The Soul Reborn: From Silence to Sovereignty

"Livia," I said while slipping out of Noah's arms as I stood and smoothed out my robe, "get my shield and axe."

She didn't even blink. "Would you like them outside the door or in the room?"

"Outside," I replied cheerfully. "Let them feel safe, so they will show their true nature."

Livia nodded faintly and left without a word. She didn't question it. At this point, unpredictability was part of my strategy.

Noah, still seated on our bed, pulled me gently back into his arms and leaned in close. His breath was warm against my ear.

"Just be careful," His tone was serious, knowing I liked to play with my food a little too much and that could turn dangerous with the wrong people.

I rolled my eyes but at the same time took his words to heart. "They're just a few weak girls."

He didn't say anything, but his arms lingered for just a moment longer.

I sighed, resting my hand over his. "Honestly, the only thing that scares me about girls like these is wordplay. Attacking my reputation with false accusations or backstabbing me after I give them a little trust, which is very unlikely. But physical contact," I snorted. "Please…"

Then, I looked at him more seriously. "Well… you do know my origins. I'm just… not normal, and I never will be."

I smiled faintly and poked him lightly in the chest. "Isn't that what you love about me?"

Noah's smirk was paired with that familiar glint of affection in his eyes, the kind that weakened my knees more than any duel of words with nobles I'd never even met.

"You grow cuter by the day," he said, leaning down to kiss my forehead.

Then he stood, smoothing his sleeves like the man had nothing better to do than make me feel like the center of his world before breakfast.

"I'll be in my study," he added, walking away and pausing briefly at the door. "Try not to kill anyone before breakfast."

"No promises," I called out sweetly to Noah's back as he walked away.

Of course, I have no intention of killing these girls, but instilling a bit of fear is another matter. The fact that they showed up unannounced already raises red flags, suggesting they either don't know their own noble code of conduct or simply don't care.

Once Noah had completely left my side down the hall, I turned to Livia as she returned. My shield and axe were already on the scene, waiting outside the audience chamber, I assumed.

"Well?" I made a gesture to Livia. She gave me a look that answered everything.

"Arrogant?" I asked curiously.

"Extremely," she muttered, barely containing her disapproval.

I sighed, placing a hand over my baby bump with exaggerated weariness. "Great, another pack of noble brats who think because I smile a lot and wear dresses that I'm soft."

These girls have no idea what they walked into. At the very minimum, I'm going to teach them a lesson for daring to come here with those kinds of attitudes.

I rolled my shoulders and fixed the golden pin on my left chest that represented my position.

"Let's remind them who they're dealing with."

The double doors to the audience chamber creaked open under Livia's hands.

I moved forward with slow, deliberate steps, my cloak sweeping behind me in gentle waves with each motion.

The two guards I had stationed just outside stood silently at attention, towering with deadly precision.

My axe gleamed on one side of the entryway and my shield on the other, like two warnings to anyone who approaches. Too bad these girls inside never saw them, so they're oblivious to the danger just outside these double doors.

It was almost identical to the last time I entered with that family. I said nothing, keeping my head high and gaze fixed as I lowered myself into the high-backed couch at the head of the room.

I didn't speak because I knew better than to lower myself to some random daughters of nobles.

The silence stretched long enough to make them feel uncomfortable; I could see it on their faces. This time I would sit and wait it out, unlike I did before, just trying to remove them from my sight. These girls I wanted to have a little fun with.

Who knows? Maybe someday one of them will come back and thank me for opening their eyes. I had no intention of coddling them and fully planned to find out the real reason they were here.

The first girl to speak was tall and blonde, with a sharp jaw line that matched the intensity of her eyes.

"I am Serette von Clyne, daughter of Duke Clyne of the Western March. I am here to establish a relationship with the Archduchess on behalf of my household."

Her voice was sweet, but her eyes told another story altogether.

This girl was obviously bad news, and she just bluntly said it out loud instead of keeping her intentions hidden. I mean, I guess I can't really fault her for saying she wishes to be friendly with me, but just something doesn't feel right.

The second girl also had blonde hair, something all three of them had in common. Was this some kind of clique that stayed together just because they all looked alike?

She was smaller, delicate-looking, with an overly practiced curtsy. "I am Elowen Greystone, and my family holds the river trade routes in the east. My father would be most pleased if the Archduchess would consider a winter invitation to our estate."

Why would I want to do that?

The third then spoke up. Those eyes were void of emotion, containing ruthlessness you would find in a soldier.

"Vellaria, no title, but soon I'll have one."

Bold, I had to give her that.

Once they were finished, I let the silence hang again, letting the sound of the fireplace behind me crackle.

Then, I smiled and tilted my head in their direction. "Tell me something."

All three leaned forward slightly, eager to hear my words.

"Do you all want to live long lives?"

They looked at me confused, not understanding my words. I gave them an even sharper smile this time with a tone to match.

"Your attitudes are really testing my patience."

