She killed someone!
This wasn’t the first time she’d killed, and it wouldn’t be the last. But Serena Feng knew—this was by far the most painful.
With these hands, she had taken the life of an innocent boy. With these hands, she had taken his beautiful eyes.
Serena Feng didn’t know how she’d made it back to Cell H‑9. All she knew was that she wanted to cry—wanted to cry for herself, and for that boy.
The powerful were like tigers. She and that boy were both sacrifices beneath their claws—the only difference was, she’d been luckier than him.
Serena Feng crouched in the corner, hugging her knees, silently letting her tears fall.
“Xavier, you can go in peace. I swear I’ll avenge you—I’ll kill Duke Allen, I’ll destroy Duke Allen’s manor.”
“Xavier, you can go in peace. I promise I’ll take you out of here, reunite your family, and let your eyes keep seeing the world outside.”
She knew that, for the sake of the pills, Commander Lucan Lu would do his best to help her out. After all, today’s visitor was just a princess, not the Empress herself. And with the Punishment Room show, Lucan would be sure to protect her as much as he could.
On the fifth day of Serena Feng’s imprisonment, Princess Serenity arrived at the Bloodcloak Guard’s dungeon without warning to interrogate her in person.
Commander Lucan Lu was stunned. Without thinking, he tried to come up with an excuse to turn her away—he wouldn’t even let Princess Serenity into the cell. But Princess Serenity was not someone who could be brushed off so easily.
She’d waited five days just to see Serena Feng meet her miserable end.
She wanted Serena Feng to understand: anyone who dared threaten her would never come to a good end.
With Princess Serenity pressing the issue, Commander Lucan Lu had no choice. After all, Princess Serenity wasn’t some neglected royal—she was the Empress’s daughter.
Still, Commander Lucan Lu was no ordinary man. There was no way he’d let himself stumble over something like this.
The aide was sharp. Hearing Serena Feng say this, he immediately understood: “Miss Feng, don’t worry. Later, to please Princess Serenity, they’ll put on a show of punishing you in the Punishment Room. Commander Lu already instructed us—you’ll only get the lightest whipping. There’s a trick to it: we can make the skin split and bleed, but not hurt the bones or tendons. You’ll suffer a bit, but I promise you won’t be left with any lasting injuries.”
The aide quietly slipped away and immediately sent people to tidy Serena Feng up.
When Serena Feng got the news, she wiped away her tears, her face grave but her eyes resolute as she nodded in cooperation. At the same time, she handed a box containing five blue pills to the aide, asking him to pass it to Commander Lucan Lu.
She knew that, for the sake of the pills, Commander Lucan Lu would do his best to help her out. After all, today’s visitor was just a princess, not the Empress herself.
Princess Serenity had been coaxed by Commander Lucan Lu for a long time. When she finally ran out of patience and Lucan Lu led her to the Punishment Room, she saw Serena Feng hanging from the torture device.
Serena Feng was dressed in clothes that had belonged to some prisoner who’d suffered torture—the stains of old, blackened blood reeked of iron and rot.
To make it look realistic, her hair was deliberately tousled, her face painted with bruises of blue and purple, and fresh blood smeared onto her clothes.
“This trick is brilliant. Even I almost believe I’m a prisoner who’s been tortured,” Serena Feng said, looking herself over. Without lifting her clothes to check, no one could tell if it was real or fake.
Commander Lucan Lu’s aide knew just how much Lucan valued Serena Feng. Hearing her say this, he laughed: “Miss Feng, outsiders all say the Bloodcloak Guard are wolves and tigers, that we devour people whole. But they don’t know we have a conscience too. For the loyal and virtuous officials who end up here, we rarely use real torture—mostly it’s just tricks like this to fool people. The nobles who visit never look closely; a quick glance is enough to scare them.”
Serena Feng gave a soft laugh, not believing it inside, but outwardly she said, “I trust Uncle Lu’s character—he really is a good man.”
The aide was sharp. Hearing Serena Feng say this, he immediately understood: “Miss Feng, don’t worry. Later, to please Princess Serenity, they’ll put on a show of punishing you in the Punishment Room. Commander Lu already instructed us—you’ll only get the lightest whipping. There’s a trick to it: we can make the skin split and bleed, but not hurt the bones or tendons. You’ll suffer a bit, but I promise you won’t be left with any lasting injuries.”
“Thank you. The box is for Commander Lu—you’ll get your reward too, big brother.” That’s how these deals worked.
Everyone understood, but saying it out loud made them feel a bit closer.
……
Princess Serenity had been coaxed by Commander Lucan Lu for a long time. When she finally ran out of patience and Lucan Lu led her to the Punishment Room, she saw Serena Feng hanging from the torture device.
“Serena Feng, you should feel honored. This is the first time I’ve put so much thought into dealing with a lowborn,” Princess Serenity said, flicking her blood-red fingertips at the guards behind her.
“Ahem, Commander Lu, have your people step back.” Princess Serenity wasn’t just all chest and no brains—growing up in a palace that chewed people up, she knew all the tricks behind torture, so she’d never use Lucan Lu’s men.
“Your Highness, that’s not really appropriate—this is the Bloodcloak Guard,” Commander Lucan Lu replied. He wasn’t about to be pushed around.
He was the Emperor’s confidant—he might work for the Empress, but he wasn’t Princess Serenity’s lackey. Even if you beat a dog, you have to consider its master.
“What, does Your Highness think you can tear apart the Bloodcloak Guard? No wonder my father says Commander Lu’s gotten timid—looks like it’s true.”
That’s the privilege of imperial princes and princesses—a single word, and no one dares question if it’s true. After all, who’d have the guts to ask the Emperor if he’d really said something like that?
Commander Lucan Lu instantly broke out in a sweat. He glanced at Serena Feng, then shook his head helplessly.
Serena Feng understood—he was abandoning her to protect his own position.
They sat Lucan Lu far away. He had no choice but to obey. Control of the Punishment Room, and Serena Feng’s fate, naturally fell to Princess Serenity…
Serena Feng’s hands and feet were bound to the torture rack. Even without punishment, the position was agony. After crying so hard just now, her voice was full of sorrow and weakness; she played it up, looking half-dead.
“Serena Feng, you should feel honored. This is the first time I’ve put so much thought into dealing with a lowborn,” Princess Serenity said, flicking her blood-red fingertips at the guards behind her.
The guards obeyed, politely escorting everyone out—including Commander Lucan Lu.
“Your Highness, this is the Bloodcloak Guard. I am its commander—my duty is here,” Lucan Lu said, bowing to Princess Serenity but refusing to leave.
Serena Feng knew Lucan Lu wasn’t staying to help her—he was just putting on a show.
Heh…
Serena Feng gave a bitter smile, closed her eyes, and said nothing more.
Truthfully, there was no real hatred between her and Princess Serenity—she’d only wounded the princess’s pride.
Seeing Lucan Lu’s stubbornness, Princess Serenity didn’t argue. She waved at the guards: “Find Commander Lu a seat.”
They sat Lucan Lu far away. He had no choice but to obey. Control of the Punishment Room, and Serena Feng’s fate, naturally fell to Princess Serenity…