Marked by the Ruthless Princess

As the dawn's first light touched the ornate rooftops, the palace maids in the Hall of Temperance were already sweeping away the last traces of melting snow. Lina Riley sat down on the steps outside the hall, hesitating briefly before settling in to watch two young attendants silently busy themselves in the courtyard.

On her very first day of reporting for duty, Lina had discovered that all the maids here were unable to hear. At first, she assumed they had been mistreated. Later, Beatrice Byrd explained that she had taken in many orphans over the years, training them in useful skills and eventually helping them secure stable positions.

Lina's opinion of Beatrice improved significantly upon learning this. But before that thought could fully take root, Beatrice managed to undo it by steering every conversation back to the Crown Princess. It seemed Beatrice would stop at nothing to see a match made between Lina and Lucille Everard.

Lina couldn't accept this. Serving royalty was like treading on thin ice—who would want to sleep beside a tiger?

Just as these wild thoughts filled her mind, the door behind her opened, and Beatrice's voice drifted out: "You're early today."

Beatrice sounded worn out. When she came to sit beside Lina, Lina noticed her exhaustion immediately. "Dr. Byrd, are you feeling unwell?"

Beatrice's eyelids drooped; she looked as if she hadn't slept. Late last night, after returning to the estate, the Crown Princess had suddenly taken ill. Although the episode wasn't as severe as before, she retained just enough awareness for Beatrice to administer a sedative. They had struggled for quite some time before Lucille stabilized, allowing Beatrice only a brief rest.

Beatrice sighed, "I didn't sleep well."

Lina, who had also been troubled by sleepless nights, recalled Beatrice's persistent matchmaking attempts. She teased, "Why not seek a marriage partner for yourself, Dr. Byrd?"

At that, Beatrice seemed alarmed, waving both hands as if warding off evil. Her sudden reaction made her look fully awake, albeit frightened. "Don't jest! Instead of chasing that elusive notion of romance, I'd rather spend my time studying medical texts."

Lina found this exasperating. "Then why do you keep urging me into a situation that's unrealistic?"

Beatrice felt not the slightest guilt. "I'm a very good judge of compatibility. You and the Crown Princess are simply destined."

With a smug grin, she added, "My eyes are better than any silly fortune-teller's love charms."

Lina watched Beatrice transform from a weary physician into an overexcited, almost scheming matchmaker. Words failed her. Deciding she'd had enough, Lina closed her eyes, hoping to ignore the nonsense.

What kind of person could stay by the Crown Princess's side and remain so...unhinged? Had Beatrice grown this strange after serving Lucille for so long? Lina shuddered at the thought that she herself might become this eccentric one day.

While Lina spiraled into private worries, Beatrice chattered on relentlessly. "On Easton Lane, Madam Johnson and Shopkeeper Sullivan are quite the pair. And those two seamstresses at the embroiderers' workshop? They were definitely making eyes at each other. Hey, why are you closing your eyes?"

Lina slowly raised her hands to cover her ears as well.

Beatrice snorted with laughter. "Don't doubt my insight! If you don't know them, let's discuss people closer to you. Take the second-place and third-place finishers in the recent military examination—I think there's real potential there!"

Despite covering her ears, Lina still caught those last words. Hearing mention of Winnie Wren and Willa Langley, she started. Maybe Beatrice was onto something. Intrigued despite herself, Lina lowered her hands and opened her eyes. "Why do you think so? They looked like bitter rivals during their match."

Beatrice suddenly grew grave, leaning in with a mysterious air. "The reason is…"

Lina's curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

If Beatrice truly had that much insight, did that mean Lina and Lucille might really...?

Beatrice cleared her throat dramatically. "Because I saw them meeting secretly deep in the woods the night before last."

Lina fell silent. She didn't know whom to blame—Winnie and Willa for getting lost in the wilderness at night, Beatrice for her gossiping, or herself for holding any expectations of Beatrice's so-called 'insight.'

Still, nighttime encounters could indeed be misleading. Lina sighed. "If Her Highness wishes, she could find someone far better."

Beatrice's earlier excitement waned into sleepy resignation. With a yawn, she said, "I know that. But for now, the best person to stay by her side is you. That's the plain truth."

Lina disagreed. No one was indispensable, especially not to someone as dazzling and capable as Lucille Everard.

Before they could continue, urgent footsteps sounded inside. The door burst open before either of them could react.

Danger prickled at Lina's nerves. On instinct, she pushed Beatrice aside and rolled away herself. The sound of ripping cloth was painfully clear: the shoulder of Lina's clothing tore as Lucille Everard's hand snatched the fabric. The Crown Princess stood where Lina had just been sitting, gripping a shred of cloth. She swayed, teeth clenched, as if battling some inner demon.

Beatrice's face went white. She instinctively hid behind Lina and gave a wry smile. "It's happening again."

Sensing Lucille's disordered state, Lina guarded Beatrice behind her and asked softly, "What's going on?"

Beatrice's face was filled with worry. "It's a side effect of the medication. It drives her mad, stripping away reason. You need to restrain her while I fetch the remedy to temporarily subdue the symptoms."

In that instant, Lina realized she'd stumbled onto a grave secret. Her own life felt more imperiled than ever. And worse, as soon as Lucille saw Lina shielding Beatrice, something in the Crown Princess snapped again. She attacked them both with renewed ferocity.

Lina felt bitterness in her throat. She couldn't possibly overpower Lucille right now, nor could she call for help. Years of court hush-ups suggested the Crown Princess's madness was carefully concealed. Alerting others would blow the cover off this dangerous secret.

But controlling Lucille would mean risking her own life. Lina desperately scanned her past-life memories for any advantage. All she remembered was how unbeatable Lucille was and how Lina had often had to flee for her life. Yet, somehow, she always managed to escape. If she did then, maybe she could do so again.

Steeling herself, Lina spoke solemnly to Beatrice: "Dr. Byrd, if I die here, please find that miracle doctor and help cure my sister."

Beatrice had been panicking, but these words shocked her into a confused pause. She was that doctor, after all. But Lina didn't notice Beatrice's expression. Instead, Lina lunged forward to grip Lucille's hands, hoping to wrest control. Lucille, however, reversed the hold and trapped Lina's wrists. Lina struggled, which only made Lucille tighten her grip. For a moment, Lucille seemed dazed, allowing Lina the chance to kick out and unbalance her.

They fell forward. Lina's head struck the floor, and the Crown Princess landed on top of her. Lina's vision swam with stars. She rolled forcefully, swapping positions. Lucille's body trembled. For the briefest moment, clarity flickered in her eyes before being eclipsed once more by confusion.

Lina wondered why Lucille had suddenly gone still. Then an odd warmth spread through Lina's body, accompanied by a faint scent of plum blossoms.