The Soul Reborn: From Silence to Sovereignty Chapter 84

Chapter 84: The Inner Circle

I took a deep breath and stood tall, one hand resting protectively over Lyra’s carrier beside me, the other gripping the edge of the war table.

The room was silent; every one of Noah’s most trusted men focused on me.

It was time to reveal the impossible to people who probably wouldn’t understand. In a world already filled with magic, it might actually be easier to make them believe than it would be on Earth.

“Alright,” I began, my voice steady. “The simplest way I can put it is this: somehow, during Lyra’s birth, I was bestowed a divine awakening that unlocked powers within me. It allowed me to traverse worlds.”

No one moved, just solemn looks directed my way.

“That other world is hundreds of years more advanced than ours,” I said, gesturing toward the window. “The red beast everyone keeps talking about is a popular form of transportation there. Think of it as a super-fast, self-moving carriage that can carry people, supplies, weapons, and just about anything you can imagine. That is only the beginning of the incredible advancements they have compared to us.”

I could feel the tension rise. Curiosity, uncertainty, and awe all mixed together.

“Now here’s the part I need all of you to understand.”

I leaned forward slightly, lowering my voice to make my intentions clear.

“We cannot let this secret get out, for now. I’m only trusting you with this information because Noah feels you're worthy of that much. If this got out, it would put an even bigger target on the North, and we shouldn’t push our luck until we’ve truly exploited this great opportunity.”

Noah stood beside me, arms crossed, gaze unwavering. That alone gave my words weight.

“It’s time to bring a misinformation campaign to the masses. Anything can be spread but the truth, and that’s where all of you come in.”

I gestured around the table, stopping for a few seconds on each person here.

“You’re all the keepers of the lie that protects the truth.”

I paused for a second to let that settle in and then shifted tone slightly.

“With what I can bring back from now on, we can crush any invading force that comes our way. Firepower, medicine, supplies, and most importantly, knowledge are all within our reach. All we have to do is take them.”

One grizzled knight leaned forward cautiously.

“How… often can you do this? Return to that world?” He asked cautiously while turning to see Noah’s expression.

“I’m not really sure; we haven’t used it enough to truly know that question. There is for sure a limit because I can definitely feel some fatigue after a jump.”

Noah suddenly grabbed my hand, and his gaze fell upon me after I turned to look at him.

“It’s fine, Noah, I don’t feel that bad. Just a little tired.”

“You’re not downplaying it, are you? Just because… It’s such a useful tool?”

I squeezed back against the tight grip. “Trust me, Noah; you think I want to leave this life early? I’m fine.”

After some silence between us, we continued on.

The ones in the room watching our conversation looked on in curiosity, and at the same time I felt awe in their expressions. Most of them haven’t really seen the two of us interact together unless we were putting on a show.

“The plan is to keep bringing back what we can, discreetly. As far as the public’s concerned…” I gave a sly smile. “Let’s call it divine providence or maybe Archduchess ingenuity.”

That got a few chuckles, “Any more questions?”

A young commander raised a hand. “If… it’s really that advanced, could we use this to create a better defense? Not just weapons, but barriers, alarms, and even stronger supply routes?”

“Correct,” I said with a grin as I pointed to him. “Tech from the other world plus the minds we’re starting to train. That’s how we win this upcoming war. Not just with force, but with evolution.”

Another man raised his brow. “Are there any… enemies in that world? Could someone follow you back?”

That question sobered up the room.

“Highly unlikely,” I said honestly. “It’s not like that, and no one over there currently knows of my existence. We just have to be careful and only let people in on it who will actually come back with us.”

Noah finally stepped forward, voice calm but commanding.

“She’s telling you the truth. What you’ve seen here, the car and us vanishing, is only the beginning. But none of it will work without your silence, at least until we’re ready.”

He glanced around the room.

“So if there are no objections…”

Silence…

“Then we begin.”

“Wait,” I said firmly before anyone could leave.

They all froze mid-step, some half-risen from their seats.

“There’s one more thing I need to make very clear.”

I glanced at Lyra resting peacefully beside me and then slowly swept my eyes across the room of Noah’s hand-picked inner circle.

Of course the only ones who would know about Lyra’s part in all this world travel would be those who actually made the jumps with me.

“If anything in this room gets out and someone tries to use my daughter against me in any way… all your lives end there.” My tone was cold, but I wanted them to understand. “I only truly trust Noah and Livia, but everyone else I’m only going by Noah’s recommendation… So don’t let me down.”

They all stared in horror as Noah backed me up, unleashing a surge of power that washed over everyone present, excluding only a few who had my approval.

To my surprise every single man or woman that was in the room stood up and knelt on one knee, giving me a salute.

“We won’t fail you, Archduchess. We swear it!” they declared in unison.

At that, I turned and whispered in Noah’s ear.

“You’re one hundred percent sure we can trust them?”

He stood up without answering me immediately, his presence like a wall… calm, but immovable.

“Yes,” he said without hesitation. “Every person in this room has bled for me and stood against odds that could have killed them. They’re more than just allies.”

