Chapter 020: Bloodstained

When the snow first began to melt, the weather turned even colder. Lina Riley, finally free for a day of rest, hoped to catch up on sleep. Yet at dawn, someone rudely woke her up.

The door shook under fierce knocking, as if it might break if it continued much longer.

"Lina, get out here! Let's go riding!"

Lina scowled, pulling the blanket over her ears, but that did nothing to muffle Lana Warren's loud voice.

"Lina! Get up. Otherwise, I took this beating for nothing!"

Outside, Daisy Harper tried to intervene anxiously, "Miss Warren, please leave. My lady is unwell."

Lana paused for a second, giving Daisy false hope. Daisy smiled, thinking her persuasion worked, and moved to send the visitor away.

But Lana just glared, "Not feeling well? Find a doctor! Lying in bed won't cure you. Hurry up!"

With that, she pounded the door again.

Lina shot upright. To spare her door further torment, she leapt out of bed and rushed to open it.

She'd intended to be angry, but on seeing Lana's bruised face, she gasped, "What happened to you?"

Lana jabbed a finger at her own face, utterly unconcerned. "My mother did this. She hates your family name, but I think you're all right."

Finally meeting Lina face to face, Lana grew excited, "The snow's melting out by the city outskirts. Let's go see!"

The melting snow hardly made for ideal riding conditions. Yet Lana's enthusiastic invitation was hard to refuse. Lately, Lina had worried about Lana's affairs anyway.

With a resigned sigh, Lina gave a faint smile. "All right."

After dressing, she followed Lana outside. A few steps later, she turned back. "Please, call me Lina. Using just my family name sounds rude, considering everyone here shares it."

Lana didn't mind, "As you wish."

The city outskirts were desolate. With snow melting, the black earth beneath emerged, and barren trees lined the landscape. Nothing particularly scenic. Lana chatted nonstop, complaining about her mother, complaining about Reginald Riley, and ranting about recent experiences. Lina mostly listened, rarely mentioning herself.

"Lina, have you considered moving out?" Lana suddenly asked.

Only after experiencing it herself did Lana realize how badly Lina was treated at the Riley estate. Earlier that day, when Lana picked Lina up, they encountered Reginald Riley. The murderous glare he gave his own daughter shocked Lana. She'd thought he hated her, but it seemed his loathing was directed at Lina.

Lina shook her head, "Not the right time yet."

Lana halted her horse in front of Lina, puzzled, "Why not?"

Lina couldn't admit she hadn't received any salary yet and couldn't afford a place of her own. To hide her poverty, she adopted a mysterious tone, "The timing isn't ripe."

Lana scratched her head and accepted it. If Lina wouldn't elaborate, so be it. Instead, Lana changed the subject, curious about Lina's role as the Crown Princess's guard.

Slowing her pace to match Lina's, she asked, "The Crown Princess didn't give you a hard time, did she?"

Lina smiled softly, "No. Her Highness is kind."

Apart from the first day's tricky questions, life had been peaceful. Peaceful enough for Lina to observe Lucille Everard's every move: how she tapped the table when puzzled, closed her eyes for a brief rest when tired, and disliked eating meat—no wonder she was so slim.

Realizing she was again thinking about Lucille, Lina startled herself.

Lana, oblivious, mused aloud, "I admire you. The Crown Princess clearly favors you."

Then, with a touch of jealousy, "Why can't you be my sister?"

Lina was speechless at this odd statement. She retorted, "I'm older than you. Don't try to take advantage."

"Only three months older!" Lana shrugged. "Being an older sister is fine. You'd make a great elder sister."

Lina froze. Lana's emotions were transparent, so her praise was genuine. After a lifetime of chasing Victoria Ashwood's approval in her past existence, Lina had ignored other people's concern. Now, freed from that fixation, she found it comforting.

Glancing up at the sunny sky, Lina chuckled, "The weather is lovely."

Suddenly, another set of hoofbeats approached—Winifred Falkner.

Winifred, clad in white with a veiled hat, rode elegantly. The gauzy veil fluttered as her horse trotted closer, occasionally revealing her face. She stopped beside them, lifting the veil and asking happily, "What are you two doing here?"

Lina returned a polite smile, "Just out for a ride. And you?"

