"I really started enjoying the peaceful rhythm of our journey, waking up to snowy landscapes, stopping whenever I wanted, and teasing Noah if boredom hit. Honestly, it was kind of boring most of the time, but not in a bad way."
But sadly peace never lasts.
We were only about a week out from Coldmere, yes, that's correct. The name of the northern part of this kingdom is something so bland. I had told Noah I would rename it sometime in the future.
He just raised an eyebrow at my declaration but said nothing else. It was pretty much giving me free rein to do whatever I wanted.
Coldmere is rather large, according to Noah, and at its center is the Archduke estate. Around that are most of the nobles who reside in the north. A massive fortress surrounds all of that, keeping it safe from the elements and threats from outside.
The fortress gate is usually open; it will only close in times of war. Outside is where all the common people live. I can't wait to see it; Noah said our home is even bigger than the royal castle!
But before any of that could even happen, with only a week out from our destination, we just had to get attacked.
It wasn't bandits or mercenaries, but these weird-looking monsters. Giant, unnatural beasts with blackened hides and eyes like creatures from hell.
They burst from the tree line just after dawn, howling, clawing, and snapping the air with their teeth as long as daggers.
I'd never seen anything like them, well… unless you count video games from my past world.
To be honest, seeing something like this in real life, my first reaction was to, of course, scream! I latched onto Noah for dear life. But, at the same time, he needed to go out and deal with them, being our strongest man.
After he coaxed me for a little while and finally brought Livia to be my moral support, he went to do what male leads do. Save the day, of course!
I watched as different colors wrapped around his body and sword as he slashed down, creating gashes in the ground; at the same time, he cleaved a trail into the enemy.
He ran straight into them with no fear at all; the faint glows coming off his body obeyed him as if he was their master. Were those spirits, I wondered? That was my only guess.
Wind swirled around his body, and before I could even blink, he moved so fast I lost him completely. All I saw were monsters dropping.
His sword clashed against the beast's hide, and then fire erupted from his other hand, slashing through another creature with a burning arc of flame erupting off his blade.
All I could think while still holding onto Livia, who was also watching this, was, "So cool!"
I became completely mesmerized by his fighting style; it was as if an anime fight had come to life.
"A magic swordsman…" I whispered to myself, completely stunned at finally seeing Noah in action. It makes me feel even safer having such a powerhouse as a husband!
He was like a living, breathing war god cutting through monsters like he was clocking in for his nine to five. They were nothing but cannon fodder as they all fell to his might.
Of course Noah's knights weren't slackers either. They moved with brutal efficiency, finishing the rest of them off in a matter of a few minutes.
Noah was the literal eye of the storm, while the others could only bathe in it. The battlefield was more like a playground. I might be a little jealous, but at the very least he would use that power for me if I asked.
When the last beast collapsed, its body smoldering into ash, Noah returned to the carriage without a scratch. His coat fluttered behind him, and his eyes glowed faintly with residual magic.
I couldn't help but run up to him and rub my cheek against his face as soon as he stepped inside, then throw my arms around his neck.
"You were so amazing out there!" My excitement was palpable. "I almost felt sympathy for the monsters; it wasn't even fair." I grinned with a giggle.
He just hugged me tightly as he indulged my overexcitement.
"Those monsters didn't scare you?" He asked with astonishment.
I kissed his cheek as I buried my body into him for comfort and because we were just outside in the cold weather. Give me some warmth, Noah!
"Of course I was scared, but watching you crush them like ants under your foot made me feel even safer. I mean, isn't a magic swordsman husband a bit too strong? That's basically peak perfection."
I gasped at his cuteness, but of course I will call it out because that's just me.
"Noah, are you blushing?"
"No way, I would never." He said it so quickly that no one would ever believe his words.
I smirked. "You totally were. I just called you perfect and your brain short-circuited, right?"
He coughed a few times as if trying to change the subject. "There must still be ash in the air."
Right…
"Don't worry," I said, leaning into him. "I'll remind you how amazing you are every day until you get used to it."
Every time my flirting pushed him too far, he leaned in and kissed me deeply, like he meant to devour my entire face. I knew he only did it to make me feel the same embarrassment. Sorry, dear husband, but that won't work.