Noah glanced around the table, voice like steel wrapped in velvet.

“They’re family, and they know what’s at stake.”

There were no suspicious glances or squirming in their seat with any guilt.

Only firm nods, filled with resolute loyalty.

I exhaled, just a bit of tension easing from my shoulders.

“Alright then, let’s get to work spreading any misinformation that steers people away from the truth.”

And with that, the meeting adjourned.

But the fire in my chest only grew stronger. Since proving my theory to transport goods proved true, now only the sky was the limit.

I left with Noah and Livia; we then ran into my now very excitable second aid, Elowen. Who practically tackled me in a hug the second she saw me, very similar to Livia’s reaction earlier.

“You disappeared with the baby,” she exclaimed as she clung to my arm. Who knew she was this attached? ”Do you have any idea what that did to me?”

“I’m back, Elowen. Better than alright,” I said with a tired smile, patting her cheek. “For now, just follow me.”

After she calmed down and nodded to my words, we made our way towards my beautiful car that now has certain dust spots along the body.

We really need those roads!

It was still attracting curious glances from passing guards and staff, but no one dared approach it carelessly. Not with the way Noah’s men were stationed nearby like living sentinels.

Inside were bags of modern clothes, neatly stacked diapers, baby bottles, formula, a pacifier, and even a compact stroller that seemed to unfold like magic to the onlookers.

Everything I brought back looked alien to everyone who saw it.

“These are for Lyra,” I said, proudly holding up a pink onesie with tiny animal ears on the hood. “She’s going to be the most stylish baby in the entire kingdom.”

“Also these…” I added, lifting my new clothes from the backseat and holding them up, “They're for me.”

This was the first time Livia and Elowen really looked at my current outfit and also the ones I brought back. It was very modern-looking and something no one here would ever even think of wearing. But I didn’t care because comfort was far more important.

I had some stylish sneakers that felt so good on the feet compared to anything here with some knee-high socks and a short dress almost touching the knee. The shirts, if not attached to the bottom, were all simple-looking and lightweight. It was my new style from now on.

“What’s up with those clothes?” Elowen commented with wide-open eyes. “You’re showing so much skin and even… thighs.”

Livia raised an eyebrow, “And your neckline.”

I looked down, and then rolled my eyes and smirked.

“Get used to it… Okay, so, people here don’t really understand modern fashion sense. But these are very comfortable. In other words, they value function and comfort just as much as style.”

“But it’s so…,” Elowen stopped her words when she saw my annoyed expression.

“Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.” I said, tossing a folded outfit into her arms. “Try it on sometime; it’ll change your life.”

Livia crossed her arms, unconvinced. “Planning to start a fashion revolution now, too?”

“Why not?” I grinned.

We brought everything inside and stored it in one of the secured guest chambers I had recently claimed as my personal “project room.” Lyra’s crib, the new formula, bottles, and just about everything else were now neatly arranged with far more care than even the finest noble nursery could offer.

I looked at my daughter, now sleeping peacefully in her stroller, and smiled.

“Lyra has no idea how much she’s hit the jackpot!” I couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought.

“I’ve felt that way for a while now,” Livia murmured from behind me.

As we unpacked the last of the items and began sorting the baby supplies onto a nearby table, Elowen’s brows furrowed. She had been quiet for a little while, and I could see something bubbling beneath the surface.

Finally, she blurted out, “By the way… why do you keep saying ‘other world,’ and what is all this? I’ve never seen anything like it.” She gestured to all our new baby supplies.

Livia and I both froze.

We slowly turned to look at each other in that very specific, oh-no-she-doesn’t-know kind of way.

“You haven’t told her?” Livia asked, mildly surprised but also amused.

“Nope,” I said without shame, glancing back at Elowen. “She wasn’t in the ‘absolute secrecy that could unravel reality’ club yet.”

Elowen blinked rapidly, pointing at herself. “Wait, what?”

I sighed, walking over and sitting on the edge of the couch while adjusting Lyra’s blanket.

“Alright, sit here.” I patted the seat beside me, inviting her over.

She obeyed, wide-eyed and confused.

“Elowen,” I began, looking her directly in the eyes, “I need to ask you something very serious.”

“O-Okay,” She stuttered slightly.

“Can I trust you?” I asked my tone dropping to a rare, sobering seriousness. “Truly trust you, the kind where if I told you something impossible, you would not breathe a word. Not to a future husband, a closest friend, or even family. Not a single soul. This goes beyond secrets; it’s sacred.”

She looked shocked at the gravity of my words, but she also nodded without much thought. Showing she truly wished to be brought into our little group.

“You can trust me,” she said. “Whatever it is… I want to stand by you, Archduchess. My stance will never change, no matter what.”

My heart felt a little tight at her words, and I truly wanted to believe her.

I glanced at Livia, who gave me the faintest nod of approval.

Turning back to Elowen, I leaned in slightly.

“Alright then… What I’m about to tell you changes everything.”