The Soul Reborn: From Silence to Sovereignty Chapter 71

Chapter 71: A Kingdom of Our Own

Just like that, it had become the ninth month of my pregnancy.

Thank the stars it was almost over, and Lyra was just about here!

Soon I would be able to show her the love and care she’s always deserved.

On the other hand, I truly disliked being pregnant. I swore I wouldn’t go through it again for at least five or maybe even ten years, no matter how often Noah looked at me like he was silently asking for a few more.

Being pregnant sucks and limits what you can do.

I appreciate how much everyone cares. Livia is practically glued to my side, Noah is never more than a breath away when he’s home, and even the midwives, when they drop in, treat me like I’m made of glass.

The idea of anyone but me taking care of Lyra has never once entered my mind. These women were only here to help with the pregnancy; none of them will become anything to Lyra.

It’s hard to breathe and walk while pregnant. The school could be much further along if I could act on everything I wanted to do and wasn’t being held back.

Most of the time all I can do is watch things being done, and I can’t help but feel annoyed. My emotions have been getting the better of me recently, but everyone just lets me vent without getting angry with me.

After one of my outbursts, I would always feel guilty and apologize.

The best news was… My school was up and running, fully operational. It was a beautiful sight.

We’d taken in as many students as we could fit; there was only room for two hundred and fifty students as of right now. Once we get more specialized teachers, we can expand.

Anyone who wanted to learn was accepted. For the first batch, we chose only those who had the most promise of becoming something in the future.

This was only the first spark; eventually there will be many more schools going up around Coldmere.

I could already see the inferno that was coming, school after school rising across the North. Someday, no child will grow up unable to read their own name.

What was most surprising was how many noble children actually took part in the acceptance process.

Maybe it was the prestige or the fear they would be left behind.

Their parents hoped to get closer to me in any way possible.

But I made it very clear, painfully so… that if any child is caught looking down on others, they would be removed, permanently. The list to get into the school is already exceeding what we can manage.

I don’t have time to teach bastard children manners. That’s what parents are for, and if you can’t raise your spawn right, don’t send them to my school.

My teachers are educators, not glorified babysitters.

This school wasn’t going to see any titles, only what you can achieve while attending.

Noah’s been working around the clock. Over the past few months, we’ve reviewed every possible scenario depending on how the South reacts. They’ve remained quiet up until now.

Most of the plans leverage our terrain to fortify the mountain passes, entrap invading forces in the cold, and cripple enemy supply lines under the weight of winter.

We would likely win if we marched on the capital, but what would be the point? Our territory was already vast, and there was no need for conquest.

Who would have thought the day would come? The moment we all knew was inevitable had finally arrived.

It began with a knock. One of Noah’s guards appeared, stiff as stone, and handed over a heavy white envelope sealed in crimson wax.

I didn’t need to read the letter or ask who it was from. The royal seal said everything.

Noah opened the letter next to me as I leaned against his shoulder, reading it along with him.

***

To Archduke Noah Velmoure and Archduchess Seraphina Velmoure of the Northern Provinces

You’re hereby summoned to the royal castle within seven days’s time.

You’re to kneel before His Majesty the King, reaffirm your loyalty to the crown, and present yourselves as subjects of the throne.

Failure to comply will be seen as a formal act of treason.

Consequences will follow.

Advisor Malhart

***

I laughed softly with bitterness.

“Seven days,” I said aloud. “They’re giving me seven days to waddle across the kingdom, bow like a spineless coward, and smile while they chain the North back down.”

Livia, seated nearby with her ever-present ledger, glanced up. “You’ll be giving birth anytime now.”

“Exactly,” I muttered. “Which means they know and don't care,” I sighed. “They're probably hoping the stress of traveling this close to term will make me lose the baby.”

Noah was trying his best not to destroy our room; his self-control was impressive. The face he was currently making even scared me a little, but I knew I was in no danger.

He just folded the parchment and set it down.

“Then… it’s time,” he said with unnatural calm. “Today, we sever ties.”

I met his eyes. “Today, we become our own kingdom.”

Noah pulled me into a big bear hug; I could feel his body shaking. I wasn’t sure what was causing this, but I knew it was probably bad for our future enemies.

“Let them come,” he said softly. “We’ve been preparing for months, so they will have a hard time making their way north.”

“We will never bow… to anyone!” My words rang throughout the room, where Noah, Livia, and even Elowen nodded her head in agreement. I’m sure Bors and Kellan, outside, felt the same way.

In about an hour, Noah had written a call to action. The North was going to stand up against the tyranny of the South.

***

To all citizens of the Northern Provinces

Three days from now, a gathering will be held before the fortress gates.

All who believe in what we’re building, who would defend this land and its future, are called to stand against those who would keep us ordinary.

If you're still on the fence about what the North is becoming, if you long for the old ways and fear the future that's steadily approaching...

Then leave and go south where our enemy lives.

We’re not crawling backwards into obscurity because the throne refuses to see our vision.

There is no room for cowards in our lands; we will only rise up in the future.

Archduke Noah Velmoure.

***

The response was overwhelming.

