In due time, the anticipation dissipated as the courthouse filled with spectators eager to witness the forthcoming trial, presided over by her royal majesty, the empress.

Everyone was sitting in their positions. The judges are all present, the accused and the complainant, as well as their lawyers, are also here. Selena was given the role to do an opening remark before they begin the trial.

That is the reason she was the only one who was standing in front of everybody. She stood up with a dignified confidence and she looked at them—her subjects, and people. 

"You have come all the way here at this very stage. I respect your will to see this trial come to light for who is speaking truthfully, and the one speaking lies. We shall adhere to the emblem of our esteemed imperial insignia as a representation of veracity and nothing less than absolute truth."

She then paused before she nodded. "This courthouse will not allow any manipulation, fabrications, and lies under the light of the Goddess. So I must warn both parties, if you tell lies, fabricate evidence, buy witnesses and use any means to lie in my eyes, I will not be as merciful as you think I have done in the past."

Finally, with her angelic voice, she finished the opening remark. When she grabbed the scepter that a young priest was holding, she lifted it up. "Upon this moment, I blessed this trial with the consent of the Goddess. Now let us begin!!"

The start of the trial soon began, and the introduction ended. The empress was following the list of schedules for the rest of the case, and she began observing both of the parties’ movements.

The beginning was hectic. It was the passing of current evidence and witnesses, but then it came to argument from both lawyers. The empress had to stand up for both of them to stop, because this is the courtroom, irrelevant debate is banned from the trial.

Second half of the trial had ended, and it was time to listen to both parties’ stories. Thankfully, she listens to Stella's story and Derrick listens to Count Brandon's story, making her have the advancement in this trial.

Count Baron came first to tell his narrative. 

"Well, you seem to think I am the kind of person who would let his wife do what she likes," he said, delivering out an ominous yet pitiful sneer.

The Empress gaze met his eyes, with a bit of his confidence, it made the empress click her tongue in annoyance. "I was just a man who really loves his wife, but she backstabbed me and complained about my mistress when she herself slept with many men!"

She heard from Derrick that Count Brandon has such a high pitch voice, which also makes him more annoying than less. The way he speaks defines his personality, and his attitude came from his overconfidence. People who count like to act as if they are innocent, when in fact, they are at fault.

She suddenly was reminded of such a person in her previous life.

"She plans to steal my money and run away with her lover!"

Steal his money? Selena grinned and she raised her hand. The judges all looked surprised when she did so, but no one stopped her from standing up. 

"May I ask you something, Count, how will a former duke's princess steal your riches when the duke himself can give her everything she needs?" she asked.

The count smiled and he laughed. "What kind of question is that? Isn't it because the duke does not care about her anymore? That is why she's going to steal my money?"

Only a fool can address the empress like that, and this is an act of mockery if a count speaks to her that way. "It looks like the count has a will to die. Do you know whose woman is standing in front of you right now?"

If she doesn't address this mockery, she cannot stabilize her position as the empress. It will only lead to past life mistakes.

"Aha, of course, your majesty, it is the empire’s ruler," he said, trying to look smart.

Selena nodded, and she sat down, dismissing the count for his manners.

The second to speak is his wife, Stella, who stood in front of everyone with a bit of nervousness.

"I am the count's wife, and I never slept with any men beside him. I was always inside the house, and couldn't leave, so I had no chance of meeting anyone. The count was a fine man in our first year of marriage, but he is showing his true nature in the passing year until he chose to cheat on me."

She held her hand and clenched her fist. "I had no intention of stealing anything. He was the one enjoying himself with the privileges given by my father as his gift to our wedding!"

She must be talking about the name of the duke, and the business privileges he grants upon his daughter’s marriage. Everyone knew that Duke Haston was a rich man because of his interest in trade and commerce. He is well known for building banks and sharing his knowledge with those who he can trust.

Such a thing was gifted because he loves his daughter. The year that this gift was in effect, the Count was arrogantly raising Duke Haston’s name.Therefore, the duke rescinded his offering which dealt a significant blow to the Count's dignity.

"May I speak your honors?"

The Count's lawyer stood up as he interrupted Lady Stella's testimony. 

"You may proceed," said Selena, and she nodded.

He quietly stood up from his chair and he approached. "According to our investigation, the lady is lying. The count did not receive that gift. Rather, it was named in Lady Stella’s name. She used these privileges, and was cut off from her father’s family business," the male lawyer said. 

"Evidence?" the empress asked.

