Marked by the Ruthless Princess

The next morning, Lina Riley rose with dark circles beneath her eyes. Gazing into the copper mirror at her haggard reflection, she could only smile bitterly. As if sleeping late wasn't enough, her dreams had dragged her back into past memories—blazing flames of torment twisting her rest. When she struggled to awaken from the nightmare, a distant flute melody and a faint scent of plum blossoms soothed her pain. Only then did she find peace for the latter half of the night.

Yawning again, Lina watched Daisy Harper's nimble fingers work through her hair. Just as a neat coiffure began to form, Lina stopped her, "Make it simpler."

Seeing Daisy pout, Lina chuckled and explained, "Since I've won the champion's title, I'm now a military officer of the court. It's better to keep it plain."

Daisy understood, though she couldn't help feeling that after so many years of injustice, Lina deserved to show off a bit. Still, she obediently reworked the style, gathering all Lina's hair atop her head. The reflection appeared more spirited at once.

"Miss, isn't this a bit too plain?" Daisy asked worriedly.

"No," Lina reassured her. "Right now, times are tense. The royal family promotes frugality. Wearing one's hair simply is better. Don't worry, others will do the same."

Daisy remained unconvinced. Today, the official results would be announced. A procession would deliver the good news, then escort Lina to the palace for an audience, where she'd be granted an official rank. Afterward, the Ministry of War officials would host a banquet. Once everything was done, Lina would be a true officer under royal command, never again needing to endure the Riley family's scornful faces.

Such a joyous occasion, yet Lina wore an indifferent expression. Daisy secretly admired her mistress's composure; few could remain so calm in success. Daisy didn't know that in Lina's previous life, she'd been the foremost general, making today's achievement seem trivial in comparison.

Lina waited idly, propping her head on one hand. Her thoughts drifted to the dream's plum blossom scent, the flute melody, and wine. These had often appeared in her dreams. The plum scent reminded her of Lucille Everard, but Lucille disliked both alcohol and flutes. Lina eyed the scattered trinkets on the dressing table, musing softly, "Probably just a dream."

A clamor approached from outside—drums and gongs drew nearer. Lina looked up and saw, through her open door, a procession wearing red sashes, announcing good news.

"Congratulations to General Reginald Riley's second daughter, Lina Riley, for winning the championship!" they shouted, radiant with joy.

Soon they stopped at the gate, all wearing festive smiles. The leader, an official, bowed and congratulated Lina, praising her youth and talent. Lina accepted the scroll and allowed the official to drape a red ribbon over her shoulder. "Thank you for your kind words."

Seeing Lina's calm demeanor increased the official's respect. "Young Lady Lina, the horses are prepared. Please accompany us to the palace to meet Her Majesty the Emperor."

Lina remained courteous, "Thank you, I am in your care."

Leaving her shabby courtyard, servants and guards of the Riley estate were stunned and fearful. They'd treated Lina disrespectfully before. Now that she'd suddenly risen to prominence, they dreaded retribution. But their eyes were not the only ones upon her.

Lina spotted Sophia Riley's joyful gaze and couldn't help pausing. A gentle smile graced Lina's lips, "Sister, wait for my return."

Sophia blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected Lina to address her. Smiling timidly, she responded, "Be cautious and don't lose your way this time."

A potshot at old misfortunes—last time Lina had stumbled disastrously, nearly costing her life. Feeling awkward, Lina nodded hastily and departed. Reginald Riley was absent, but no one cared.

Mounted on horseback, Lina headed toward the royal palace. It was snowing still, but nothing could quell the people's excitement. Crowds lined Nymor Avenue, eager to glimpse the champion.

"Is that the champion? She looks more like the third-place winner," someone joked.

"It's the champion, Lina Riley, the second miss of the Riley family," another corrected.

"Really? She can fight?" came a doubtful voice.

"They say the Crown Princess tested her personally. No mistake about it."

