The thick summer air of the palace garden shimmered with heat and purpose. The sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting a molten-gold veil across the now-kneeling figures before Evelyn. Their vow hung in the air, echoing in each heart.
Evelyn studied them—each face marked by a different emotion: awe, determination, disbelief, and hope.
She broke the silence with calm authority.
Evelyn: "Melinda. Claire. Your turn. How has your progress been?"
Melinda stepped forward first, a slight smile on her lips. Her short dark hair was tied up in a practical bun, and her apron peeked out slightly beneath her coat.
Melinda: "I've been reading the book on poison cuisine you gave me, Your Highness. I've tried making several samples using small doses—safe, non-lethal ones. I kept the antidotes ready, just in case."
Cassy's eyes widened. "You... fed poison to someone?"
Melinda gave a slight chuckle. "To myself. I wouldn't risk others."
Lily blinked. "Wait. You poisoned yourself?"
Melinda: "I've tested some of the milder recipes, adjusting the dosages and ingredients to better understand how they interact. The effects were precise and efficient."
She lifted her sleeve and tapped the skin of her arm.
Melinda: "Actually i was born different, Your Highness. My body doesn't react to most toxins. Even before this, no matter how potent the substance, it has no effect on my body. My family even forbade me from telling anyone."
A hush fell over the group. Even the quiet rustling of leaves in the wind seemed to pause.
Evelyn said nothing. Her expression remained calm—measured. But her eyes lingered on Melinda a moment longer than usual.
Evelyn (Thoughts): Of course, I already knew about it.
Melinda: "My body doesn't reject poison. It absorbs it… almost like it recognizes it as part of me. That's why I'm able to experiment without fear. I can taste, feel, and analyze everything firsthand."
Evelyn nodded.
Evelyn: "Perfect. Control and understanding are everything in your path. And you're brave. But don't overstep. Keep antidotes and counteragents always within reach."
Melinda bowed slightly. "Yes, Your Highness."
Then Evelyn turned her gaze to the youngest among them—Claire.
Claire looked up with wide eyes, a little startled. She stepped forward hesitantly, twisting the hem of her sleeve. Her voice, as always, was soft and slightly halting.
Claire: "I... I read the book you gave me..."
Her cheeks flushed with effort as she spoke.
Claire: "I memorized some... And I'm trying to. Understand more. Hard. But I'm not. Giving up. I'll get better. I promise."
Evelyn gave her a long look—measuring not her ability, but her resolve.
Evelyn: "You've taken the first step. Understanding those is no small feat. Just keep going. Learn one a day if you have to. Your pace isn't the issue—your heart is."
Claire blinked, then nodded vigorously. "Yes, Your Highness. I'll do my best."
Evelyn turned, and her eyes landed on Ella last. The fire that danced in Ella's soul was visible even in her posture—straight, solid, unwavering.
Evelyn: "Ella. You've been progressing faster than I expected. But be warned. Even steel breaks if over-forged. Don't burn yourself out. This is a siege, not a charge."
Ella stepped forward, head bowed.
Ella: "Understood, Your Highness. I won't disappoint you."
Evelyn looked over them all—no longer mere girls from the servant quarters. They stood straighter now. Something in them had changed. Something had awakened.
Evelyn: "Starting tomorrow, the next phase begins. Weapons training. Magic control. Strategy. And above all—bonding. From now on, you are not separate individuals. You are a team. Comrades. If one falls, the rest must be ready to carry them."
Their expressions shifted—some afraid, others excited—but all solemn.
Evelyn: "You are no longer merely servants of this palace. You are all now my guardians—my shadows."
A breathless silence fell.
Then, as one, they dropped to a knee.
All: "We vow to follow you, Your Highness. With everything we have."
Evelyn's lips curved into a rare, quiet smile. Not of joy—but of resolve. She saw before her not just trainees. They were seeds—fragile, yes, but fierce. And if nurtured right, they would become an unstoppable storm.
