G. Kitsune
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The Soul Reborn: From Silence to Sovereignty Chapter 52
🕑 Added 2025-06-26 18:37:06 +0000 UTCChapter 52: The Great Noble Retreat
The sun had only just crested on the horizon, casting the archduchy in a warm orange glow. When the butler approached me, I didn’t even wait for him to speak before I snatched the parchment out of his hand like a starving woman presented with a feast.
“Clear the table,” I told Livia. “It’s letter-writing time.”
She simply nodded her head and slid the tray aside with practiced ease.
I cracked my knuckles, dipped my pen in ink, and began…
***
Noah,
Something funny happened today. I’m still laughing about it even hours later.
So get this… A group of nobles, the usual suspects who really need to be handled, had the gall to show up at our gates.
You know the type: polished coats, powdered faces, and egos as inflated as the moon. Honestly, the way they dressed had me crying with laughter until my stomach ached.
I casually watched them from my window with Livia as Bors approached them.
Surprisingly, he didn’t run like a wild bull and start swinging his axe. He just stood there with a look that could kill as he stared them all down with obvious malice. The big guy was just standing there like a menace with no regard for their status at all.
But then… a mob of commoners showed up after seeing the noble crowd trying to force entry into our home.
They were chanting something, and I have to admit, it might be starting to affect my ego having so many people treat me like this. Still, I couldn’t help but smile as they cheered my name, even calling me a saintess, just like you mentioned in your last letter.
Then came the rocks, tomatoes, cabbages, and just about anything that was round that they could throw. I even think someone threw a fish, hehe.
It wasn’t long before they chased those noble bastards away, treating them like the cockroaches they’ve always been.
The nobles were scrambling while cursing up a storm against people who ranked so far below them. You know the usual drivel that they speak on a daily basis. They were tripping over themselves, and a few even face-planted into mud… it was beautiful.
I might have even laughed loud enough for them to hear me in the streets. It was like watching a comedy in my last world.
So they probably won’t be back tomorrow, or maybe they’ll bring umbrellas? But seriously, it got me thinking.
I believe it’s time for another banquet. This one should be more personal. The first set the tone, but now I want something that feels like an exclamation point. They’re becoming a real annoyance, refusing to support any of our efforts to improve Coldmere.
Let’s remind them who truly holds the reins of power. What makes them think they have any real authority over Coldmere? Every last baron, viscount, count, and marquis barking orders is several ranks beneath us.
How can they speak up so loudly just because you left to protect their pathetic asses? I’m sure none of them accompanied you out there and just sit in their ivory towers talking about how much they want everything to stay the same. That’s the only way they would stay in power, after all.
They treat me like I’m an invader who took over the castle when her husband was gone. Instead of the title of a noble, they should just be called compulsive complainers.
To me, nobility carries a meaning these people have clearly forgotten. The strong ought to raise the weak, not out of obligation, but because they can. That is what it truly means to be noble.
These jokers spend their days whining about bloodlines while people starve just two streets away. And what do they even do with all that inherited wealth? Waste it on extravagance instead of anything that actually matters.
Honestly, if I could abolish the entire system, I would. The world would be much better off without it. Who would want to give such people actual power, especially when they could just throw away their family for selfish reasons?
Why should daughters be forced into marriage for the sake of their vile parents' ambition, especially when those parents contribute nothing of value? Why should a bloodline determine someone’s worth?
In my old world, women were treated as true equals. We could run companies, command armies, and change laws. The whole marrying off your daughter just because the father decided is so unbelievably stupid.
I’ve been watching closely these past few months. Everything is done for their own gain, with no concern for the food shortages hurting the commoners. As long as the mines keep producing gems, they’re happy to strut around like peacocks.
By the way, Livia picked up on the location of your two guards; she’s really something. I also figured you would probably be protecting me from the shadows somehow; that’s why I was so confident to go out the other day.
What I’m wondering is whether that was truly random or orchestrated by some noble. Were they trying to test how I’d respond?
I don’t know; they might not be related, but my instincts are telling me otherwise. My conspiratorial brain won’t shut up about it, and I can’t afford to brush off these gut feelings, not when the world’s full of snakes.
I’m glad you realized the injustice of having no pictures of us yet. What couple wouldn’t at least have one of them together, like over our bed or something?
Don’t feel too much pressure about a poem. Also, I’m a little offended your guards would report about something I wasn’t even going to reinforce. Make sure they understand my boundaries, and also, Noah, you should never spy on me!
I’m already an open book and would answer any of your questions. They might have done it in good faith, but it’s still annoying.
If you do end up writing it, don’t hold back, my love. If it doesn’t make me weep, it fails.
Also… this bed is so lonely without you, it’s tragic! I even tried cuddling with your pillow, but it’s just not the same.
A month is too damn long! Has it been a year or ten? That’s how I truly feel; waiting is such a bummer.
Keep up the great fight over there, you stud, and come back to me as soon as you can. Now go kick some monsters asses and come home even quicker.
Love you… Your Revolutionary Saintess, Seraphina
Kisses!
***
After I wrote another heartfelt letter to my beautiful man, Livia spoke up from the window.
“That letter’s going to give him a headache.”
