Shamelessness, Serena Outshames the Bloodcloak Guard

With the Ninth Royal Uncle's command token in hand, it was as if he were present himself. The High Court Chief Justice no longer dared to make Serena kneel. If Serena so much as said she was tired and wanted a chair, the Chief Justice would obediently have one brought for her.

Of course, Serena would never go that far. She shot a contemptuous look at the Director of the Bloodcloak Criminal Affairs Division and Shunning Marquis Manor’s legal adviser, silently telling them: this round, she, Serena Feng, wins first. And not just this round—she intends to win every round from now on.

The two men were so furious they could cough up blood. But Serena had the advantage, and they truly had no way to force her to kneel. Unwilling to see her smug expression, the pair, as if by silent agreement, both snorted and turned away at the same time.

After inspecting the command token, the High Court Chief Justice quickly had it returned to Serena. The clerk carefully cradled the Ninth Royal Uncle’s token. A mocking smile flashed in Serena’s eyes as she casually stuffed the token into her pocket, then took charge and asked, “Your Excellency, I heard you sent officers to Feng Manor to fetch me. May I ask why? Do you realize I am the plaintiff here? Sending officials to drag me from my own house is rather excessive, don’t you think?”

With this, Serena openly refused to acknowledge the charges brought by the Bloodcloak Guard and Shunning Marquis Manor, while also hinting that the High Court was shielding Bloodcloak. Her words further reminded the Chief Justice that Serena hadn’t been properly summoned as the plaintiff.

The Chief Justice coughed, signaling Serena to mind herself—this was a court of law, and he was the one qualified to preside. Serena smiled slightly and dipped her head, showing she wouldn’t overstep again.

The atmosphere in the courtroom returned to normal. The Chief Justice composed himself and began the trial, and of course, the first person he questioned was Serena.

To assert his authority, the Chief Justice gripped the judge’s block tightly, slamming it down before questioning her in a righteous tone: “Serena Feng, the Bloodcloak Guard accuses you of leading men to break into the Bloodcloak dungeon last night and rescuing the prisoner Simon Sun. Is this true?”

Serena didn’t hesitate; she shook her head and flatly denied it: “Absolutely not.”

Serena’s expression remained calm and composed, as if she truly hadn’t broken into the dungeon or rescued anyone last night.

Ridiculous! If Serena truly hadn’t done anything illegal, she could guarantee it—she absolutely hadn’t broken the law. She just treated the law as nothing. If the law could really restrain her, she’d have died long ago.

Serena refused to admit she’d broken into the dungeon or rescued anyone last night—so where was she during that time?

Not only did the Chief Justice want to know—Prince Rowan and Second Prince Evan were also curious.

“Serena Feng, you say you didn’t go to the Bloodcloak Guard last night—so where were you? And why aren’t you at Feng Manor today?” The Chief Justice stared at Serena, waiting for her answer.

Serena looked troubled and stayed silent for a long time, as if she didn’t want to answer.

Something was off.

Everyone’s heart pounded as they stared at Serena, waiting for her answer. The Chief Justice grew impatient and pressed her repeatedly. At last, Serena sighed helplessly: “Your Excellency, must I really answer this question?”

“Of course…”

Before the Chief Justice could finish, the Director of the Bloodcloak Criminal Affairs Division cut in: “Serena Feng, stop pretending! You can’t answer because you know you led your servants to raid our Bloodcloak Guard last night. The broken wall on the left side of the dungeon and the firecrackers at the corner are the best evidence!”

The Director jabbed his finger right at Serena’s nose, his hand trembling uncontrollably.

Anyone who didn’t know better might think the Director was ill, but in fact, he was just furious—furious at Serena’s shamelessness. She’d committed a crime and refused to admit it, even throwing mud at the Bloodcloak Guard instead.

Since its founding, the Bloodcloak Guard had always been the ones to bully others and sling mud. This was the first time they’d been on the receiving end, and the whole Guard found it unbearable.

The Bloodcloak Guard were masters of twisting truth and fabricating cases—no one knew how many false charges and wrongful convictions they’d engineered over the years. They brazenly invented crimes and framed anyone they pleased, spouting fake evidence with utter shamelessness as they ran rampant through the capital. But now…

Serena was even more shameless than they were. She’d clearly broken into the dungeon and freed a prisoner, yet she could still declare with a straight face that she hadn’t done it—and on top of that, she’d accused them of losing the prisoner.

Did Serena feel no shame saying such things? She was truly shameless—utterly hateful.

The Director of the Criminal Affairs Division was beside himself with rage and hatred. The Bloodcloak Guard’s cases had never been tried in open court before—this was the first time.

If they lost, what face would the Bloodcloak Guard have left? Lord Gavin Lu had said it himself: no matter what, the Bloodcloak Guard must not lose. However shameless the tactics, it didn’t matter—the Guard must not lose. If they did, who would fear them anymore? Who would believe their cases were truly ironclad?

The Bloodcloak Guard couldn’t lose, and neither could Serena. That’s why she would never admit to any charge the Bloodcloak Guard brought against her.

So the Director and Serena faced off, his finger shaking harder and harder as he pointed at her, nearly touching her nose.

Serena’s face twisted in disgust. With a loud smack, she slapped the finger away from her face. “I hate it when people point at me. Do it again, and I’ll cut your finger off.”

Serena wasn’t trying to scare anyone—she was just stating a fact. She hated having fingers pointed at her nose. As a child, she’d been cursed and insulted that way countless times—called a bastard, a mongrel, an unwanted stray. She might not care anymore, but she still loathed being pointed at.

The Director had crossed a line—so Serena didn’t bother with politeness.

“You hit me?” The Director stared at the red mark on his hand, unable to believe Serena had actually struck him in open court. Had all his years of authority been for nothing?

“Yes, I hit you. So what, Director? Do you think this is the Bloodcloak Guard, where you can throw your weight around and bully the people? You’d better drop that act—this isn’t your turf. This is the High Court, and you should show respect to the three judges presiding here.”

Director, this isn’t the Bloodcloak Guard—where you can invent a crime and I’d have to confess even if I hadn’t done it. This is the High Court, Eastlyn’s most impartial judicial body. The Chief Justice and the Deputy Justices are presiding right now. You’re passing judgment before the trial has even begun—that’s contempt for the court.

Director, in the High Court, it’s not up to you to decide whether I’m guilty or not. If I’ve broken the law, then I’m guilty. If I haven’t, then I’m not. The High Court won’t let a criminal go free, but it also won’t frame the innocent the way the Bloodcloak Guard does.” Serena called him ‘Director’ again and again, leaving him utterly bewildered by her words—he hadn’t done anything wrong, had he?

Serena didn’t care what the Director did. All she knew was that her words not only subtly undermined the Bloodcloak Guard, but also flattered the High Court.

Whether the Chief Justice accepted her words or not, at the very least, he now had to show impartiality. He couldn’t let anyone attack her, nor could he hand her over to the Bloodcloak Guard…