Marked by the Ruthless Princess

It snowed again, but Lina Riley couldn't care less. She was busy suppressing her inner turmoil. Memories of her past life surged anew, and despite the chill in the air, she felt uncomfortably warm. As she walked, lost in thought, she suddenly bumped her head against something. The familiar scent that followed made her step back hurriedly. "Forgive me, Your Highness."

Lucille Everard turned around and crouched down, seeing Lina sprawled on the snowy ground. The cold snow seeped through her clothes—this girl truly knew how to torment herself. With a sigh, Lucille stood and bent down, pulling Lina up with ease. Smiling, she teased, "You're too timid. Am I really that terrifying?"

Lina nearly dropped to her knees again. She waved her hands frantically, "That's not what I meant at all."

Lucille released her hold, growing serious. "Keep up."

"Yes." Lina dusted the snow off her clothes, not daring to daydream. She followed closely behind Lucille, who deliberately tested her pace, moving faster and faster, eventually using light-footed leaps onto walls and eaves.

Though Lina struggled, she gritted her teeth and managed to keep up. Watching Lucille's agile figure jump ahead made Lina's head spin. She couldn't help inwardly complaining—but also marveled at Lucille's perfection, aside from her temperament.

Distracted, Lina fell behind, panic forcing her to speed up. But in her haste, she slipped off a palace wall. A moment later, strong arms caught her at the waist. Her heart skipped a beat. Lina never expected Lucille to double back and save her. Thinking it over, Lucille had always shown restraint—even during their earlier fights.

Embarrassed, Lina disliked being so easily rescued. In her past life, she'd always been the one saving others. Now, it seemed she was too fragile. With complicated feelings, a wild thought crossed her mind: Maybe she should save the Crown Princess once, to repay this favor. Immediately, she scolded herself for such a notion. Lucille Everard, of all people, deserved to live a long, trouble-free life.

Lucille let go, just as snowflakes drifted down again. Some landed in Lina's dark hair, but Lina didn't notice. The girl often daydreamed, always lost in thought. Lucille smiled wryly. Plucking the snow from Lina's hair only confused her further. Irritated by her own behavior, Lucille flicked the snow away and said curtly, "Let's go."

Seeing Lucille's "don't mess with me" expression, Lina followed fearfully. But why were they walking along the walls?

Glancing down, Lina saw a squad of royal guards passing by. She felt ridiculous, skulking over palace walls like a bandit. Thankfully, the guards only glanced up once and continued on, emotionless. Lina sighed in relief.

Little did she know, once they'd gone, the guards whispered excitedly among themselves, their imaginations distorting the nature of this unusual monarch-and-subject escapade.

Unaware of her tarnished reputation, Lina just thought Lucille's residence was too remote. After bypassing countless halls, Lina finally climbed down the walls. Lifting her gaze, she read "Tranquility Hall" on the plaque. The layout resembled the Emperor's hall, but fewer servants were present. A few maids, sweeping the steps, bowed as Lucille returned. Lucille casually allowed them to rise.

Suddenly, the hall's door opened from within. Lina, startled, peeked quietly. At the threshold stood a smiling woman. Her simple attire contrasted with the grand surroundings, a headscarf revealing strands of silver hair. Such a person in the Crown Princess's hall was unexpected.

This was Beatrice Byrd, who grinned, "You're back, Lucy."

Lucille's face showed disdain. In a sinister tone, she warned, "Still wearing that ragged outfit? I'll toss you into the fishpond."

Beatrice shrugged helplessly, "I'm not used to fine garments. Don't be mad, come inside."

As she spoke, Beatrice sneaked a look at Lina, smiling amicably when caught. Lucille remained annoyed, but didn't actually throw Beatrice into a fishpond.

Lina followed them in, her mind in turmoil. This woman just called the Crown Princess "Lucy," and Lucille wasn't angry?! And there was something familiar about Beatrice's voice, though Lina couldn't recall why.

