G. Kitsune
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The Soul Reborn: From Silence to Sovereignty Chapter 30
🕑 Added 2025-06-08 11:31:42 +0000 UTCChapter 30: Kiss the Blade
A few days later, every noble in the North gathered inside the towering halls of the archduke’s castle, from the distant mountain lords to the coastal trade barons.
This was the heart of his fortress, the stronghold that had protected the North for generations from the monster beyond the snow-lined horizon.
The gathering point was the Archduke's Castle that Noah and I call home. There is a massive banquet hall that could rival the one in the south.
They haven’t arrived for a feast, nor to honor their new archduchess, but to be judged themselves.
For my own enjoyment, none of them were aware of this fact just yet.
In the center of the grand banquet hall, on an obsidian pedestal inlaid with silver, sat a golden dagger. Elegant, ceremonial, and gleaming under the light of a dozen crystal chandeliers, what no one knew yet is that beautiful piece of art was a gift to me from Noah.
It was quite enjoyable to watch people speculate about what the dagger meant. Is it a symbol, gift, or possibly some antique? Who knows, I thought to myself with a mischievous aura surrounding me.
“I wonder how long they’ll keep staring in awe of that blade when they find out its purpose.” Then, with absolutely no shame, I threw back my head and laughed, “Muhahaha!”
A very theatrical and villainous laugh came out.
Noah chuckled beside me, clearly amused at my actions. “That laugh is really growing on me.”
“Obviously,” I said, shooting him a wink. “It’s part of my charm.
Behind me, Kellan and Bors did their thing while intimidating any noble who dared look their way. It was something I gave them permission to do and also heavily encouraged.
Livia was just behind me, calm and collected. Her notebook was out, taking down words, faces, and names of anyone who spoke rudely of me.
I glanced to the side with a tilt of the head.
“Hey, weird question… Why don’t you ever go around with any advisors?”
Noah just shrugged, “I trust myself more."
I just nodded slowly, storing that answer for a later date. He was always a little too self-sufficient to think he has no one to rely on.
Oh well, I’m sure he’s got it all figured out; no reason to dwell on it when I have no interest in burdening myself with work if I don’t have to.
As we approached the front entrance to the hall, horns suddenly blared out, sending an echo throughout the room of our arrival.
“Presenting His Grace, Archduke Noah Velmoure, and Her Grace, Archduchess Seraphina Velmoure,” The doors opened as my heart pounded, not just because of all the people, but in anticipation of the excitement that was about to take place.
Noah offered his arm; I took it. We stepped into the hall with confidence, elegance, and just the right amount of menace to get our point across.
Don’t mess with us!
The sea of nobles bowed, every last one of them. I giggled to myself, hoping they were ready to do that again shortly. My intentions were plain to see for anyone who was paying attention.
I could see their eyes as we passed; none of them were sincere.
“Let the games begin,” I whispered, just loud enough for Noah to hear.
His answering smirk sent a thrill through me. We ascended the grand dais together, the golden dagger gleaming like a secret waiting to be told.
Tonight… I would show them just exactly who they now served.
Not missing a beat, I leave Noah and walk straight towards the golden dagger as every eye in the room follows me. I wrapped my fingers around the handle of the dagger, lifting it high for all to see.
It gleamed under the chandeliers like a divine judgment.
Just a few months ago, if I were put into this exact situation, I probably would have fainted. It’s crazy how the backing of someone like Noah could bolster my self-esteem by so much.
But now, it felt electric. It didn’t hurt that Bors and Kellan were flanking both my sides a few steps back.
“Hello, everyone,” I said, my voice sweet but sharp. “Thank you all for attending on such short notice. As you’ve already heard, I’m Seraphina Velmoure, the archduchess of this place you all call home.”
I paused, turning toward my husband. “That man right there,” gesturing towards Noah, “is my husband who loves and cherishes me deeply.”
I couldn’t help but blow Noah a kiss in front of all these stuck-up nobles, who probably have never seen such a display in all their lives.
He, of course, smiled like a man who was obviously in love with the woman in front of him, sending a clear message to all those here.
Then I looked back at the nobles and smiled with purpose.
“Now let me ask everyone here something important.” I allowed the silence in the room to linger for a few moments before I continued. “Who among you serves the Archduke with all your heart?”
A resounding cheer answered. They were all eager, maybe a little too much; to show which side they stood on.
“Hmm, lovely,” I said with a playful tilt of the head. “Then let me ask something else.”
