G. Kitsune
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The Soul Reborn: From Silence to Sovereignty Chapter 15
🕑 Added 2025-05-30 11:29:09 +0000 UTCChapter 15: My First Real Date, and I’ll Never Forget It
“Let’s go out into the capital today, Noah!” I couldn’t help but ask as we were finishing off our breakfast.
I leaned forward after his stare; my excitement spilled out like an overflowing cup. “Let's see the sights! Spend some quality time together! I’ve never really gotten to explore anything properly. Show me the places you enjoy.”
He was his quiet self for a moment, and then I saw it. His eyes turned soft, completely giving in to my demands, even though he said nothing at all.
“Well…” He said, setting down his cup. “I do have a lot of work today…”
I couldn’t help but pout at his words and hit him with the full power of my best upturned, please-spend-time-with-me eyes. He held out for maybe three seconds, and then he sighed in mock defeat.
“But if you want it that badly, I suppose I have no choice but to fulfill the wishes of my future wife.”
That answer went straight to the heart.
Future wife… My brain momentarily short-circuited at his words, but I also didn’t hate hearing him say that. Then I did something out of pure instinct, not thinking at all.
I stood up, leaned over, and placed a kiss on his cheek. Then I immediately squeaked out, “I’m going to go get ready!” The speed of my steps was faster than ever before, trying to escape from an embarrassing moment.
I ran out so quickly from the dining room that someone would probably think I just set it on fire, but I didn’t look back and could only imagine that damn smirk on his face right about now. It’s like I could feel it burning into my back.
My heart was in obvious overload; the pounding was so fast. “Did I seriously just do that?” I gasped, hands flying to my face.
That hadn’t been planned at all. It was like my body had acted before my brain ever registered what was happening.
NO, no! You said earlier this morning that you were going to stop fighting yourself about this. Just go with the flow and do what you think is right in the situation.
So it’s fine, totally fine. He probably didn’t even think that much of it anyway, right?
When I entered my room, Livia was already there, just beginning to tidy the pillows. She turned when she heard me enter and then paused.
Her brows pulled slightly. “Do you… have a fever, my lady?”
“What? No!” I said it way too quickly, deflecting any confusion she might have.
She tilted her head. “You’re quite red.”
“Livia, it’s nothing, just an embarrassing moment, okay?”
“Oh?” She said, carefully setting a pillow down. “Mind sharing?”
I was stunned for a second, completely not expecting my quiet maid to ask for details.
“I-I mean, if you don’t want to, that’s fine.” Livia said quickly. “It’s just… if you ever need to talk about anything. I’d be willing to listen and maybe give some advice if you’re open to it.”
She truly is a sweet girl, at least that’s what I want to believe. It caught me so off guard that I walked right up and hugged her.
Livia was in obvious shock as her body tightened as I wrapped my arms around her, but I didn’t care because I wanted to show my gratitude.
“I just… thank you.” I said softly. “It’s tough for me to trust any maid I see, but I want to trust in your sincere feelings; I really do appreciate it.”
The hesitation in Livia to reciprocate my actions didn’t last too long before she gently patted my back.
“I’m just glad you’re happy, my lady.”
I pulled back and wiped at my cheeks.
“Anyway, I need something comfortable.” I said with determination. “I’m going on an outing with Noah, and I need to be able to breathe.”
Livia gave a small smile and nodded. “Of course, I’ll find something perfect.”
For once, I didn’t feel weird letting her take care of me. Not because Noah asked me to accept her, but because I wanted to trust her.
I couldn’t help but bounce a little in my seat as the carriage rolled through the capital. The city was alive.
Not just people, though there were plenty, but with energy. Music performers are in the streets, vendors call out their wares, and children are playing. The smell of warm pastries and fresh bread in the air made me hungry all over again, even though we just recently had breakfast.
My hands pressed eagerly against the carriage window as we moved through the cobbled lanes, eyes wide as I took in the architecture, tall spires, rounded domes, and ornate balconies with flower vines hanging down like nature’s own streamers.
It was so beautiful, like something out of a fairy tale. I’d never been able to take any of it in before. Now, I could appreciate every brick, carved statue, and little bit of history built into the city's structure.
I turned to Noah, excitement bubbling up in my chest.
Our first stop came into view. It was a massive fountain; if someone told me it was a masterpiece, I would believe them.
A massive, tiered water feature stands tall in the city square, carved from white stone with intricate patterns running down its sides. Water danced down the tiers, catching the sunlight and casting tiny rainbows in all directions.
“I remember you wanted some water features in our garden, so I thought you would appreciate seeing something like this first.” Noah said with that ever so gentle voice. “What do you think of this one?”
My eyes sparkled. “I want it,” I blurted out with no shame or hesitation.
He laughed softly as the carriage came to a stop and we stepped out together. I was a woman on a mission.
I rushed up to the edge of the fountain, hands outstretched like a child seeing snow for the first time. Cool water misted my face as I touched the streams, cupping the flow for just a second before giggling and shaking it off.
Did I look like a noble? Hell no!
Did I care? Another hell no!
I looked like a woman who was free, and that’s exactly what I wanted to be. I knew this version of me was the one Noah liked the most.
He came up from behind and wrapped his arms around my waist. I felt his warmth against my back and instinctively leaned into it.