For three days, wagons and riders came from every direction.

There were farmers, blacksmiths, merchants, scholars, and many parents with children in tow. Entire noble families arrived in armored carriages, some out of allegiance and others out of sheer curiosity.

When the day arrived, the fields before the fortress were full.

These were people ready to rally behind a banner, not of the Southern King but of a new power rising in the North.

They’d set up the stage just as I had asked, with simple and elegant charm. It was elevated high enough so all could see. A magical enhancement mounted on a makeshift microphone for this era.

A luxurious silver-draped couch stood behind the podium, shaded by flowing silk. I reclined on it, half seated, partially sprawled, with a pillow propped behind my back and head.

I was too far along to stand for a long period of time. But I would not miss this.

Livia stood to my side, Elowen behind her, both keeping silent vigil. Bors and Kellan flanked the front stage, arms crossed and faces grim, keeping the crowd at a respectful distance.

Noah stepped forward towards the front of the stage that had been set up for this moment. The North went quiet in obvious anticipation of what was about to be said.

He simply stood there, tall and imposing, while looking at the crowd like they were already his. It was overwhelmingly attractive, hehe.

“I’m not here to ask for loyalty,” he began. “I already have it; that’s why you all showed up today.”

There were many nodding and some who screamed out words in affirmation of the Archduke.

“I’m not here to raise a sword and declare war. I don’t need to.”

He held up the king’s letter, the same one demanding we kneel.

“I’m not bringing this to you because I fear it. I’m doing this because I’m refusing it.”

Noah dropped it to the ground at his feet and crushed it beneath his boot.

“The South has ruled over the North for far too long,” Noah said. “They cling to old laws, rigid hierarchies, and outdated superstitions. Fear of change runs deep, rooted in the threat that education for all… poses to their power.”

A wave of cheers began to rise. He let them carry, and then he raised a hand to calm them.

Three days ago, the king demanded that my wife, nine months pregnant, drag herself to his court and bow. To swear fealty to a world that only saw her as a vessel or a mouthpiece.

He turned to me. “She will not go; I forbid it.”

The cheers exploded with a deafening roar.

I flinched, my hand instinctively going to my ears, but Livia was faster.

She leaned down behind me and pressed her hands gently over the sides of my head, shielding me from the worst of it.

I couldn’t help but feel surprised by her actions, even though this is what she would normally do for me.

“It’s too loud,” she whispered. “You seemed uncomfortable.”

I relaxed under her touch, feeling safe as the crowd showed their love for Noah.

He waited until the noise softened.

Then he spoke, his voice sharp and cold, laced with deadly intent.

“We’re done kneeling.”

A sudden pause enveloped the area.

Then in one breath, “From this moment forward, the North stands independent, and we don’t bow to some overreaching king of the south. We pledge to no crown. We’re not rebels, but builders of our own future.”

His eyes swept his surroundings.

The crowd swelled, louder than before, and I closed my eyes, letting the sound wash over me.

This was history… We were no longer part of the old world, but a new one we would write ourselves.

Sometime later the crowd had long since dispersed. Banners were taken down, and the echoes of the cheering were deeply ingrained in the back of everyone’s minds.

We were inside our chambers, alone.

Noah held me close, both arms around me as I lay comfortably against his body, safe and secure.

I leaned into him, exhausted with the day’s events but content, listening to the slow, steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath my ear.

We had finally done it. The North was now ours, completely.

But I couldn’t stop an itch that kept bothering me in the back of my mind.

“Noah,” I murmured.

“Hmm…” He pressed a quick kiss to the top of my head, a silent way of saying, I'm here to support you.

I tilted my head up slightly, my voice low. “Do you think… the King would really do this to us?”

He blinked, just once. “The man I know, probably not.”

“To think he would demand we kneel and threaten a war over it. Send a letter like that?” I frowned. “When I first met him, he didn’t seem like the type. He was warm, almost like… a kind grandfather figure.”

Noah’s jaw tightened slightly, but he didn’t disagree with my words.

"I just…" I hesitated, heart sinking. "I wonder if he’s still the one in charge. What if the crown prince has already taken over, forcing his will upon the king? What if he has something on him? Maybe… just maybe he’s already dead."

A long, cold silence fell between us.

Then Noah said softly, “It’s possible; he did favor me over that snake. That much was obvious.”

I swallowed. “Then why is everything so twisted?”

Noah didn’t answer because, honestly, there was no way to know.

Until there was a sudden pounding on our chamber door, I couldn’t help but flinch at that.

“Why does everyone always bother us at night?” I muttered, exasperated.

Noah chuckled. “They fear you less when you’re tired.”

He didn’t move; while still cradling me in his arms, he called out calmly, “Come in.”

The door opened swiftly.

Two of his shadows entered with pale faces, their breaths short with urgency.

“Archduke,” one said quickly, “we found someone half-dead who found their way to our gates. They had no guards or escort, just a blood trail.”

I felt Noah shift slightly, though he kept one arm protectively around me.

“Who…” He asked sharply.

The shadow exchanged a look with his compatriot before answering.

“It’s the King Elric Duskmoor.”