Marked by the Ruthless Princess

Following a winding corridor, the scenery grew increasingly desolate. Bare branches and dead leaves littered the way, and a single misstep could drape one in spider webs. Victoria Ashwood clearly knew this area well—each subtle turn took her out of the sightlines of palace maids and guards.

Lina Riley followed at a measured distance, expressionless, but noting the faint tremble of Victoria's shoulders with narrowed eyes. Although Victoria was a liar, not all her habits were false. Lina recalled that in her past life, whenever Victoria felt excitement, she couldn't help her shoulders from trembling slightly. Lina wondered if Victoria had trembled like this, too, when she killed her. The memory sparked a wry smile as Lina again fixed her gaze on Victoria.

In the previous life, Victoria had been anxious at this moment, knowing she might not have a second chance if she failed. So why did she seem excited now? Lina's mind raced. If Victoria also retained memories of the past, then exacting revenge would be even more meaningful.

This thought slowed Lina's pace, and when she looked up again, Victoria had stopped not far ahead. Ever the consummate actress, Victoria knelt down to free a butterfly trapped in a cobweb on a low shrub. She offered a gentle smile, as if caught unawares, trying to enchant the observer—Lina, in this case—by showcasing her supposed kindness.

Lina felt only disgust. Victoria was merely stalling, attempting to tug at Lina's compassion. In the past life, Lina would've fallen for it. But no longer. She saw through Victoria's mask.

Victoria believed her ruse successful. She rose and continued forward. Finding Lina still behind her, she could barely contain her smugness.

They soon arrived before a locked, dilapidated building. The plaque's inscription, "Cold Palace," lay beneath a heavy coat of dust. Age and neglect had stripped away any splendor this forsaken place once possessed. Victoria regarded these bleak walls with deep loathing—this place of her birth and childhood, where her mother, a once-beautiful but timid maid, had met a tragic end.

A shrill voice cut through the silence: "Wretched creature!"

A tall, gaunt palace maid landed a solid kick to Victoria's abdomen, sending her sprawling. Victoria curled up defensively, hands over her head, discreetly raising tearful eyes toward Lina, who hid behind a withered tree.

In the previous life, Lina emerged at once, stopping the maids and helping the battered princess, her face filled with concern. Victoria had counted on it happening again. She just needed to repeat the scenario and ensnare Lina as before.

Another vicious kick landed on her back, and Victoria nearly cried out in real agony. She had grown "delicate" in the past life's later years, pampered by Lina's protection. Yet compared to the torment inflicted by her aunt in that other timeline's end, this pain was manageable. Holding back tears, Victoria sought Lina's rescuing gaze again.

But to her horror, Lina's eyes had drifted away, focused elsewhere. No matter how Victoria screamed for help, Lina never met her gaze again. Instead, Lina calmly slipped off to the left, heading into a narrow, cluttered side path and vanishing from Victoria's world.

Left behind, Victoria's pleas echoed uselessly. The maids took no pity and renewed their assault. Lina, having watched enough, chose a shortcut back. The route they'd taken was too long, and Lina knew the palace well. She navigated among stacked debris with ease.

Yet as she walked, Lina's sense of unease intensified. A soldier's intuition, honed by countless battles in her previous life, warned her that something unexpected was about to happen.

She slowed, scanning her surroundings. Amid the piled junk, she spotted a small window behind the clutter. A cold, floral scent drifted out—plum blossoms, potent and sweet. Lina hastily covered her mouth and nose, but too late. Heat surged at the back of her neck.

Impossible! Was there an Earthbound individual in heat here? Lina panicked. Without medication or a Heavenblessed bond to stabilize them, an Earthbound suffering a heat cycle might die. The Imperial Infirmary was far away. They'd never make it in time alone.

Lina's cheeks burned. Though she'd lived two lives, she remained deeply conservative, with no experience in such matters. Her solution was practical: she'd carry the person—fast as the wind—to the infirmary. She could resist the influence of the pheromones if she stayed calm. The scent didn't seem too strong… or so she hoped.

Deciding swiftly, Lina held her breath and cleared the debris blocking the door. With a swift kick, she broke it open.

"Who's there?!"

Contrary to Lina's expectations, the voice was cold—just a bit strained and raspy with desire. The room inside was dark, heavily scented by plum blossoms. Lina's heart sank. She recognized that voice.

The Crown Princess, Lucille Everard, was inside.

Darkness reigned within, save for the heady scent that flooded Lina's senses. She gasped softly. The pheromones were far stronger than she had thought, and her head swam. She tried to maintain control, biting down on her own hand to anchor her mind. Blood welled from the wound, stinging but steadying her thoughts.

Lucille Everard, struggling with her sudden early heat cycle, glared at the intruder, fury nearly tangible. She had planned to endure this episode in secret, hidden in a remote corner. Now this fool had shattered her plan. The mingling scents—her floral pheromones and Lina's crisp, woody fragrance—combined into something dangerously enticing. Lucille's anger and shame flared, heating her cheeks to a rosy flush. Her icy composure threatened to melt into a puddle of longing.

Lina's voice, shaky yet sincere, broke the silence: "Your Highness, are you all right? I… I mean no harm."

Blinking, Lucille recognized the foolish intruder as the second daughter of the Riley family—an unremarkable girl. Yet here Lina stood, trembling, eyes shining with earnest concern. Lucille's body burned hotter. The pheromones surged, intensifying her predicament. This might be unavoidable now.

Lina, red-faced and stammering, tried to reassure her: "Trust me, Your Highness. I-I can take you safely to the infirmary."

Lucille said nothing. She could never let anyone learn of her condition. With a swift tug, she pulled Lina inside, slamming the door and piling debris to block out all light. In the sudden darkness, Lina felt searching fingers graze her face. The oppressive floral fragrance stole all reason. Lina tried to bite her hand again to stay alert, but Lucille pinned her wrists, denying her that small mercy.

Fear welled up. Lina, who had once not feared the blackest night, now felt a trembling anxiety. She called softly, "Your Highness?"

Then she felt her clothing loosen. Panic flared as she realized Lucille was undoing her garments. "Your Highness!" Lina gasped.

Her heart hammered wildly. Lucille's breath skimmed Lina's neck like a feather, raising shivers along her skin. Reason slipped away, and just before Lina surrendered to the haze, she heard the Crown Princess murmur:

"I'll allow you this one act of impertinence."

As darkness fell outside, Reginald Riley's anger and worry grew. Lina had vanished after leaving the banquet, and though the Emperor was lenient, he had sent people to search. Sophia Riley, despite her frail health, insisted on joining the search. She managed only a short distance before a coughing fit forced her to stop, trembling and unsteady. Unable to watch his beloved elder daughter suffer, Reginald urged her to return indoors.

"I'll wait here for my sister," Sophia insisted, covering her mouth. She refused to abandon Lina.

Reginald's heart twisted at his daughter's stubborn devotion. Sighing, he lamented, "What a pity we never saw the Crown Princess. Such a chance may not come again."

Sophia disagreed, frowning at the setting sun. "That woman is too dangerous. Better not to seek her help."

As twilight deepened, Sophia's anxiety mounted. She hoped Lina had not met with any danger.