Winifred wore sword and traveling attire, looking every inch the adventurer. She blushed slightly. "At the inn, I heard merchants were robbed nearby. I'm going to check it out."

Robbery under the Emperor's nose was suspicious. Lina was bored and also uneasy about Winifred going alone. She decided to accompany her, for safety.

Lana loved excitement and refused to be left behind. Together, they made plans.

Lina asked, "Where are these bandits?"

Winifred pointed ahead, "They said near Mount Wulfham."

Mount Wulfham!

Lina's heart sank. Sophia Riley had returned there to recuperate. In the previous life, that area was peaceful, never plagued by bandits.

Alarmed, Lina turned her horse back toward the city, Lana following, while Winifred chased after them. "Why are we going back?"

Lana slowed to let Winifred catch up. "That's the south gate. Mount Wulfham is reached by the north gate."

Embarrassed, Winifred concocted a clumsy excuse: "I purposely came this way to find you."

Lana didn't doubt her. "Oh," she said, and then excitedly, "So you knew we'd be here. How?"

Caught in her lie, Winifred blushed harder, stammering, "Who in Ravenwell doesn't know of you, Miss Lana? I asked around."

This logic worked, though it contradicted Winifred's earlier surprise. Lana, forgetful of such details, accepted it. Meanwhile, Lina galloped far ahead.

Lana laughed, "We'd better hurry or we'll lose her!"

Winifred hadn't expected Lana to be so friendly. In their contest, they'd nearly killed each other. At their first meeting on official duty, Lana had given Winifred a rough time. Now she acted as if they were already friends.

Lana caught Winifred looking at her, and her confidence soared. She was sure Winifred liked her—a comforting thought.

Lina, racing toward her estate, worried sick for Sophia. Though Reginald had posted skilled guards, Lina trusted only herself. After grabbing her new spear, Lina vaulted the wall and rejoined the others, heading straight for Mount Wulfham.

On Mount Wulfham, Sophia Riley fed leaves to her two rabbits. She crouched beside them, watching them eat. The cold was intense; she rubbed her hands together.

"Miss, please go inside," urged a black-clad bodyguard named Qingyue (not previously mentioned, needs Westernizing), with a serious face and formidable skill. Under her protection, Sophia feared little for her safety.

Sophia glanced back at the rabbits, "I will, in a moment, Qingyue." (New name not listed before: "Qingyue" → "Quinnley")

Suddenly, Quinnley drew her sword and leveled it at the door. "Who's there!" she barked.

Sophia jumped, hiding behind Quinnley, eyes on the door. It creaked open in the wind, revealing Victoria Ashwood, who entered smiling, hands raised to show no threat.

Sophia was surprised, "Princess Victoria?"

Quinnley's sword remained drawn. Victoria gave her an uneasy feeling. Though Victoria's steps were unsteady, not like a warrior's, Quinnley was wary. Sophia patted Quinnley's shoulder, and she reluctantly lowered her sword, still vigilant.

Victoria ignored the hostility. She stared at the caged rabbits. One rabbit had only three legs and blind eyes.

Sophia noticed Victoria's interest, explaining, "It lost a paw and its sight in the snow. I thought it wouldn't survive, but it did. It's very strong."

She smiled at the rabbit, recalling how it persevered. Victoria remembered Lina from the previous life—her loyal pawn. When Lina was no longer useful, Victoria discarded her. This crippled rabbit reminded Victoria too much of that scenario.

Sophia grew uneasy. She recalled Lina's warnings about Victoria. Stepping back, Sophia guarded her distance.

Victoria adopted a friendly smile, "I came to pray at the mountain temple and got lost. Could you guide me down, Miss Sophia?"

Sophia hesitated. The temple here was old and abandoned. People usually chose another shrine nearby. Victoria's excuse felt dubious. But her bodyguard was here. Sophia agreed cautiously.

Victoria's plan succeeded. She smiled, "I'm indebted to you."

Victoria chattered on, trying to build rapport, but Sophia remained distant. Irritated, Victoria recognized they were nearing the trap she'd arranged. She took a breath, about to confess some heartfelt nonsense, when suddenly—

"Ah!!!"

Lana's voice cut through the air. She stood, wiping blood off her blade, calling loudly to Lina Riley, "Isn't that your sister?"

In a pool of blood, Lina turned to face Victoria, her smile cold and mocking, "Greetings, Princess."