Marked by the Ruthless Princess

Victoria Ashwood sat on her bed, staring into space. According to the court physicians, her injuries were not serious. The palace maids who often bullied her had been reassigned, and she was now permitted to leave the Cold Palace at will.

She'd been pondering this turn of events for a long time. On the day she regained consciousness, she recalled seeing Sophia Riley with Autumn Clarke, the emperor's trusted attendant. Could it be that Sophia had felt sorry for her and pleaded with Autumn on her behalf?

The thought brought a hint of warmth to Victoria's previously anxious heart.

Calming her mind, Victoria revisited the events of that day. Lina Riley had clearly followed her but, for some inexplicable reason, had veered off at the last moment, drawn away as though by some invisible lure. Victoria's plan had failed completely, and she'd been beaten for nothing.

Seething, she slammed her fist on the table. The teapot rattled, and its lid clinked sharply against the rim.

"Damn it," she cursed under her breath.

At least venting her anger brought a momentary relief. Closing her eyes, she remembered Sophia again.

If her feelings for Lina Riley were always based on exploitation, her feelings toward Sophia Riley were something else entirely—an infatuation at first glance. In her previous life, not long after Lina rescued her, Victoria had ventured out once more. Behind a tree, she'd stumbled upon a fallen hairpin, and Sophia had been searching for it. A single glimpse of Sophia through the leaves had haunted her thoughts ever since.

Now that she had been reborn, why repeat the old pattern? Both Sophia and Lina were daughters of House Riley, but Sophia, a cherished daughter with a noble birthright, outshone Lina, a mere concubine's child with a plain temperament and jealous streak. Sophia would make a far better empress. As for Lina, whose personality was dull and unrefined, Victoria could use her abilities and then strip her of power once the kingdom stabilized, leaving her as a mere idle general.

Victoria chuckled at these fantasies of a brighter future.

"What's so amusing?" came a voice from the doorway.

Victoria's laughter died instantly. She turned, seeing Lucille Everard, the Crown Princess, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, a mocking smile playing on her lips.

That familiar face stirred unpleasant memories. Fear gripped Victoria's heart so tightly she almost forgot to breathe.

From behind Lucille, Sophia Riley peered in, wrinkling her nose as though displeased. The Crown Princess had explained matters to Sophia: it was Victoria who had lured Lina Riley to the Cold Palace that fateful night. Though Sophia did not know Victoria's full intentions, she now believed her sister's warning. In Sophia's eyes, Victoria was anything but innocent.

Sophia felt relieved to know Lucille Everard had bothered to clarify the situation, which meant the rumors about the Crown Princess might be exaggerated. Perhaps Lucille wasn't so terrible after all. Sophia felt a surge of happiness, eager to return and reassure Lina that the Crown Princess had a gentle side.

Lucille glanced around the shabby room, her gaze settling back on Victoria. Despite her fearsome reputation, Victoria's extreme terror seemed strange and exaggerated. Lucille mentally noted this oddity. Dislike welled up in her chest, yet her purpose here was merely to deliver a warning.

Dusting off her sleeves as if removing some invisible contamination, Lucille said coolly, "You were young back then. You aren't young anymore. Understand?"

Sweat soaked the back of Victoria's robe. In her endless fear, she finally found her voice. "I understand."

Lucille turned away. "Good," she said simply.

As she departed, Sophia cast one last glance at Victoria. Their eyes met, and Sophia, out of courtesy, lowered her gaze before leaving quietly with Lucille. Only after their footsteps faded did Victoria's legs go weak. She gasped for air like a drowning person finally surfacing.

Thirsty and shaken, she reached for the teapot, but her trembling hand slipped. The teapot fell, shattering into white shards. At the sight of the broken porcelain, Victoria let out a sharp scream.

Clutching her ears, she crouched down. "Aaaah!"

In her vision, those shards sprouted blood and limbs, twisting into grotesque shapes. She scrambled backward, eventually crawling away in a panicked, undignified retreat.

A gust of wind slammed the tightly shut windows open with a loud crack. Curtains billowed, and the shattered porcelain remained just that—broken ceramic, lifeless and still. Realizing it was all an illusion, Victoria steadied herself, leaning on a pillar and murmuring: "Just hallucinations. No need to fear. I need only spare Lina's life this time."

Repeating these reassurances, she stopped trembling. She returned to her seat and made no immediate move to clean up the mess. She was perplexed.

In the previous life, she had executed Lina and falsely accused Lina's remaining family of poisoning her loyal subjects. This treachery allowed Victoria to reclaim all military power, eradicating Lina's lineage and securing her throne.

Just when she thought herself safe forever, her aunt—the Crown Princess—returned.

