The Soul Reborn: From Silence to Sovereignty

After the remaining staff of the jewelry store regained consciousness, some still groaning from their falls, they quickly lowered themselves into deep bows before us.

"We deeply apologize for our disrespectful demeanor, your graces!" An older woman blurted out, clutching her apron with trembling hands.

"Forgive our foolishness!"

"Our ignorance of your esteemed identities led to this offense. It was never our intention."

For a solid fifteen minutes, I listened to their endless, frantic attempts to beg for mercy.

The groveling was irritating, to say the least. It failed to deliver the satisfaction I craved, nothing like the thrill of watching their souls drain from their faces the instant our strategy landed with precision.

I stood slowly from the couch I had been lounging on; my gaze fell on the display case of the choker that was still around Livia's neck. Not one person had noticed it yet.

"Hmm," I said with a dramatic pause, pointing towards the empty stand where the choker had once sat.

All staff members followed my gesture. Eyes widened, and everybody froze in place. Fainting a second time wouldn't have surprised me.

They had pale, horrified expressions, clearly calculating just how much trouble they were in if that item was truly gone.

"You know," I said sweetly, tapping a finger against my chin, "all of you were out cold for quite some time."

Several of them cleared their throats, visibly struggling to pretend I wasn't there, desperate to avoid dealing with me.

Honestly, I didn't care. They had ruined my fun and wasted my time. Sure, I chose to stay, but that didn't make it any less annoying.

"Anyone could have walked in, taken that beautiful choker, and then vanished without a trace. What kind of work ethic is this?"

The younger man began to sweat. "W-We can explain…"

"You all fainted," I said bluntly, "in the middle of the day just because of… what?"

I wanted to see what they would say because it was utterly ridiculous. Just because of that little joke I played on them with Livia, they had such a pathetic response.

Noah, standing behind me, let out a deep sigh as he took in the scene. His north was looking pathetic in front of the woman he loves, or at least that's what I would like to think.

Livia, on the other hand, just stood still with the choker still glimmering elegantly from around her neck. Not one of the attendants in this jewelry shop pointed it out.

I stepped closer to the display and leaned forward slightly. "You're very lucky I'm not in a bad mood."

That seemed to scare them more than if I'd threatened to burn the place down.

"Perhaps," Noah said nonchalantly, inspecting a nearby ring with annoyance. "We should consider revisiting the licensing requirements for jewelers in Coldmere."

The eldest staff member made a noise like a dying animal.

"No need for that!" She cried. "We… we'll do anything!"

"Oh, I know," I said with a dazzling smile. "Start with better manners next time, and maybe don't judge people by their clothes." I turned to leave, then paused and glanced back. "Thanks for the choker."

We all walked out the door, leaving them dumbfounded, probably not understanding my words, but they will eventually.

I turned to Livia, pushing her out of the store. "Come on, my most treasured servant. Let's get you something to match your new accessory."

Noah held out his arm, and I took it without thinking. Together, we walked toward the door with steady steps.

The chime rang as we left; I didn't even bother looking back. For their disrespect, I took one item from their store. Now we're even, and the lesson has been delivered.

As we walked a little further down the snowy street, leaving the stunned staff and that bell behind us.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Can you believe that?" I said, still holding onto Noah. "I even hinted where the choker was! I stared directly at the display case and even pointed. They still said nothing at all!"

Noah raised a brow. "You really did everything short of holding up a sign."

"Honestly, if they had asked, I would've paid for it," I said with a laugh. "I didn't mean to steal it or anything. They were just so pitiful I couldn't help myself."

I grinned wickedly. "But no… They're either oblivious, which is incredibly dangerous if you're working in a jewelry store, or they were too scared to stop us."

Behind, Livia adjusted the weight of the choker around her neck. She was still her usual, unreadable self, but there was lightness to her steps and the tiniest twitch at the corner of her mouth.

"If they're that unobservant," Livia said dryly, "they should be thankful you didn't walk out with the matching bracelet as well."

I turned around and pointed at her with a grin. "See? That's why you're the only maid I accept."

She gave me a sidelong glance. "Can I really keep it?"

"Of course," I said with confidence. Even if the jewelry store came knocking about the choker, I would just throw some money at them and be done with it.

Livia looked at me with a conflicted expression: "Even though I technically walked out with an absurdly expensive item without paying?"

"Don't worry about it," I scoffed, waving a hand. "If they come asking for reimbursement, I'll handle it. Besides, it looks better on you anyway. Your cute face makes it even more appealing."

Livia smiled an actual smile. A real one, not hidden behind the stoic face she shows everyone. I saw that as a mission accomplished for the day. It felt good to know that something I said or did could brighten the mood of someone so precious to me.

I'm also surprised she actually likes jewelry this much. It could also be because it came from me. Yeah, I'll go with that.

"Let's go eat something," I said, stretching my arms high over my head. "I want to get off my feet for a while."

Noah nodded without hesitation, already scanning the area like he'd been hoping I'd say that.

We found the perfect spot just down the road, one of those quaint little cafes with wood-framed windows, warm amber lighting, and the mouthwatering scent of fresh pastries filling the air.

