《I Have Reincarnated Yet Once Again》 Chapter 1: – Awakening of Memories Chapter 1 - ¨C Awakening of MemoriesA gentle breeze swept through the empire, carrying the sweet scent of freshly blossomed flowers. The rustling of new leaves signaled the arrival of spring, painting the world anew. Yet, in a forgotten corner of the imperial palace, where a secluded residence stood in eerie silence. Black roses and their venomous thorns coiled around its walls, creating an ominous sight. The palace, though grand, appeared abandoned¡ªits dark atmosphere exuding an unsettling aura. Suddenly, the stillness was shattered by a furious voice. Inside one of the lavishly decorated room of the abandoned palace, a six-year-old girl stood with an air of undeniable authority. Her snow-white hair cascaded over her waist, framing a face of delicate features. Azure eyes that gleamed like the boundless ocean burning with rage, standing in stark contrast to the bright colors of her clothing. Clad in regal attire of vibrant hues, an exquisite necklace shimmered around her neck¡ªa peculiar piece, seemingly ancient yet brimming with a strange energy. Before her knelt three maids, their heads bowed low in submission, their bodies stiff with fear. Little girl: Where are the rose petals in my bath? Did I not explicitly order a bath filled with rose petals? The maids remained silent, enduring her fury. Finally, one among them gathered the courage to speak, her voice barely above a whisper. Maid: T-There are petals in your bathwater, Your Highness. The little girl''s sharp gaze bore into the maid, her eyes narrowing dangerously. Little girl: WHERE? There are so few that I can barely tell if they are rose petals or mere specks of dust! How dare you speak back to me? Do you think yourself above your station? The maid instantly dropped to the floor, her forehead pressed against the cold marble. Maid: P-Please forgive my insolence, Your Highness! But the girl was far from appeased. Her anger flared, consuming her rationality. At that moment, a cheerful voice interrupted the tense atmosphere. Girl: Princess Evelyn, here are your rose petals. A girl with warm brown hair, dressed in the garb of a personal maid, stepped into the room, a plate of petals in hand. Her bright smile was unwavering, even as she approached the furious princess. However, in a fit of rage, The little princess swept the plate from her hands, sending the petals scattering across the floor. Evelyn: I will punish you all today! None of you shall be forgiven! Fuming, she stormed out of the room, The brown haired girl hastily following behind her. Girl: Your Highness, please slow down! You might get hurt! Evelyn, without so much as glancing back, barked¡ª Evelyn: I will punish you so severely that¡ª AHHH... She had reached the top of the grand staircase without realizing it. A sudden gasp escaped her lips as her body tilted forward. The world spun as she tumbled down the grand staircase, her small frame colliding against the cold, unforgiving marble. Girl: YOUR HIGHNESS!!... The girl''s terrified scream rang out as Evelyn plummeted down the staircase. Blood pooled beneath her head. Her vision blurred, and her body felt cold. Girl: Your Highness!... That girl''s horrified scream barely registered as darkness closed in around Evelyn. Suddenly unfamiliar faint, blurry images flashed before her eyes¡ª Unfamiliar yet familiar peoples, towering buildings, foreign technology, people wielding powers beyond her comprehension. Her head throbbed unbearably as unfamiliar memories surged forth, overwhelming her. Ding... Just as the darkness was consuming her, a chime echoed softly in the void, clear and crisp like a drop of water falling into a still lake. A translucent screen flickered into existence before her dimming vision, its deep blue glow casting a faint light in the emptiness. Strange symbols flashed across the panel before shifting into legible text. [ System Activation: The Eternal Life System has been reactivated. ] [ From this moment forward, System ? E.L.S. ? is once again at your service. ] Evelyn barely made sense of the words before excruciating pain wracked her mind. [ Congratulations. All past memories is being awakened. ] The brilliance of the panel intensified, surrounding her in a cascade of luminous fragments, each carrying a sliver of lost knowledge. A sharp pain lanced through her skull as fragments of countless lives rushed into her mind, a flood so overwhelming it threatened to shatter her very existence. Her breathing grew ragged, her consciousness teetering on the edge. More screens emerged, overlapping one another, their messages flashing in urgent red. Ding... Ding... A warning flared across the system''s interface, its letters now bold, urgent. [ ? Danger! ? Danger! The host is experiencing severe mental overload. ? ] A suffocating force gripped her, an invisible tide pulling her deeper into unconsciousness. [ ? Immediate action required! ? The system will induce a protective coma until all memories are stabilized. ] The world around her shattered into fragments of light, dissolving into an endless abyss. The last thing she saw was the faint glow of the panel fading into the void¡ª before everything went completely black. Darkness engulfed her entirely. A Week Later ¨C A faint rustling of curtains stirred the stillness of the room. Sunlight streamed through the heavy curtains, casting a golden glow over the room, illuminating the pale figure nestled in silk sheets. Evelyn''s eyelids fluttered open. The ceiling above seemed unfamiliar, yet familiar at the same. A dull ache pulsed at the back of her head, a reminder of her fall. For a long moment, she simply lay there, unmoving, her mind drowning in a sea of fragmented memories. Then, with slow, deliberate effort, she attempted to sit up. a sharp pain shot through her head, but she endured it. Suddenly, some faint sound of voices reached her ears. " She hasn''t woken up for an entire week. What if something is wrong?" " The physician said she will be fine." A pair of voices, hushed yet worried. "Her Highness has yet to awaken. What if¡ª" " She''ll wake up soon. We must have faith¡ª" At the sound of movement, two figures rushed to her side¡ª The same cheerful girl with worried hazel eyes and a silent knight standing tall yet tense. their faces filled with concern. Girl: Your Highness! Are you alright? Do you feel any discomfort? Should I call for the royal physician? She spoke in a single breath. Evelyn did not answer. Her gaze, sharp yet unreadable, fixated onto the blue panel floating in the air before the girl. [ Character Information ] [ Name: Cassy ] [ Identity: Personal Maid of the Princess (Commoner) ] [ Relation: Personal Maid ] [[ Skills: Cooking: Decent (23) Combat: None (0) Defense: None (0) Agility: None (0) Intelligence: Average (20) ]] [ Abilities: Skilled in household tasks, capable of cooking. ] [ Special Ability: Possesses latent magical power but lacks formal training. ] [ Characteristics: Practical, straightforward, slightly strict. ] [ Potential: Has an innate talent for summoning magic, though undeveloped. ] [ Defining Trait: Devotedly loyal to the princess. ] [ Backstory: Once a commoner with untapped magical potential, Cassy never had the opportunity to test her abilities. When the princess''s father helped her in a time of need, she swore unwavering loyalty to his daughter, dedicating herself to Evelyn''s service. ] Evelyn''s gaze then shifted towards the knight. [ Character Information ] [ Name: Gerald ] [ Identity: Knight of the Princess (Commoner) ] [ Relation: Personal Knight ] sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [[ Skills: Cooking: Basic (10) Combat: Highly Skilled (49) Defense: Steadfast (37) Agility: Nimble (47) Intelligence: Perceptive (45) ]] [ Abilities: Mastery of swordsmanship. ] [ Special Ability: None. ] [ Characteristics: Quiet, reserved, and gentle. ] [ Potential: Notably fast in battle, capable of swift maneuvers. ] [ Defining Trait: Deeply loyal to the princess. ] [ Backstory: Despite his exceptional skills as a knight, Gerald''s status as a commoner limited his rise in rank, confining him to the role of Evelyn''s personal guard. However, rather than resenting his position, he has accepted it with unwavering dedication, vowing to protect the princess at all costs. ] Chapter 2: – When The Past Returns. Chapter 2 - ¨C When The Past Returns.Evelyn stared at the glowing text, her fingers twitched a little. Evelyn was staring at the floating blue panels before her, her sharp gaze unwavering. The glowing text shimmered softly in the dim room, yet to Cassy and Gerald, who stood beside her, nothing was visible. All they saw was their princess gazing at them with unsettling intensity. Cassy and Gerald exchanged nervous glances neither had an answer to what had captivated their princess so completely. Cassy hesitated, then took a small step forward. Her voice was soft but cautious. Cassy: "Princess... Your Highness?.. Your Highness.." No response. She swallowed, trying again, her voice more urgent. Cassy: "Your Highness?.. Your Highness.." Evelyn blinked at the repeated calls, finally breaking out of her trance. The panels vanished instantly as she looked away. Evelyn: "Ah. Yes..." Evelyn murmured, her voice distant. Cassy bit her lip, her worry deepening. Cassy: "Are you feeling unwell? Should I summon the royal physician?" Gerald, ever the dutiful knight, straightened at the suggestion, already preparing to leave and fetch the physician. But Evelyn raised her delicate hand, halting him in his tracks. Evelyn: "There''s no need." She said, her voice quiet but firm. Evelyn: "I''m fine." Cassy hesitated. Evelyn looked anything but fine. Her already frail frame seemed even weaker after days of unconsciousness, her normally piercing eyes were dull, unfocused. there was a distant, almost haunted look in her eyes. Cassy: "Then... should I bring you something to eat?" Cassy offered gently. Cassy: "You haven''t eaten in days, Your Highness. Even a little broth¡ª" A long pause stretched between them before Evelyn gave a small nod. Evelyn: "...Alright." Relieved that the princess had at least agreed to eat, Cassy turned to leave. But before she could step away, Evelyn spoke again. Evelyn: "Wait." Cassy immediately stopped, looking back. Cassy: "Yes, Your Highness?" Evelyn''s gaze was unreadable. Evelyn: "How long was I unconscious?" The question caught Cassy off guard, and she glanced at Gerald before answering carefully, Cassy: "Seven days, Your Highness." Seven days. Evelyn absorbed the information in silence. Her gaze drifted towards the window, her expression unreadable, distant. Then, she asked the question that made Cassy and Gerald completely freeze. Evelyn: "...Did the Empress came to see me?" Silence. Cassy stiffened, her breath caught in her throat. Her fingers curled into the fabric of her skirt, and she struggled to find the right words¡ªanything that wouldn''t wound the little girl before her. But no words could soften the truth. Cassy: "...No, Your Highness," She admitted quietly. For a moment, Evelyn didn''t react. Then, slowly, a smile touched her lips. It was small, wry, almost as if she had expected nothing else. Evelyn: "I see," She murmured. Evelyn: "That''s fine." The words felt wrong. Nothing about this was fine. But Evelyn simply turned away, dismissing them. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Evelyn: "You may go." Cassy bit her lip, hesitating¡ªher heart ached for the princess. But in the end, she bowed her head, unwilling to meet Evelyn''s gaze and quietly stepped out. Gerald followed, his armored boots clicking against the marble floor. The door closed with a soft click, and the sound of their retreating footsteps faded into the distance. Left alone, Evelyn remained motionless for a long while before slowly rising from her bed. her bare feet touching the cold marble floor. The room felt empty, suffocating. She walked to the window, resting her fingers against the glass as she gazed out at the empire beyond the palace walls. Her palace was tucked away at the empire''s boundary, a forgotten place, barely part of the imperial grounds. Beyond the walls, a grand city stretched far and wide, bustling with life. But to Evelyn, it was distant¡ªblurred and hazy, much like her lingering headache. From here, a forgotten place, barely part of the imperial grounds. Beyond the walls, a grand city stretched far and wide, bustling with life. And yet to Evelyn, from this forgotten corner of the palace, it all felt so... distant¡ªblurred and hazy, much like her lingering headache. Then¡ª Ding... Ding... The familiar chime echoed through her mind and before her, glowing blue panels flickered into existence once more, their presence almost suffocating. [ Congratulations, Host. You have successfully absorbed all of your past memories. ] [ System ? E.L.S. ? has been reactivated and at your service once again. ] Evelyn''s eyes darkened. Evelyn: "Shut down." she ordered coldly. Her voice was sharp and unwavering. The panels flickered once before vanishing on command. She exhaled, pressing a hand to her temple as memories flooded her mind¡ªmemories of lifetimes she didn''t wanted to remember. It''s not my first life. Not second. Nor the tenth. I''ve lost count. 