Early the next morning, Lina Riley got up sporting a pair of dark circles under her eyes.
She caught sight of her weary reflection in the bronze mirror and could only smile bitterly. It wasn't just a late night—once asleep, memories of her past life surged. The agony of being burned by flames made her toss and turn. When she struggled to wake, a faint flute melody carried by the scent of plum blossoms soothed her pain, allowing her a few hours of rest in the latter part of the night.
Yawning again, Lina watched Daisy Harper's deft fingers weave through her hair. Just as Daisy was about to twist her locks into an intricate style, Lina stopped her. "Keep it simple."
Seeing Daisy pout, Lina added with a chuckle, "I'm going into service as a military official; it's better to look more subdued."
Daisy understood the logic, though she had her reasons for wanting Lina to show off. After all, her mistress had endured so many hardships at the Riley estate, and now that she'd finally earned recognition, Daisy believed it only right that she go all out. But she kept her complaints to herself. Instead, she untwisted Lina's partially done hairstyle and gathered all her hair atop her head. In the mirror, Lina instantly looked more alert.
"My lady, are you sure it's not too plain?"
"It's fine. Tensions are high right now, and even the royal family advocates simplicity. Decking myself in jewels wouldn't be good. Don't worry—everyone else will be keeping it modest as well."
Daisy still felt restless. This was the day they would formally announce the examination results. There would be an official procession through the streets, proclaiming Lina as the new martial champion, followed by her presentation at court to receive her appointment. Afterward, the War Department would hold a banquet in her honor. Once those ceremonies concluded, Lina's status as a court official would be firmly established, and she wouldn't have to endure any more ill-treatment at the hands of the Riley household.
It was such a momentous day, yet Lina remained as calm as ever. Daisy marveled at her mistress's poise—being so unmoved by success or misfortune was rare indeed.
Yet Daisy had it slightly wrong. Lina had once been the foremost general in her previous life. This minor triumph was little more than a drop in the ocean to her.
With nothing else to do, Lina propped her head on her hand, recalling the plum blossom scent and flute melody in her dreams—both recurring elements in those strange nighttime visions. The first brought to mind The Princess Royal, but that didn't make sense, as Lucille Everard neither enjoyed drinking nor cared for the flute.
Watching the scattered items on her dressing table, Lina murmured, "It can't be her. Who else could it be? Or maybe it's just a random dream."
At that moment, the noise outside surged closer. The beat of a gong reverberated loudly, and Lina lifted her head from her musings. Through the open door, she saw a group dressed in red sashes marching forward, drumming and shouting with great enthusiasm.
"Congratulations to Lina Riley, second daughter of General Reginald Riley, who has achieved first place in the martial examinations!"
They quickly gathered at her door, beaming with celebratory cheer and cupping their hands in salute. The official leading them was a woman in a government uniform. "Congratulations, Miss Lina. You are now one of His Majesty's protégés—a remarkable feat for someone so young."
Lina accepted the record book from her and lowered her head to let the official place a red silk sash on her. "Thank you, my lady, for your kind words."
Struck by Lina's composure, the official admired her all the more. "Young Mistress Riley, your horse is ready. Please come with me to the palace for your audience."
Lina's polite demeanor remained unchanged. "I appreciate your efforts."
Leaving the rundown courtyard behind, the rest of the Riley servants gawked in silent dread. Many of them had treated Lina scornfully, given her low standing in the household, and now that she held power, they feared retribution. Not every gaze conveyed anxiety, however.
Lina caught sight of Sophia Riley's joyful expression. Unable to resist, she paused. Her features softened into a warm smile. "Elder Sister, wait for me at home."
Sophia, surprised that Lina actually spoke to her, smiled in return. "Alright. Mind your step—don't get lost like last time."
Of all things to bring up! The time she nearly got herself killed by stumbling the wrong way. Fortunately, Lina's reflexes had saved her. She felt a bit awkward, nodded hastily, and continued on. No one cared that Reginald Riley hadn't shown up.
Mounting her horse, Lina headed toward the royal palace. Despite the falling snow, crowds thronged the streets to catch a glimpse of the new champion.
"Is that the top scorer? She looks more like she placed third."
"Yeah, she's the champion, the second daughter of the Riley family."
"What? She's skilled in martial arts?"
"They say The Princess Royal tested her personally—there's no mistake."
"I heard she even managed to go a few rounds with The Princess Royal. And she's only eighteen. She isn't married, right?"
"Don't get your hopes up. She's from a military family—your measly savings don't hold a candle to hers."
"Huh, guess you're right. I wonder who this brilliant young lady will end up with."
"You can watch the spectacle. I put my money on Willa Langley winning first place. Turns out Lina Riley snatched the prize—only one person in the entire betting pool wagered on her. Everyone else lost big."
"What? How much did that one person bet?"
"A thousand silver pieces—an entire thousand!"
Lina was briefly taken aback. Scenes like this had been commonplace in her past life, when she was the celebrated 'young general.' By then, the public was already quite familiar with her—and with her known admiration for Victoria Ashwood. Rarely did they speculate about her personal life.