"She even sparred with the Crown Princess? Impressive! And she's only eighteen, unmarried too, I wonder who will have the fortune to wed her?"

Others lamented their lost bets. "I wagered everything on Lana Warren, never guessed Lina Riley would emerge. Only one person bet on Lina, everyone else lost big."

"A thousand taels, they say!" came a shocked whisper.

Lina was momentarily stunned. Such scenes were common in her previous life when she was a famous young general, but then people knew her well, and talk of her personal life was rare. Now, this innocent curiosity felt refreshing, as though she'd shed her past shackles and stepped into new possibilities.

Yet why had someone wagered on her alone? Lina suspected Lucille Everard. Understanding dawned—she'd been tricked. Whether one thousand or ten thousand taels, she couldn't repay either sum. But ten thousand would have crushed her utterly. Lina's expression turned complicated. She wanted to be angry, but remembering it was the Crown Princess's doing, she swallowed her complaints. Tangling with that formidable figure was futile.

The crowd's fervor melted winter's chill. Amidst the noise, Lina drew closer to the palace.

"Hey! Lina!" a familiar voice called.

Lina turned, smiling. "How is your injury?"

Lana Warren, less hostile now, tried to hide her unease by raising her chin. "Who are you to ask? Mind your own business!"

Lina kept her warmth, "We're friends. Friends should care."

Lana was taken aback, grunting and looking away without denial. Before she could retort, she saw Winifred Falkner approaching. Winifred wore an extravagant hairstyle laden with ornaments and heavy makeup that looked ghostly in daylight. Lana burst out laughing, unrestrained and mocking. Lina stifled her own laughter, sympathetic to her future friend's predicament. Winifred's family, being wealthy yet inexperienced, clearly knew nothing of subtlety.

Lina wondered if in this life, Lana and Winifred would still end up together as they had before. Curiosity piqued her.

A sudden commotion: "Look! The Crown Princess! She came personally to greet them!"

Lina lifted her gaze but found no one at the palace gates. Instead, following the crowd's eyes upward, she saw Lucille Everard perched casually atop the wall. Dressed in white, her hair stirred by a gentle breeze, she looked like a painting brought to life.

Their eyes met. In her previous life, Lucille had stood on such walls, bow in hand, arrows flying as Lina fled. Now, separated by the same wall, they regarded each other with mutual respect.

Lucille caught Lina's entranced look and inwardly smiled, leaping down gracefully.

"Greetings to the Crown Princess! Long may she reign!" the crowd chorused.

Ignoring them, Lucille headed straight for Lina. Lina bowed her head like the others, her horse restless beneath her. It was the very horse Lucille had chosen—strong, docile, and whose red coat suited Lina beautifully.

Noticing Lina still bowed, Lucille murmured, "Rise."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Lina lifted her head, belatedly realizing she remained mounted while Lucille stood at ground level. Hastily, Lina dismounted, landing lightly. As she touched down, a hand supported her elbow. Lina looked up into Lucille's smiling face, her heart jolting. She tried to withdraw her arm, but Lucille's grip was firm.

"I'll take this one with me," Lucille announced, "The other two can be suitably entertained."

"Yes!" answered the officials.

Countless eyes bored into Lina's back, making her uneasy. Why this special treatment?

Thankfully, Lucille soon released her. "My apologies, I forgot myself."

Lina rubbed her reddened wrist and dared not protest. "No matter."

She then noticed Victoria Ashwood lingering nearby, wanting to approach but afraid of Lucille. Victoria's eyes brimmed with expectation, hoping Lina would greet her as before. But this wasn't the past life.

Lucille's gaze flicked between Lina and Victoria, smiling slyly. "So, you two know each other?"

Lina looked away, unwilling to spark old grudges. "Your Highness misunderstands. We've only met once."

Lucille made a knowing sound. "I see. Let's go, then."

As Lina passed Victoria, Victoria yearned to speak, but Lucille's backward glance froze her in place. Pale-faced, Victoria shrank back, watching the two depart without a word.