I Have Reincarnated Yet Once Again-Chapter 18: – Pages Of Power.

The soft rustling of pages echoed through the Black Rose Palace as the servants flipped through books unlike any they'd seen before. Each of Evelyn's guardians-in-training had been given a specific book, handpicked by the princess herself. These books were far from ordinary.

Among them, Ella stood frozen in the middle of the corridor, staring at the title embossed in dark ink on the leather cover of her book.

"Deadly Shadow."

Her fingers trembled slightly as she turned the first page, a faint chill running down her spine. Before she could read further, she turned on her heel and made her way toward Evelyn's study, the book clutched tightly to her chest.

______

The late morning sun filtered softly through the stained glass windows of the Black Rose Palace's library. Vibrant hues of blue and gold danced across the polished floor, brushing against the hem of Evelyn's dress as she was seated near the open window, soft sunlight filtering through her white hair as she was reading a book seriously.

When Ella arrived, she saw Evelyn reading a book by the window. She looked serene, almost too calm for someone who had delivered a deadly assassin's manual to a palace maid.

Ella's gentle knock broke the calm.

"Your Highness," came Ella's soft voice.

Evelyn turned slightly. It was Ella, the quietest among her guardians, holding a book in both hands as though it were some dangerous artifact. Her brows were furrowed, eyes unsure.

Ella: "I... Why did you give me this book?"

Ella asked in a low voice, almost like she was asking a life and death question.

Evelyn's lips curved with amusement as she looked at the book on Ella's arms.

Evelyn: "You mean Deadly Shadow?"

Ella nodded, her brow furrowed.

Ella: "This book... it's not a normal book, is it?"

"No," Evelyn said simply.

Evelyn: "It's a record. Of someone who once ruled the world from the shadows."

The book felt alive in her grip, its weight a quiet threat.

Ella: "I've never read anything like this. It's... frightening."

Ella's expression shifted. The name "Deadly Shadow" wasn't unfamiliar—stories of the infamous assassin still drifted through the dark corners of history. A phantom that terrorized empires three centuries ago, the Deadly Shadow was known for her eerie precision and chilling promises.

'Deadly Shadow' was a name long buried in the annals of assassination history. Three centuries ago, in the vast Cargo Empire, the name evoked silence and terror. Stories told of a ghost-like killer who left no trace, no scent, no shadow. She was a phantom who moved with the wind, who never failed.

Before every kill, she would leave behind a letter for her target — a chilling message with the date and time of their death. No one ever escaped. No fortress, no army, no amount of power could stop her. She delivered death with precision and disappeared before anyone could blink. The world had dubbed her the number one assassin of all time.

And yet, Evelyn had handed this terrifying book to Ella.

"I thought you might ask that," Evelyn said, walking closer. Her hands were clasped behind her back, her steps slow, purposeful. "There is no rule that an assassin cannot be a guardian."

Evelyn: "This book contains all of her techniques, her paths of thought, her methods."

Ella: "But... why me?"

Ella asked, unsure whether to feel honored or terrified.

Evelyn placed a hand gently on Ella's shoulder.

Evelyn: "Because, Ella, an assassin isn't just a killer. An assassin can be a guardian. A shadow that protects from the dark, silently. Do you know why I placed you last among my guardians?"

Ella shook her head. "No, Your Highness."

A mysterious smile appears on Evelyn's face.

Evelyn: "Because you will be my ultimate mystery. My hidden blade. You will be my seventh guardian, the assassin — The Deadly Flower."

Evelyn said, her voice low and full of confidence. free𝑤ebnovel.com

Ella's breath caught. The weight of Evelyn's belief in her pressed against her chest. She wasn't confident in herself — not entirely. But Evelyn's unwavering conviction, the way she believed in her without doubt... How could she trust her so much?

The way Evelyn said it... that unwavering tone, the way her gaze pierced through hesitation — it stunned her. The Deadly Flower? Her? But she wasn't even sure she deserved to stand beside the others. Her past... her darkness...

Still, Evelyn's certainty was absolute.

Inside, something stirred in Ella. Something that had been sleeping. The Deadly Flower, she repeated inwardly. Fine. If that was the role the Princess trusted her with, she would not falter. She would be the thorn-laced bloom that cut down all dangers. No threat would reach Evelyn.

Dropping to one knee, she lowered her head in solemn resolve.

Ella: "I understand. I will not disappoint you. I will learn everything in this book, Your Highness."

The question of why the book looked brand new, despite 'Deadly Shadow' vanishing decades ago, never once crossed Ella's mind.

Evelyn smiled. She could see it already — the blooming of a killer cloaked in silence, hidden beneath loyalty and steel.

—

Not long after, the rest of Evelyn's chosen came to her, each with similar confusion painted across their faces.

Melinda was the first to speak, arms crossed and a frown carved between her brows, held up a thick, leather-bound book with an uneasy look.

Melinda: "Your Highness, I don't mean to question you, but what is this? A cookbook? No, that's not it... This is a tome on poison cuisine. What did you give this to me?"

Beside her, Cassy clutched a thick manual filled with obscure runes and ancient war tactics. "Mine is... it is a summoning grimoire.?"

Gerald, the most composed of them all, stood silently without saying anything.

Evelyn faced them calmly, her expression unreadable.

Lily: "Mine is—"

Before Lily could finish. Evelyn stops her.

