Marked by the Ruthless Princess

The world was silent. Snow covered the small courtyard, its whiteness blinding beneath the subdued sky. Though the footprints left by last night's visitor had been gently erased by fresh snow, Lina Riley's heart remained unsettled.

Her meddlesome elder sister, Sophia Riley, had gone to the palace at daybreak, leaving Lina alone to think calmly.

Leaning against the doorway, holding a small hand-warmer, Lina frowned slightly, lost in thought. Occasionally, a snowflake drifted beneath the eaves, which she caught on her palm and watched as it melted into a tiny pool of water. It trickled along her lifelines, stirring up countless memories.

So many days had passed, yet her right hand still felt unfamiliar. In her previous life, she had lost it so early.

Raising her right hand, she patted her face, the warmth of the hand-warmer still lingering on her skin. Again and again, she told herself, "Things will never be worse than before."

"Miss!" came Daisy Harper's cheerful voice, breaking the hush of the snowy morning. Lina looked up to see Daisy running over, cradling a long spear nearly as tall as she was. The spear's tassel, just below the blade, bobbed with her steps. Lina couldn't help smiling at the sight.

Once Daisy arrived, she stomped the snow off her boots and tried to shake the flakes from her head. Lina reached out to help, but Daisy refused, so Lina just watched helplessly.

When Daisy had shaken herself free of snow, she proudly presented the spear, pushing it forward as if offering a treasure. "Miss, I got it! They didn't make it difficult for me."

Lina nodded. She couldn't guess why Sophia was treating her so kindly all of a sudden, but for now, her sister's warmth brought some small advantages. At least the servants weren't as sharp-tongued anymore.

Handing Daisy the warmer, Lina took the spear. Its material was ordinary, and the lower part of the shaft was even cracked. None of that mattered—Lina knew her own strength.

At the moment she grasped the weapon, Daisy sensed a subtle change in her mistress, though she couldn't say exactly what. Lina stepped into the snowy courtyard, spear in hand, her lips curved slightly.

Like a blade cutting through a storm, Lina moved with deadly precision. Each thrust and strike of the spear sliced the whirling snowflakes, leaving Daisy astonished beneath the eaves. In Lina's mind, the swirling snow transformed into enemies from her past life, each move infused with lethal intent. Even from a distance, the sight was terrifying.

Daisy took an involuntary step back. Had she not known her mistress all her life, she'd suspect an impostor.

After finishing the last move, Lina tossed the spear into a nearby tree, where it quivered and hummed. Daisy snapped out of her daze and rushed forward, eyes alight with admiration. "Miss, you're even more formidable than the General!"

Lina found Daisy's excitement endearing. "Aren't you curious why I can wield a weapon?"

Daisy blinked, then answered honestly, "I would never mistake you for anyone else, Miss. Whether you have martial skills or not, you are still my mistress."

Though the weather was freezing, Lina's heart warmed at Daisy's unwavering loyalty. To hide her sudden emotion, Lina turned and entered the room. A deep breath steadied her, and her tears retreated.

Seated at the table, Lina poured tea. The clear tea reflected her image, and as she studied her face, she thought of the perils surrounding her. She set the cup down and glanced outside. Daisy was jumping under the tree, trying to retrieve the spear but too short to reach. After several futile attempts, Daisy trudged back inside, dusting off snow.

She muttered, "Miss should be more careful. This estate is full of opportunists. Next time, they might refuse to let you borrow a weapon."

Though young, Daisy worried constantly. In Lina's previous life, after losing her right hand and eyes, Daisy had become even more fretful.

Quietly, Lina asked, "Daisy, what do you think of the eldest miss?"

Daisy stiffened, uneasy. Still, she answered truthfully, "The eldest miss is very kind. Why ask this now?"

Lina couldn't be direct. Sometimes, ignorance was safer. "Would you be willing to serve the eldest miss?"

Daisy's eyes immediately reddened. She fell to her knees, tears streaming. "Miss, are you discarding me? If I've done wrong, punish me. Don't send me away!"

Alarmed, Lina helped Daisy up, wiping her tears. "No, I'm not casting you aside. But I've offended a very dangerous person. My life is uncertain. Following me could be perilous."

Daisy hiccupped, terrified yet determined. "Then I must stay by your side all the more, Miss. I'll protect you. Who dares harm you? Just say the word—I'm not afraid!"

Facing Daisy's tearful resolve, Lina remained silent, distressed. Daisy tried another approach, "If you don't want to name them, can you describe their appearance?"

Their appearance? Lina pictured that person's chilling smile and whispered threats under moonlight. Were it not Lucille Everard, Lina might find her beauty stunning. But since it was Lucille, only horror remained.

Pressing a hand against her racing heart, Lina sighed softly, "The moonlight was indeed beautiful."

Daisy tilted her head in confusion. "Huh?"