Their posture shifted immediately. Gone was the superiority they were showing before. In its place was hesitation and wariness.

The introductions were fine, but the moment they pulled the same tricks my former family did, it left a bad taste in my mouth.

They arrived uninvited, assumed I would see them, and then waited in silence as if I should be the first one to speak. If that isn't condescension, what is? Have they not heard of my reputation? Do their parents not value their safety?

I couldn't help but sigh. Even the nobles I had talked to before all started speaking the second I entered the room. Why are they so similar to those other people?

There was no rising of my voice or drawing a weapon. All I had to do… was let them know who they were speaking to.

I let the moment linger for just a bit longer to see them squirm from the uncomfortable environment they created.

Then I leaned forward, resting my elbow on the arm of my chair and propping my chin against the back of my fingers.

"I'm sure you've heard," I began, voice low and casual. "That I don't really care about etiquette."

I could see their postures shift with confused and cautious glances.

"But," I added, eyes locking on each of them one by one. "I do know a thing or two about it, and I definitely know when people are trying just a little too hard to look down on me."

It's been a little over four months since I've been in Coldmere. I occasionally get nobles coming to me for these types of conversations, and they all use the same boring tactics. It's exhausting…

Their expressions shifted slightly. The guilt was there, written across all three faces. That alone put them a step above the usual crowd who come here wearing smugness like a crown.

"All that silence when I entered," I said, my smile sugar-sweet, though my tone was anything but. "What were you expecting to achieve? Hoping I'd stoop low enough to start the conversation for you?"

I let out a light chuckle. "Are you stupid?"

Their eyes widened, but I didn't stop.

"Didn't your parents tell you what happened at the banquet when I first arrived?" I asked, tilting my head in confusion. "I'm sure your families were there, or maybe they were one of those who nearly lost their titles because of a little hesitation."

I sat back and crossed one leg over the other, still smiling like I wasn't threatening them beneath every syllable.

"I'm not someone you can mess with easily, so could you at least spare me the same tired game every foolish noble tries when they start a conversation with me?"

Then, I casually motioned towards the door.

"You know the men standing on the other side?" I waited a moment, watching their blank stares. "Each one is seven feet tall and looks like he could wrestle a bear with one hand."

They didn't respond but did swallow hard.

"He could cleave you in half before you'd even have time to react. Yet you walk into my home trying to outplay me with useless noble tactics."

The words came to a stop like a blade striking stone.

Silence…

Not haughty this time, but frightened. Just the way I want girls like these so they can hopefully learn a lesson.

I leaned forward again, resting my chin on my knuckles.

"So go ahead," I said, sweet as honey and twice as dangerous. "Tell me why you're truly here. But this time, try not to insult me before you even open your mouths."

The silence stretched a little longer before one of them spoke up.

It was Lady Serette, the tall blonde with the overconfident posture. She cleared her throat first and tried to speak. Her voice wavered slightly, but she pushed through it.

"We didn't mean any offense, Your Grace," she said quickly, her practiced smile now looking more like a grimace. "We simply… weren't sure how to properly approach someone of your unique position."

"Unique position," I echoed, raising an eyebrow at that statement.

She flinched but continued. "We only meant that you're newly raised to that position. Of course you're powerful, but there is still… a conversation among the nobility."

Ah… there it was. Thinly veiled insults, wrapped in careful wording.

The second girl, Elowen, jumped in nervously, trying to smooth things over that the first was incapable of doing.

"What Lady Serette means is that many young noblewomen look up to you. You've… changed how things work in Coldmere. That banquet set a precedent. So, um… some of us thought it would be… wise to align ourselves with you. Before anyone else does."

Wanting to join my side, huh…

"Align yourselves?" I asked, biting back a laugh.

"We want to serve as your ladies-in-waiting," Vellaria said without hesitation. "That's why we're here."

At least she was direct.

I stared at them with a deadpan expression. "You want to work under me?"

They nodded quickly.

"We believed it would be mutually beneficial," Elowen added. "We could offer companionship, assist with your responsibilities, help plan events, coordinate fashion, and maintain your presence within the noble court."

Serette cut in, "You could benefit greatly from well-bred noblewomen who understand courtly manners and could… smooth over certain tensions."

Do they even realize I've never once stepped foot in the noble court? I have no interest in hearing how my way of doing things defies tradition. I tell Noah what I want, and he makes it happen.

It was clear this was their attempt to control me in whatever way they could. Sending girls my age was a clever move if I had been an ordinary one without any social issues.

"I find it hard to believe this is about just working as my ladies-in-waiting," I said evenly. "Nobility sees that change is on the horizon, and they're trying to infiltrate, right?"

They visibly stiffened.

I met their gaze with a cold stare. "Even as you reach for power, you can't help but look down on the one you expect to hand it to you." My thoughts were sharp, already beyond their little performance. "What makes you think I need any of you?"

I leaned back slightly, tapping my fingers along the arm of the couch.

"Well," I said coolly. "I also think there's more to your motivation than you're letting on."