88th? 98th? Or 100th? I don''t even remember. My name...My name... it''s lost to me now, a mere whisper of the past. It has slipped away from me, a forgotten relic of a past that feels increasingly distant. But the beginning¡ª I remember it all too well. It is seared into my consciousness, relentless, unyielding and unforgettable. The moment when everything changed, when my world was torn apart, marking the start of endless suffering. The pain that followed has never allowed me to forget that wretched, irreversible moment¡ªetched into my very soul, where it remains, never to fade. Once, I was a powerful CEO, leading a company my father entrusted to me. But greed and betrayal tore everything apart. My own brother¡ªmy blood¡ªsold me to a group of twisted researchers in exchange for wealth after driving the company into ruin. They experimented on me, injected me with unnatural substances, searching for power beyond human limits. I was their subject¡ªa caged animal subjected to ceaseless agony. They kept injecting my body with strange liquids and syringes, each one bringing excruciating pain that made me wish I could die just to escape it. They strapped us down with electric belts around our waists, preventing us from moving or even attempting to escape. I was not the only one but they didn''t survive the madness of those experiments- they died, their screams blending with the silence of the others. Each day felt like a brush with death, a never-ending cycle of torment. And yet, it continued¡ªrelentlessly¡ªfor two long years. Two years of torture. Two years of pain so excruciating that death would''ve been mercy. I was the only alive. Then, one day, they brought out a strange object¡ªneither stone nor fruit, but pulsating with an ominous energy. Their discussion was hushed, frantic. " we only have one chance? Should we really use it?" "We''ve studied it for years but found nothing." "It''s an order from above. If we succeed, we''ll earn a large sum of money." I barely heard them, drifting in and out of consciousness. But then they injected the liquidized form of the unknown object into my body. At first, a surge of power¡ª feeling of strength unlike anything before. Then¡ª Pain. Unimaginable pain, as if my very soul was being torn apart. I couldn''t breathe. I couldn''t scream. My body burned from within, and then¡ª Silence. My heart stopped. My blood ceased to flow. I died. Or so I thought. Then, without warning, my senses rushed back to me. When I opened my eyes, I found myself in an unfamiliar place, inhabiting a new body. Suddenly, a blue panel appeared in front of me, glowing softly with clear words. [ Eternal Life System Activated ] [ Host:?? | Current Status: Reincarnated ] I stared at it, confused. A blue panel was floating in the air before me. What it meant, I had no idea. But the words stayed in my mind, persistent and unshakable, marking the beginning of something I wasn''t quite ready for. I was no longer in my tortured body. It was twenty years later¡ª a new life, a different body, and an unnatural system embedded within me. My soul had survived¡ªbut not my humanity. Thus began an endless cycle. Reincarnation after reincarnation, life after life. Life after life. Death after death. And so the cycle continued, relentless and unyielding. No matter how I perished¡ªwhether through battle, accident, or some other cruel twist of fate¡ªI would always return, trapped in this unending loop. And then I realized something terrifying¡ª They had succeeded. Those twisted researchers who had experimented on me, who had driven me to the edge of death¡ªhad succeeded. This system, the Eternal Life System, wasn''t a coincidence. I had gained something unnatural. A power that bound my soul to this eternal cycle of reincarnation. My body could die a thousand times, but my soul could never fade. And I hated it. It wasn''t my body that endured¡ªno, my body withered and died time and time again. But my soul, my very essence, persisted through it all while my body continued to die, again and again, in countless lives. At first, I had tried to find purpose, to find something meaningful. I embraced every life I was given. In one life, I was a police officer, in another, a doctor, a successful actress, a designer, and a painter. I worked as an employee, a game developer and even a great programmer. There were lives where I was a gangster, a mafia boss. Each life I lived was filled with the pursuit of new experiences, each new identity a chance to release the suffocating boredom of endless reincarnation. I sought out new experiences¡ªsometimes ridiculous ones, to break the tedium. One of my attempts was cooking, something I was utterly terrible at. But with time and perseverance, I found myself excelling at it. I entered cooking competitions, and to my surprise, I won many of them. It was a distraction, a fleeting enjoyment that gave me a sense of achievement, but even that eventually lost its charm. As the years passed, I began to grow tired. Exhausted, even. I was exhausted, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I had lived so many lives that they all began to blend into one giant blur. The thrill of new beginnings and fresh starts had faded, replaced with a hollow emptiness. I didn''t care about fame, riches, power or accolades. I had tried everything, and yet nothing could fill the void that had grown inside me. Eventually, the thought of continuing this never-ending cycle of reincarnation became unbearable. I tried suicide. I thought that maybe this time, death would be the end. But no, the result was always the same. No matter how I lived, no matter how I died¡ªI always reincarnated again. Now, i fully understand the meaning of the System. Eternal Life. Chapter 3: – When The Veil Falls. Chapter 3 - ¨C When The Veil Falls.Eternal Life. Evelyn smiled bitterly at the thought of this word. [ I realised later that my life always starts from birth but without any memories. A kind stimulation is needed for me to remember my past lives''s memories. How i wish every time that those memories wouldn''t return but it''s just... Futile hope. But In my 46th life, something changed. Suddenly the world began to tremble, shaking as though it were on the verge of collapsing. The earth quaked with such intensity that I thought it might be the end. I don''t remember how I died. But when I opened my eyes once more, I was no longer in the same world. I found myself in a completely different world. A world beyond anything I had known and beyond human comprehension¡ª Magic. A world unlike anything I had known. It was a world of magic, of mystical forces that defied all logic and reason. Swords and spells were the keys to power here. A world where the laws of nature bent to mystical forces, where swords and spells determined power. It was overwhelming, but also strangely fascinating. For the first time in a long time, I felt a spark of curiosity. This new world was unlike anything I had experienced before, and that novelty kept me moving forward. It was a fresh start, and for the first time in a long time, I felt something close to curiosity. So, I lived. In this new world, My 47th life began as an ordinary 14-year-old girl, living in a small village. My father made a living by crafting and selling things made of wood, while my mother, sickly and frail, barely left her bed. It was a simple life, yet full of quiet struggle. I helped my father as best as I could, using the knowledge I carried from my previous lives¡ªskills and techniques from a world that seemed so distant now. The E.L.S. system, ever-present and subtly guiding me, made adapting to this new world a little easier. It became my silent companion, helping me adjust without question, without hesitation. But just like every other life before, it came to an end. And when it did, the cycle began once again. I was once again thrust into a new life, and this time, I was filled with a strange sense of excitement. This world was unlike anything I''d known before. Everything about it fascinated me¡ªthe people, the magic, the way of life. The world was still unfamiliar, and it intrigued me. There was so much to explore, so many things to try. So, I threw myself into it, exploring every avenue, adventuring, trying on different identities. So, I did. In my new life, I became a swordmaster, honing my skills in battle. I was a mage, wielding magical powers that felt alien yet exhilarating. I was a saintess, revered by many for my supposed divine abilities. A spiritualist, an assassin, a thief, a gardener, a inn owner. I even became a queen, a noblewoman, a commoner, a maid. I had lived so many lives, and each one felt like an endless possibility. But as time passed, something started to shift. Even in this new world, the thrill began to fade. Everything became... ordinary. As time passed, everything began to feel... worn. Once again, I was left with the quiet, inevitable feeling of boredom. The magic, the swords, the kingdoms¡ªthey all became just another part of the endless cycle. The cycle was beginning to feel too familiar, and I wondered¡ªwhen would it end? And now, I stand at the edge of yet another reincarnation. The novelty of this new world has long worn off, leaving behind the same emptiness, the same desire for rest that I''ve carried with me for so long. The faces change, the bodies change, life changes and even the world changed but one thing remains the same¡ª my unyielding need to find peace. ] Evelyn''s fingers tighten around the windowsill, her knuckles turning white. Another life, another name, another identity, another painful cycle. And yet, for all the countless times I''ve lived and died, one thing remains unchanged¡ª I''m still searching for a way to finally, finally, truly, rest. She sighed as she reminisced about the past, then slowly walked away from the window toward the mirror. Stopping in front of it, she stared intensely at her reflection. There, on her right wrist, was the small but distinct nine-star-shaped birthmark¡ªthe only familiar thing in her endless cycles of death and rebirth. [ This birthmark was in my wrist from the beginning, in the same place. It feels as though it too is caught in this endless cycle alongside me. At first, I thought it was merely a coincidence, but no matter how many times I reincarnate, it''s always on my wrist, in the same place. The reason behind this mark and what it truly signifies... remains a mystery to me. Each new life begins without the memory of my past, and though I once hoped I could live without remembering, it always ends the same¡ªmy memories come flooding back. Now, I''ve grown used to the System E.L.S. ¡ªit''s become like a soul mate.] Her cold blue eyes flickered with a glint of sarcasm. In this life, I am Evelyn de P. La Cristiane¡ªthe first princess of the Cristiane Empire and first in line to the throne. But titles are nothing more than decoration if you''re not strong enough to protect them. A princess abandoned at birth... locked away in this cold, desolate Black Rose Palace¡ªwith not a single visit from the woman who gave birth to me. Why? No one knows the answer. Why. It always remain my question¨C but one with no answer. A small ridiculing smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Evelyn: E.L.S. My information. Ding... A familiar soft chime echoed as a glowing blue panel materialized before her eyes, casting its faint light across the dark room. [Host Information] [Name: Evelyn de P. La Cristiane.] [Identity: First Princess of the Cristiane Empire { ??~?? } ] [Cooking Skill: 94 ] [Combat Skill: Unknown¡ª] [Defense Skill: Unknown¡ª] [Agility: Unknown¡ª] [Intelligence: Unknown¡ª] [Ability: Unmeasurable.] [Special Abilities: Sharp Brain, Special Physique, ¡ª] [Characteristics: ¡ª] [Specialty: ¡ª] [Trait: ¡ª] [Backstory: Born with an unusual hair and eye colours. Not recognized by the Empress as her daughter and despised by her.] Her eyes lingered on the Side Story section. She didn''t fully understand what it meant. Unusual hair and eye colour... Her blue eyes narrowed, and she glanced at the mirror. Her fingers traced her moonlit hair absently, tilting her head in confusion. Hair shimmered like fresh snow, pure and white, cascading down in soft waves that caught the light with an almost ethereal glow. It was as though the very essence of winter had woven itself into her strands, each one gleaming with an otherworldly brightness. Eyes, deep blue like the vast ocean, held a depth that seemed to draw everything in. What''s so unusual about that? The Empress has red hair and blue eyes, and as far as she knows her father had silver hair and platinum eyes. So it''s quite normal to have white hair and blue eyes. No.. wait... something''s wrong. A sudden sharp glint flashed in her eyes. Evelyn: E.L.S. Scan Body. Ding... [Body Scanning in progress....] Ding... [Body Scanning Completed.] A translucent X-ray-like panel appeared before her, outlining every inch of her small, frail-looking body. On her slender neck, a red circle glowed faintly. [Detected Magical Item.] [Effect: Appearance Concealment.] Evelyn''s eyes darkened. Her fingers brushed the ruby necklace¡ªthe only thing her mother had ever given her. A bitter laugh escaped her lips. How ironic... the first and only gift from my dear mother is nothing but a magical item imbued with concealment magic. With steady fingers, she unhooked the clasp. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The moment the necklace touched her palm, light rippled through her hair. A few strands of snowy white darkened, turning inky black like midnight ink bleeding into snow. Her blue eyes shifted¡ªthe left flaring into a deep, blood-red, like a sea of blood under a full moon, while the right softened into a vivid amethyst purple, like the glow of twilight over a quiet forest. In that instant, she looked both otherworldly and untouchable. Chapter 4: – Arrival Of A Unexpected Guest. Chapter 4 - ¨C Arrival Of A Unexpected Guest.Evelyn touched her reflection in the mirror, murmuring to herself. Evelyn: So... that''s why. [ It''s said that 1,030 years ago, demons attacked the Empire under the Demon King''s command. People were slaughtered, the empire was torn apart. No peace, only disaster for 110 years. Finally, 920 years ago, Elencia De S. La Cristiane fought against the Demon King. With the help of the Supreme Magic Swordmaster, Seraphion Aster, Elencia defeated the Demon King, restoring peace to the Empire. But after the battle, Seraphion Aster disappeared from sight. The Demon King had black hair and red eyes, and from then on, those features were seen as taboo in Cristiane. Black hair and red eyes became signs of inauspiciousness. After all, demons ravaged the empire under the command of the Demon King. So, his black hair and red eyes became the very symbols of disaster. Even now, anyone born with those features was considered cursed. A taboo existence.] Hah... so that''s why. Red is already bad enough; on the contrary, having two different eye colours... Evelyn: No wonder the wet maid disappeared after my birth. She must have been killed or chased away to keep the secret. No wonder the Empress, who never cared for me, gave me this necklace¡ªan item that conceals my true appearance. She even ordered me not to take it off. Ha... Evelyn laughed bitterly as she stared at the necklace in her hand, her eyes full of sarcasm. Evelyn clenched the ruby tightly in her palm. So... I was never abandoned out of only pure hatred. I was hidden. Not only because she hated me¡ª But also because she feared me. Knock. Knock. A sudden knock echoed through the room. Cassy''s voice was heard from the outside. Cassy: Your Highness, I''ve brought you some food. May I come in? Evelyn clasped the necklace back around her neck. The White hair with a mixture of black shimmered into pure white again, and the red and purple eyes faded back into blue. She walked over to the couch. Evelyn: Come in. Cassy entered, carrying a light tray of healthy food and a bowl of soup. She set the tray down on the table in front of Evelyn, then stepped aside. Cassy: Please eat, Your Highness. You haven''t eaten in a week. You must be hungry. Evelyn: Thanks, Sassy. Cassy: It''s Cassy, Your Highness. And you don''t need to thank me; it''s my duty. Evelyn: Yeah, Cally. Cassy said nothing further. Evelyn looked at her as she prepared to eat. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Evelyn: Where is Gerod? Cassy: Gerod??!! Oh! he''s guarding the door. Please eat, Your Highness. Evelyn: Okay. Evelyn looked at the food, a sense of unease creeping over her, as though her sixth sense was warning her of something. Evelyn: I.S. Scan Foods. (whisper) Ding... [Food Scanning in progress...] Ding... [Food Scanning Completed.] Ding... [Low-Toxic Poison detected in all items except the soup.] [Accumulated intake will cause gradual organ failure.] Her smile deepened. Oh. Did my mother send it or the nobles who wants to support the lovely 2nd princess on the throne instead of me. How amusing. Evelyn (thoughts): "Even though I dislike soup, Cassy always makes it herself and brings it for me when I''m sick. It''s good for my health. The old me would have refused to eat it, but now... everything is different now." Evelyn picked up the spoon and slowly sipped the soup. She ate only the soup, leaving the rest of the food untouched. Cassy, relieved that the princess wasn''t throwing a tantrum over food, smiled. Evelyn: I''m full. My head is heavy, so I''ll rest. Tell Gerod not to let anyone in, Clasy. Cassy: It''s Cassy, Your Highness. Evelyn: Yeah, Clary. Cassy: ... Just call me whatever you want, Your Highness. Cassy left with the tray, closing the door quietly behind her. Evelyn: Whatever I want... You''re just like her. A wry smile crossed Evelyn''s face as she thought of someone. Evelyn: It''s been so many years since I last saw them... I wonder how they''re doing now. She stood and walked toward the bed. Evelyn: What am I even worried about? It''s not like anyone can do anything to them. She lay down and closed her eyes. Evelyn: I should rest instead. Five days later¨C In those five days, Evelyn did little but eat and sleep. After a stretch of doing nothing, she finally took a book from her shelf. The book was titled The History of Aristynne. After requesting it, Cassy had brought it from the library for her. [There aren''t many people who don''t know about Aristynne. It was a land free from any empire or kingdom. No one had control over it, and it wasn''t part of any kingdom or empire. Many would even call it the kingdom of Aristynne. It was regarded as the most dangerous place that no one dared to invade or go to war with. It was full of different magical creatures, species, and people, such as elves, dwarves, hybrids, strong and powerful knights with powers that could overthrow a kingdom, high-class mages, swordsmen, summoners, spiritualists, and even had a very powerful and well-known mage tower of its own. Aristynne''s strength was immeasurable. Everyone knew that if they went to war with Aristynne, they would suffer a very big loss. With powerful knights and magic weapons created by the dwarves, it was almost impossible to win against Aristynne...] Evelyn was absorbed in the book when there was a knock on the door. A small frown appeared on her face as she closed the book and set it aside. Evelyn: Come in. Cassy entered the room, her expression respectful but also slightly concerned. Evelyn gave her a questioning look, as if asking why she had come. Cassy: Your Highness, the young master of Rochester Duchy has come to visit you. Evelyn: Rockstar... Cassy: It''s Rochester, Your Highness. Edrick Rochester, Your fianc¨¦. Evelyn: Well... Roche... or whatever. Let him in. Cassy: Yes, Your Highness. Cassy sighed quietly to herself as she lefts the room. Over the past five days, she had noticed a change in the princess. Evelyn no longer got angry over trivial matters, didn''t throw tantrums over food, and couldn''t even remember names properly. Cassy wondered if the princess''s near-death experience and the injury to her head had something to do with this change. The once arrogant and haughty princess had become... different. Meanwhile, Evelyn sat back in her chair, her thoughts wandering. Evelyn: My Fiance... Evelyn heard footsteps approaching. She looked at the door as a 10-year-old boy entered the room, dressed in black. He wore a stern expression, and despite his youth, he carried himself with the maturity of an adult. Evelyn''s gaze fixed on him. Blue hair gleaming under the sun''s rays filtering through the window, yellow eyes sparkling like gold. A young, handsome boy who could make anyone''s heart flutter, even at this age... Wait a minute, why does this description sound familiar? Where have I seen this before? Ding... A blue panel appeared before Evelyn, who stared at it intently. Her expression grew serious as though something was triggering her memory, but she couldn''t quite place it. [ Name: Edrick Rochester.] [ Identity: Heir to the Duchy of Rochester.] [ Relation: Fianc¨¦.] [[ Skills: Cooking : None (0) Combat : Advanced (35) Defense : Vigilant (30) Agility: Agile (24) Intelligence: Sharp (32) ]] [ Ability: A Swordsman.] [ Special Ability: Magic Swordsman.] [ Characteristics: Stubborn, Strong-willed, Perfectionist. ] [ Specialty: Strong Magic, Swordsmanship. ] [ Trait: Dislikes Evelyn. He will die for those he cares about, but will destroy what he dislikes. ] [Backstory: Edrick grew up under strict training and neglect from his father, which shaped his troublesome personality. The constant pressure to meet high expectations and the lack of emotional support led to him becoming stubborn, strong-willed, and a perfectionist. His sense of loyalty runs deep¡ªhe will protect those he cares about at any cost, even if it means sacrificing himself. However, his intense nature also means that if he dislikes something or someone, he will have no qualms about destroying it.] Chapter 5: – Request To Cancel The Engagement. Chapter 5 - ¨C Request To Cancel The Engagement.Evelyn''s eyes immediately fixed on the Relation section. Her face transformed into one of mockery. Evelyn (Thoughts): "Fianc¨¦... ha... does he really consider me his fianc¨¦? I almost forgot about him after recalling the memories of someone I once obsessed over. I used to do all sorts of foolish things for him, but he never even glanced at me..." Her gaze shifted down to the Trait sections. Evelyn (Thoughts): "I know he''s strange, but what kind of trait is that? Wait... he doesn''t like me. Does that mean he wants to destroy me or what?" Evelyn turned her eyes back to Edrick. He was glaring at her with murderous intent. She had been looking at the panel for so long, it seemed as though she had been staring at him the whole time, which clearly irritated him. Evelyn (Thoughts): "Aha... I guess he does want to..." Evelyn gave him a wry smile and said gently, Evelyn: "Take a seat, Roddick." Edrick was immediately frustrated by her mispronunciation of his name. He was obsessed with perfection. Edrick: "It''s Edrick, Your Highness." He walked over to the couch, took a handkerchief from his pocket, and meticulously wiped the seat before sitting down. Evelyn raised an eyebrow at his strange behavior. Evelyn (Thoughts): "The couch was already clean. There''s no way a princess''s room wouldn''t be properly kept. Even though my mansion isn''t grand, Cassy always makes sure my room is spotless. Was there really a need for him to wipe it again? I mean, being clean is one thing, but this is a little extreme. The system did mention he''s obsessed with perfection, but I didn''t realize he had severe OCD." Evelyn: "Yes... Aric." Edrick: "Ha... I heard that after hitting your head, you couldn''t even say someone''s name properly. Looks like it''s true." He sat down, adjusting his posture as though the act of sitting required meticulous attention. Evelyn: "The reason I came here is the same, please break off the engagement..." Evelyn: "Why should I?" Edrick blinked, caught off guard. Edrick: "What?" Evelyn: "Give me a reason why I should break off the engagement." Edrick: "I don''t like you. Is that not reason enough?" Evelyn gave him a sly smile. Evelyn: "That''s not a reason. It''s just an excuse. We''re both still children. You can try to like me, or wait until we grow up, or even start tomorrow. Give me a good reason." Edrick: "You are arrogant, willful, rude, mean, selfish, and unmannered. Everyone knows you are a powerless and useless princess. You don''t even act like a princess." Evelyn fell silent for a moment. Then she slowly smiled again and looked at him. Evelyn: "I don''t act like a princess because no one taught me how a princess should act. I''m arrogant because no one taught me whay kindness is... I''m willful because no one taught me what benevolence is... I''m rude because no one taught me what politeness is... I''m mean because I was never shown gentleness... I''m selfish because no one taught me what selflessness is... I have no manners because no one ever taught me that. I was never taught any of those things... I''ve never received them from anyone, so it''s natural I wouldn''t know." Evelyn''s voice was quiet, almost emotionless, but her words struck deep. She paused and added, her gaze piercing into him, Evelyn: "But I don''t think I''ve ever been any of those things toward you, have I?" Edrick fell silent, unable to respond. It was true. Evelyn had never treated him with those traits; she had always been clingy and overly affectionate, to the point of being annoying. But she had never pointed it out before. Edrick was trying to reconcile the calm, adult-like Evelyn standing before him with the young girl who used to cling to him incessantly. He was at a loss. Evelyn: "Anyway, I''m still a child. I''m only six years old. It''s still the time when I''m growing. I can change over time. Or you can change me the way you want as we grow. Give me a reason." Edrick: "I... we... we''re not perfect for each other." Evelyn: "Nobody''s perfect. Everyone has flaws. Can you bring me someone who is absolutely perfect?" Edrick: "Th... that... I..." Edrick couldn''t find the words. Evelyn looked at him in silence for a moment, then asked abruptly, Evelyn: "Do you have someone you like?" Edrick was taken aback, his eyes widening in shock. Evelyn, who had always snapped in anger when she saw him with someone else, was now asking him about his feelings. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Edrick: "NO!!!" He blurted out loudly, so loudly it echoed throughout the room. Evelyn laughed. Evelyn: "Then there''s no reason for me to break off the engagement. You can call it off yourself if you want." Edrick: "You... you..." Edrick stood up, anger boiling in his chest. He felt like she had been playing with him. His hands clenched at his sides, but he managed to regain control, placing a hand on his chest and bowing his head. Edrick: "I should take my leave for today, Your Highness." Evelyn: "Yeah. Sure, Aric." Edrick stormed out of the room, fuming with rage. Evelyn watched him leave, laughing at his outburst. Evelyn: "What a perfection freak." Edrick had come many times before to break off the engagement, but the old me always rejected him because I was completely obsessed with this guy. Now, I would have agreed because I have no desire to shamelessly hold onto someone who doesn''t want to be with me and dislikes me. But he should have asked more politely, who told him to mock me... Although I admit, after living so many lives, I have trouble remembering some names, but he shouldn''t have mocked me anyway. Huh... I don''t even need to remember anyone''s name, I have the great E.L.S. system. As Evelyn lost herself in thought, Cassy entered the room with a plate of snacks. She looked around, as if searching for someone. Cassy: "Has the young master left already?" Evelyn: "Yes. I''ll be resting now, so I won''t see any more visitors. Don''t let anyone in, Jessy." Cassy: "It''s Cassy... (muttering). Yes, Your Highness." As Cassy left, Evelyn suddenly called her back. Evelyn: "Wait, Cassy." Cassy stopped in her tracks and turned around. Cassy: "Yes, Your Highness." Evelyn: "Leave the snacks here." Cassy: "But you had snacks not too long ago." Evelyn: "I''m still growing, Cassy. I need to eat more to grow faster." Cassy: "...yes, Your Highness." With a sigh, Cassy left the room, leaving the plate on the table, knowing she couldn''t win against Evelyn. Evelyn picked up a book titled "The History of Aristynne." She began reading seriously, eating her snacks as she went along. Meanwhile, outside the palace, Edrick walked briskly toward the palace gates, but as he reached the entrance, he stopped. His carriage waited for him just outside the palace grounds. He looked back, his gaze lingering on the towering walls for a moment. A sigh escaped him as he muttered to himself, barely audible over the clatter of the horses'' hooves. Edrick: "She was so different today..." His mind replayed the strange interaction they''d just had. If it had been any other day, Evelyn would have clung to him like a leech, throwing tantrums and refusing to accept the cancellation of their engagement. The palace would have been in chaos, with everyone scrambling to calm her down. But today... His thoughts were interrupted by the memory of Evelyn''s words, her sharp yet honest declaration. Edrick: "...Today she was really different..." He shook his head as if trying to shake off the thoughts swirling in his mind. It didn''t make sense. He had known her for so long, and yet, today, something about her was off. In all the years they''d spent together, she had never said something so raw, so unguarded. Shaking his head, Edrick climbed into the carriage, settling on the plush seat as the vehicle began to move. He leaned back, letting the motion of the carriage calm his restless thoughts. But Evelyn''s unexpected question suddenly resurfaced, and he froze for a moment. [Evelyn: "Do you have someone you like?"] Edrick''s heart skipped a beat, the question