Marked by the Ruthless Princess

It was perhaps the best night's sleep Lina had enjoyed in a long time. No unexpected midnight visitors, no nightmares. Just peaceful rest.

In the copper mirror, she saw Daisy's hesitant expression. Lina asked, "What's bothering you? You look uneasy."

Daisy blushed, shaking her head too quickly. "It's nothing."

Yet as she denied it, her brush strokes turned heavier, tugging Lina's hair painfully. Lina hissed softly, making Daisy jump back in panic. "Forgive me, Miss!"

Lina turned, slightly stern. "You're hiding something. What's wrong?"

Daisy knelt, flustered. "I would never betray you, Miss!"

Seeing Daisy so frightened, Lina softened her tone again. "Daisy, we grew up together, like sisters. If something troubles you, don't hesitate to tell me."

Daisy's eyes grew moist. She looked up at Lina's face, then ducked her head, cheeks flushing red. Lina watched, guessing perhaps Daisy had a crush on someone. That wouldn't be a big issue. Daisy had yet to transform, and loving too early carried risks. Lina would need to give her good guidance.

Relaxing her serious facade, Lina teased with a smile, "So, you're in love? Who is it?"

Shocked, Daisy shook her head vigorously like a rattled bell. "No, that's not it!"

Lina was puzzled. "Then what is it?"

Normally she wouldn't press so hard, but Daisy's unusual nervousness was impossible to ignore. She was too straightforward to hide anything well, so if she'd managed to keep this secret, it must be serious.

But Lina's further inquiry only deepened Daisy's dilemma. Daisy glanced up at Lina's face once more. After a long struggle, she whispered timidly, "Can I really say it?"

Lina, worried but gentle, reassured her softly, "Of course you can. Whatever it is, you can tell me anything."

Moved by Lina's kindness, Daisy mustered courage. Her face reddened further, and she spoke as if diving off a cliff, "Miss, do you…like the Crown Princess?"

Lina was completely blindsided. She gaped, eyes wide in alarm, "Why would you think that?!"

Daisy, startled by Lina's outburst, shrank back. Stuttering, she explained, "Last night, you talked in your sleep all night. I listened for a long time but only caught the words 'Crown Princess.'"

The gossip, unexpected and hitting too close to home, made Lina's face burn scarlet. She had assumed Daisy's problem concerned Daisy herself, not Lina's secret dreams.

Hiding her flushed face, Lina forced calm into her voice, "What exactly did you hear?"

Daisy's cheeks turned crimson. She bit her lip, voice dropping as she mimicked softly:

"Crown Princess, does it hurt?"

"Your Highness~"

Horrified, Lina raised a hand to stop Daisy. "Enough, I get it."

No crack in the floor to escape through—Lina inhaled deeply. "I hold only reverent admiration for Her Highness, no romantic feelings."

Saying this out loud was dangerous. If Lucille learned of her indecent dreams, who knew what havoc might ensue?

Growing serious, Lina warned, "Keep this between us. Not a word outside."

Daisy, hands over her mouth, nodded vigorously. She started to swear an oath, but Lina stopped her. "No need. I trust you. It's late, I must head to the palace."

"Be safe, Miss."

Watching Lina's departing figure, Daisy realized she'd left Lina's hair unfinished. Alarmed, she considered chasing after her but knew it was too late.

After fretting for a moment, Daisy decided it wasn't such a big deal. The real trouble lay elsewhere. Sitting on the doorstep, Daisy worried aloud, "What if she has these dreams again and someone else hears?"

She tried to reassure herself, "Miss Lina's so dignified; she can't have that kind of dream every night. Don't overthink it."

Meanwhile, Lina noticed her half-finished hairstyle. Stopping her horse, she dismantled the hairdo entirely, then tied all her hair with a single red ribbon. Feeling lighter, she calmed herself and rode toward the palace.

At the palace gates, Lina dismounted, intending to tie her horse. Before she could, a young maid ran up and took the reins. "My Lady, please go ahead. The Crown Princess awaits."

Lina's expression tightened. Her role as a royal guard seemed unusual—no patrolling, no shifts, just immediate summons. Obviously Lucille's arrangement.