Before Lina could elaborate, someone called from outside, "Second Miss, the Fifth Princess requests your presence."

Lina clenched her fists, controlling her emotions. "I've caught a chill. It's not convenient to meet guests."

Shuffling sounds approached. Lina recognized that gait, slightly unsteady but persistent. Even blind in her past life, she'd grown adept at recognizing people by their steps. Victoria Ashwood herself had come.

A pair of pink embroidered shoes stepped inside, accompanied by Victoria's soft voice, "Second Miss, are you unwell?"

Lina did not want to look at her. After a proper greeting, she kept her head lowered. Her reply was deliberately vague, "My health has always been poor. Yesterday's nightmares left me feverish. Your Highness should keep a distance to avoid catching anything."

Victoria noted Lina's lowered head, the same timid posture as before. She relaxed slightly. Only the spear embedded in the courtyard tree caused doubt. Yet with fresh snow covering all traces, a lone weapon proved nothing. This was the general's estate, after all.

Countless schemes raced through Victoria's mind. She recalled meeting Sophia earlier that day—Sophia had evaded her politely. Victoria had tasted power before. She wouldn't relinquish it easily. Reginald Riley held military authority, and Sophia was cherished. Lina, though less favored, possessed remarkable talent. Either sister could be useful.

Privately, Victoria disdained Lina's plain looks and dull personality, far inferior to Sophia's in her eyes. But she couldn't place all her bets on one person. Lina might be easier to manipulate.

Feigning concern, Victoria scanned the humble room. "This place is too simple. You deserve better."

Lina fought down nausea at the false kindness. "My father is honest and frugal. He treats me no differently, but I never lack for food, clothing, or travel."

Victoria's smile froze. The response was true but strangely unsettling. Compared to her own former life in the Cold Palace, Lina's situation wasn't so bad.

Eyeing Lina closely, Victoria saw only a cringing figure. Her suspicions eased. She sweetened her voice, "We've met before. From the first moment, I felt a special bond between us, so I came to see you today."

Lina's stomach churned at the deceit. She clenched her fists, trembling with restrained fury, which Victoria mistook for fear. Victoria's gentle tone and caring words seemed genuine. Lina, recalling the past life's events, gradually calmed. She mimicked the old Lina's grateful look, "Thank you."

Recognizing this familiar expression, Victoria felt a twinge of guilt that quickly gave way to smugness. She forced a modest smile, "I'll visit again in a few days."

Pretending to be flattered, Lina waved her hands anxiously, "Your Highness is too noble to waste time on someone like me. It's not worth it."

Victoria patted Lina's shoulder reassuringly. "I think you are worth it."

At last, the hollow conversation ended with Victoria's departure. Lina's face darkened. She stripped off her outer robe and ordered Daisy, "Prepare hot water. I need a bath."

Daisy picked up the discarded robe, nodding quickly. As she headed out to fetch water, Lina's soft voice followed, "Burn that garment."

Daisy paused briefly, then left to carry out the instructions. Soon, she returned with buckets of water until the tub was full. Respectfully, she stayed behind the screen. "Miss, do you dislike that princess?"

From inside came a pause, then Lina's weary voice, "Yes."

Lina was exhausted. Her current body lacked the endurance she'd developed in her past life. Practicing with the spear had drained her physically, and sparring verbally with Victoria had sapped her emotionally.

Noticing Lina's fatigue, Daisy said, "I'll leave you to rest."

Grateful for the quiet, Lina waited until Daisy left, then sank deeper into the tub. Warm water enveloped her like a soothing embrace. She released her pent-up frustration, letting the bubbles and murky feelings drift away.

As her mood eased, Lina prepared to surface—only to glimpse, through the watery haze, Lucille Everard's face hovering above. Startled, she inhaled water and erupted from the tub, coughing violently.

Cold fingers brushed her spine, raising goosebumps. Lucille's voice was a soft hiss in her ear. "Seems you don't actually want to die."

Lina batted away the princess's hand, remembering too late her own nakedness. Mortified, she shrank into the water, arms crossed protectively, her voice on edge, "Your Highness, please…please leave."

Lucille perched on the tub's edge, trailing her fingers in the water, heedless of her dampened sleeves. The room was brightly lit—unlike their last encounter. Lina's cheeks burned with shame.

Nervous, Lina called again, "Your Highness."

Alarmed by her own trembling tone, she watched as Lucille finally withdrew behind the screen. "Remain in the water. I won't linger."

Lina sank back down, calming her heart before asking, "What brings Your Highness here?"

Studying her wet sleeve, Lucille chuckled. "I've handled your registration for the knighthood trials. Just show up."

With that, Lucille vaulted gracefully out the window, leaving Lina stunned. All that trouble just for this news?

Walking into the biting wind, Lucille shook her head. "I must be mad, handling such trifles personally."