______
The next morning began before dawn.
The old training ground beyond the southern part of the black rose palace—long abandoned—was lit again. A low fire crackled in its hearth, illuminating training dummies, weapon racks, chalk circles, and a broad wooden floor.
The Black Rose Palace had once belonged to the legendary Empress Alexandra, whose name still echoed in the annals of war and strategy. The training ground had been hers. After her death, it faded into disuse, forgotten and layered in dust—until now.
Evelyn stood at the center, wearing a simple blue training dress—comfortable and efficient.
Cassy yawned as she stumbled in with Gerald. Ella arrived next, alert and composed. Melinda, Lily, Lora, and Claire followed. Each wore plain but flexible clothing—gear fit for motion without drawing attention.
Evelyn's voice rang out, sharp and clear.
Evelyn: "Today, we train as one. You'll rotate between three stations: weapons mastery, magic flow, and cooperative strategy. Gerald, you'll take charge of close combat and weapons. You're a knight—you have experience. These girls come from different paths, but they must all learn to defend themselves."
Lora blinked. "Us...?"
Evelyn: "Yes, you are all talented, but talent is raw—it needs to be sharpened. And when you're completely cornered, you'll need other skills to survive. After all, no one knows when the unexpected will come, so it's better to have one skill more than you think you need. I'll be watching you all closely."
Gerald stepped forward, cracking his knuckles.
Gerald: "Alright. No slacking. I want one-on-one drills first. Let's go."
______
Hours passed.
Sweat dripped from brows.
Melinda crouched behind a dummy, calculating weak points and toxin absorption paths through fake wounds. Her eyes were analytical, coldly focused.
Cassy sat beside a chalked rune circle, slowly redrawing ancient characters with precise strokes.
Lily tried to levitate three pebbles in rhythm, her magic flickering like fireflies.
Ella sparred with Gerald, her dagger clashing again and again against his sword.
Evelyn watched it all—her gaze hawk-sharp.
Then she clapped her hands.
Evelyn: "Break. Water. Breathe."
They scattered.
Ella walked over to Cassy and offered her a water bottle.
Ella: "You're doing great, Cassy. That rune looked clearer than before."
Cassy smiled shyly. "I copied it from memory... it's getting easier."
Melinda flopped beside them, wiping her forehead.
Melinda: "I tried poison frosting on a biscuit this morning. Would've passed off as regular sugar."
Ella raised a brow. "And... you tried it?"
Melinda: "Of course. I'm practically unkillable with most poisons now."
Cassy blinked. "You say that like it's normal."
Melinda: "Normal's overrated."
They laughed softly, a thread of growing warmth between them.
Lora groaned from the side.
Lora: "Gerald fights like a walking fortress. I need a strategy book just to get past his footwork."
Gerald called over. "That's the point. Anticipate—don't just react."
Evelyn stepped back into the center, her tone shifting again to command.
Evelyn: "You're here to sharpen your strengths and learn how they work together. Lily, your magic is nimble, but too delicate under pressure. Melinda, your knowledge of toxins is impressive, but your reliance on it makes you predictable. Cassy, your mind is quick, but you are too slow. Lora, your potential shows — but your focus is inconsistent. Ella, you're all fire, but you need to temper it. Claire, you're focused, but you hesitate too much. All in all, each of you has a long way to go."
They turned toward her, listening seriously.
Evelyn: "Each of you holds a piece of the weapon I need. And when joined, you won't just be a team—you'll be a storm."
Their breath hitched.
Evelyn: "Rest. Tomorrow, we go harder. Week by week, you'll break and rebuild. Fail, and rise again. I will accept no less."
And though their limbs ached and the sun blazed above them, not one faltered.
They nodded.
Together.
And so began the fire forging the shadows of the princess.
They were no longer servants.
They were Evelyn's guardians.
And They will not let her down.
~ To be Continued ~