Marked by the Ruthless Princess

Not long after receiving the news, Lina Riley was urgently summoned back to the palace.

On the way to the Crown Princess's chambers, Lina kept pondering the meaning of the word "fallen." Under normal circumstances, Reginald Riley shouldn't even have reached the battlefield yet. Could he have been assassinated while still within their borders?

She lacked sufficient information. Better to wait and ask the Crown Princess.

When Lina arrived, Lucille Everard and Beatrice Byrd were already in discussion. Beatrice's expression was unusually solemn, without her customary carefree smile.

The air in the room felt heavy, making Lina instinctively lighten her breathing. She stood at the door and called out softly, "Your Highness."

Lucille lifted her head. "Come in, make yourself comfortable."

Lina, used to this sort of interaction, didn't stand on ceremony. She sat down and went straight to the point: "Why did my father die?"

In her previous life, Reginald Riley had died in a later stage of the war. At this point, he should have achieved a great victory. Beatrice sighed, "He never reached the front. General Riley was poisoned and killed by someone from within his own ranks. We haven't identified the culprit yet, but we know it was one of his own."

She watched Lina's face closely. Seeing not a trace of sadness, Beatrice swallowed back her polite condolences.

This explanation made sense. The messenger called it "fallen," but really the army hadn't even engaged the enemy before internal sabotage struck. What a joke.

Lina felt no sorrow for Reginald's death. She was more concerned about the army's morale and whether Sophia Riley could bear the news. Now the commander leading the northern expedition was dead. Another would have to be chosen. Lina wondered who Lucille would pick.

Glancing up, Lina found Lucille's gaze fixed on her. She paused, but this time, unlike before, she didn't look away from fear. "Your Highness, have you chosen who will lead the northern campaign?" she asked.

Lucille seemed more at ease. "I have. But since your father has died, you'd normally observe a mourning period. The southern front can't be delayed, though—the original plan must proceed."

This was no problem for Lina. She nodded, "National matters outweigh family affairs."

Lucille smiled. Half a day must have passed already. "Did you finish packing?" she asked.

"All done," Lina answered.

Lucille hadn't expected it to be so quick, but the sooner the better. That meant they still had one more day free.

Lucille lowered her head, thinking. The Riley family line lacked many direct heirs. In Reginald's generation, only he was legitimate. The rest of the Rileys' branches lived far from Ravenwell. Now the rightful successor was Sophia, but she was frail. If other branches of the family harbored ill intent, chaos could follow.

Lucille wondered if Lina had any intention of managing these affairs. If she did, Lucille might offer assistance.

After discussing other matters, Lina finally left the palace. Upon returning home, the Riley estate was already decorated with white lanterns for the mourning. Servants, more respectful than ever, bowed and scraped as Lina passed, an attention that annoyed her. She'd prefer they ignore her as usual, free from the fuss.

Among all these people in mourning attire, Lina's red clothing was starkly out of place. She didn't return to her own room first. Instead, she went to see Sophia Riley, whose eyes were red from weeping. Sophia didn't scold Lina for her apparent indifference, only repeating softly as Lina sat down, "Sister, I only have you now."

Lina's heart softened. "Your health is fragile, Sister. Don't grieve too much."

Sophia wiped her tears. Her pale face, framed by sorrow, resembled delicate porcelain that might shatter at a touch.

Lina worried. She would be away soon, and Sophia would be left to face the turbulent world alone. In her past life, Lina had struggled fiercely for power against unscrupulous relatives, relying on her military achievements to prevail. Without Lina, would Sophia manage?

Thinking of this, Lina's heart ached. She spent a long time talking with Sophia, staying until night fell. Only after instructing the maids to put Sophia to bed did Lina step out into the moonlight.

Reaching her own door, Lina sensed someone inside. She paused, then moved to the window, poked a hole in the paper, and looked in. It was someone she knew—and that someone noticed her and smiled.

Moments later, the door opened from the inside. Lucille Everard stood at the threshold, smiling, "Care to come in?"

This role reversal left Lina speechless. After all, this was her own room.

A white lantern hung at the door, and the moonlight was cold. The Crown Princess stood there, somehow reminding Lina of a ghostly figure, pale and ethereal.

Lina didn't move. She asked calmly, "What brings Your Highness here?"

Finding Lina so formal, Lucille seemed disappointed. She returned to her seat and waved Lina over.

Lina followed instructions, sitting across from her. Her eyes were filled with questions. "If you needed me, Your Highness could have summoned me. Why come in person?"

If anyone found out, the rumors would be wild. Not that their relationship was particularly clear.

Lucille smiled casually. "Don't you find this rather thrilling?"