A chalkboard menu out in front showed their bestsellers. Hot mulled cider, sugared croissants, and something called cinnamon cloud bread.

Sold!

We stepped inside, and even though the room was already cozy, it somehow became even warmer with Noah beside me.

The moment we were offered seats, Noah made his preference very clear. He wanted to be alone with me.

So naturally, Livia would have to dine with my two towering mountains of muscle, being guided to a separate table from us.

"Good luck, Livia," I called over my shoulder with a grin.

"I already regret everything," she replied flatly. If I didn't know any better, I would swear Livia was into women because she has never once found a man attractive in my presence.

Maybe that's why whenever I show affection towards her; she always goes stiff at first before relaxing.

I waved her off. "Order whatever you want. All of you."

Then I followed Noah to a more secluded table tucked into a corner by the window, half-hidden behind a lace curtain and a row of beautiful flowers blooming with sapphire petals.

It was very similar to Noah's eyes.

I slid in beside him rather than across because, of course, I did, and he pulled me close without saying a word, as if claiming me.

While we were waiting for our drinks and snacks, I leaned back with a sigh and tilted my head toward him lazily. But before I could say anything, Noah shifts in his seat.

Without warning, he twisted my posture, pulling my legs over his lap in one smooth motion.

It caught me off guard at first.

Then I felt my shoes being slid off.

He pressed his strong hands into the soles of my feet with a rhythm I've become familiar with. I melted right on the spot.

"So you understood." I said with a sly grin.

He glanced at me, calm as ever. "You wanted to get off your feet earlier, so I figured you needed this."

"Noah, sometimes it feels like you're too perfect," I said softly. "How can I ever make it up to you for always being there?"

I let out a soft sigh, utterly overwhelmed by how much I loved being the center of his world.

"This is only natural, and I wish for nothing else than your happiness beside me," he said, his voice low and sincere.

My cheeks flushed a little, but I couldn't help leaning back with a smug look on my face.

"Well, since I can tell you're obviously enjoying yourself," I said, smirking. "I may ask for this even more often in the future."

"I was hoping you would." Noah smiled with that dazzling expression that always hits me straight in the heart. That strange, twisting feeling stirred, making me ache for even more affection from this man in the future.

His hands moved with a care that overwhelmed me and a love I once thought I'd never know. But now that I had it, I would never let it go.

As I rested there, while I looked outside at the snow-covered ground, I was wrapped in Noah's presence and the scent of cinnamon in the air.

This must be what it feels like to be at peace.

I sank into the plush seat, my legs comfortably draped across Noah's lap, his hands still working slow, soothing circles.

Something suddenly enveloped my mind; turning to Noah, I gave a quizzical look.

"You know," I said casually, "I've been wondering something."

Noah tilted his head slightly, blue eyes calm as ever with a hint of curiosity.

"Why do you always let me take the lead in situations like this?" I asked. "You stand back and watch, quietly enjoying the chaos I create. You never interrupt or step in. You're the Archduke, someone who could silence a room with just a few words. But still, you let me handle everything."

His hands didn't stop, but he was quiet for a moment. Then he looked up at me with a gaze that told me whatever he was about to say was serious.

"I'm just going along with something you had said a while back. Even though I think at the time you were joking, I decided to live by it." He said with conviction.

I blinked. "Huh?"

Noah's voice dropped lower. "You commented how I would be at your mercy during the day and the night would be mine. At the time I just agreed with you but also held it in my heart."

"What?" I couldn't help but freeze.

He leaned back just a bit, one arm resting on the bench.

"I much more prefer the night over the day, and I've never been the most ideal leader." He continued. "What I know is war, not how to rule over so many people who depend on me."

Then his expression softened. "If anything truly dangerous ever comes and there's a threat to your well-being, I'll always be the one to stand in front of you."

I didn't interrupt. I couldn't

"I let you lead because I want to see you spread your wings," he said gently. "You're growing bolder, starting to show the strength of someone meant to hold power. It's like one of those fantasy novels you always mention… watching the main character grow stronger with every chapter."

My mind was racing with so many thoughts, but at the same time I can't believe he has such faith in me.

Then I stared at him, mouth wide. "Wait a second."

He raised an eyebrow, knowing what was coming.

"Have you been… reading more novels?"

A smirk formed on his face.

"I wanted to keep up with that mind of yours," he said simply. "To understand you even more, the way you think about this world is always framed like a story, as if you're the protagonist in some epic tale."

He paused, brushing a loose strand of hair from my cheek.

"Honestly, it's quite enjoyable to watch."

I stared at him, totally disarmed. For once, I didn't have some witty comeback or dramatic gesture.

A sheepish smile bloomed on my face, and I felt my heart grow full.

"You're really something else, Noah," I whispered.

"I try," he said with a gaze that sent shivers down my spine. Not in a bad way, but one that gave me everything I needed to continue on with my current path.

Then he added, "But don't think this means I won't ever try to take you during the day. Sometimes you're a little too much with that flirting of yours."

"Challenge accepted." I said with a grin.