This unexpected curiosity felt oddly freeing, like she was finally stepping outside the mold of her past. It also raised the question of who had placed that bet. Suddenly, Lina was quite sure it was The Princess Royal. Realizing it meant she'd nearly been tricked into owing ten times that sum if she'd lost, Lina's expression flickered. She wanted to be angry, but remembering she was dealing with Lucille Everard sapped her indignation.
So be it, she thought. It can't be helped when dealing with someone so formidable.
The warm, bustling crowd made the winter's snow feel less biting, and through the noise, Lina drew nearer to the palace.
"Hey! Riley!"
Glancing over, Lina smiled gently. She reined in her horse. "How's your injury?"
That immediate concern for her well-being caught Willa Langley off guard. She raised her chin in a huff, hiding her embarrassment. "Who are you to be so nosy?"
Unbothered, Lina's smile remained soft. "I'm a friend. And concern for a friend is only natural."
Willa felt momentarily thrown. She turned away with a snort but didn't deny it. Before she could regain her composure, she spotted Winnie Wren approaching.
Awkwardness marked Winnie's face, and her hair was piled high under enough ornaments to mask every strand. Her makeup, garishly thick, gave her the look of someone who had seen a ghost in daylight, with lips painted in an unnaturally bright red.
Willa couldn't hold it together—she burst into loud laughter. "Hahaha! She's the third-place finisher? That's priceless!"
Lina had to bite back her own amusement, trying to spare Winnie's pride. Clearly, her family, who had risen to wealth only recently, hadn't yet mastered subtlety. In her past life, Lina had once greeted Winnie outside a military camp when she was dressed the same way. Winnie's protests to her two mothers had evidently fallen on deaf ears that time, and it seemed they had again.
From the corner of her eye, Lina wondered about Willa's and Winnie's dynamic. In her previous life, something similar had played out, and she couldn't help feeling curious—would they end up together again?
"What's that?"
"Look! It's The Princess Royal! She actually came out to meet them in person."
"I've never seen The Princess Royal this close before."
Lina stiffened in surprise. She had assumed Lucille Everard would be waiting inside the palace gates, but there was nothing there—she followed the crowd's collective gaze upward and spotted Lucille perched casually atop the palace wall. A light breeze teased Lucille's hair and robes, lending her an almost ethereal grace. Dressed in white against the red fortress walls, she was as striking as a painting.
And the figure in that painting was looking right at her.
Seated on her horse, Lina suddenly felt like she'd collided head-on with Lucille's gaze. Her mount snorted beneath her, but she was too mesmerized to do anything but stare. In the past life, she too had stood before this same palace wall, but that time Lucille aimed a drawn bow at her while she fled for her life.
Now, they watched each other from a distance, both quietly appreciative.
Lucille noticed Lina's wide-eyed stare and chuckled inwardly. She vaulted gracefully down from the wall.
"Greetings to The Princess Royal—may you live a thousand years!"
Ignoring the chorus of formalities, Lucille walked straight toward Lina. Like everyone else, Lina lowered her head in salute. Lucille glanced at the horse—she'd chosen it herself for Lina: strong, gentle, and with a glossy chestnut coat she thought would complement Lina's red attire. It seemed she'd been right; the girl on the fiery mare was a captivating sight.
Still kneeling, Lina hadn't risen. Lucille abruptly remembered something. "At ease."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Only then did Lina dare lift her head. She realized belatedly that she'd neglected to dismount, leaving her awkwardly perched above Lucille. Quickly, she swung her leg over and hopped down.
As she landed, someone steadied her—she looked up to see Lucille's smiling face. Lina felt heat prickle across her scalp, and she tried to pull her hand away, but Lucille held tight.
"I'll be taking her with me," Lucille said, her tone final. "The rest of you, please escort the other two."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
A flurry of stares fell on Lina. The special attention made her skin crawl with self-consciousness. Why was she singled out?
Thankfully, Lucille released her hand after only a brief moment and offered a breezy apology, "Sorry, I forgot myself."
Rubbing her slightly reddened wrist, Lina had no choice but to bow her head. "Think nothing of it," she murmured.
When she looked up again, she noticed Victoria Ashwood standing nearby. Victoria's eyes lit with pleasure at the sight of Lina, as though she wanted to say hello, but she hovered in place, clearly intimidated by Lucille's presence. Her gaze lingered on Lina, filled with hope, as though expecting Lina to approach her as she had in the past.
But that past was gone.
Lucille's eyes flickered between Victoria and Lina. With a faint smirk, she observed, "So the two of you are close?"
Lina quickly dropped her gaze, fearful her anger would show if she looked at Victoria any longer. "Your Highness misunderstands. We've only met once before."
Understanding dawned on Lucille's features. "Well, then—let's go."
Lina walked past Victoria without a second glance. Victoria started to call out, but the chill of Lucille's sidelong glance made her fall silent, her outstretched hand retreating. All she could do was watch them leave together.