Given a seat by Lucille, Lina respectfully lowered her eyes to her teacup, not daring to gaze around.

Beatrice first checked Lucille's pulse, "All good."

Lucille retracted her hand and glanced at Lina, who shrank like a frightened turtle. Snorting, Lucille ordered, "Check her too."

Lina straightened her back, obediently offering her wrist. Beatrice teased, "Why scare her?" Lucille frowned, "Did I scare you?"

Lina shook her head vigorously, "No, never."

Satisfied, Lucille lounged back, smirking at Beatrice, who found this scene heartwarming. Since meeting Lucille, Beatrice had known her to swing between madness and silence. Now Lucille displayed sly humor and pride, a better sign of emotional stability. Beatrice felt relieved.

Noticing Beatrice's tender gaze, Lucille got goosebumps. "What are you staring at?"

Beatrice ended her reverie and placed her fingers on Lina's wrist. As time passed, Beatrice's expression grew serious, making Lina nervous.

Sensing her tension, Beatrice reassured, "Relax, don't worry."

Lina's heart steadied. That soft tone sounded familiar. Suddenly, she remembered: in her previous life, after being poisoned, a traveling healer had saved her. Blind and near death, Lina had only heard a gentle voice saying, "Relax, don't worry." That voice must have belonged to Beatrice.

Lucille, watching the prolonged examination, grew slightly uneasy. She shifted from a recline to a seated position, staring at Lina's wrist.

The atmosphere tightened.

At last, Beatrice released Lina's wrist. "Miss Lina, do you have frequent nightmares?"

Lina gasped. "Yes, I often dream of terrible scenes."

Beatrice nodded knowingly, "Do you remember the contents?"

Lina recounted, "I dream of misplaced trust, losing my hand and sight, being burned to ashes. And after death, my lonely grave overgrown with weeds, where someone places flowers and pours cheap wine, playing a flute beneath plum blossoms."

Lucille frowned, perplexed by these haunting images.

Lina had suffered these nightmares each day in her past life and now held deep faith in Beatrice. She asked eagerly, "Can you help me stop them?"

Beatrice smiled confidently, "Don't worry, it's easy."

Lina's eyes brightened with hope. She trusted Beatrice as a savior.

Beatrice walked to a bookshelf, pulled out a stack of fine paper, and wrote something down. Carefully folding the paper, she returned to Lina. Handing it over, she warned, "Open this at home. If a second person sees it, the remedy loses effect."

The secrecy sounded like a trick from a quack fortune-teller, but Lina's trust was absolute. She solemnly tucked the paper into her robes. "Understood."

Beatrice glanced at Lucille, who hadn't moved, and took charge. "His Highness brought you here out of concern. Since there's no problem, you can return home."

Lina blinked. "But my official rank?"

Beatrice paused, "Didn't I just call you 'Lina Guard'?"

Reminded of this subtle address, Lina realized she was now a royal guard. Beatrice flashed her white teeth, "Congratulations, you're a royal bodyguard."

This wasn't what Lina expected. She'd assumed a minor rank in the Ministry of War, not guarding the Emperor or anyone specifically.

Beatrice patted her shoulder, grinning mischievously, "You'll protect the Crown Princess."

Lina stiffened. Did the Crown Princess need protection?

Lucille didn't object.

All day Lina felt weighed down, glancing back and sighing. Once home, she declined all visitors and brooded alone until nightfall. When bedtime came, she put aside her worries.

Taking out Beatrice's folded note, Lina ensured her room was locked and peered at it by candlelight. Hands trembling, she unfolded the heart-shaped paper. A good night's sleep awaited!

Reading the note, she found only three words: "Marry the Crown Princess."

Lina's eyes bulged. Furious, she crumpled the paper and threw it away.

"Absurd!"

She raged at nothing for a while, then decided to sleep. Maybe the note's nonsense worked somehow—no nightmares of the past or present came. Only Lucille's shadow filled her dreams…