There’s no chance she’ll believe the lawyer without evidence to prove his words. However, the lawyer surprised her with detailed documents.

Selena went through the files and she carefully laughed. The contents were laughable, but she accepted the evidence so she may find something more.

"Proceed to the next part," she commanded, and everyone looked a little tense.

The first one to speak was the count's lawyer. "We will now present our witnesses," he bowed and Selena responded by waving her hand.

Some of his witnesses came from the back, one came first and sat in the room. She looked at the first and he tilted his head as he looked away. 

Stella's lawyer came as the one to ask the witnesses some questions. 

They watch her ask plenty of questions to the witnesses one after another. When she was done, Lady Stella came next with one witness.

"Are you saying that Lady Stella has a drinking hobbit?"

"Yes, bu—"

"If that is so, then she must be so drunk to sleep with someone?"

He was cornering her, and the maid was getting scared at the lawyer’s behavior before he looked down.

"No, she—"

"The maid is not even certain of many things. How can you become a witness if the lady did not bribe you?"

It's a question, but he is already accusing her. The maid was afraid, even though she tried to be silent.

"You vow to answer. Did you see the lady kiss another man?"

"No—"

"I'll ask again, did she kiss another man?"

"I said, no—"

In truth, no one cares about an innocent witness voice, as everything can be manipulated. Stella knew that, and she's worried that the maid wouldn't look at her after this trial.

"Then, let me ask you again, did you see the lady sneak out in the night?"

"I, I don't know!"

Fear can become a lethal venom.

"That is all of my questions, your majesty," he said as he was looking into her eyes.

A snake can cause a poisonous venom. That lawyer is good at manipulating minds. He is confident in his ability, but she is saddened to meet such a man in such circumstances. A person who doesn't care about the truth, but money. 

Finally, it was time to see and judge the accused. Selena watched the Ten Court Judges as they were talking below her, and then to the documents sent to her from both sides.

There was a temptation flowing within her, like a string that was triggering her to be uneasy. The trial is about to end, but when she looks at the lawyer from the count side, she can't help but to breathe in and out.

The report was fine. The only problem is that the writing and the comparison to the report Derrick made—things were not the same. Some words are scribbled and have different meanings. It looks as if it was written by someone who already manipulated everything.

Taking her a few seconds to notice the problem. She rose to her feet, punctuating each step with the resounding thud of her heels against the polished wooden floor. "The Imperial Courthouse prioritizes fairness and truth. Are you fooling this house with such crude disrespectfulness!?"

Everyone's attention turned towards her and some were looking pale. She took the documents in her hand and she smiled. "I refuse to tolerate such derision. If one can bribe these judges, they will never be able to bribe me!"

Four of the current judges receive money, one is biased, and others seem fine. How could she not think that half of them had turned blind to the truth? If this is not mockery, then what is it?

"What are you talking about, your majesty?" the judge spoke.

She glares at him, and she forces a smile. "I have said it, didn't I? If you dare do such unfairness in my eyes, I will rip you apart—ah, I mean punish you."

She then tore the papers and threw it in his face. "Don't go accepting money and tell me what I meant, you disgusting geezer," she angrily mumbled.

To act like this was improper, but the action of buying the judges and manipulating the witnesses made the empress really pissed off.

"This is improper, your majesty, are you out of your mind!?"

She clicked her tongue. "If you have any sense, you won't dare to deceive me, including to whom bought you—" she paused and smiled. "Let's start with the lawyer."

Count’s Lawyer looks at her with no hint of fear. Selena nodded, and she understood that no amount of peace can let them talk. So, she smiles evilly and asks Derrick to give her 'that' contract.

"Everything here, including your witnesses, is fabricated, but the lawyers can be of use." She then shows them the contract. "If you fear nothing, sign this contract and we will end this with the truth in our hand—however, if you fail to tell the truth, you will be jailed and Lady Stella will win this lawsuit."

Fear and anxiety evolved from their feet, while astonishment was met in the eyes of the audience. Indeed, the empress is peculiar, because she was nothing like before.

"That is outrageous, your majesty—"

"Did I permit you to talk? Use that way of talking again, and I will have your tongue cut."

The lawyer, who was filled with confidence, had no choice but to withdraw. The empress was told to be more merciful than the emperor, but those rumors are baseless now. The empress is way too similar to the emperor; she is relentless. 

Is she in a bad mood? She seems somehow sullen but the good thing is that she notices those fabrications, Stella was relieved to see that she's following the truth and justice symbolizing this courthouse.