The Noble Queen-A Shadow Slave Fanfic

Noble heard the man's words right as she stopped in front of a beautiful two-story home. They hadn't spent much time in the more established area, and the professor had not seen anything like the charming building in front of her. 

'Is this really ours?' 

She couldn't believe her eyes. If not for their cart out front, Noble might not have trusted that her emotional sense had led her to the right place. 

"As long as I continue to be a liaison for the government, yes it is ours," Fort opened the door and smiled at her as he leaned proudly on the doorframe. 

Dismissing both the Bread Crumbs and The Other's Voice, Noble hugged her husband around his neck before leaning back to take in the cottage again. 

"I would not have placed something like this in the Dream Realm. Other than the stone, it could easily be mistaken for somewhere back home." Noble touched the wall, hardly believing it was real. 

"Back home? This is home now and there's no going back, so I am very glad you like it. I was impressed myself and even more pleased with what is inside." Fort smirked. 

"Oh?" Noble peeked around her husband and looked into the lamplit room. "Oh!" 

She was already surprised by the size of the dwelling. Her quarters in Ender's Deep were quite cozy, and expecting something the size of Crestfall's palace was unrealistic. But this home certainly exceeded her expectations.

And the surprises did not end there.

Strolling into the home, Noble saw the excited looks on her three children's faces.

"Welcome home!" Brock beamed. "I would have made a sign, but I didn't have paper."

"We are glad you made it," Rain held a plate in her hand. "I saved you some dinner."

"Dinner can wait," Blaze pushed past his sister and took his mother's hand. "You have to look around first!"

"Trust me. I am looking," Noble's mouth hung slightly open.

The living space had a heartily constructed seating area covered in cushions. Beyond it, a table sat with six chairs that were being lit by both a lamp on it and the cookfire off to one side. The kitchen was filled with metal pots and pans, a few of which were soaking in a wash tub to be cleaned with soap.

"There are beds upstairs too!" Brock nodded. "It looks like we won't have to be sleeping on palates tonight after all."

He seemed both relieved and sad. They would not be roughing it nearly as much as they thought.

But that begged the question. "Where did all the furniture come from?"

"A member of Clan Song brought them along with your message and the Memory. I assumed you knew." It was Fort's turn to be surprised.

"Indeed I did not. Did all government members get welcome gifts like these?" Noble had seen the street of homes, but she hadn't been nosey enough to peek inside any of them.

"Not as far as I know. I can ask tomorrow," Fort scratched his chin. "For now, we can enjoy the gift and not question it."

Noble ran her finger along the back of the cushioned sofa. It was certainly well made enough to be kept in some corner of the Jade Palace.

They would eventually get their furniture from storage that they left in the Waking World, but even then they had not kept enough to fill this larger space. The extra furniture was a great addition.

"It's beautiful," Noble smiled. "We will have to figure out who to thank."

Perhaps this was a gift from Seishan because of her help today? Maybe it was sent to encourage Noble to follow through on her promise to search for the Skinwalker.

'It's also possible all of the government agents got something to soften the blow for when they find out about Ginnar.'

Whatever the reason, Noble appreciated the pretty things very much.

Her mind drifted to the bedrooms upstairs. Were they as pretty? She would see soon enough.

But first…

"Thank you for the food, Rainy." Noble took the plate from her daughter.

Hovering over a seat on the couch, Noble welcomed her family to join her.

"Tell me about your day."

The boys talked about how they unloaded the wagon and unpacked their room. They were still going to share even though they didn't need to.

Rain said she had met a few of the neighbors while trying to get a lay of the land, and before her father asked, she assured him that none of them were teenage boys.

Fort took the news with mild interest, but Noble could feel his relief.

After finishing her food, it was Noble's turn to take the stage and tell about the Jade Palace.

"It was colder than you could ever imagine and yet beautiful too. In addition to Lady Seishan, three more daughters of Ki Song greeted us. I learned all sorts of things and met quite a few important people.

Noble touched on some high points including the scenic lookouts that would eventually be built once the city was more established.

"They want to make this citadel one of the most wonderful places in two worlds. And you know what? I think they just might do it."

Despite the unpleasantness at the palace, Noble felt positive about the trajectory their lives were taking. It might not have been what she expected or preferred, but with all the plans being made, Noble could see herself and her family making a life here and prospering.

"Did you remember to ask about a school?" Blaze asked eagerly, his eyes wide with the desire for new knowledge.

"You just left school yesterday! Do you really want to bring it with you?" Brock scrunched his nose.

"I do," Blaze tilted up his chin. "I want to learn all there is to know and more."

"Then you are in luck. Awakened Azuma is already beginning plans for a school. Maybe I can introduce you tomorrow?"

"That would be great. Thanks, mom!" Blaze's eyes glistened.

"I don't suppose you volunteered to help Awakened Azuma?" Fort teased.

"You think you are so smart," Noble glared at him. "I did nothing of the sort." She rubbed the back of her neck. "I simply said I would open an Awakened Academy here in Ravenheart." 

Fort blinked at her. "You...what?" 

"Technically it would be a Pre-Awakened Academy. You know, for those who want to take on the First Nightmare..." Noble's eyes darted away. 

It occurred to her that maybe she should have spoken with her husband about such a big project before talking to Saint Cor.

"That sounds like a worthwhile endeavor," the ambassador turned the idea over in his mind. "As long as you can get the support you need for it to run." 

"Don't worry about that," Noble smiled. "I am very resourceful." 

"Can I go there instead of regular school? The other one is soooo boring," Brock whined.

Noble's smile became strained. She didn't want her haphazard son aiming for the Spell just yet. "I haven't worked out all of the details, but I think you would need to be at least a few years older to enroll." 

"I see," Brock's shoulders slumped. "Back to boring school for me, then."

The professor mentally wiped her brow. That had been a close one. Noble leaned beside her and patted her son's back gently. 

"Enjoy the boring while it lasts, Brock. Life gets very complicated, very fast. With the way things are shifting, it will take a very special kind of person to dive into their First Nightmare willingly." 

Rain's big eyes studied her mother carefully. "What about me?" 

Noble tilted her head to one side. "What about you?" 

The teen closed her eyes, steeling her nerves. "I'm a few years older. And, well, you've always said I'm special. So can I...what I mean to say is. If you are going to have a pre-Awakened Academy, I want to enroll."