I know there are tons of methods, but you posted so I'll share mine.
Seeds in small glass with slightly warm water until they sink. Move seeds to folded damp paper towel stored in warm dark place in a container where it cannot dry out. Check daily.
yes soaking in water is good, with a little hydrogen peroxide is even better like a 7-8% strength., let sit in glass qqfor 10 hours, doesn’tsss matter if the float or sink, than just plant them, when you make your indentation in the soil to plant i make it a little bigger so i can put some already moistened peat as a bed for the seed and lightly cover with more peat and soil, than put under 18/6 light with a seedling heating mat plugged into the timer to come on when lights on and off when lights off, seeds should be all showing if not popped up within 4 days..
though give it a few more days if nothing is showing.,