The rest of the journey passed without any other incidents, just the usual grind of travel, wheels that are much too loud, long stretches of quiet, and the hum of wood creaking over dirt roads.
They really need to get some of Earth's technology over here so these roads are actually comfortable to move on.
I was glued to the window almost the entire time, taking in the sights I've never seen before, my cheek resting against the glass, wide-eyed like a child seeing the world for the first time.
Every rolling hill, strange animal, or interesting architecture got my undivided attention.
"Is it really that amazing?" Noah finally asked, looking at me with that familiar soft gaze.
I turned to him beaming. "Of course it is! I've never seen anything like this." Most of the terrain was like looking at a painting in my last life, but I was really here.
He chuckled.
"I've seen pictures from the moon," I added casually, as if that was normal. "But those were just all grey and flat, completely boring. Compared to this fantastical scenery, everything is so much grander here."
That made Noah blink, "The moon?"
"Oh, right," I giggled, pulling myself away from the window to sit beside him. "So on Earth, my old world, we actually sent people to the moon."
"They walked on it?" His disbelief was obvious.
"Yes, the first guy to do it was Neil Armstrong," I said proudly. "The gravity is so much lower there that you could literally jump nine feet into the air. On the other hand, it's not so interesting besides that because it's just bland with grey landscape and dust."
Noah, clearly amused, asked, "That's really hard to believe, but on the other hand, I'm already capable of jumping ten feet into the air." He said with a smirk.
I couldn't help but look wide-eyed at him. "Well… cheat characters can do stuff like that."
"Cheat characters? There you go again."
"It's true, though… But then again, a lot of people don't even believe the moon landing happened." I rested my hand on my chin, remembering that one conspiracy theorist who claimed it was all filmed in a Hollywood studio.
Who really knows, though? Not like I could find out anyway, right?
Noah just looked at me while nodding his head, probably thinking it's an impossible feat.
"Noah, you wouldn't believe the entertainment value of that world when you compare it to this very boring one in comparison."
"Entertainment," He tilted his head at that.
"Movies," I said, instantly excited. "They're like… living plays, but better, with visuals, sound, and music. There's a massive screen that shows a whole story from beginning to end where people act out characters."
Noah was clearly intrigued. "I think I'd like to see that, even though I can't really picture it."
"You would," I said with confidence, "Especially the romantic ones. You're practically the perfect lead in a love story."
"Would I now?"
"Ha… you already are!" I said, poking his forehead gently. "The cold Duke of the North, remember?"
He shook his head, not even trying to match my energy.
Then he asked it… the question I had a feeling would come.
"Do you miss it, your birth world?"
I paused. I'm sure he's taking it as if I would rather go back and leave him or something. That's completely untrue.
"I'd be lying if I said no… The technology, entertainment, and conveniences are just unmatched when you compare it with this world."
Noah laughed, but at the same time it felt strained.
"But…" I reached over and laced my fingers through his. "You weren't there, so even if offered the chance to go back, I wouldn't leave without you."
His expression softened immediately.
"Also, if by some plot twist no one saw coming." I continued with a grin. "We might be able to go there together in the future! Who knows what life will bring us going forward? I'm an obvious example of that."
He didn't really say much after that, like he was in deep thought about something. His hold around my body had become tighter, though.
A little while later the caravan began to slow.
I turned my head, peering out the window as we rounded the final bend in a snowy pass.
There it was!
The Northern Fortress of Coldmere
Massive stone walls surrounded the whole area; they were so huge that I had to look straight up once we got close enough to barely see the top. A buzzing city wrapped around the front of the walls into the distance in both directions.
A large gate loomed in front of us with large men, the ones like mountains, guarding the entrance.
It was majestic, powerful, and now my new home.
"Wow…" I whispered, pressing my hand to the glass window.
Noah leaned close behind me, his chin resting lightly on my shoulder.
"Welcome home," he murmured, "Duchess Seraphina Velmoure, my beautiful wife."
I couldn't help but feel bashful and, at the same time, awed by what was in front of me.
Once we were through the fortress walls, an enormous castle loomed in front of us that put the royal one in the south to shame.
As our carriage came to a smooth stop in front of the grand stone entrance, my jaw dropped.
Not because of the scale of the fortress or castle, which was ridiculous; no wonder he can spend without worry on me. But, it was all the servants lined up in perfect rows, counting to around thirty or forty maids.
