need to have the will to push forward.”
I couldn’t help but squeeze back in affirmation of his words.
“From this point forward, I vow to be your sword when you feel unarmed, the shelter that will always house you whenever you’re in danger, and your protector if the world ever threatens your safety.”
He smiled, eyes glistening.
“The only thing I need in this world is you because everything else means nothing without Seraphina Velmoure by my side.”
I could hardly breathe. My heart throbbed so loud I was sure everyone could hear it. Am I going to be ok?
Now it was my turn, but at the same time, Noah was wiping the tears that had fallen during his vows. It was hard to even speak right now; I felt so emotional.
After a little time I straightened my back and faced Noah, prepared to deliver mine. Noah was a man who saved me and then cared so deeply in a world full of dangers and madness.
As I started to speak, the words flowed out like running water.
“Noah…” My body was shaking slightly.
“I don’t have a noble lineage to be proud of or really any grace either, but one thing I know for sure is that I feel at home when I’m around you. The idea of becoming a bride was more foreign to me than you could ever understand.”
My breath hitched as I tried to keep my cool as I laid down my heart for this man.
“Before I met you, I was lost. Not just in place or purpose, but in soul. I was shattered into pieces I didn’t think were worth putting back together.”
I looked into his eyes.
“Then, like a hero from a fairy tale, you literally caught me at probably my lowest moment. There were no questions; I was in trouble, and you just jumped into action.”
Noah’s eyes glimmered with emotion.
“You didn’t just offer me safety but also belief in myself that I was worth something. No matter if I was looked down upon by those around me or if I had scars from past misfortunes. There you were, ready to see to my needs.”
Ever since he’s come into my life, it’s only gotten better, and I can once again dream of a future that doesn’t seem impossible to achieve.
“I vow never to run from you, always to speak my truth, and to fight beside you, building a solid foundation for our relationship.”
Then, without thinking, we both spoke at the same time, “I love you.”
The priest gave a warm smile. “Then, by the blessing of the gods and the will of this land, I pronounce you Archduke Noah Velmoure and Archduchess Seraphina Velmoure.”
Without even needing to be told to kiss each other, Noah leaned in first, and I matched him. I heard the cheers, probably most of them fake, but I didn't care.
This was the moment that truly began our life together. When our lips met, it was more than a kiss; it was a promise.
Then Noah did something I wasn’t expecting and picked me up into a princess carry.
“I noticed you were shaking and a little weak in the knees.” He gave me a smirk as if something completely different was going through his mind.
“We still have to go waste time in the banquet until you get to unleash the beast, so calm down. I’m not going anywhere; we have the rest of our lives to look forward to.”
He didn’t let me down, though, and just walked out of the venue we created in our garden to the applause of all those in attendance.
The entire city celebrated that day.
Noah and I sat together on a couch so lavish and wide it could fit five people, but it was just for us. Cushioning, high-backed, draped in silk, with petals scattered across the steps.
Every guest who wanted to look good bowed deeply before us. Some offered gifts, others praise, but all of them wanted favor.
Even the king, Elric Duskmoor, came forward, placing a hand on each of our shoulders.
“I bless this union,” he said, “not just as your ruler, but as someone who believes in the strength of love, and I’m very happy to see the way both of you treat each other so well.”
We, of course, bowed our heads in gratitude.
But oddly, the crown prince, Sevric Duskmoor, was nowhere to be seen. Was that a blessing he had given us for our wedding? How kind of him.
Part of me wanted to feel relieved, but I could never truly accept he wasn’t up to any good while he was living in the shadows.
Still, I pushed those annoying thoughts aside because today was supposed to be my day. I watched, nestled into Noah’s side, as people toasted and danced all night long.
The only thing running through my mind was the anxiety of the coming night.
After the banquet, we were thoroughly cleaned and prepped by our people. Of course I would only let in Livia; everyone else was turned away. I saw a few of them give me looks, but I don’t care. There was only one thing I wanted right now, and that was comfort.
I entered Noah’s bedchamber; he instantly jumped up from his bed, coming over and sharing a kiss on the lips. Then he guided me to the bed, and we both sat down next to each other.
Both of us sat in robes with barely anything underneath, the silence in the room so heavy it felt deafening.
My head leaned against his chest; Noah loosely put his arm around my waist. Neither of us made a first move. He was calm and composed, but I could feel his tension.
I know exactly why he was afraid.
This body was, of course, fragile because of the years of abuse, but over my time with Noah, it got a lot healthier. I was ready to become his woman and feel what I’ve only been imagining ever since I accepted this as a possibility.
I was tall enough to stand beside him without looking like a child. I was cute, sweet, and delicate. That’s probably what scares him the most.
We both knew what was about to happen… that is, of course, only if one of us made a move first.
