Marked by the Ruthless Princess

As snowflakes drifted down, the prosperous city of Ravenwell donned a thick, wintry mantle. This year's cold was especially bitter, so frigid that not a single soul dared venture onto the streets.

At the eastern end of Nymor Avenue stood the residence of the renowned general, Reginald Riley. Two imposing stone lions guarded the gate, their heads crowned by a mound of snow. A young servant, dressed in a grayish-blue coat, wielded a broom to clear it away. Soon, the lions stood proudly revealed once more.

Rubbing his hands and blowing into them for warmth, the young servant grumbled, "What's the point of fussing with this in such freezing weather?"

The other servant's face was flushed red with cold. "Enough. The weather's harsh this year, and it's even colder on Mount Wulfham. The eldest miss's health has always been poor. She's only returning now to recuperate. Keep complaining, and if the general hears you, there'll be trouble."

The first servant dared not continue, though he looked far from appeased. As if venting his frustration, he thumped the broom to knock off the clinging snow. Turning back toward the steps, he suddenly noticed someone standing at the entrance. Startled at first, he relaxed when he recognized the newcomer and offered a half-hearted bow. "Second Miss."

Without waiting for her to speak, he went back to his work.

General Reginald Riley had two daughters. The eldest, born of his lawful wife, was Heavenblessed but frail from premature birth and had been convalescing on Mount Wulfham. The younger daughter, born of a concubine, was also Heavenblessed, but her perceived dullness earned no one's favor.

Lina Riley extended a hand to catch a drifting snowflake. The icy sting sharpened her awareness. There were no roaring flames this time—only cold instead of searing pain. She touched her right hand and suddenly laughed aloud.

Her hand and sight were intact. This was no dream. She had returned to the winter of her eighteenth year.

Eighteen… How distant that memory felt.

"Miss! Second Miss!" a voice called urgently.

Daisy Harper's voice drew near. In a moment, a heavy cloak was draped over Lina Riley's shoulders. The pretty young maid carefully tied the cords at Lina's neck, then launched into her usual stream of chatter.

"Miss, honestly, you should dress warmer in this cold. You're not fully recovered yet. Doctor Hugo said you must rest."

"And why fret so much about the eldest miss's return? She won't arrive for another two days at least."

"Oh! Miss, why are you crying? It's all my fault—I'll stop talking!"

Daisy Harper saw tears roll down Lina's pale cheeks, but strangely, Lina wore a smile. This frightened Daisy, as if letting Lina out of her sight might send her mistress drifting to some unreachable place.

Panicked, Daisy fumbled, using her own sleeve to dab at Lina's tears.

No one could understand Lina Riley's current state of mind. It was as though she'd awakened from a vivid nightmare—one in which she lost her right hand and eye for someone unworthy, and Daisy Harper had drowned in icy waters. Yet upon opening her eyes, everything was whole and unchanged.

"Daisy," Lina said softly.

"Yes, Miss?" Daisy responded, worried.

Staring into Daisy's large, familiar eyes, Lina wiped away new tears threatening to overflow, and fibbed, "The fur from the cloak just poked me in the eye."

Daisy believed her, apologizing at once, "I should have been more careful."

Lina smiled gently. "Help me back inside."

Within the estate's walls, no one cared about the freezing emptiness outside. Everyone's face gleamed with cheer, eagerly anticipating the eldest miss's return. As for the convalescent second miss, they paid her no heed.

Daisy was still young and wore her feelings openly. She practically bristled with displeasure at the neglect.

Lina playfully poked Daisy's forehead. "Why the long face?"

The farther they moved from the bustle, the bolder Daisy became. Seeing no one around, she spoke up for her mistress. "Miss, you nearly lost your life to illness, yet the general didn't even ask after you. You are his daughter too!"

Lina did not mind. Legitimacy mattered here, and she herself had long maintained a low profile to protect her own life. Being ignored was normal. In truth, for her current intentions, this situation was ideal.

Safe from the wind and snow, Daisy noticed the charcoal fire in the brazier was dying. She expertly added fresh coal until orange sparks spread over the black surface. The room gradually warmed. Lina stared at the flames, lost in thought. She remembered the blaze from her previous life—how fiercely it had burned. Even her then-blind eye had sensed that terrible glow.

The mighty general had not died by enemy hands, but by the betrayal of her own sovereign, her supposed beloved.

Poisoned wine had robbed her of speech; only her hearing remained.

In the crackling roar of that inferno, Victoria Ashwood's voice rang clear with venom: "General Riley, you never should have harbored such lofty illusions."

Hearing the words "General Riley," Lina had coughed up blackened blood. She reached out toward Victoria Ashwood with her remaining left hand. The poison had invaded her lungs; every movement shortened her life. Still, she mustered all her will to choke out a single desperate query: "W-Why?"