Add to that another twenty butlers, plus footmen, stewards, cooks, guards, and… what I could only guess were stable masters and falconers? I don't even know. Some of them were wearing armor that looked ceremonial; others were just stiff and expressionless.
All of them were standing straight like an army ready to serve their general. I just wanted them all to leave as soon as possible because that looked like a horror movie waiting to happen.
"Is… all that for us?" I whispered, exasperated.
Noah nodded calmly, "Staff." He just said one word, and my body shook at all those backstabbers waiting to strike.
I squinted at the nearest line of maids. My face scrunched up immediately.
Noah caught my expression and leaned in close.
"Don't worry. We'll weed out the bad ones." Then he added, dead serious, "Tell me the moment one of them speaks down to you. I'll cut their head off on the spot."
"That's… kind of dramatic," I said, laughing nervously, but at the same time I appreciated his understanding of my condition with those bastard maids.
"But also sweet, thanks." I added with a wink.
Noah just smirked and offered his hand as I stepped off the carriage.
But then, a thought hit me like a brick.
"Oh, wait!"
He raised an eyebrow at my sudden exclamation.
"You don't, by chance, have, like… a childhood fiancée you forgot to mention? Some noble girl you were supposed to marry but broke it off? Someone we're about to walk into dramatically?"
Noah groaned at my words like I'd hit a nerve.
"There is no fiancée," he said with exasperated patience. "You're my one and only."
My smile returned immediately. "Good."
Then he suddenly added, "But… there were a few girls who wanted to be in your position."
My smile dropped instantly.
"I hate them already." I muttered.
He laughed quietly and squeezed my hand.
"You don't need to worry," he said. "Your cold-hearted Northern Duke only shows his sweet side to one girl."
I paused, kind of irritated at his perfect use of my words back at me.
"Okay… that was a good line," I admitted, smiling once again.
He kissed my temple.
I looked up at the towering castle. This is now my home. What a wonderful life I'm about to live.
Even with the terrifying amount of maids in attendance and noble girls who could jump out at any moment, I felt ready for it.
As we walked towards the army of staff assembled before the grand entrance, I stayed cradled in Noah's arms, half hug and half territorial claim.
He wasn't subtle about his feelings towards me no matter how many people were looking, and I loved it.
Once we stopped and looked at the sea of people, Noah's tone shifted, becoming calm, cold, and commanding.
He introduced me to everyone with a voice that carried like thunder.
"This is your Archduchess Seraphina Velmoure," he said, firm and final. "If any of you cross her, disrespect her, or dare to speak behind her back…" He paused just long enough to make their spines tingle. "There will be only death."
The silence was so great; the only sound was the wind rustling the leaves off into the distance.
I just smiled sweetly the whole time, my eyes quietly scanning the crowd for my enemies.
There were a few faces that tightened; jealousy was written on others. Even some dared to give me that look; you know the one, the 'she obviously doesn't belong here' kind of look.
"Noted" was my only response to them. I will remember!
A few of them even stepped forward to offer a tour of the estate, but yeah, not going to happen.
I shut that down immediately.
"No thanks, I want Noah to show me."
I smiled up at him, expecting the desired response.
Of course he instantly agrees. We made our way quickly out of there, with Livia, my precious maid, following closely behind.
"You really don't trust any of them, do you?"
"I only trust one maid," I replied resolutely, as I tilted my head back at Livia.
It was already obvious that some of them would probably try to provoke Livia, but if I find out who was behind it, they're done.
Slowing down a bit and turning back.
"Livia," I said calmly, "you've probably noticed by now. Some of them are clearly jealous of you. If anyone comes after you, tell me right away."
Noah, sharp as ever, gave a subtle nod in support of my words.
"They can't hurt me, so they'll look for a softer target," I continued, my voice serious. "You're mine, and if they look down on you, it's also insulting me. You're not beneath them, but far above; please remember that."
Livia looked momentarily stunned… then smiled warmly.
"Thank you, Your Grace." I couldn't help but cringe at the title. Ever since the wedding, she'd insisted on using it. I offered to let her call me by name, but she refused. Oh well…
Noah looked on calmly with a smile.
But I knew, if anything happened to Livia under his roof, someone would lose a head, maybe even several.