Marked by the Ruthless Princess

Night had fallen, but Lina Riley seemed to have vanished into thin air. Only a few palace maids claimed to have seen her heading toward the abandoned quarters of the Cold Palace. Growing increasingly anxious, Sophia Riley joined the search party as they made their way there.

Pushing open the crumbling palace gate, the hinges protested with a harsh creak. Two maids stationed at the entrance appeared on edge. Sophia coughed lightly, noticing nothing unusual at first.

Inside, they found someone lying on the ground, dressed in thin garments, blood staining the snowy surface around her. The two trembling maids at the entrance were clearly terrified. They had attacked this woman and hadn't yet hidden the evidence. After all, it was rare for anyone to visit this forsaken place, let alone the emperor's personal attendant arriving unexpectedly today.

The taller maid, pale with fear, collapsed onto the ground. Sophia, shocked by the sight, approached quickly and checked for breath. Discovering that the woman was still alive, she brightened. "Quick, someone help! She's still breathing."

The maid who had accompanied Sophia was Autumn Clarke, one of the emperor's trusted attendants. With just a single glance, Autumn understood what had happened and turned to give a cold look at the trembling maids.

Royal scandals must never spread. Autumn ordered, "Take her to the Imperial Infirmary. The rest of you, follow me to search every corner of the Cold Palace."

Sophia watched as the injured woman was carried away. Just as Sophia was about to turn back, the victim opened her eyes and, upon seeing Sophia, cried out excitedly, "Sophia!"

Sophia was stunned. She had never entered the palace before, let alone met this person.

She wanted to question the woman, but before she could speak, the stranger fainted again. The wind blew sharply, and Sophia tightened her cloak. Turning to Autumn, she asked quietly, "Who is she?"

Autumn offered an apologetic smile. "That is the Fifth Princess from the time of Alexander Everard, the previous ruler. She suffers from madness and often ends up hurting herself. There's no need to dwell on it."

Alexander Everard had once been sovereign until Lucille Everard seized power. Most of Alexander's offspring were wiped out when Lucille took the throne. Apparently, at least one remained alive. Sophia didn't wish to probe further. She cared more about her missing sister's safety.

Unfortunately, the result was disappointing.

"No sign of Miss Lina. We even checked the dried-up well. She's nowhere to be found."

Autumn looked up at the moon. "Miss Sophia, you should return home with General Riley. I'm sure your sister is safe. Once we find her, we will send her back to the estate."

Sophia, though worried, knew this was the palace, not a place where she could linger at will. Forced to contain her anxiety, she replied, "I must trouble you, Aunt Autumn."

Autumn smiled with genuine fondness for Sophia's gentle courtesy. Such a pity the young lady's health was so fragile. After seeing Sophia and the general's men safely off at the city gates, Autumn's smile faded.

Returning to Tranquility Hall, she found the interior brightly lit. The Emperor, Emilia Everard, was clearly not yet asleep. Autumn Clarke had served Emilia since childhood, and they shared a special bond. Thus, she entered without formal notice.

Inside, the candles flickered dimly. Autumn trimmed the wicks, and the room brightened. Emilia, lying fatigued on the bed, looked up. Her worried expression eased slightly, and a hint of attachment shone in her eyes. "Sister Autumn."

Autumn sighed softly. "Your Majesty should not address me so."

The Emperor said nothing more, only gazing at Autumn in silence. Emilia's features were delicate, gentle rather than commanding. Yet years on the throne—albeit as a puppet—imbued her with an undeniable dignity.

Autumn knew what weighed on Emilia's mind but did not mention it. Instead, she asked casually, "How did Your Majesty find that Miss Lina Riley today?"

A fragile, lovely face drifted into Emilia's thoughts. She frowned, voice filled with annoyance: "A pretty face, but too frail."

Autumn understood that Emilia was resistant to the idea. She sighed inwardly. Emilia had been old enough to remember the brutal coup when Lucille Everard seized power. The massacre had left deep scars, making Emilia indifferent to all matters. She was now twenty and still unmarried, refusing all arrangements.

Lucille Everard clearly had her reasons. The day's banquet was likely intended to introduce Emilia to Sophia Riley, hoping it might spark a union. Better to avoid stating this outright, as it would only breed resentment.

Autumn gently reasoned, "The Crown Princess will have ways to address any health issues. I found Miss Sophia Riley graceful and well-mannered. She seems like a good person."

Emilia's face darkened, anger rising. She pressed her lips together. "Even you think so? But I do not. My father had over twenty children; now only I and Lucille remain. Catherine Everard's five children were reduced to one, rotting in the Cold Palace. Has that fiend not killed enough? And now she wants to kill my children too?"

Growing agitated, Emilia hurled a pillow across the room. Autumn quietly retrieved it. She knew better than to defend Lucille Everard now; Emilia wouldn't listen. She could only sigh inwardly.

At least Emilia regained some composure, lowering her voice to avoid being overheard. "If Lucille wants to tie herself to the Riley family, why not do it personally? After all, she and I are both Earthbound."

Autumn's heart clenched at the reckless words. She rushed over to cover the Emperor's mouth, looking around nervously. "Your Majesty, please be careful!"

Emilia blinked, signaling understanding, and Autumn let go. She scolded softly, "In the future, Your Majesty must watch what you say. The Crown Princess will not be pleased."