catching him off guard. His mind drifted to the memory of a small girl, no older than three, crying softly in the corner of some bushes. Her tear-streaked face and those wide, innocent eyes haunted him, though there was an odd sweetness to the image. Before he could even process the thought, Edrick''s eyes flew open, and he sat up straight in the carriage. His ears flushed crimson, and his face burned with an unexpected heat. He quickly covered his face with his hands, as if trying to hide the blush that had spread across his cheeks. Edrick (Thoughts): "Cute... Seriously, have I gone crazy? What am I even thinking about?" He groaned and slapped his face lightly, trying to snap himself out of the strange daydream. Edrick: "It''s not gentlemanly to think of someone like that... Stop it, Edrick... Stop." He sighed, rubbing his face and trying to regain his composure. His heart still raced, but he did his best to steady it, taking a few deep breaths. He glanced out the window, the passing scenery doing little to ease his troubled mind. Edrick (Thoughts): "Maybe I''ll find out what''s wrong with her on my next visit." With a final, thoughtful glance back toward the palace, he settled back into his seat. It wasn''t over. One thing was certain¡ªthis wasn''t the same Evelyn he thought he knew, she changed. Chapter 6: – Aristynne: The Queen of Blood and Reform. Chapter 6 - ¨C Aristynne: The Queen of Blood and Reform.Evelyn resumed reading The History of Aristynne from where she had left off, her expression serious and her eyes gleaming with anticipation. [ "Aristynne, a kingdom brimming with magical creatures, enchanted weapons, diverse species, and powerful hybrids, thrived in harmony. Situated to the far south of Cristiane and somewhat near the Karstein Empire, it stood unchallenged. No one dared to invade its borders. Over time, it grew vast and powerful, earning the title of the ''Magical Kingdom''¡ªa realm not only teeming with diverse races but also home to rare species and magical artifacts." "Its most renowned institution is the prestigious Aristynne Academy. Known for its unparalleled education, the Academy welcomed anyone with talent, regardless of their background. Every year, the Academy produced rare geniuses, and every graduate left after some grueling years." "Though the entrance exam wasn''t exceedingly difficult, the Academy conducted competitions every six months, ruthlessly eliminating those unable to prove their talents." "One of Aristynne''s most legendary places is The Averoth Forest, teeming with dangerous beasts. Many ventured inside, seeking to tame a beast as their familiar, thereby increasing their strength. However, no one dared approach the forest''s center, as it was overrun by ferocious creatures." "Curiously, the Academy itself was hidden deep within Averoth Forest. Its location was unknown to outsiders, and only those with special permission could transfer directly to it." "But long ago, Aristynne was far from the powerful force it is today. The Averoth Forest was forbidden, considered too dangerous. The Academy had not yet been founded, and Aristynne was just a small, insignificant kingdom, rife with chaos and bloodshed." "Aristynne was a lawless land. Murder and theft in broad daylight were daily occurrences, and even illegal activities flourished openly. Peace was but a myth. Its rulers would pit their own children against one another, The royal family upheld a barbaric tradition¡ªeach ruler ascended the throne only after surviving a brutal power struggle against their siblings." "The 12th ruler of Aristynne was infamous for killing all 21 of his siblings, brutally displaying their severed heads at the entrance gates¡ªan ominous show of dominance. He is recorded in history as the cruellest ruler to ever exist." "But despite its lawlessness, few dared attack Aristynne. Criminals roamed freely, unafraid of death, making it too unpredictable for conquest since nobody wanted suffer any damage over a small kingdom." "The turning point came 230 years ago, when the 24th princess, Reinelle de Aristynne, ascended the throne at the mere age of 15 after slaughtering 28 siblings in a ruthless battle for the throne." "The emperor had many concubines who bore him 25 children. His queen gave birth to four¡ªthough the firstborn survived only five years before being poisoned. Reinelle was the second. When she was eight, her mother died giving birth to twins, who were the youngest among the emperor''s children." "In total, the king had 29 children. By the end of the bloodshed, only one child survived¡ªReinelle de Aristynne." "After slaying her siblings in the merciless battle for the throne, she spared no mercy for her father. With a single, unwavering strike, she severed his head from his shoulders, cold and unfeeling, sealing his fate and claiming the throne as her own. "It is said that the day she ascended the throne, she was soaked in blood¡ªher clothes, face, hands, and sword, even the very ground beneath her. Corpses lay scattered around her as she sat upon the throne bathed in blood, her gaze cold and unyielding, betraying not a shred of emotion. Thus, she forged a legacy steeped in blood and death, forever etched in the annals of history." "Rumors claimed that even her twin sibling disappeared under mysterious circumstances. It was whispered she had killed them too in the battle for the throne." "Yet, Reinelle, dreaded and reviled as ''The Bloody Queen,'' left an indelible mark on Aristynne. To those beyond the kingdom''s borders, she was whispered of as ''The Butcher of Aristynne,'' a title that carried with it the scent of death and destruction. The youngest to ever ascend the throne, she became a figure of terror, known by many names¡ª''The Devil,'' ''The Cruel Slaughterer''¡ªher very existence a symbol of unrelenting power and merciless rule. her blood-soaked reign marking an era of unrelenting fear and domination." "However, she wasn''t merely cruel¡ªshe was brilliant. She transformed Aristynne into the powerful empire it is today. She founded the Aristynne Academy, opened Averoth Forest for training, constructed trade routes, built a Mage Tower, and established necessary teleportation gates. She treated every citizen equally." "Law and order were introduced, and Aristynne transformed into a land where only one''s ability mattered¡ªidentity, origin or status meant nothing. Its knights were notorious for being ruthless, earning them the fearsome title: ''Monsters of Aristynne.'' They would kill without hesitation, without mercy in battles." "In the beginning, Aristynne''s knights were bold but not yet strong. Reinelle subjected them to brutal training, posting them at Averoth Forest''s boundary, commanding them to slay any beasts that emerged, preventing chaos from spilling into the kingdom. Over time, they grew more powerful, eventually becoming the legendary "Monsters of Aristynne." "Later, the knights realized that she delayed setting up a protective barrier around Averoth Forest intentionally¡ªforcing the knights to harden themselves in blood and battle." "She allowed anyone, regardless of background, to enter the forest to train if they want, resulting in the rise of powerful mages, summoners, spiritualists, and swordmasters." "Her strict laws eradicated crime and immorality. Notices were posted everywhere, clearly listing her decrees, followed by this declaration at the bottom: {{ These are the laws and rules that every subject of Aristynne must abide by. If you wonder who Aristynne''s subjects are, know this: S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. From the moment you step inside Aristynne''s territory, you become its subject and must obey its laws. Whether you are a king from another kingdom or empire or a beggar, everyone must follow Aristynne''s laws and rules inside Aristynne. This is itself a rule of Aristynne. So, don''t attempt or even think of breaking it. Written by The Queen of Aristynne, Reinelle de Aristynne. }} "She even gave advice about life¡ªwords so revered that after her death, they were turned into guiding principles: {{ 1. ''Judge not by face, nor by name, Not by birth, nor species, nor age''s claim. Weigh them instead by skill and might, By talents bright and knowledge''s light.'' --- 2. ''Walk a mile in another''s shoes, Feel their pain, their joy, their views. Before you judge, take the time to see, The heartache that could be you or me.'' --- 3. ''Bow not to titles, wealth, or race, Not to beauty or a noble place. If you must bow, then bend the knee To ability, craft, and creativity.'' --- 4. ''Look inside and know your soul, Strive to mend, strive to grow whole. Better the world, but better yourself, For wisdom begins when we know ourselves.'' --- 5. ''Keep your feet firm, your gaze not high, Look not down when others pass by. Today you scoff at humble tread¡ª Tomorrow, you may seek their stead.'' --- 6. ''If born in wealth, be kind, not vain, Don''t scorn the hands with labor stained. The rich may hire, the poor endure, Yet both are fleeting, nothing''s sure.'' --- 7. ''There''s no such line of high and low¡ª Just hearts that beat, and blood that flows. No noble crown nor common brand Can change the life in every hand. --- 8. ''Call no one low, no soul impure, For emperors beg at healers'' door. An empress seeks a tailor''s art, A princess learns from common hearts. Today they may seem small to you¡ª Tomorrow, they''ll hold power too.'' --- 9. ''If charity you give with pride, Hide disdain, let kindness bide. For what''s a token gift for fame, Might light a fire, ignite a flame. A beggar saved may pay the price¡ª Their life exchanged for your sacrifice.'' --- 10. ''Gratitude, the light that clears the haze, Focus on blessings, not what you chase. What you have is worth more than you know, Richness lies in what you let grow.'' --- 11. ''Not all things come in a hurry, Sometimes stillness brings the worry. But in the quiet, wisdom''s found, In patience, life begins to resound.'' --- 12. ''Judge not the poor, the weak, the old, Nor stories that remain untold. You know not scars beneath their skin, The battles lost, the wars within. So hold your tongue, and cast no stone¡ª For struggles lived are theirs alone.'' ¨C¨C¨C "P.S. ¡ª These are not rigid laws nor commands that demand obedience. They are simply thoughts, shaped in moments of reflection, offered as gentle advice. Take them as you will¡ªconsider them, question them, or set them aside if they do not resonate with you. But if even a single word lingers in your mind and brings a moment of clarity, then perhaps they have served their purpose." }} Chapter 7: – A Kingdom Sealed In Time. Chapter 7 - ¨C A Kingdom Sealed In Time.Evelyn''s fingers traced the edge of the pages as she read on, her thoughts swirling. Evelyn: "To think they actually revered these words," Evelyn murmured, her voice low and cynical. Evelyn: "What a bunch of fools." Evelyn muttered, her voice laced with mockery. But underneath it, there was something hidden in her tone¡ªa trace of bitterness or perhaps even a faint hint of something unknown. She couldn''t quite place it. Her laughter was mocking, but it quickly faded, and her gaze grew distant as she resumed reading, each word seeming to carry a weight heavier than before. [ Reinelle de Aristynne is remembered as both the cruellest and greatest queen in Aristynne''s history. Even after two centuries, her name commands respect. She strengthened Aristynne militarily, politically, and economically, making it an empire feared by all. Other kingdoms dared not attack, not only because of her terrifying knights, but also because Reinelle herself was a Grandmage¡ªsecond only to the Mage Tower Master in power. However, everything changed 185 years ago when the queen fell ill with a unknown disease. Greedy empires watched closely, waiting for her death. Reinelle had no heir, never marrying in her lifetime. After her passing, the crucial Ruler Seal¡ªrequired to ascend the throne¡ªdisappeared mysteriously. With no ruler and no heir, Aristynne was vulnerable. The kingdoms prepared to attack. But then, two ancient scrolls were discovered in Reinelle''s chamber¡ªleft behind, it seemed, in anticipation of this chaos. Using the scrolls, the professors of Aristynne Academy and mages of the Mage Tower sealed Aristynne behind powerful ancient barriers, making it vanish from sight. Only those who possessed an invitation could now enter the Academy. Aristynne is still sealed even after a whole 184 years. It is said that only the owner of the Ruler Seal has the power to break the seal. Countless powerful empires and rulers have attempted to lay claim to Aristynne, hoping to uncover the secrets buried within its land, but all have failed. The impenetrable barrier surrounding it recognizes neither armies nor strength¡ªit awaits only its rightful ruler. Legends whisper that once the seal is undone, Aristynne will not only return to its former glory but will also bestow unimaginable power upon its sovereign. Some say the Ruler Seal is lost forever, others believe it has already chosen its master, hidden away, waiting for the right moment to resurface. Thus, Aristynne remains a silent, sleeping giant¡ªa kingdom frozen in time, holding within it both the weight of its bloody past and the hope of an unshackled future.] ¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C Evelyn closed the book and let out a deep sigh. She stared at the cover for a moment, an inexplicable feeling stirring within her. Shaking off the sensation, she pulled herself together and gave a wry smile. Evelyn: Hah... Just as I thought... With a soft exhale, she placed the book aside and stretched both arms, rolling her shoulders before massaging her neck. Hours of reading had left it sore. Evelyn: Ah... I''m so tired after reading such a long book. I need a good, long nap. She stood up from the couch, made her way to the bed, and, without hesitation, flopped onto the soft mattress. The warmth of the sheets embraced her as she closed her eyes, and before long, she drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep. For the next seven days, Evelyn spent her time in quiet solitude, alternating between reading, eating, and sleeping. Her routine was simple, almost serene, but there was a shift in the air, a quiet anticipation building within her. In the afternoon, she finished her lunch and, after a thoughtful pause, looked over at Cassy, who was standing nearby. Evelyn: "Cassy, tell everyone to gather at the hall." Cassy: "Yes, Your Highness." It was time. She was done hiding behind silence. If the palace reflected who she used to be, then it was time it changed¡ªjust as she would. With a respectful nod, Cassy left the room to carry out Evelyn''s command. She hurried through the palace, summoning the servants to the grand hall. Evelyn, once done with her meal, descended the stairs gracefully, her steps deliberate. When she arrived at the hall, she stood before the gathered servants, her presence commanding the space as though she were a ruler addressing her subjects. Evelyn: "Do you know why I called for you all here?" The servants exchanged uncertain glances, their heads down. The servants: "No, Your Highness..." Evelyn''s gaze swept over them, her voice steady yet carrying a subtle weight. Evelyn: "Then let me tell you. You''ve all been here with me, staying in this palace, for quite a long time, haven''t you?" The servants: "Ye... Yes, Your Highness." Evelyn: "Good. Now, tell me truthfully, what do you think of this palace?" The room fell into an uncomfortable silence. The servants exchanged confused looks, unsure of how to respond, each one silently questioning what was happening with the princess. Evelyn, her patience fraying, spoke once more, her voice still calm but tinged with irritation. Evelyn: "It looks old, dark, gloomy, scary, and isolated¡ªexactly like a haunted palace, doesn''t it?" No one answered. The silence deepened, and tension began to rise, as if each servant feared the consequences of speaking out of turn. Evelyn''s expression remained unchanged, but the unease in the room was palpable. Evelyn: "Does it look like what a princess''s palace should be like?" Again, silence. The servants dared not speak, their nerves visible in the subtle tension of their bodies. Evelyn''s eyes narrowed slightly, the edge of her temper now clear in her voice. Evelyn: "I have a limit to my patience. Answer before it breaks down." The servants, now visibly nervous, spoke in unison. The servants: "N-No, Your Highness." Evelyn''s expression softened ever so slightly, but the authority in her words was undiminished. Evelyn: "Good. So, what do you think we should do? We must transform this old, dark, gloomy, and scary palace into something sparklingly new and beautiful¡ªsomething worthy of a princess''s residence." The servants stared at her, stunned. Their reaction was a mix of confusion and awe. What was the princess thinking? What had caused this change in her demeanor? S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Evelyn repeated, her voice firm and commanding. Evelyn: "So, start doing what you ought to do now. Go." Without another word, the servants scrambled into action. They didn''t fully understand what had come over their princess, but there was no mistaking the shift in her presence. It was undeniable. Her aura was no longer that of a passive, distant princess; it was that of a leader, one who commanded attention without the need for words. They began their work, moving with a sense of urgency and focus that had never been present before. The palace, once a gloomy and neglected place, would begin to change, transformed by the will of a princess who now stood as a force to be reckoned with. If it had been before, they would have dismissed her orders or ignored her requests without a second thought. But now, with her presence as strong as it was, they knew they could not afford to. She felt different, and they couldn''t ignore the power that radiated from her, even if they wanted to. For the next few days, Evelyn stood silently, observing the progress of the work herself. Under her meticulous orders, the servants had cleaned every corner of the palace, from the kitchens to the guest rooms. It was as though every inch of the place had been revived, scrubbed clean, and refreshed. The servants, puzzled by the sudden interest the princess had taken in the state of the palace, exchanged quiet whispers. What had caused such a shift in her behavior? Why was she now so insistent on the upkeep of the palace, a place she had once seemed indifferent to? Evelyn, however, remained focused. She had instructed them to trim the dead roses and cut back the overgrown bushes that had blocked the pathways leading to the palace. But as they reached for the thorns, Evelyn stopped them. The servants paused, their hands hovering mid-air. Her voice, calm yet cutting, left a hush in its wake. Evelyn: "Roses are beautiful, yet their thorns give them resilience. Without them, they''d be as defenseless as a cat without claws, a lion without its roar, or a snake without fangs. It''s the balance of beauty and protection that allows them to thrive, reminding us that true strength often lies in what shields us. The thorns grant not only allure but the strength to endure in a world full of threats, making them even more captivating." "Under her guidance, the once-overgrown garden bloomed with life, its thorns standing proud amidst carefully pruned beauty." Chapter 8: – The Unseen Threat. Chapter 8 - ¨C The Unseen Threat.9 days later, The once neglected and tangled space was now a beautiful, mysterious garden filled with black roses, their sharp thorns glistening under the sunlight. The garden had taken on an elegant, formal style, with symmetrical flower beds, neatly trimmed hedges, and a central pathway leading straight to the entrance of the palace. The ground was covered in a soft carpet of dark, velvety petals, creating a stark contrast with the sharp thorns that seemed to guard the space with an air of silent authority. The roses, standing tall in their clusters, exuded an aura of strength, their deep black hue hinting at a hidden power beneath their delicate appearance. The fragrance of the roses wafted through the air, a blend of subtle sweetness and earthy tones, mingling with a spicy, woody scent. The atmosphere felt alive with the refreshing aroma, an intoxicating mix that filled the senses, drawing visitors into the very heart of the palace''s essence. Soft whispers of wind carried the fragrance further, weaving it into every corner of the palace grounds. The air felt charged with magic, as though the garden itself had become a living testament to the strength and grace of the one it now adorned. It was now a palace worthy of its name¡ªThe Black Rose Palace, a place where beauty and danger intertwined in perfect harmony. Inside Evelyn''s chamber, Evelyn stretched her arms and let out a soft sigh, her fingers digging into the plush comfort of the bed she had finally reclaimed. The soft rustling of the sheets echoed through the room as Cassy stood beside her, unwavering, awaiting instructions. Evelyn glanced at her, a tired but satisfied smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Evelyn: "Ah... I''m so tired. Callie, I''ll be resting for a few days. I won''t be seeing any visitors." Cassy: "But all the work was done by the servants, Your Highness." Evelyn, exhausted from the exertion of the past week, jumped onto her bed as though she hadn''t rested in months. The weight of her responsibilities had finally taken its toll, and now she welcomed the comfort of the soft mattress. Cassy sighed, a knowing expression crossing her face. She bowed her head and quietly left the room, closing the door softly behind her. She understood that Evelyn would not be leaving her bed anytime soon. The princess needed this time to recharge, even if only for a few days. Evelyn fell asleep instantly, her body sinking into the comfort of the bed, her muscles relaxing from the intense work she had put in. Her breath evened out, and the stillness of the room enveloped her. The rest of the day passed in peaceful silence as she slept undisturbed. For the next few days, Evelyn didn''t bother to leave her room, allowing herself to recover from the exhaustion that had plagued her for so long. But that peace was shattered in the dead of night, when something unusual happened. In the quiet darkness, A figure cloaked in black silently entered through her window. The assassin''s movements were swift, careful, as he approached Evelyn''s bed, a gleaming knife gripped tightly in his hand. The night was still, the only sound the rustle of fabric as the man drew nearer to his target. However, just as he reached her bedside, a strange, glowing circle appeared on the ground beneath him. A pulse of soft light flared beneath his feet¡ªa glowing rune etched into the ground. His eyes widened in confusion, a single breath escaping him before everything went black. Before he could even react, he collapsed, unconscious, his knife slipping from his grasp. The next morning, Evelyn awoke, stretching lazily as the first rays of the sun peeked through the curtains. Her fingers brushed through her tangled hair, and as her eyes adjusted to the light, she froze, noticing the unconscious man lying motionless on the floor. A chill ran through her, her cold, calculating gaze narrowing. Evelyn didn''t even flinch. She simply stared down at the unconscious man. For a few moments, she studied the man in silence, her expression hardening. She knew exactly who was behind this. Evelyn (Thoughts): "...It must be the work of those nobles. Since I''m already aware of the bloody schemes and power struggles among the nobility... I was prepared for this, and now I''ve finally caught a rat." Evelyn: "Garan... Garan..." At her call, Gerald entered the room, bowing his head respectfully as he approached her. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Gerald: "Do you need anything, Your Highness?" Evelyn: "Take this man and throw... I mean, hand him over to the Royal Guards." Gerald glanced at the unconscious assassin with surprise, but he didn''t ask questions. Without hesitation, he complied, lifting the man''s limp form and carrying him off to the Royal Guards for interrogation. Two weeks later, Evelyn sat in her chamber, having just finished her breakfast. The silence was heavy, only broken by the soft sound of her utensils as she placed them down. She looked over at Gerald, who stood at attention, his face betraying a hint of disappointment. Evelyn: "Has there been any news from the guards?" Gerald: "No, Your Highness." His voice was laden with frustration as he bowed. Evelyn''s face remained serene, yet there was a subtle flicker in her eyes, a glimmer of anticipation that suggested she had already known this would be the case. Evelyn (Thoughts): "So, no news even after 2 weeks, even though an attempt on a princess''s life was made. To think that I, a powerless and unfavored princess, am still not safe. Hah... Looks like it''s time. I can handle things on my own, but I don''t like being disturbed while I sleep." She let out a quiet sigh and then turned to Cassy and Gerald, her gaze unwavering. Evelyn: "Can you bring me some people?" Cassy: "Who, Your Highness?" Evelyn''s voice was calm but firm as she described the individuals she needed, detailing the exact qualities and skills she sought. Cassy and Gerald exchanged a glance, a shared understanding passing between them before they nodded in agreement. They left the room, determined to fulfill Evelyn''s request. When they returned, Evelyn was standing by the window, gazing out at the garden. Her presence was commanding, her posture poised and graceful. As the group entered, she turned to face them, her sharp eyes assessing each individual in turn. There were five people standing before her: two girls with cyan-colored hair, a girl with reddish-brown hair, a woman who appeared to be about the same age as Cassy, and lastly, a young girl, no older than 12 or 13, with messy black hair. Her face was hidden beneath the wild tresses, her appearance suggesting as if she had never combed her hair before. Evelyn''s gaze swept over them, her expression unreadable. For a moment, there was silence. The tension in the room thickened, as if the air itself was waiting for something to happen. Then, in her usual calm, unwavering tone, Evelyn spoke. Evelyn: "Do you know why I called for you?" No one answered. The silence pressed in, but Evelyn didn''t mind. She already knew their answer. She just needed to hear it from their lips. Chapter 9: – In The Shadow Of Fading Light. Chapter 9 - ¨C In The Shadow Of Fading Light.In an ancient place, The wind howled fiercely, carrying an ominous chill through the air, rustling the once vibrant leaves that hung from dying trees. The flowers, once in full bloom, were slowly withering, their colors draining as if life itself was being siphoned from them. The rivers, once full and flowing with crystal-clear water, were gradually drying up, leaving behind cracked and barren riverbeds. The great trees, towering and proud, stood like silent sentinels, slowly dying, their branches devoid of life as leaves fell to the ground, lifeless. The very land seemed to groan in pain, as though it, too, could feel the weakening of the life force that once thrived within it. Inside a grand chamber, A group of figures sat around a large stone table, their faces tense with worry. Their eyes darted from one another, the weight of the situation pressing down on them like an invisible force. The air was thick with unspoken fears, and each person knew the gravity of the discussion that lay ahead. "My lord''s ''Essence'' is growing weaker, and weaker day by day" one of them spoke, voice shaking slightly with concern. "The life force that sustains him, that sustains us all, is dwindling. If this continues, not only will we lose our lord, but the very life force of our world will wither away with him." Another voice joined in, filled with quiet urgency, "Our lord''s ''Essence'' is intrinsically tied to the Heart of the world. If it fades beyond recovery, the clan will cease to exist, and the balance that keeps this land alive will shatter." The room grew silent, the reality of the situation settling like a heavy cloud over them. The great world they had known, the land they had cherished for centuries, was slipping through their fingers like sand. Without their lord''s ''Essence,'' there would be nothing left to hold the world together. A figure of high rank, garbed in ancient robes, stood from their seat. Their face was calm, but eyes spoke volumes of the burden they bore. The figure addressed the room with quiet authority, their voice steady despite the gravity of the moment. "There is no time left," The figure said, their tone leaving no room for doubt. "We can no longer wait for the situation to resolve itself. We must act now. It is time to send our lord to find it." A murmur of agreement passed through the room. The others knew what they meant. There was a way to restore the lord''s ''Essence,'' a way to save the world, but it required something more than mere power¡ª time. The lord must find the it as soon as possible. But there was a cost, none could say what would become of their world if the journey failed. The air in the room grew thicker, the tension mounting. With the weight of their world on their shoulders, they all realized the impossible truth: Only by sending their lord on this unknown journey could they hope to save everything they held dear. But would it be enough? Would their lord succeed in finding it before it was too late? With a final, resolute look, the high-ranking figure turned to leave. "I will tell him," they says in a calm voice. "Time is slipping away." And as the figure exited, the room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the sound of distant winds that seemed to echo the fate of a dying world. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Cristiane Empire Black Rose Palace In the Princess''s Room- The golden rays of the setting sun filtered softly through the tall, arched windows of the Black Rose Palace, casting long shadows across the velvet-lined chamber. The scent of fresh roses lingered in the air, faint but present, as a small group of girls stood before the Princess of Cristiane. Evelyn''s presence alone was commanding silence. She was standing in front of the group and observed them for a moment¡ªeach girl standing upright, awaiting her words. Evelyn: "Do you know why I called for you?" They: "No, Your Highness." Their response was swift, spoken with confidence. None of them showed guilt or confusion¡ªalmost as though they believed they had done nothing to warrant her attention. Evelyn''s lips curled into a faint smile. Evelyn: "I have some tasks for you." A brief pause. The girls glanced at one another, brows furrowing. They: "Tasks?" The word lingered uncertainly in the air. Evelyn turned away and walked towards a deep crimson couch adorned with golden embroidery. She sat gracefully, one leg crossed over the other, her eyes never leaving them. Evelyn: "I suspect there are spies within the palace. Your task will be to keep watch¡ªon everyone. Take note of movements, conversations, subtle changes. Report back to me directly. Do not confront anyone. If we simply eliminate them, more will come. But if we observe... they will lead us to the roots." They: "Understood, Your Highness." Evelyn gave a single nod of approval. Evelyn: "Now... what should I call you?" A girl with soft cyan hair stepped forward with her identical-looking sister beside her. Lily: "I''m Lily, and this is my sister, Lora." Evelyn''s gaze moved to the girl with reddish-brown hair. Ella: "I''m Ella." Another young woman, with an elegant posture and calm voice, spoke next. Melinda: "Melinda, Your Highness." One by one, they introduced themselves¡ªuntil only one remained. A girl with black hair, her head lowered, stood in silence. Evelyn''s gaze softened, but her voice remained composed. Evelyn: "And you? What is your name?" The girl hesitated. Her lips trembled as she struggled to form the words. Her voice came out broken, uncertain. "I... don''t... name... Black hair... called... everyone..." Her words stammered, her pronunciation distorted and weak. It wasn''t fear¡ªSomething else. Evelyn watched her in silence, thoughtful. Evelyn (thoughts): (It''s quite normal. It would''ve been strange if she had a name. She must have suffered a lot, which resulted in her speaking like this. Not to mention not having name, people with black hair and red eyes in this empire... they aren''t even considered human.) She stood and walked towards the trembling girl, her voice turning gentler. Evelyn: "We can''t just call you ''Black hair.'' Since you don''t have a name, then let''s give you one. Hmm... What do you think of Clair? It means ''Bright.''" The girl''s shoulders began to shake. Her head dipped lower, and soft sobs escaped her lips. She cried silently¡ªtears for the name she had never been given, for the acknowledgment she had never received. Evelyn reached out and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. Evelyn: "I don''t like cowardly people. My people must be strong enough to ignore the barking of dogs." The girl¡ªClair now¡ªslowly lifted her tear-streaked face, her gray eyes glistening with something unfamiliar: hope. Evelyn: So, will you be able to carry out the task properly? Lily, Lora, Ella, Melinda, and Clair: Yes, Your Highness. They answered confidently. Evelyn dismissed them, and they left the room to return to their duties. Evelyn walked back to the couch and sat down. Cassy, who had been quietly watching, turned to Evelyn. Cassy: Your Highness, you... Evelyn: I know what you want to ask. Don''t worry. They are perfect for this job. As for why... you''ll understand in time. Cassy: If you say so, Your Highness. Cassy bowed and left the room with Gerald. Evelyn picked up a book titled "Literature of Christiane" out of boredom and began to read. In the Afternoon, In Evelyn''s Room, Evelyn was lounging on the chaise, a plate of snacks beside her, engrossed in her book. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, disrupting her peace. She sighed, clearly annoyed, before calling out. Evelyn: "Who is it?" Cassy: "Your Highness, Young Master Rochester has come to visit." Evelyn: "Rick has arrived... Very well, let him in." Cassy: "Yes, Your Highness." The door creaked open, and Edrick stepped in, looking every bit the part of the well-dressed noble. He was in a blue suit, his posture straight, exuding an undeniable charm. Yet, there was something more¡ªa strange, powerful presence hanging around him. Evelyn''s gaze sharpened. Evelyn (thoughts): (To think I didn''t notice something so important that day...) Evelyn whispers, "E.L.S. Scan Body." Ding... [Body Scanning in progress.] Ding... [Body Scanning completed.] Ding... [Detected the presence of a familiar.] S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ding... [Information of the familiar.] [ Familiar Name: Lightning Bird.] [ Type: Elemental Beast.] [ Rank: Emperor.] [ Ability: Lightning, Thunder, Fly.] [Summoning age: 9.] [Status: Sleeping.] Evelyn (thoughts): (An Emperor rank Elemental Beast... I did heard that he summoned his familiar at the age of 9. So, it''s indeed an Elemental Beast, and an Emperor-Class one at that. Truly deserving of the title of genius.) [The four elements¡ªFire, Water, Wind, and Earth. There are also two rarest elements¡ªLightning and Ice. Many mages have these attributes, but not many manage to summon an Elemental Beast familiar. Beasts with elemental powers are known as Elemental Beasts. Summoning magical beast familiars is no easy feat, requiring abundant mana and the acknowledgement of the beast. That''s why those who manage to summon powerful beasts are highly respected in this world. Lightning and Ice are the rarest elements, and the beasts tied to them are even rarer. They are seen only once every century.] Evelyn (thoughts): (To summon such a rare Elemental Beast, he must have an abundant amount of mana.) Evelyn continued to think, staring at the information panel. Edrick thought she was staring at him, but surprisingly, he didn''t feel as annoyed as before. Cassy cleared her throat, seeing Evelyn distracted. Evelyn snapped out of it and shifted her gaze away from the panel and it disappears. Evelyn: Ah, hi, Roddick. Please, take a seat. Edrick: Please don''t call me that, Your Highness. Edrick sat down on the couch opposite Evelyn. She smiled calmly, still relaxed. Evelyn: Come on, just think of it as a nickname. Edrick: No need. I don''t like being called anything other than my name. Edrick said, his face stern. Evelyn listened intently, as if taking his words seriously. She looked like she understood his point. Evelyn smiled at Edrick. Evelyn: Understood, Nick. Edrick: It''s not Nick... E.D.R.I.C.K. Edrick. Edrick nearly shouted but controlled himself and said politely. Evelyn: Yeah, I know, Rick. Evelyn looked as if she hadn''t even been listening to him. Edrick stopped explaining, too tired to keep arguing. Evelyn: So, what brings you here? Edrick: What, can''t I even come to see my fianc¨¦e? Evelyn: Of course, you can. Edrick: This palace has changed quite a lot since before. Evelyn: I know, right. Cassy brought some snacks and placed them on the table before Edrick. Evelyn began reading her book again without paying much attention. Edrick, seeing Evelyn''s behavior, grew a little frustrated. Edrick: Is this how you treat a guest? Evelyn: You came to see, right? You''ve seen, and now you should go back. Evelyn said carelessly, still focused on her book. Edrick was confused. How could a person change so much? Edrick (thoughts): (She''s so indifferent. She wouldn''t even have spoken to me in such a cold, distant way before.) Suddenly, Edrick came to his senses and stood up abruptly. Edrick (thoughts):) (What''s wrong with me? Why do I feel sad about it? Ah...) He shook his head and looked at Evelyn, who was still engrossed in her book. He bowed slightly, placing a hand on his chest. Edrick: I should take my leave for today, Your Highness. Evelyn: Yeah, sure. Edrick stared at Evelyn for a moment, then left the room. Evelyn slowly lifted her head from her book and looked in his direction. She wondered what had gotten into Edrick today. After a while, she refocused entirely on her reading. Chapter 10: – Whispers In The Moonlight. Chapter 10 - ¨C Whispers In The Moonlight.Time passed by quitely within the Black Rose Palace. the air within the Black Rose Palace was calm, as though the building itself had fallen into slumber. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Moonlight streamed gently through the tall windows, casting pale silver patterns across the polished floors. All was still, save for the quiet footsteps of a handful of servants who moved like shadows¡ªsilent, precise, and swift. Within Evelyn''s chamber, the atmosphere was anything but idle. The young princess, draped in an elegant nightgown of pale ivory, sat poised on her couch, legs tucked beneath her. The flickering light of a single lamp bathed her features in soft glow. Cassy stood nearby, arms crossed, her gaze sharp but unreadable. She had noticed the subtle changes in the palace recently¡ªsmall things that only someone observant would catch. The five girls entered quietly, each moving with a practiced grace that no longer bore signs of hesitation. One by one, they stood before Evelyn, each awaiting their turn. Cassy, stationed at the side, said nothing. She merely watched. Evelyn glanced at them and then gently nodded. Evelyn: "Go ahead." Lily stepped forward first, her cyan hair tied in a simple braid. Her expression was composed. Lily: "I kept watch around the east wing and the kitchen areas. There''s nothing unusual with the maids or the kitchen staff. However... one of the guards from the night patrol¡ªSir Hauser¡ªwas lingering longer than necessary. I pretended to drop a tray and caught his reflection in the glass. He seemed... watchful. Too watchful." Evelyn: "And did he see you?" Lily: "No, Your Highness. I moved before he noticed I was observing." Evelyn nodded, thoughtful. Evelyn: "Good work." Lily stepped back, her sister Lora coming forward next. They looked nearly identical, but Lora''s energy was more reserved. Lora: "I monitored the laundry room and servant quarters. One of the junior maids, Flora, has been asking unusual questions. She pretends to be interested in idle gossip, but always turns the subject to the Princess¡ªasking where you spend your time, who you speak with, even your moods." Evelyn: "Did you confront her?" Lora shook her head. Lora: "No. I pretended to be clueless and responded vaguely, as you instructed." Evelyn: "Good." As Lora stepped back beside Lily, Cassy raised an eyebrow. These girls, whom she had assumed were just timid little servants, were carrying out their tasks with remarkable precision. Next came Ella, her reddish-brown hair pinned up in a neat bun. Ella: "I watched over some servants and supply rooms. There was nothing unusual during the day, but during the evening I noticed one of the servant boy sneaking out a wrapped package. It was too small for food or tools. I followed him discreetly and found he handed it to someone at the back gate¡ªsomeone cloaked." Evelyn: "Did you identify the person?" Ella: "No, Your Highness. The angle was too poor. But I recognized the guard on duty who let them pass. I''ve memorized his face." Evelyn''s expression didn''t change, but her fingers briefly tapped the armrest in thought. Evelyn: "Noted. We will act on it later." As Ella returned to her place, Melinda, the cook, moved forward. Unlike the others, her presence was more grounded, calm like a still lake. Melinda: "The kitchens remain mostly neutral. No one dares breathe a word of gossip where heat and knives dwell. However, I did overhear a conversation between a maid and the head gardener. They were whispering about ''the new imperial mage.''" Evelyn tilted her head. Evelyn: "And how is that relevant?" Melinda: "Because the one speaking was a maid named Jena. She''s not usually present during kitchen hours, yet lately, she''s been showing up often. The way she used the phrase ''new imperial mage'' didn''t sound literal¡ªit was too deliberate, too repeated. I suspect they''re using it as some kind of code to exchange information." Cassy''s gaze flickered with interest, but she stayed silent. Evelyn''s expression turned thoughtful, unreadable. Evelyn: "Keep observing her. Quietly." Melinda bowed. Melinda: "Yes, Your Highness." Finally, Clair approached, slower than the others. Her black hair framed her pale face, and her gray eyes shimmered with a mixture of determination and quiet emotion. Clair: "I... I watched. Storage rooms. the corridors. Near the... west wing. One night. I heard. Someone.. whispering." She struggled with her words, but continued, her voice stronger with every breath. Clair: "They... They said. ''She''s too young. How could she know?''