Old memories rushed forth. Victoria had promised that once the borders were secure, they would marry—that she would become the most beautiful queen. She had tenderly touched Lina's wounded eye with regret, whispering, "If not for me, Lina would never have lost it."

Yet when all was said and done, Lina received only a cup of poisoned wine and the chill formality of being called "General Riley."

In the firelit haze, a blurred figure knelt down. Lina instinctively raised her hand, hoping to be helped up as before. But now that she was useless, there would be no mercy, no answers.

Her hand was swatted away. Victoria Ashwood's voice dripped with disgust, each word carving fresh, unhealing wounds in Lina's heart.

"An evil creature like you believes in true love? Ridiculous. Since all is over, let me be clear: every day I spent with you sickened me."

Victoria's voice grew harsher. "If not for you, Sophia would still be alive! She was your own sister!"

Now Lina understood. How absurd it all was. During the war, the enemy learned that General Reginald Riley cherished his eldest daughter. They captured Sophia and presented a cruel choice at the fortress gates: the safety of the city or the life of the girl?

Seeing her father torn, Lina offered herself in exchange for Sophia. The enemy agreed eagerly. But as Lina stepped out, Sophia—head bowed until that moment—looked up and smiled at her before throwing herself onto the enemy's blade.

How ludicrous. Lina never expected Victoria to hold such twisted feelings for Sophia and to blame Lina, an innocent party, for it all.

A bitter, halting laugh escaped Lina's lips, mingling with the roar of the flames.

Victoria retreated, her cruel voice rising once more: "A monster like you deserves no love. But I am merciful. I won't strip you of your glory. You will remain the honored general, worshipped in shrines for generations to come."

A searing pain jerked Lina back to the present. Startled, she realized she had nearly grabbed a glowing coal from the brazier. Jerking her hand away, a blister instantly formed on her skin.

Daisy chose that moment to return with medicine. Seeing her mistress's burned hand, Daisy nearly wept in alarm. "Miss, you still have me and Madam Jameson. Don't do anything rash!"

The maid assumed Lina's despair stemmed from the general's indifference. But Lina, who had already died once, no longer cared.

In this life, all she desired was revenge.

Right now, Victoria Ashwood was still the neglected fifth princess, confined to a forgotten corner of the palace.

Lina patted Daisy's head. "Silly girl, I just got lost in thought."

After checking Lina's expression and seeing no true distress, Daisy relaxed. Lina took the bowl of medicine Daisy brought and downed it in one quick, decisive gulp, even using her injured left hand. Daisy sensed a difference in her mistress's bearing but couldn't quite name it.

Composing herself, Lina asked softly, "You're nearly sixteen now, aren't you?"

Daisy nodded, a bit embarrassed.

Lina knew Daisy's worries: soon she would undergo her transformation into Heavenblessed, Earthbound, or Lowland. In their past life, Daisy had become Earthbound, complaining that if she'd at least become Lowland, she could have followed Lina onto the battlefield. Lina had always laughed and tapped Daisy's head, using the Crown Princess as an example to comfort her.

Hopeful, Daisy said, "I wish to become Heavenblessed, so I can protect you, Miss."

A warmth filled Lina's heart. She cherished this moment as she once had. "If you become Earthbound, does that mean you won't protect me anymore?"

Daisy panicked, "No, that's not what I meant!"

Lina smiled, not wishing to tease further. She asked calmly, "Who is the most powerful person in the empire right now?"

Daisy answered without hesitation, "The Crown Princess."

Lina's smile deepened. "And is the Crown Princess Heavenblessed?"

Daisy's expression turned awkward, and she stuttered, "Sh-she's Earthbound."

The point made, Lina sat back on the bed, still smiling.

Daisy, unconvinced, muttered while applying ointment to Lina's burn, "But she's the Crown Princess. How could I possibly compare?"

Lina listened silently. She had once roamed countless battlefields, fearless before blades and arrows. Yet the Crown Princess had always frightened her.

The Everard Empire was only a few decades old. Its founding emperor, Alexander Everard, had died abruptly without naming an heir. Lucille Everard seized power in a bloody coup, eliminating over a dozen siblings and keeping only a young emperor and princesses as puppets.

If any courtier dared instigate the emperor against her, Lucille Everard promptly removed both them and their backers. After these bloody lessons, no one dared dissent.

In her past life, Lina had risked everything to help Victoria Ashwood rise to power, often contending with the Crown Princess and narrowly escaping death multiple times.

Recalling Lucille Everard's graceful, smiling face, Lina pulled her cloak closer.

In this life, she would no longer help Victoria Ashwood. She would be her own master, reclaim her position as a revered general, and exact the revenge she deserved.

As for the Crown Princess… Lina decided it was best to forget her altogether.