After Lina helped her ascend, Lucille Everard had vanished for nine years. Nine long years that had allowed Victoria to forget her aunt's terror. Giddy with power, Victoria had taunted her upon her return, "Aunt, have you come bearing your own head?"

Lucille had only stared back with eyes as lifeless as ash. In a heartbeat, she'd torn Victoria from her throne and reduced her to a tattered, maimed captive—left to remember who truly wielded power.

The nightmare replayed itself. Victoria hugged herself, muttering in dazed confusion, "Why? Weren't they mortal enemies? Why?"

No one answered. Only Lucille Everard herself had known the truth in that other life. The past was like a dream, and understanding remained as elusive as ever.

Meanwhile, the farther Lucille and Sophia strolled from the Cold Palace, the lighter Lucille's mood grew. She didn't dwell on Victoria's strangeness. Sophia followed obediently and silently, her demeanor pleasing.

Lucille knew Sophia's condition well and had a way to help. Initially, she would have forced the Emperor into a political marriage if necessary. But given Reginald Riley's importance and Lina's hidden potential, heavy-handed methods might backfire amid the current political tensions.

Her mind awash with complex considerations, Lucille spoke kindly, "May I call you Sophia?"

Sophia's eyes widened. She'd half-believed she misheard. Confirming the sincerity in Lucille's gaze, she bowed her head nervously. "As you wish, Your Highness."

Lucille found her reaction amusing. Reginald was a cunning old fox, yet his daughters seemed refreshingly straightforward. A rare find.

Sighing softly, Lucille continued, "The Emperor ascended the throne young and has few confidants, leading to a solitary nature. Hearing that General Riley's household is disciplined and upright, I thought a young lady of your background might offer companionship and guidance. You're of similar age to the Emperor. I hope you'll visit the palace often to hearten her spirits."

Sophia's heart sank at the suggestion. Guiding the Emperor? It sounded like some hidden scheme. She was about to decline when Lucille added, "I believe only you can accomplish this."

The praise caused Sophia to swallow her refusal. Straightening her back, she answered solemnly, "Your Highness trusts me. I shall do my utmost!"

Pleased, Lucille's smile deepened. Thoughts of Lina flashed through her mind—how that girl had hid at home for three days like a frightened ostrich. The Crown Princess's amusement grew.

She instructed gently, "I must have startled your younger sister. Do tell her that rumors are not to be believed. Someday I shall visit and ask what small gift she'd like."

Misled by Lucille's warmth, Sophia felt regret for ever believing the terrible rumors about the Crown Princess. "I will deliver Your Highness's words."

They chatted as they walked, Sophia's initial stiffness giving way under Lucille's friendly manner. Soon Sophia was talking more freely, even revealing personal tidbits about her life in the mountains. From these fragments, Lucille gleaned minor details. About Lina, however, there was little information—only stories of her childhood recklessness, running off by herself and always returning on her own. Nothing of real substance.

"Once," Sophia recalled, "she disappeared all night. I heard about it when I was on the mountain."

Lucille's eyes gleamed with interest. "Such a carefree child."

They reached the palace gates as dusk approached. Sophia, having enjoyed this long conversation, felt reluctant to part. But it was late, and her family would worry if she delayed.

Lucille noted her hesitation and said softly, "Go on, now."

With a formal bow, Sophia departed, "Your Highness, I take my leave."

She boarded her carriage and returned directly to the Riley estate. Upon arrival, Sophia rushed to Lina's room, dragging her sister from under the blankets to share the good news.

"Don't be afraid, Lina! The Crown Princess is truly kind. She said she'll come see you and even asked what gift you'd like!"

All Lina's drowsiness vanished. Everyone knew only one Crown Princess existed, and kind was not the word associated with her. A gift? From that terrifying figure?

Dear heavens, no! Lina yearned for oblivion, for Lucille to forget her existence entirely.

Her face turned ashen. She gave Sophia a weary look. "Sister, I'm tired. I need to rest."

Seeing her sister's distress, Sophia relented. "Very well. Rest well, then. I'll return to my room."

Once Sophia left, Lina burrowed back under the covers. Darkness offered a fragile sense of security, if only for a moment.

Lina comforted herself. The Crown Princess was surely too busy with affairs of state to spare time for her. She exhaled softly, whispering in hollow bravado, "What's there to fear about the Crown Princess? Not scared at all!"

Unbeknownst to Lina, someone stood at her door. Dressed in white, Lucille Everard was bathed in moonlight, smiling faintly at the trembling shape under the quilts. She heard Lina's weak attempts to reassure herself.

Lucille found it hilariously endearing.

Stepping quietly inside, Lucille lifted the edge of Lina's blanket. Lina's eyes widened in disbelief as Lucille smiled. "Such a beautiful night, don't you think? The moonlight is lovely."