Where Change Took Root

Noah's arms were still wrapped around me, his touch gentle but firm. My whole body still felt heavy from the revelation earlier, like I had stumbled into some sacred truth I wasn't supposed to know.

Something suddenly dawned on me.

"I didn't even ask you…" I sat up, my expression shifting. "Noah, what do you think about children?"

"Children," he said aloud as he tilted his head slightly.

"Yeah," I said, a tightness settling in my chest as I began curling a lock of hair around my finger. "I mean… Have you ever thought about being a father? I know this wasn't exactly planned, but…"

Before I could even finish my words, his arms were already around me. His voice was a soft rumble against the top of my head.

"I think… if the child looks like you," He spoke with reverence. "I would have no problem caring for them."

My cheeks burned, but I couldn't stop the grin that formed on my face. It was also a little concerning: if a child were born between us and looked like him, how would he react?

"If it truly is the original Seraphina reborn, she'll probably be a miniature version of me."

Noah laughed and leaned in to kiss my cheek. "Even better, one Seraphina alright lights up my world. Two… the heavens should prepare themselves."

I buried my face into his chest, laughing. Tears of happiness started to fall. "Let's keep this between us for now." There's no reason to let anyone else know of another weakness Noah will have in the future. "I don't want to announce it until I start showing… Only Livia can know, alright?"

Obviously, my favorite person besides Noah deserved to know this joyous news, especially since she takes care of me more closely than anyone else. There was no chance she wouldn't find out eventually.

"Agreed," he said without hesitation. "If word got out, especially now, you'd be a target. I'd rather avoid any unnecessary risks."

We sat there for a while, just holding each other and talking about our future. The weight of it all loomed ahead, but it no longer felt frightening, being full of hope.

"I want the north to thrive," I spoke aloud while watching the flickering candlelight. "Not just for us, but for her, our child."

Noah nodded slowly. "Then tell me what you can remember, everything from your past."

We spent the next few hours discussing the systems I could recall from my past life—irrigation techniques, crop rotation methods, and, most importantly, ways to improve education. We even touched on ideas for trade and transportation that could strengthen the region's economy.

He listened to every word I said like it was gospel, occasionally asking thoughtful questions or offering insights based on what he already knew of this land and the people. It felt good… like we were building something together. Not just a home, but a future.

"This world may not have everything I once knew," I whispered, "but it has you and now me. Together we can truly make a world that far surpasses its current level."

His grip on my hand tightened as he lifted it to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to it.

 "Then let's make this world better, for all of us."

Just as the sunlight dimmed on the horizon, Livia finally stepped through the doorway. She had given us space, understanding something had happened. Her expression was calm as ever, but I could see a small flicker of curiosity in those piercing purple eyes.

The notebook she had carried ever since we arrived in the North was clutched tightly in her hand. That usually meant she had picked up something useful, likely from someone who talked too much or had ambitions they could not keep quiet.

Her time on the streets had taught her how to move in the shadows, making spy work on possible threats much easier for Livia.

As soon as I saw her, I lit up. "Livia, hurry up and get over here!" My hand waved her over.

I watched her eyes widen in surprise, clearly unsure what had triggered my sudden excitement. The moment she stepped within reach, I caught her wrist, pulled her in, and wrapped her in a tight embrace.

She stiffened as usual when I was a little too forward with her but then relaxed quickly, tentatively returning the embrace.

"Guess what?" I grinned at her as I pulled back, barely able to contain myself.

She tilted her head in obvious confusion. "I don't know, you've finally found out what wine goes with fish?

"No!" I laughed, not understanding why that was the first thing that came into her head. "I'm pregnant!"

Livia's purple sapphire eyes grew as her face lit up with more emotion than I've seen on her, "Really?"

Noah, next to me, gave a nod, confirming my words.

"Yes, really," I said, glowing with pride and joy. "But it's still early, so this is only between us for now; no one else can know until I start showing, okay?"

I watched as her expression shifted instantly into something more serious, her posture straightening like a soldier at attention. "Of course, you have my word."

I couldn't help but give her a playful pout. "You always understand things so fast. Can't you just humor me a little and act surprised longer?"

"I'm just doing my job," Livia replied smoothly, though the smallest smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"No! Livia, our relationship is closer than just some job." I said proudly, "You're one of my only people besides Noah, and it's important that you understand I will always protect you."

"I feel safer already," Livia said wryly, though I could tell from her eyes the sentiment meant more to her than she let on.

My hand reached out for hers, and I squeezed it once more. If I didn't have Noah, I would court Livia in a heartbeat, but such things are not to be in this life.

This world had taken so much from both of us, but now, it felt like it was finally giving something back.

As we were enjoying ourselves in conversation about a future we would be creating, I sat comfortably against Noah, who had this habit of running his fingers through my hair.

I very much enjoyed it, getting some kind of dangerously relaxing feeling from his motion.

"Noah," I said, while resting my chin lightly on his chest, "I want to change the way people in the north live on a fundamental level."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

"I mean it. We have the right to do it with our position. The resources can be developed in the future, and most importantly, you trust me, right?" I looked up at him, who was only just staring at me with a face that said, "Did you really just ask that?"