“Let’s go to the stalls,” he whispered near my ear. “Get something to eat.”
I turned my head, grinning, “Absolutely!”
The streets were lined with colorful vendor tents and stalls, each packed with delicious smells.
Noah kept his hand in mine as I pointed at everything like an overexcited tourist.
“That one,” I said, scanning the most delicious looking options. “The fried dough with sugar, wait… is that cheese inside?!”
He bought whatever I wanted without hesitation. I took a bite, nearly wept from joy, and immediately shoved the rest toward him. “Try it. It’s life-changing.”
After he took a bite, he smiled and nodded back at me, “Impressive.”
Then we found skewers, sweet fruit drinks, roasted nuts, and something suspiciously spicy that made me cough and tear up while Noah just laughed and handed me a napkin.
I didn’t care because I was having the time of my life. As we turned a corner past a sweet bun vendor, I spotted them… street performers!
A whole line of them along an open walkway, each one acting out a different spectacle to gather a crowd, colorful rugs were laid out, with props and instruments scattered around. Small hats or bowls sat front and center, half-filled with tossed coins.
I immediately grabbed Noah’s hand and tugged. “We’re going over there.” I said with a grin.
He followed without question, smiling as I pulled him through the curious crowd of onlookers.
There were a variety of performers:
First was a fire-breather, shirtless and covered in tribal tattoos, who spat a geyser of flame into the air to the loud cheers of the crowd.
Second was a duo of mimes acting out a noble romance gone horribly wrong, complete with invisible slaps and exaggerated fainting that actually had me giggling.
Third, and my least favorite, was a puppet troupe, mostly children, reenacting a battle between a hero and a monster using crudely made but endearing string puppets. They kind of freaked me out, though. I was never a fan of this type of entertainment.
The fourth is an illusionist, probably with low-tier magic, who changed the color of birds, produced glowing shapes midair, and made flowers vanish from baskets, only to reappear behind people’s ears.
Finally, there was a story-dancer, a woman moving fluidly to a silent rhythm, her dance telling a silent tale of lost love, a very common theme that the other performers shared. Every step was perfectly timed and coordinated.
I turned to Noah, tugging on his sleeve. “Coins, I need them!”
He reached into his coat and handed me a pretty hefty bag of gold coins.
My eyes widened as I stared at him. “You know I’m only tipping, not buying them, right?”
Noah just shrugged as if it was a trivial matter.
So I smiled and hugged him tightly. Then, I made my way towards the illusionist and fire-breather, as they were the most interesting to me.
I dropped a few gold coins into each hat; their eyes popped out of their heads to see gold coins and not something of lower quality.
“Buy yourself something better to perform in than these old rags.” I whispered before slipping away, unconcerned about hearing their replies.
Noah, seeing me going in a different direction, hurriedly caught up with me and followed along. It was cute, I couldn’t deny it, and maybe just a little hot.
Then I heard music, faint at first, but I knew that was our next destination. I turned toward it like a bee to honey and grabbed Noah’s wrist, pulling him in that direction. “There!” I pointed.
We followed the sound to a shaded corner where a group of musicians had set up a half-circle of benches. Their instruments were unfamiliar to my eyes, but at the same time I could understand their function. They produced beautiful sounds.
The music was soft and romantic, kind of weird for such a venue. Being outside in a crowded area, you would think upbeat music would make more sense. We sat and listened for a while. It was peaceful, intimate, and a little bit magical, I guess.
Then I turned to Noah, and, like usual, he was staring at me. Our eyes locked, and my breath caught. We leaned towards each other… slowly, instinctively, like we were pulled by a thread of fate spun between our hearts.
I felt his breath; his hand moved toward mine. This is it, I thought. I’m going to kiss him. My mind has already completely accepted the situation and just wanted to know how it would feel.
The heat on my face was real, but I didn’t care. My heart was screaming yes, and the voice of reluctance from my soul had practically given in, then…
BOOM!
A loud, echoing explosion cracked through the city, distant but jarring enough to make several people scream and scatter. I nearly jumped out of my seat. My body instantly jerking back from our almost first kiss, it was ruined just like that.
I cursed inwardly. Of course something so stupid and cliché would happen. My mind was ready for it, and I was committed. Then, boom, nothing happened after that besides Noah instantly covering me in his embrace, protectively.
After we realized there were no enemies, we decided to leave and go to our next stop. It was a local theater, the kind where nobles sat in upper balconies while commoners filled the rows below.
A play was just starting, and Noah led us in to enjoy it.
Ten minutes later, I was squirming in my seat.
Twenty minutes in, I was yawning and about to fall asleep.
Thirty minutes? I give up; this sucks.
Leaning over, I whispered. “I’m sorry, but this is… painfully bad.”
He raised an eyebrow, “Really?”
“The immersion is nonexistent, the dialogue is garbage, and the main character has the emotional range of a brick.”
Noah chuckled.
“You know… this is one of the most popular shows in the capital.”
I stared at him, horrified, “No way!”
He smirked, “There’s no doubt, so I’ve heard.”
I couldn’t help but slump into my seat. “Well… these people have horrible taste.”
Even though the play was a mess, and I didn’t get my kiss… I still felt like I was living the happiest day I’d ever had in two lifetimes.