Guilty conscience weighed on Lina's heart. She'd had those scandalous dreams. Now she must face Her Highness again. Even a seasoned warrior could feel fear at such a prospect.

Each step closer felt heavier. The nearer she got, the slower she walked.

Inside the palace hall, Lucille occasionally glanced at the entrance. She'd scold herself inwardly and pretend disinterest. Beside her, Beatrice Byrd read a book, sighing happily at its contents.

Beatrice wore a green court dress today, hair styled by Lucille's servants. No matter how fine the attire, she looked awkward, slouching, chuckling at her book. Lucille's mood soured. She snatched the book, glanced at its pages, and tossed it away, disgusted. "Vile stuff."

"My book!" Beatrice protested, "You have no taste!"

Lucille frowned, planning to purge the palace library of such worthless texts. Watching Beatrice scramble for her book, Lucille grew more irritable.

After Beatrice retrieved it and sat down again, Lucille observed her friend. "I recall you never read such books. In just a month, you've changed so much."

Closing the book, Beatrice poured out stale tea and replaced it with hot tea. The gentle warmth and calm might have fooled someone else, but Lucille knew better. Beatrice's rare seriousness was the version of her Lucille was most familiar with.

"Isn't this better than brooding all day?" Beatrice asked softly. "Though you're a bit too noisy, tone it down."

Lucille eyed her suspiciously, "You're not…mad, are you?"

Beatrice gave a bitter smile, drinking her tea as if it were wine. "Not mad, just understood a lot recently. Never mind me. You keep looking at the door, waiting for Lina?"

Caught, Lucille feigned a snort. "Why would I think of her? You must've read too many silly books."

Beatrice didn't press, sipping her tea again. Silver strands in her hair glinted, a sign of recent hardship. Lucille's teasing halted. Concerned, she asked, "A month ago, you had no white hair. What happened?"

Beatrice downed another cup, smiling gently, "Don't worry, it's over now."

Lucille respected Beatrice's silence and refrained from prying further. She still didn't understand why Beatrice supported the idea of her and Lina together, but she let it go.

Snow fell steadily outside, a shallow layer coating the ground. It was a harsh winter. Military trials were risky in such weather, but Lucille had no choice. She needed talent she could trust. She couldn't go to war herself—her emotions were unstable.

Fate joked by sending Lina into her life, somehow steadying her mind. Though dark impulses lingered, she could control them now.

Beatrice watched the snow, reminiscing softly, "We met on a day like this, snowy and cold. Over a decade now."

Lucille scoffed, "You like snow? I don't."

Beatrice's warm memory chilled instantly. She said nothing. Lucille felt no need to elaborate. Snow annoyed her. Beatrice sighed, "You hate snow, I hate rain."

Lucille made no reply, focus drifting to the window again. At that moment, a red figure emerged through the flurries, gradually clarifying into Lina Riley. Instantly, Lucille's impatience vanished. She settled back down.

Beatrice caught every nuance and teased, "She's right on time. Don't make things difficult."

Lucille shot her a warning glance. Beatrice raised her hands in surrender.

Lina brushed off the snow and was about to kneel at the door when Lucille's voice sounded inside, "Come in."

Entering, Lina felt warmth and her numb ears recovered sensation. Looking at Lucille, Lina's cheeks flushed slightly. Thankfully, the biting wind had reddened her face already.

Beatrice grinned, "How did you sleep last night?"

Unimpressed, Lina maintained grace. "Thanks to your remedy, I slept well."

Beatrice smirked, pleased with herself, "With my methods, you can rest easy."

Lina's hero worship cracked. She deadpanned ironically, and Lucille intervened, "Stand aside."

Lina obediently took her place behind Lucille.

Lucille and Beatrice began discussing politics—plans to depose the Emperor and enthrone another. Lina's heart pounded. She shouldn't be hearing this!

Hearing Lucille's intention to replace Emilia Everard, Beatrice firmly objected, "Impossible. Victoria Ashwood cannot surpass the current Emperor."

Lucille didn't argue, just closed her eyes. Then she turned to Lina: "What do you think?"

Lina's eyes widened in shock. "Me?!"