My voice dropped an octave. “What about me?” While it's true I haven't proved myself or done anything yet. But, I was the wife of the man who ruled them all.
The silence was immediate; I couldn’t help but feel offended. It’s not that I didn’t expect it, but to have almost no support was crazy. They all had eyes that screamed at me to leave now and never come back.
“Interesting,” I purred, letting the silence stretch out to make everyone as uncomfortable as possible. “You follow the Archduke, but not the woman he holds in his heart?”
I turned slightly and looked over my shoulder towards a man who was barely keeping it in without causing a massacre. Do these people not see I’m trying to save their lives? No respect at all.
“Noah, darling, if something ever happened to me, what would you do?”
This was a very crucial part of my life for establishing my rule in this place. I refused to be looked down upon and thought of as easily replaced by people in the grand scheme of things that don’t matter at all.
Noah’s eyes were cold. His aura of killing intent blanketed the whole room, sending many to their knees in an instant.
The room itself literally shivered.
Without even saying a word, he made it very clear what he thought about their disgusting biases.
“Right,” I said, feeling empowered. “He’d probably kill everyone in this room just to make sure he got rid of the one who brought harm to me.”
I let that sink in before bringing the attention of the crowd back to the dagger.
“So… I’m sure you’re all wondering just why I’m carrying this and why it was displayed in the middle of this grand hall.” I raised it again, high above my head, as if to rub it in all their faces.
“If you truly support the Archduke, then you should also serve me with the same amount of enthusiasm because this…” I tapped the dagger's sheath. “…represents the heart of the duke.”
“I am that heart.” I smiled sweetly.
“If you want to prove your loyalty… Step forward, kneel, and kiss the blade. Show me and him that you accept his decision for a wife prolonging your life in the future.”
A sudden burst of words rippled throughout the room. Some looked intrigued; others were extremely offended, and at least half just looked conflicted for one reason or another.
It didn’t take too long before their better judgment took over and a few nobles stepped forward.
One by one, they knelt before me, each kissing the blade in a silent pledge. I just looked down at them without any expression as I watched each and every movement.
This was more than just trying to get them to bow down to me, but I wanted to see by the way they reacted who needs to be taken care of in the future.
Noah was just a looming threat in the background, most afraid to even look in his direction. His cold aura would every now and then blanket the whole area just to get his point across. I love him so much, hehe.
Bor and Kellan stared every individual down before they approached, ready to jump into action at any point.
I couldn’t help but grin at the scene after a while with all these stuck-up nobles easily being swayed to do what I wished, even though no one spoke up for me earlier.
Let the whole world know, I’m not just some soft-hearted duchess.
I hold the power of the strongest force in Coldmere, and they better realize that quickly, or they will be destroyed.
Once the last of the willing nobles kissed the blade, I lowered the dagger and looked out into the crowd.
Not everyone had stepped forward. Of course I saw it, the cowardice hiding behind polite smiles and expensive silk that only made an ugly person a little more attractive.
Someone who you would consider a ten out of ten is only that until they open their mouth. If their personality is ugly, they will automatically become a five out of ten on principle.
These people have gorgeous clothes, but their personalities are evil and dark. There’s no way any of them could ever be considered beautiful or handsome until proven.
Now it was time to deal with those who truly can’t read the room. I lifted my chin and raised my voice so all those in the room could hear me clearly.
“What of the rest of you?” I said, my tone sharper now, all the sweetness of before an afterthought. “What message are you trying to send by refusing to bend the knee to the heart of the Archduke?
My words hung heavy in the air as I allowed them all to digest it.
“Is it pride, cowardice, or maybe something worse… like treasonous ambition?”
Not one of them spoke, keeping silent as if they weren’t capable of lowering themselves to my level.
“Well… I’ll give you a chance to prove yourselves worthy of your title.”
Kellan and Bors stepped forward a few steps in front of me and in between the ones who refused to bow their heads.
Kellan, holding his massive shield, looked very intimidating standing there like a moving fortress. Bors was dragging his excessively large axe behind him like a bored executioner.
“Here’s your choice,” I announced, smiling.
“Either break through Kellan’s guard with a single strike… or survive one blow from Bors without collapsing.”
Gasps echoed throughout the room. I’m sure the others are very happy they don’t have to do something as outrageous as this, having bent the knee.
“What?” I sneered. “Don’t like those odds… Then maybe kissing this dagger,” I lifted it into the air, “isn’t such a bad deal after all?”