I smirked. “Good… Maybe then he’ll realize what I’ve gone through trying to manage this region without choking someone. Also, how did you even know what I wrote?”
She was looking out the window most of the time.
“It’s because you said every single word out loud instead of keeping it to yourself." Livia let out a sigh.
Did I really do that? Oh well, it's not like it matters anyway, with only Livia and those two nosy hidden guards hearing my words.
“Whoops, I guess I was so into writing that I didn’t even realize I was saying everything out loud.”
She just looked at me like it was expected.
“LIVIA,” I yelled suddenly, getting her to jump slightly.
“What?” she yelled in response. I couldn’t help but giggle at her expression.
“Let’s go walk to the kitchen and get some sweets!” I got a craving all of a sudden; I’m sure Lyra must want to eat as well.
Livia’s face was stoic as ever. “Did you have to yell?”
“Nope…” But it felt good to see her lose her composure for a second. “But, it was funny though.” I stuck out my tongue.
She sighed softly and helped me up. I clung to her arm as we made our way to the kitchen. I did not want to remain in that room all the time. Sometimes, even the smallest excuse was enough to make me want to move around.
A day later, Noah’s letter arrived once again. He really can’t live without me, I mused. That makes two of us, but his turnaround is truly fast.
When I used the parchment before, it took him about three minutes to reach me. I wonder how quickly it travels to wherever he is now. Noah's probably out there, constantly fighting off monsters; that’s likely why he doesn’t reply instantly.
I guess it doesn’t really matter. Now to read his letter!
***
Seraphina,
You incited a mob with cabbages and tomatoes? Somehow, I’m not even surprised.
There’s no one else in the world that could stand on a rock with a baby in the belly and denounce the entire noble class. Then walk away even more beloved than you were before. You have a gift with your words, and they inspire those that hear them.
I do worry, though…
You mentioned the men who tried to harm you might have been sent by someone else. I’ve already dispatched one of my shadows to investigate. I trust your instincts, and I can’t afford to remain idle in this type of situation.
Never stop being cautious; it’s a good trait to have. It will probably save your life in the future. Sadly, this world has a lot of entitled individuals, and with power comes threats from all sides.
I’ll admit, when you described the nobles tripping over themselves to escape your commoner horde, I burst out laughing. Suddenly, every eye in the camp was on me like I’d lost my mind. Maybe I have… but only when it comes to a certain individual.
About your noble philosophy… you couldn’t be more right. True nobility isn’t about titles or prestigious bloodlines. It’s about your character.
Seraphina, you’re nobler than that whole crowd of fools put together.
Now, about your poem challenge…
You said it better make you cry, or it’s a failure. So I give you this… Not because I want to make you cry, but I don’t want to let you down.
They said that love is born in peace,
in silken days when battles cease.
But ours was fire; wild and true,
a world torn open just for you.
You, whose voice could calm the sky,
whose laugh could make the shadows fly.
You stood where broken pride once lay,
and built a throne from light and clay.
I do miss you, Seraphina, my dear.
Your soul remains forever near.
In every breath, in every light,
in dreams that keep me warm at night.
And if I fall before we meet,
there will be no sign of defeat.
No sword or shield within my hand,
just your name, etched in the sand.
For love like ours will never die,
it echoes still beneath the sky.
And if they ask what legacy grew,
tell them my heart belonged to you.
I hope you enjoyed that; it wasn’t easy for me to write. I’m not very good with this kind of stuff.
So… how did I do? I wonder if that had you tearing up.
You’re in my heart always
Your devout husband,
Noah
***
Damn it, Noah… That was a low blow! Of course I would tear up when you talk about yourself dying in the poem.
That’s unacceptable, and I will make sure he pays when he gets back! Of course I thought the beginning was sweet, but then it got too dark for my taste. I don’t want to ever think of a world without Noah.
“Livia…” I turned towards her.
“Yes.” She said with a nonchalant tone at the same time her eyes widened slowly. “I guess it wasn’t a failure.”
“Obviously… But it wasn’t fair! How could he talk about dying?” My tears started to fall.
While I can’t say I didn’t like it for its beauty. If I read it without thinking of Noah as the author, then I would agree this was quite good. Surprised he had something like this in him.
Livia didn’t say much to my outburst, probably understanding my emotions are getting the better of me again. She just put out her hand to grab onto; I, of course, did so without hesitation.
All of the chaos this past week… nobles showing up, an assassination attempt, commoner uprisings, disguised shopping sprees, and fiery speeches.
The poem’s emotional impact grew each time I read it.
It wasn’t because the words were elegant but because they were his.
A man who could probably cut down legions of those terrifying monsters with a single swing had just poured his heart out in a way I’m sure he’s not used to.
I finally stood and walked to my desk, still sniffling.
“Livia,” I said without turning around, “I think I might have to frame this poem just so I could embarrass Noah with it later, hehe.”
“Of course,” she said softly. “Your intentions never let me down, Archduchess.”
Turning around, I saw the smirk on her face; she was obviously very amused at my words.
“When he gets back,” I added, biting back a fresh wave of tears through a smile. “I’m going to kiss him until his soul leaves his body!”
“I don’t think he would mind that.” Livia let out a light laugh.