It was, in its own way. The first time Lucille had climbed through her window, Lina had been bathing. Ever since, Lina had dreaded another such incident, going so far as to consider scouting the surrounding area before every bath.

Lina now understood that the infamous, grim Crown Princess was fond of playing pranks—and always succeeded. Lina could only smile wryly.

"Are you free?" Lucille asked. "Would you like to go out for a walk?"

Lina wasn't sleepy and still had matters to request of Lucille, so she nodded in agreement.

Pleased by Lina's cooperation, Lucille rose and led the way, nimbly leaping onto the wall. Turning back to see Lina dawdling, she urged, "Hurry up!"

Worried about displeasing the Crown Princess, Lina quickened her pace. Only after climbing onto the wall did she notice a path was forming beneath the constant treading—clearly not the first time Lucille had done this.

Her life this time around was full of bizarre twists. Lina didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

As they leapt over rooftops, occasionally startling a dozing cat that fled into the night, Lina considered what this outing meant. Maybe Lucille had a secret base outside Ravenwell's walls—a hidden stronghold of trained soldiers. Perhaps Lina, now a trusted confidante, would be introduced to this secret army.

Or maybe Lucille wanted Lina to familiarize herself with her outside assets before going to war.

Lina's mind spun through countless scenarios as she followed Lucille across city roofs. Soon, they neared the southern city gate.

The walls were high, but a tall inn nearby allowed them to reach the top with a well-timed leap. Lina felt uneasy. Sneaking out after the gates closed was a crime punishable by imprisonment. But Lucille seemed unconcerned, and Lina realized there were advantages to attaching oneself to the Crown Princess.

Lucille waited on the wall. Lina jumped from the inn's rooftop and joined her, noticing that from this height, the moon looked brighter and different than it did on the battlefield. She wasn't one for aesthetics, but recalled how in her previous life she'd found the moon beautiful when accompanied by Willa and Winnie.

"Do you like the moon?" Lucille asked.

Lina shook her head. "Not particularly. But if someone is with you, any scene can be beautiful."

Immediately, Lina realized that might sound too forward. The Crown Princess stood beside her. Was Lina flirting?

Nervous, Lina glanced at Lucille. Fortunately, the princess was looking skyward, unmoved.

Lina exhaled in relief. She still didn't know why Lucille had paused here until the princess chuckled softly.

"The guards are this lax? I'll see to that tomorrow."

Cold sweat broke out on Lina's back. But Lucille was right; they'd been here a while, and no patrols had appeared.

Lina thought of Sophia, remembering how in her previous life, enemies had abducted her sister at night. She was about to ask Lucille to assign some protection for Sophia, but as she turned, Lucille had already entered the building beneath them.

"Your Highness!"

"Have mercy!" came panicked cries from below.

Moments later, a squad of soldiers with fresh bruises stumbled out to resume their night watch. Lucille wore her usual stern expression—the one Lina knew well from her past life—casting a cold glance their way. "Hmph."

Then, facing Lina, her sternness melted into a light smile. "Let's go."

So the journey didn't end here. Lina followed Lucille down and along winding, unknown paths. The more they walked, the more Lina was convinced they must be heading to some secret stronghold outside the city walls. Excitement built within her as she imagined hidden soldiers and secret plans.

But as time passed, they climbed higher and higher. Eventually, Lina realized they'd reached the summit of a nearby hill.

"We're here," Lucille said. "This should be the highest point overlooking Ravenwell."

Lina silently admired Lucille's cunning. Hiding an underground base in such remote terrain would be brilliant. The overgrown paths would discourage intruders.

Lucille brushed away bits of grass and leaves from her clothes, then pointed upward, "What do you think?"

Lina looked at the sky, puzzled. She saw nothing but stars twinkling above. No sign of secret vaults or hidden armies. Just a beautiful, starry sky.

Lina realized she might have misunderstood everything. They'd climbed all this way just to look at the stars?

The starry sky truly was stunning. Only a moment ago, Lina had laughed at Willa and Winnie for stargazing in the wilderness. Now, here she stood, doing the same thing with the Crown Princess. She had to smile at the irony.

Her previous elaborate guesses seemed laughable—no secret stronghold, no hidden troops, just stargazing. Willa and Winnie's purpose was romance, but what about her and Lucille? Lina's heart fluttered at the thought and she quickly suppressed it.

From behind, Lina watched the breeze ruffle Lucille's sleeves, as if she might drift away on the wind at any moment. Lina dared not look too closely, afraid her heart might betray her.

"Look, a shooting star!" Lucille exclaimed.

A meteor streaked across the sky, too fast for a wish. Lina turned to see Lucille's face lit up with delight. She rarely saw Lucille so openly joyful.

Lina forgot what she meant to say, simply watching and letting the quiet night settle in her heart.