"Well, anyway… I want to develop a sewer system, aqueducts for clean water, and underground piping to move water in and waste out more efficiently. The sanitation and hygiene in this world are appalling. If we can stop people from dumping waste in the streets, we could drastically reduce disease. So many lives are lost to filth and contaminated water. It's entirely preventable!"

Noah didn't answer immediately, but I could see the gears turning behind those blue eyes.

"For our future?" he said gently.

I nodded. "Yes, not only does our child deserve a better world, but so does everyone else who lives in the north. My old world was much cleaner, safer, and more dignified. I came from a place where public health wasn't a luxury of the rich, but just how life worked."

When I went anywhere outside of the main streets, you would literally be stepping into an area comparable to a slum. They only really kept the roads most traveled clean and completely disregarded everything else.

"You have no idea how strange and wonderful your mind is," Noah said, chuckling. "Let's start drafting up some plans. We'll find the best engineers and turn Coldmere into something revolutionary. It's time to leave the old ways behind and get out of the stagnant atmosphere of the last few centuries.

I couldn't help but beam at his words. "You mean it?"

"I'd build you a city in the sky if you asked," he said with obvious devotion in his eyes.

I snorted. "Let's start building on the ground first."

As we continued our conversation, I began sketching on parchment very primitive blueprints of water flow systems and waste channels through a map Noah had given me.

Even the start of proper soap being distributed to those who desperately needed it, that being a staple of any female lead brought from another world.

Not too far into the future, the North would be a much cleaner place to live.

Of course the main reason I was pushing all this stuff so fiercely was because of the life that started growing within me. I want her to live in a healthy environment with people who don't defecate in the streets because there is no alternative.

Every single day since we returned from the capital, a new wave of nobles seemed to crawl out of the woodwork just to try and gain my favor.

Most of them were silver-tongued men with slicked-back hair, bowing a little too deeply and smiling a little too wide. They tried to impress me with proposals for land expansions, trade monopolies, or political alliances sealed through their daughters—none of whom I would ever allow to breathe near Noah.

Also, what is with these men trying to pawn off their daughters? If Noah ever took another wife, I swear I'd leave him on the spot. I'd run away with Livia and start a new life, because I am not signing up for any of that harem nonsense.

I told Noah about this, and he instantly got down on his knees, swearing to the gods that he would never love another woman. There shouldn't be any problems in the future, but that thought still lingers in the back of my mind.

It wasn't that their ideas were always bad… It's just that they all felt the same. No one stood out, and the gain I would receive from backing one of them was minimal.

Like textbook copies of one another, if I didn't know any better, I would think they all shared notes before coming in and presenting.

Since their pitches were so rehearsed, I decided to match their tone. "Thank you for your passionate explanation. I'll think it over and discuss it with my husband." It had become my go-to response whenever I didn't care to hear another word and just wanted them gone.

When they had finally left, I would slump back into my chair with a groan loud enough for Livia to hear as she entered with a fresh pot of tea.

I looked at her with a pleading look. "Is this finally the end of my torture?" Livia just smiled at me like there was nothing she could do. "It's like a parade of stiff-necked, old-fashioned sycophants, who are all desperate for a pat on the head."

Livia handed me a cup and sat nearby, her calm expression matching her usual amusement at my pain.

"I get it now," I muttered, sipping the tea. "Why etiquette breeds uselessness. They're all trained to think the same way. One or two roads of separation for any problem that actually has twenty solutions," I sighed helplessly. "They can't even come up with a third when there are so many other options!"

"You're not exactly subtle in showing how bored you are," Livia commented with a light chuckle.

Noah won't even give them the time of day, so they come to me trying to get my favor. From our shows of affection, everyone knew if they got me on board, Noah would follow without question.

This world is just so boring that I allow them to come and pitch their ideas. Maybe I should do as other female leads do and bring board games into Coldmere. It would be so easy for games like chess, checkers, and hell… even Monopoly. It would be interesting to see people play the latter with their greed.

Just then Noah stepped into the room, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Tired of ruling already, my queen?"

I narrowed my eyes playfully. "More like tired of babysitting entitled nobles."

"Shall I cut the number of meetings in half?" He asked, crossing the room.

That would definitely be refreshing; I couldn't deny it. But as a smirk tugged at my lips, other thoughts began to creep in.

"Can you just cut the nobles in half instead?"

Noah raised an eyebrow. "Bors might take that request literally."

Livia coughed; we both stared at her as she was hiding a laugh behind a composed hand.

I smiled and leaned back in my chair, finally relaxing for the first time since sunrise. "No… but we'll need to be more careful about who we allow to remain in power. The world we're building doesn't have room for their old ways."

Noah stood behind me, gently rubbing my shoulders. "Then we'll build it brick by brick, your way."

The smile I had on my face continued, as his words always had a positive effect on me.

This world was easily two centuries behind in both technology and critical thinking; it's about time we started closing that gap.