Evelyn: "I know you're all confused and I will answer your questions. But not right now."

"But Princess—" Cassy began.

"I said not now." Evelyn's voice carried an unusual steel, quiet but sharp.

Her tone left no room for argument.

Evelyn: "You must read these books. Memorize them. Practice their teachings. Each one was selected specifically for the person I gave it to."

"But Princess," Cassy started, only to be cut off.

"I know you have doubts," Evelyn said, turning to her with a softened expression.

Evelyn: "But trust me — you all have potential you've buried or never even realized. For now, read them. Memorize them. Practice. The day will come when the answers will be clear."

Cassy looked stunned.

Still uneasy, the group slowly departed. With their heads slightly bowed, one by one they left the room, still puzzled but unable to ignore the strange confidence that Evelyn radiated.

But just as they began to leave, Cassy turned one last time.

"I don't understand... But, I'll try," she murmured.

Evelyn smiled, a rare warmth lighting her face. "That's all I ask."

—

When the room fell silent once more, Evelyn waved her hand lightly. A shimmering panel materialized mid-air, glowing with soft blue light.

>>>

[Character Information]

[Name: Lily ]

[Identity: Maid of the Black Rose Palace (Twin sister of Lora) ]

[Relation: Servant ]

[[ Skills:

Cooking: Basic (22)

Combat: None (0)

Defence: None (0)

Agility: None (0)

Intelligence: Average (19) ]]

[Abilities: Chores, laundry, cleaning ]

[Special Ability: None ]

[Characteristics: Cheerful, Determined, a bit silly. ]

[Potential: Has potential for magic ]

[Defining Trait: Loves her sister deeply; finds Evelyn adorable ]

[Backstory: A commoner who adored magic since youth, but never dared to dream of becoming a mage due to her birth.]

>>>

[Character Information]

[Name: Lora ]

[Identity: Maid of the Black Rose Palace ]

[Relation: Servant ]

[[ Skills:

Cooking: Adept (15)

Combat: Basic (10)

Defence: Novice (7)

Agility: Beginner (5)

Intelligence: Clever (27) ]]

[Abilities: Household work. ]

[Special Ability: Can imitate swordsmanship with sticks. ]

[Characteristics: A bit defensive, strong-willed, determined. ]

[Potential: Great potential for swordsmanship if trained properly. ]

[Defining Trait: Fiercely protective of her sister. Finds Evelyn cute. ]

[Backstory: Aspired to become a swordmaster since childhood but was denied the chance due to social status.]

"Why do they both think I'm cute?" Evelyn muttered under her breath, slightly flustered. "Must be a twin thing."

She nodded thoughtfully at Lora's status panel. "Swordmaster in disguise. She just needs the right push."

She moved on to Melinda's profile.

>>>

[Character Information]

[Name: Melinda ]

[Identity: Head Chef of the Black Rose Palace.]

[Relation: Servant ]

[[ Skills:

Cooking: Highly Skilled (49)

Combat: None (0)

Defence: None (0)

Agility: None (0)

Intelligence: Clever (29) ]]

[Abilities: Culinary arts, cleaning.]

[Special Ability: Immune to poison. ]

[Characteristics: Hot-tempered, very strict.]

[Potential: None. ]

[Defining Trait: Respects Evelyn, Tries to maintain politeness in front of Evelyn. ]

[Backstory:

Born into a bloodline immune to poison—kept it secret for fear of persecution. Applied to the palace to pursue her dream of cooking. But she got assigned to the Black Rose Palace. Even though the princess always throwed tantrum over food and she always complaint, she still fulfilled her duties diligently. ]

Evelyn's expression darkened a little.

"Poison immunity... if trained well, she could be a formidable poison master."

She remembered someone like that from long ago. The thought made her chest tighten.

With a shake of her head, she cleared the thought away and opened the next panel.

>>>

[Character Information]

[Name: Ella ]

[Identity: Maid of the Black Rose Palace.]

[Relation: Servant ]

[[ Skills:

Cooking: Decent (12)

Combat: Proficient (24)

Defence: Vigilant (20)

Agility: Adept (14)

Intelligence: Sharp (34) ]]

[Abilities: Cleaning, basic chores.]

[Special Ability: Skilled with sharp objects like knives. ]

[Characteristics:] Quiet, dark aura, dangerous when angered. ]

[Potential: Natural killing intent when provoked. ]

[Defining Trait: Has a bleak view of the world; occasionally has suicidal thoughts.]

[Backstory:

Survived an attempted assault in her youth. Killed her attacker with a glass shard. Since then, grew quiet, withdrew into herself and trained obsessively with blades. ]

Evelyn's brows drew together.

Such high combat and defense stats, yet no one noticed. If not for the system, even she might have overlooked Ella's potential. But now she saw clearly — Ella was a perfect seed for an assassin.

Ella's stats weren't just good—they were exceptional for someone without formal training. She was a natural-born killer... but Evelyn didn't want a killer. She wanted a protector cloaked in shadow.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips.

"The system is stingy," she muttered. "It never gives high stats easily."

She glanced briefly at her own panel—her cooking, nearly flawless, still stubbornly capped at 94.

"Perfection is always just out of reach."

But that was fine. It just meant she had more room to grow. And so did they — her guardians, her chosen ones.

One by one, she would awaken their hidden strengths.

And when the time came, they would not only protect her — they would become legends.

~ To be continued ~