. And the other said... ''It doesn''t matter. Orders are orders.'' Then they left. I followed... but lost them." Evelyn leaned slightly forward. Evelyn: "Could you identify anything¡ªclothes, voice?" Clair shook her head. "Too dark. But. Remember. Scent. Smelled like.. burnt wood and.. herbs." Evelyn''s gaze darkened for a second. Evelyn: "Good. You did well, Clair." Clair''s eyes welled up slightly at the praise, but she didn''t cry this time. She stood a bit taller as she returned to her place. Cassy had remained silent throughout the entire exchange. Now, however, her expression softened. She looked at the five girls again¡ªhow they stood without fidgeting, how they responded promptly, how they understood Evelyn''s instructions without needing reminders. She remembered Evelyn''s words from earlier that week: "They are perfect for this job. As for why... you''ll understand in time." Now she did. Cassy finally understood. They were no longer just servants. They became Evelyn''s shadows¡ªloyal, clever, and unnoticed by those who underestimated them. They didn''t need swords or spells to protect the princess. They used information. And in this cold abandoned palace, information was the sharpest weapon. Evelyn clapped her hands once. Evelyn: "You are dismissed for tonight. Rest well. Report again tomorrow." In unison, the five girls bowed. "Yes, Your Highness." As they filed out, Cassy remained behind, watching Evelyn as she moved silently to the large window overlooking the quiet courtyard. The moon hung high in the sky now, framed perfectly in the glass. The gardens below were dim, shaped in silver shadows. Evelyn placed a hand against the window pane. Her reflection stared back at her¡ªsmall, delicate, with eyes far too old for her six-year-old frame. She didn''t say a word. Cassy hesitated, then approached. Cassy: "Your Highness?" But Evelyn didn''t respond. Her mind was somewhere far away, lost in thoughts only she could comprehend. She looked like a girl carrying a weight no one could ever decipher. Cassy didn''t press further. She took a step back and left Evelyn in silence. The moonlight bathed the room, and the only sound was the gentle rustling of the wind outside the palace walls. Chapter 11: – What Remains After Grief. Chapter 11 - ¨C What Remains After Grief.They said time dulled pain. That it smoothed out the sharp edges of grief, wore it down until all that remained was a dull ache buried deep inside. Edrick Rochester disagreed. Even now, six years later, he remembered everything. The scent of lilac perfume clinging to his mother''s gown. The way her hands would card gently through his hair when he fell asleep in her lap. The sound of her laughter echoing down the long corridors of the Rochester estate, turning stone and silence into warmth. And then¡ªsilence. No lullabies. No soft arms wrapping around him. No warmth. Just a sea of black clothes and whispering adults. A funeral too grand for a four-year-old heart to understand. Edrick was only four when his mother died. Old enough to remember. Too young to make sense of it. He sat now at the edge of the training grounds behind the estate, his wooden practice sword resting across his knees. The late afternoon sun filtered through the trees, throwing gold streaks across the ground. A breeze tugged at the edges of his blue hair, which had grown a little past regulation length. The golden eyes in his reflection stared back from the surface of the polished blade¡ªcold, sharp, and focused. Just like his. Just like his father''s. Tutor: "Your stance faltered again." Came the clipped voice of Sir Harven, his combat instructor. The man crossed his arms, face unreadable. Tutor: "Again." Edrick said nothing. He didn''t bother explaining that his stance had shifted on purpose¡ªto better counter a different angle. It didn''t matter. Explaining weakness never changed anything. He rose silently and went back through the forms. Precise. Calculated. Unyielding. Sweat trickled down his brow and into his eyes, but he blinked it away. Again. And again. Until his shoulders burned. Until he felt nothing but the rhythm of movement. Until Sir Harven finally dismissed him with a nod. He didn''t thank him. He bowed once and left the training grounds, boots crunching lightly over gravel. "You can rest now, Young Master." The words never came. They never did. There were no rewards for effort. No soft pats or gentle encouragement. Only correction. Expectation. Perfection. After his mother''s death, the world had changed overnight. His father, the Grand Duke of Rochester¡ªonce a man of fierce presence but hidden warmth¡ªturned to stone. The transformation had been subtle at first. No more storytelling before bed. No more early morning walks in the rose garden. And then, not even eye contact. The man who had once hoisted Edrick onto his shoulders to show him constellations now barely acknowledged his existence. He buried himself in statecraft, ledgers, military strategy, and letters from the capital. His study door remained shut for hours. Days. Weeks. Staff learned quickly not to disturb him. So Edrick learned, too. He learned to stay silent when his father entered the room. He learned to recite law and military history before he could read poetry. He learned to hold a sword before he could whistle a tune. Tutors replaced caretakers. Expectations replaced affection. And yet, a part of him still waited¡ªwaited for the door to open, for his father to look at him and see the boy he once held in his arms. But that never came. Back in his chambers, Edrick pulled off the sweat-soaked tunic and poured cold water from the basin over his head. The sting brought clarity. His gaze drifted toward the bookshelf near the window. Tucked on the bottom shelf was a book, old and worn, with faded pressed flowers between its pages¡ªhis mother''s favorite. He hadn''t touched it in a long time. Carefully, he knelt and pulled it free. When he opened it, a flower petal drifted out, landing silently on the floor. He stared at it. And just like that, memory hit him. A warm summer day. Sitting in her lap beneath a willow tree. Her voice, humming softly, reading the very same book aloud. He remembered her words. "You must always try to understand and love people, Edrick," she had whispered. "Even if they''re hard to love." Even if they''re hard to love... His chest ached. "Master Edrick" A hesitant voice came from the door. The door creaked open, revealing a maid with wide eyes. Maid: "The Grand Duke requests your presence." His heartbeat faltered. It had been weeks since his father called for him directly. He stood up immediately. Edrick: "Understood." _______ The hall leading to the Grand Duke''s study was long, cold, and lined with portraits of stern ancestors. The carved doors at the end loomed like a gate to another world. He knocked once. Grand Duke: "Enter." His father''s voice was as emotionless as ever. Edrick stepped inside. The room smelled faintly of ink and old parchment. The Grand Duke sat behind a grand oak desk, quill in hand, eyes not even rising to meet his son''s. Grand duke: "You missed the diplomatic seminar yesterday." The grand duke said without preamble. Not even looking towards him. Edrick: "I was assigned extra training hours by Sir Harven." Edrick replied, standing at full attention. His father made a small mark on the page. Grand Duke: "That''s no excuse. Time management is expected." Grand Duke: "...Understood." The silence stretched. Then, finally, the Grand Duke looked up. His eyes cold and unreadable. Edrick fought not to flinch under the weight of that golden gaze¡ªso similar to his own, and yet completely devoid of warmth. Grand Duke: "You''re ten now," The Grand Duke said flatly. Grand Duke: "It is time you began preparations for the midwinter council. You will attend alongside me." Edrick''s breath caught. The Midwinter Council? It was a place of noble strategists, generals, and tacticians. Children were rarely invited¡ªonly heirs deemed truly ready. Edrick: "Yes, Father." Edrick said, bowing his head low. The Grand Duke turned back to his scroll. Grand Duke: "You may go." That was it. Dismissed. Edrick bowed once more and left the room, his mind a blur. __________ That night, Edrick sat at the edge of his bed, staring out the window. The estate was quiet. The stars glimmered above. Somewhere in the distance, an owl called. He should have been proud. He was finally being acknowledged. Trusted to represent the Rochester house in front of the Empire''s most powerful nobles. And yet... all he could feel was hollow. It wasn''t him being acknowledged. It was the version of him they molded. The flawless heir. The relentless swordsman. The boy who never cried. He clenched his fists. Edrick: "I''ll become perfect." Edrick whispered into the dark. Edrick: "So perfect you''ll have no choice but to see me." A quiet knock on the door startled him. He turned quickly. It was Harold, the old butler. One of the few who still treated him like a boy and not just a heir. Harold bowed. Harold: "Your evening tea, Young Master." Edrick: "Leave it." But the man didn''t move. After a moment, he said softly, Harold: "Your mother used to sit at this very window. Every night. She said it helped her feel less alone." Edrick''s throat tightened. Harold: "She would hum lullabies to the stars. I remember her voice was soft, but it filled the room." Edrick: "...Why are you telling me this?" Harold simply gave him a sad smile. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Harold: "Because it''s alright to remember her. Not just the grief. But the joy, too." Edrick looked away, hiding his expression. Edrick: "...Thank you." Edrick said finally, his voice almost too quiet to hear. After Harold left, Edrick sat alone with the cup of tea cooling beside him. He looked out again at the sky. For a moment, he imagined her sitting beside him, humming gently. And in that moment, just for a second, the storm inside him quieted. Chapter 12 – The Stillness That Bleeds. Chapter 12 - 12 ¨C The Stillness That Bleeds.The early morning air at Black Rose Palace was crisp, carrying the scent of dewed grass and a faint woody aroma drifting in from the courtyard''s edge. Sunlight spilled through the tall glass windows of the north wing, casting long, golden bars across the marbled floors. A hush rested upon the palace corridors, broken only by the occasional whisper of footsteps or the rustling of trees outside. Thin, silvery threads of rain was falling from the overcast sky, each droplet light and fleeting. They tapped softly against the windows and leaves, barely wetting the ground, as if the clouds were testing the earth with a tentative touch. The palace was just waking¡ªstill drowsy, still quiet. Except for Evelyn. She sat cross-legged on a cushion beside the arched window of her private chamber, the hem of her silken robe brushing against the cool floor. Her small fingers rested on the cover of a thick, worn book. Though the page was open before her, her eyes were focused far beyond the text¡ªbeyond the walls, beyond the columns of sunlight streaming in. Evelyn: "Third lap." Her voice broke the stillness. Across the room, Cassy¡ªfeather duster in hand¡ªlooked up from the vase she was cleaning. Cassy: "Third lap of what, Your Highness?" Evelyn didn''t respond right away. She tapped her index finger lightly against the open page, her gaze still fixed on the window. Evelyn: "The laps Clair takes before delivering her report. She''s watching the second-floor corridor near the east side." Cassy blinked, stepping slightly closer. Cassy: "You can see that far?" Evelyn: "No. But I don''t need to." A beat of silence followed. Cassy frowned, her eyes drifting to the window, then back to Evelyn. Cassy (thoughts): [ She''s not even looking at Clair... How can she tell?] The morning passed like a well-rehearsed play¡ªeach act unfolding with quiet precision. One after another, Evelyn''s five maids entered the chamber throughout the hour, their steps soft, movements rehearsed, and voices low. Each one knelt or bowed in turn before offering her their reports. First came Lily, the most talkative of the group, though today she kept her tone subdued. Then Lora, composed and poised as always. Ella followed, cold and composed. After her came Melinda, cool and grounded, flour still dusting the hem of her apron. Lastly, as expected, Clair¡ªprecise in timing, silent in movement. None of them raised their voices. Their words flowed in clipped, quiet exchanges¡ªlike messages passed beneath the surface of normalcy. Cassy stood to the side, not daring to interrupt. She watched Evelyn instead. Despite being the youngest in the room, Evelyn commanded the space effortlessly. She didn''t bark orders, didn''t assert herself physically¡ªbut none of them dared treat her as anything less than a superior. Not one maid spoke with condescension. Their tone was always precise. Measured. Respectful. Almost... reverent. Cassy: [ She understands everything they say without needing to ask twice.] Evelyn responded with few words. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Evelyn: "Noted. Good work. Stay alert." And nothing more. No questions, no clarification. Just acknowledgment¡ªand that was enough. When Clair finished her part, she hesitated. Just for a moment. Clair: "The head maid. Acting suspiciously. A few changes. Patrol schedules as well." Evelyn: "Observe. Do not interfere." Clair bowed and left. Silence returned, like a curtain falling on the last act of a play. Cassy, still rooted in place, stepped slowly toward Evelyn. The girl hadn''t moved since Clair''s departure. Her eyes were once again lost in the distance, beyond the rain-splattered glass. Cassy: "They... they all knew exactly what to do." Evelyn didn''t answer. She rested her chin against her hand, brows slightly furrowed. Cassy: "None of this is coincidence, is it? The change in guards, the strange movements... even that phrase Melinda mentioned the other day..." Evelyn''s gaze didn''t shift, but her voice did return¡ªsofter, edged with warning. Evelyn: "It''s starting." Cassy: "Starting what?" A stillness fell again. Then Evelyn whispered¡ª Evelyn: "A purge." Cassy sucked in a breath, nearly dropping the duster in her hand. Cassy: "But... but we''re not at war. There hasn''t been a single skirmish in¡ª" Evelyn closed the book on her lap with a soft thump. Evelyn: "Wars don''t start with armies. They begin quietly. With missing papers. Poison. Eyes that see too much." She turned slowly, her pale lashes catching the light. Evelyn: "It''s already begun." Cassy swallowed. Her voice came out smaller. Cassy: "Why do you think so, Your Highness?" Evelyn didn''t answer right away. Her gaze wandered, but not in confusion. It was the gaze of someone sifting through memory. Of someone weighing thoughts too old for their face. Evelyn: "...Nothing. After all, life is a battlefield full of uncertainties." Cassy: [ That doesn''t sound like a child. Not like any six-year-old I''ve ever known. Is she really the same princess I once knew? Can a head injury change someone this much?] The hours drifted by like petals on water. The sunlight faded into gray. The quiet of the palace thickened like fog. Evening fell quietly, like velvet laid over stone. Cassy had long since been summoned to assist in the lower wing. Evelyn didn''t ask where or why¡ªshe already knew. That wing had seen unusual movement these past two days. It was only natural for someone to be watching it now. And now, she was alone. She stood by the arched window again, her silhouette framed by the deepening gloom. Outside, the garden was glistening with soft spring rain, droplets clinging to the petals of the black roses that lined the hedge. The flowers, proud and still, swayed ever so slightly as if bowing beneath an unseen weight. She pressed her small hand against the cool glass, her breath leaving a faint mist on the window. Her forehead followed, resting against the pane. The silence wrapped around her like a cloak. Evelyn: [ They think they can control me by watching me.] Her breath was slow. Even. Her eyes, narrowed. Evelyn: [ But I''m not someone who anyone can control. At least not anymore.] She closed her eyes and let her thoughts drift. ¡ªA man''s voice screaming someone''s name. ¡ªA throne drenched in blood. ¡ªA sigil burning in fire. Memories that no six-year-old should have. Memories that should have been lost with death. But they weren''t. Not for her. Evelyn: [ They don''t know who I am.] Not really. Not yet. They saw only the porcelain doll. The arrogant little girl. They didn''t see the sharp mind behind her blue eyes. They didn''t see the blood-soaked past hiding behind her small frame. Her fingers curled slightly against the window. Something had begun to shift. The five maids had reported in succession¡ªeach seeing fragments of a larger picture. Servants with unfamiliar brooches. Cloaked figures speaking with servants. Patrol changes. Ciphered whispers passed between maids. Every thread pulled tighter now. Tighter and tighter. And Evelyn knew that. This palace will no longer be quiet anymore. Evelyn remained at the window. Still. But within her, something stirred. The wind outside howled briefly as the clouds shifted. The garden bowed under the wind''s weight. And Evelyn¡ªporcelain, poised, perfect¡ªwatched with narrowed eyes. Her voice was a whisper¡ªheard only by the rain and the stars. Evelyn: "They think they''re watching me..." She raised a hand, brushing her fingers lightly over the glass. Evelyn: "...But they have no idea¡ª every step they take is already within my grasp." Chapter 13: – The Prophecy. Chapter 13 - ¨C The Prophecy.The night fell like ink spilled across parchment¡ªslow, thick, and inevitable. Black Rose Palace lay hushed in shadow, the air thick with the kind of silence only the deep hours of night could carry. Its stone walls were bathed in silver moonlight, the rain from earlier having cleared, leaving the skies clean and sharp. The roses in the garden¡ªmidnight-black with glistening petals¡ªstood still, their scent damp and heavy. A pale glow dripped through the latticed windows, bathing Evelyn''s room in silver. No breeze stirred the drapes. No footsteps echoed in the corridors. Evelyn slept in her chamber, curled beneath soft quilts, her breathing slow and even. The candle at her bedside had long since flickered out, leaving only the cool light of the moon to spill across the floor. Her tiny form shifted beneath the embroidered quilt, brows furrowed, lips parted slightly as she twisted in her sleep. The stillness around her was deceptive, for within her slumber, a storm raged. But her mind was not at peace. A dream clung to her like the scent of blood on silk. ______ Blood. It marred the marble like molten rubies¡ªthick, hot, and unforgiving. A girl no older than sixteen stood amidst chaos. Screams echoed faintly, as if from a great distance. The clash of steel had long died down, replaced by the silence of death. The great throne hall lay ruined, corpses scattered like discarded dolls, the crimson trail of slaughter leading to the foot of the dais. Upon the throne, a lone figure still sat. A man. With a crown on his head. Aging but proud, his crown sat heavy on his brow, eyes locked onto the girl who had become death incarnate. He did not tremble. Did not call for mercy. He was injured, his robe torn, his crown tilted. Yet he smiled. A low, humorless chuckle escaped his lips as she approached, sword gripped tight in her hand. "So," he said, voice low, tired, almost fond. "It ends with you, then." The girl stepped forward slowly, sword dragging behind her with a metallic hiss. Her eyes, cold and unblinking, never left his. She said nothing. Armored guards lay strewn across the hall¡ªnone spared, none standing. "A pity..." he rasped, voice tinged with both weariness and pride. "But... I always knew this day would come eventually." He slowly raised his gaze to meet the girl''s eyes, not with fear¡ªbut recognition. "I expected no less from my blood." A pause. "This throne," he murmured, "is not given... it is taken." With one final step, she raised her blade. It gleamed, red and wet, under the flickering light of dying flames. And then¡ª A single, clean stroke. ¡ªand his head fell to the floor with a soft thud. His crown rolled from his head with a hollow clang, coming to a rest near her blood-soaked feet. She stood alone¡ªsurrounded by death. Soaked in red. ________ Evelyn''s eyes flew open. She jolted upright, her chest heaving. She sat up sharply, her breathing shallow. Her white hair clung to her temple with sweat, and her fingers clutched at the sheets, knuckles pale. She remained motionless for a while, listening¡ªto the night. To the nothingness. To the past that refused to let her go. For a long moment, she sat still in the darkness, her pale hair damp against her forehead. The room was quiet¡ªtoo quiet. Only the wind whispered past the shutters. She reached up, pressing a hand to her chest. The heartbeat beneath her ribs was too fast, too loud. She could still smell the iron tang of blood. But there was no blood here. No blood. Only the distant howl of wind and the moonlight pooling on the rug like pale silk spread across the floor. She exhaled slowly, letting her shoulders fall. Then, with practiced ease that belied her years, she slipped out of bed and padded barefoot to the tall window that overlooked the garden. Her feet made no sound as she moved. She pushed open the window just enough to let the cool air kiss her cheeks. Her small hands trembled slightly as she rested them on the frame. Outside, the moon hung low and full, casting silver light upon the world below. The black roses, drenched from the earlier rain, glittered like obsidian under moonlight. Not a soul stirred in the garden. The world seemed asleep. But Evelyn was not. She pressed her palm to the cold glass, resting her forehead beside it. Her eyes¡ªthose hauntingly mature blue eyes¡ªstared not at the moon, but through it. Beyond it. Her breath slowly steadied, but sleep would not return. She didn''t expect it to. It''s really tiring. Even after so many years... It''s still haunting. She didn''t speak aloud. There was no need to. The moon was her only audience. She closed her eyes slowly. Minutes passed. Maybe hours. The girl stood still, watching the stars move ever so slightly across the sky. Somewhere in the distance, a bell tolled quietly, marking the fifth hour. She didn''t move. ___________ Morning came. Far from Black Rose Palace, in the heart of the palace, the Grand Hall of Cristiane awakened to a formal gathering. Sunlight poured in through the tall stained-glass windows, painting the chamber in hues of ruby and gold. The murmur of courtiers filled the air¡ªnobles in rich garments, scribes with scrolls, and guards in polished armor all taking their places. At the far end of the hall, beneath the twin banners of the Empire, stood the imperial thrones. Empress Florina De W. La Cristiane sat upon the higher seat, sovereign of the land, cloaked in the finery of her station. Her posture was sharp, regal, commanding the chamber without uttering a word. Her gaze swept across the court¡ªcold and discerning, missing nothing. At her side sat Emperor Curtis Rosenberg, her consort, a figure of calm and elegance. Auburn hair fell in soft waves to his collar, catching faint traces of light. His expression remained inscrutable, green eyes flickering with unread thoughts. Guards aligned the perimeter with steel discipline. Robed officials shuffled scrolls. A guard stepped forward to announce the arrival of the High Priest Harven. The guard''s voice rang out, clear and respectful. "Announcing High Priest Harven of the Temple of Spirits." A stir rippled through the court. The man who entered was seldom seen outside the Temple of Spirits. Clad in flowing lavender and silver, the elderly priest moved slowly, each step deliberate. His hands were wrinkled like dry parchment. His eyes¡ªthough faded¡ªwere unwavering. Surprised murmurs stirred at the sight of him. The Empress''s brow lifted slightly. Empress Florina: "You rarely leave the Temple. What brings you here with such urgency, High Priest?" High Priest Harven bowed deeply, voice solemn. Harven: "Forgive the abrupt visit, Your Majesty. Last night, a prophecy has descended¡ªone I could not ignore." A flicker passed through Curtis''s gaze, though his face remained still. The Empress gave a slight nod. Empress Florina: "Oh, a prophecy. That''s rare. What was it?" The High Priest stood upright, voice resonating clearly in the hushed chamber. Harven: "This prophecy bore no name, only words." He began to recite: "The stars shall blink, the sun shall fade, When blood once lost calls fate unswayed. Veiled in white through shadowed skies, Born of silence, death, and lies. She walks where broken empires rise, With hands to bless or hands to burn, The world shall shift when silence turns." Silence descended over the court. Curtis''s gaze sharpened. Slowly, he turned his head toward the Empress, but she remained still, unreadable. As the prophecy was recited, Curtis found his mind drifting¡ªunbidden¡ªto an image of a girl with white hair. Then, just as quickly, he dismissed the thought. The forgotten one. The daughter of the late Emperor consort. Evelyn. He frowned. It had been years since he last thought of her. Rumors said she lived quietly in Black Rose Palace, powerless and insignificant. No one of consequence. But still¡ª Curtis''s thoughts drifted back to the prophecy. Veiled in white... born of silence... Curtis: [ Just because she has white hair doesn''t mean she is the one. The prophecy might not even be speaking of color or appearance.] He exhaled slightly, shaking off the absurdity of the idea. And yet, despite himself, the image of Evelyn lingered. A forgotten child in an abandoned palace. Then he shook his head, scoffing inwardly. Curtis: [ No. That child? Impossible. A powerless, discarded child. There is no reason to connect her with such divine words.] He clenched his jaw and turned his focus back to the court, refusing to let the stray thought take root. The words of the prophecy hung in the air, their weight suffocating as the High Priest stood still. Curtis''s fingers twitched slightly, but he kept his composure. His mind raced, but his expression remained cold as marble. Harven: "I believe the prophecy speaks of a child whose fate will bring either great salvation or ruin. We do not know her name, nor her face, only the words that came through the divine. But her presence will bring change, either to restore¡ªor to devastate." The silence in the hall was almost tangible. Everyone seemed to be holding their breath, eyes flicking between the Empress and Emperor. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Empress''s gaze remained fixed on the High Priest, her lips thinning. Empress Florina: "A child, then. God speaks in riddles, and they''re often more trouble than they''re worth. But you say she will either restore or ruin. That speaks of great power." Curtis shifted uncomfortably. A quiet stirring inside him threatened to give voice to thoughts he knew better than to entertain. Curtis: [ Why does that child keep appearing in my mind? Hah... am I going mad? There''s no way... Absolutely no way she''s related.] Still, the words of the prophecy lingered like smoke in his lungs. Curtis: "Prophecies are like storms. Some can be solved, some cannot. Why press on it too soon?" The High Priest lowered his gaze. Harven: "Yet this one feels different, Your Majesty. It does not speak of the future alone, but of a blessing. The Empire has long been... unraveling. Perhaps this child is the thread to mend it¡ªor to pull it apart entirely." The room fell into another silence¡ªbut this time, it trembled with unease. The nobles exchanged glances, sensing that the undercurrents running through the court were shifting. The High Priest''s words were not lost on Curtis, who couldn''t help but reflect on the vague murmurs from the court. Curtis: "Enough. This is idle speculation. We are an empire, not a gathering of fortune-tellers. The prophecy, like all others, will remain a riddle." He rose to his feet, signaling the end of the discussion. His tone had hardened, as had his posture. Curtis: "Prophecies are riddles. They bend to the interpretations of those who wish to see something in them. We must not waste time chasing phantoms." The Empress remained seated, her face unreadable. Empress Florina: "Very well, High Priest. We will treat this prophecy as we have treated all before it¡ªuntil it proves itself worthy of attention." The High Priest bowed deeply, his expression solemn. High Priest Harven: "As you wish, Your Majesty. We shall leave the interpretation to time." The court resumed, turning toward mundane affairs¡ªborder disputes, merchant complaints, diplomatic letters. But the mood had shifted. The prophecy lingered. Curtis sat in thoughtful silence, though he listened to the voices around him. His gaze, now distant, remained troubled. A child who can bless or ruin...