My gaze swept over them like fire. “Even though any loyalty you've shown towards us is probably fake.”
I threw the golden dagger into the ground; it went about half the length of the blade into the floor.
“I’m not some naïve little girl who believes your empty oaths. I see everything: who hesitates, who glares, and those with bad intentions. When you think I’m not watching, don’t worry; I have others."
It was better to keep the nobles on edge, to make them believe anyone might betray them at any moment. People like them were always looking for an advantage, always ready to throw someone under the bus if it meant getting ahead.
“I don’t like uncertain factors, so this… is my way of eliminating them.”
Looking back to Noah, he’s the only person in this room whose opinion truly matters.
“You agree with me, right… Noah?”
He smiled lazily from his throne, eyes sparkling with something dangerous.
“Do as you wish,” he said. “You have my full authority.”
My heart fluttered at his unyielding faith and loyalty in me.
“Well then… Who would like to test your might rather than kneel?”
I stepped aside and gestured dramatically toward Kellan and Bors, standing center stage like gods of war prepared to unleash hell on those who would try them.
“Step forward, champions of pride. Show me why your knees are too precious to bend.”
I’m sure these people have never met someone so forward. Nobles are all about hiding intentions and talking under their breaths. But… for someone to be so blatant with their motives has probably thrown a lot of them off, not knowing how to respond.
Then a voice stuttered, “L-Lady Velmoure, this is madness…”
“Madness,” I replied with venom. “Who the hell are you to call me a lady and not your grace? I’m an archduchess, not some random noble.” Even though I’m quite naïve when it comes to noble etiquette, I do know a few things and what they did there was look down on me without being too obvious.
Someone of my level would always be replied to by Your Grace unless told otherwise. It’s showing great respect to those of higher standing. They could call me a lady if they were on my same level of nobility. Since they live and die by this crap, I’m going to hold them to it.
Boom
Kellan slammed his massive shield into the ground, sending a literal shockwave to the surroundings. Bors just grinned, slowly lifting his ax to adjust it from one shoulder to the other.
“So?” I asked again, the dagger still shimmering as it stuck out of the ground. “What’ll it be, the kiss, blade, or the tombstone?”
I let the silence of the room linger, letting all those who have pride too unyielding for their own good stew in the looks of everyone else in the room. They understood this atmosphere was created because of their stubbornness.
“Alright, let’s make this simple.” I pointed towards the crowd, “Those of you who've already pledged your loyalty, kindly move to the left side of the room.”
There was some hesitant movement, but with some encouragement from Noah, they quickly moved.
“As for the rest of you, those who still aren’t sure… move to the right.”
Of course none of the holdouts would move immediately.
“Noah,” I added, “if you see anyone trying to sneak across to the wrong side.”
Before I could even finish my words, I felt him. He came from behind with his warm and calm nature, at least towards me. His arms wrapped around my waist, and then one hand lifted my chin, planting a deep kiss on my lips in front of everyone for all to see.
When he pulled away, his lips brushed against my ear.
“No problem, my love.” Noah whispered with a voice that sounded like he wanted to grab me and get to our bed right this instant.
The crowd collectively shivered, and the point Noah was trying to make was loud and clear. There it was; the trap had snapped shut.
“By the way,” I said with a smile. “For those of you who choose to test your strength…”
I gestured to Kellan, who looked like he was ready to hold the whole world on his shoulders.
“He does get to return the favor. I mean, let’s be fair, it wouldn’t be right if he didn’t.”
There were no words to express the feeling in the air, besides utter terror, I guess.
When everyone had finally moved, there were only five noble houses standing for their own irrelevant pride, like it was armor that would protect them or something.
“Five houses whose pride is so fierce they risk being branded a traitor to make their point, well… I hope the pain is worth it.”
I pointed at the dagger; Noah gladly obliged, pulling it out of the ground and placing it back into my hand.
“One at a time, step forward and choose your fate while explaining why.” My gaze was sharp. “Tell me why supporting… Your Archduchess is so unthinkable. Maybe, just maybe, if your reason is valid enough… I’ll let you walk away from this unscathed. No pain or blood.”
In my utter annoyance at these people, I couldn’t help but add. “I mean, really… Is kneeling to me that bad? Isn’t the one sleeping in his bed, ruling by his side, exactly the person who should be given respect as his other half? So what exactly are you rejecting?”
Noah stood tall beside me, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword, watching the five pigheaded noble houses with a gaze colder than winter.
“Well then,” I said. “We’re waiting.”