Emilia glared sullenly but dared not argue further. She'd calmed down but took petty revenge by disparaging the Riley family. "I don't want to marry. Sophia Riley can barely walk three steps without gasping, and her face is whiter than snow. And that second daughter of theirs wandered the palace without manners—what a family! None of them are fit for the royal household."

Autumn recognized this childish tantrum for what it was and did not argue. Instead, she worried silently about the absent Crown Princess. Where could Lucille Everard be so late at night?

Emilia's anger faded into weariness. Suddenly she remembered Lina Riley's disappearance. "Have they found the second Miss Riley?"

Autumn shook her head. Lina had made little impression at the banquet, always head down, never speaking.

"And you're not worried about the Crown Princess?" Autumn ventured.

Emilia yawned, half-lidded eyes betraying her exhaustion. "Worried about her? She needs no such thing. I'm going to sleep."

Autumn had no choice but to help Emilia settle in. The Emperor suffered nightmares and could only sleep peacefully while holding Autumn's hand. As the Emperor's consciousness slipped away, she murmured, "Sister Autumn, you're the only one I can trust."

Half-asleep, Emilia wouldn't notice Autumn's discomfort. In a way, that was fortunate.

Outside, the night was silent. Autumn gently pulled her hand free and tucked in the Emperor's blanket. Staring into the darkness beyond the window, she felt unaccountably restless, muttering under her breath, "Where is the Crown Princess? Hopefully nothing bad has happened."

Realizing her ominous words, Autumn lightly slapped her mouth. "Nonsense! The Crown Princess has heaven's favor. I take it back."

With this uneasy heart, Autumn waited all night. Just before the first rays of dawn, Lucille Everard finally returned. Overjoyed, Autumn rushed to greet her, only to sense something amiss. The Crown Princess looked… different. She was smiling, and it seemed genuine.

Lucille waved off Autumn's salute and stared coldly at the emperor sleeping on the bed. "Like a pig," she commented.

Autumn's heart leapt. She hurriedly lied, "Your Highness, the Emperor worried about you all night and only just now fell asleep."

Lucille's gaze fixed on Emilia's slack, drooling face. She spoke softly, "Is that so?"

Autumn nearly buckled under the tension. Just as she struggled for a response, Lucille said, "Never mind. Let her be. By the way, the second Miss Riley is in a side room near the Cold Palace. See that she's returned home."

Autumn released a breath of relief. "Yes, Your Highness."

Before she could leave, Lucille spoke again, her voice giving nothing away. "Do not frighten her."

Autumn's eyes widened in shock. She tried to glimpse Lucille's expression, but the princess's back was turned. Stifling her curiosity, she took her leave.

She found Lina Riley in a dazed state, looking as if her soul had fled. Curiosity gnawed at Autumn, but she dared not ask. She simply escorted Lina back to the Riley estate.

Once home, Lina's return stirred no special attention. Only Sophia came by to ask a few questions. Seeing Lina's exhaustion, Sophia wisely withdrew.

With Daisy Harper dismissed, Lina burrowed beneath her blankets, attempting to hide from the world. Who could understand her horror? She had awoken to find the Crown Princess beside her, and flashes of memory returned. She seemed to have dared to leave a Heavenblessed mark on the Crown Princess herself.

She recalled countless ways to die. Before fear could fully consume her, Lucille had awakened. Yet the Crown Princess didn't panic or rage at first. She merely wrapped her slender fingers around Lina's throat and smiled, beautiful but deadly. "Now that you've had your fun, it's time for your journey's end."

Lucille had truly intended to kill her. Lina had felt the increasing pressure, panic spurring her to fight back. She'd managed to pry Lucille's fingers away, surprising the princess. Lina understood Lucille's temperament from their deadly past encounters. Despite her danger, Lucille admired talent. With foreign powers stirring, she might spare Lina's life if Lina proved herself useful.

Yet Lina's heart was in turmoil. Her past life had been a nightmare of misplaced trust, lost limbs, and dead loved ones. She had worked so hard for another chance and would not let it end here.

As Lucille regained full clarity, two realizations dawned: one, that Lina possessed formidable strength; two, that Lina's face and scent stirred half-forgotten memories. Lucille took a careful look, something familiar surfacing in her mind.

Seeing Lina's tension, Lucille smiled almost imperceptibly.

Oblivious, Lina blurted out awkwardly, "I meant no offense, Your Highness. Considering what happened, how do you find me?"

What nonsense! Lina cursed herself. She intended to highlight her value, but the words sounded ridiculous.

To her astonishment, Lucille replied calmly, "I find you quite… agreeable."

Lina froze. "What?"

Lucille, amused by Lina's confusion, leaned in and lifted Lina's chin. "Pity that you aren't yet worthy of my regard."

The closeness made Lina's heart pound. She dared not look up. "Your Highness means…?"

Lucille released her chin and rose to dress. Lina's ears warmed at the rustle of clothing. She dared not turn around.

Lucille's voice drifted in from outside: "Prove your worth to me."

Relief and dread warred within Lina. Her life was spared, for now.

"If you fail to satisfy me," Lucille's tone was cool and detached, "I will return for your life."

The threat carried no warmth, and Lina curled up in frustration. Only after bumping her head did she cease thrashing about.

Finally poking her head out from under the covers, rubbing her sore forehead, Lina heaved a vexed sigh.