The author was not entirely knowledgeable in politics, and social economic and social justice. When she was in college, she gradually took the class in politics and ended up failing the entire semester.

However, when she failed that time, she found her other interest and dropped her class to pursue writing. Her life was in the book, and every imagination is her passion.

Politics is a fresh course for her to understand, but she intends to make at least a better decision. Because Selena differs from the author, she is knowledgeable about this type of expertise.

It would be laughable if she didn't find out beforehand. This legal proceeding was orchestrated from its inception by the count's most reliable attorney.

He is well known in the capital. A man adept at swaying verdicts, his serpent-like gaze and manipulative tactics capable of befuddling the masses. If a person who easily tricks a person is called a fraud, he is in the same category as a hoax.

That man is a professional manipulator. He can not be trusted even a bit of his word. It would have been better if he used his ability for goodwill, but he used his ability to commit vicious activities below the empire’s eye. He is also responsible for the illegal auction that was happening in the black market.

She intended to end this trial with civility, but he went beyond—forcing the empress to use 'that' particular contract. A special magical item that binds anyone who signs it till death drives them apart.

Fealty Contracts are the rarest contracts that have ever been made. Comparing it with a slave contract, the fealty contract is an ownership that will prevent them from disobeying their owner. Slave Contract has the same content, but the only difference is that Fealty Contract is life threatening while a slave contract does not.

The empress is a former princess of Solen Kingdom. Her hometown is a place that elevates the magic world. They invented so many magical tools which are rare and customized.

One of them is the infamous Fealty Contract. This contract differs from any contract, and it is more vile than a slave contract. It is a contract that binds the throat of those who lie and uses these conditions to dig up facts.

If they tell lies, the magical vow they signed from the contract will cut their tongues and their ability to write. Though many people call it a Fealty Contract, the hidden name of this contract is the Precision Contract.

The only way to attain this item is through the empress of the Alvadiz Empire. These contracts are indeed rare, but also important. It kept a dangerous power that will put this world in a shackle of slavery. That is the reason no one can have this contract unless they are for her majesty alone.

This contract was put under her ownership, that was the gift she received from her father. Keeping this contract in a box of magical binders can avoid anyone stealing it. Her father as well put an extra measure that the contract can only work with Selena, making it unusable for anyone.

If they know high society well, they also know that this contract does not lie. It had been used infrequently, but it was magical. She looks at them as she steps forward where instead of sitting on her throne; she commands the knights to line up the involved individual including Stella and the maid.

Stella looked at her and she smiled when their eyes met so she nodded. If Stella doesn't have a lie to hide, she will have no fear of this contract.

Even those from the lowest sector knew what it could do. The lawyer of the count, and Stella's lawyer presented themselves again. The questioning was given as their role, but their roles had been reversed.

She pulled out the paper and signed each contract. The aids helped them stamp her blood and the witnesses’ blood on the contract.

"This shall remain a trial. However, we will interrogate everyone involved. With the understanding that truth cannot be changed and lies must not be uttered, exercise caution to avoid losing one's voice," she said, warning them of the power her contracts can operate.

They nodded and she waved her hand and they started with the count's lawyer to ask his own witnesses, including the count.

"Err," he said with a cough, and he went in front of them. "Tell me, did you all witness Lady Stella's cheating problem?"

They all look at each other, and then towards the lawyer who was trying to make them say the original line. "Ah, yes—"

With a flicker of a loud sound, the witness bows his head, and he looks down. He was trying to move his lips, but no amount of struggle would let him speak.

'Is this the ability of the contract?'

Selena smiled as she was watching the witness attempts. "I warned you once, but not twice."

She shifted her eyes. "Continue the questioning, every question Lady Stella's lawyer asked to your witnesses earlier."

Everyone watched, it was shocking, but they couldn't help but to swallow. 

They have known Count Brandon to be filthy and who buys everything with money. Yet, even the witnesses he bought couldn't talk in front of the empress, who's judging their every being.

Watching the trial had made them aware of the empress' powers. 'Is this even a trial?' Few asked, while others could not believe. 'She said it was a trial and also an interrogation.'

Perhaps the count angered the empress. Somehow, watching her as she handled them—and the judges swelling in front was a show of power rather than a trial of truth.

Is this really that timid yet repulsive empress? She looks cruel, in fact, the word cruel is an understatement. She most likely looks like a person of justice. It bewildered them to watch her in action.

She didn't appear evil, but cool. Not everyone hated the empress, some felt envious because she had everything and others wanted to replace her, but the empress had long been a good empress even before she was crowned.

How can they forget that? They believed in the rumors circulating in the streets and thought of it as if everything was explained, but it was all baseless.

The count's lawyer nodded as he followed her order. "I will ask once again, did you see Lady Stella with another man?"

He bowed, and he tried to speak out, but every time he said something, he could not say it as if his lips were stuck. The more he expresses lies, the more he suffers. It was written in the contract. This should not be new to them.

"Speak!"

"N-No, I-I did not!" he covered his mouth, and he tilted to look at the count. 

Count Brandon's face turned pale. He looked at him with a dire and mad look. He didn't think his plans were breaking apart. Not only did the empress order for a contract process, the witnesses are trying to tie him down with them.

"Ah! That is ridiculous your majesty, I did not know he was a fraud. I am not part of this!"

Selena glared straight to his eye and she smirked. "Did I say you are part of this? Though, if you are too sure of yourself, can you say that if you are in their shoes?"

He blinked. He must have slipped a word. However, the empress looked at him with a smirk, and it made him riled up. "Of course, I am not a liar like them!"

Selena smiled and she bent. "Let see, I shall judge it myself." She took a piece of paper with the same contract that the witnesses had signed. "You are confident that you are not involved, then you have no reason to turn down this contract."

He swallowed. Did the empress just bait him out? If he signs the contract, everything is over!

'Is this really that empress the marquis was talking about?' He asked, and bit his lips. She seemed different. Somehow, she was not swayed by the amount of money he offered her. 

"There is no way out, count," even her voice sounds so cold. 

If the emperor's frigid and dispassionate demeanor is intimidating, then the empress' terror stems from her resemblance to a resplendent rose trapped within an empty vessel, yet harboring lethal thorns.

"Fine," he said, and he signed the contract as instructed. He depends on his lawyer to find a way out. He doesn't give up that easily.

"Now, let me ask you count, how many witnesses did you purchase?" 

"Well, I didn't—"

Wait, he stopped and suddenly a burst through his heart exploded, making him scream in pain. There was something poking his heart, and he couldn't even talk. 

He tried to tell what he had to say but something felt wrong. He could hear himself talking, so he shifted and he looked at the empress.

"Are you okay? Oh, wait, did you lie? I am sure I have warned you about this. You disappoint me," she mumbled and she smiled. 

Is this the power of the contract? It is forcing him to talk and tell the truth.

Now his body is burning hot, and the pain in his heart did not stop. It was like a torture, and he didn't like it at all.

"I-I purchased them all!" 

"Even the highest court judge?" 

He tried to tie his mouth, but every truth came running from him like a storm. "Four of the judges... and the evidence, I followed the instruction given by my lawyer!" he screamed as he pointed at the lawyer who now looked at him in horror.

True, he can deal with his emotions, but even the greatest fraud can break if he’s being betrayed. 'What a sight to see,' the empress smirked.

A wild, venomous snake.

Indeed, this was already a full interrogation. Even the citizens watching the incidents couldn't help but to inhale. The lawyer has bitten back his owner.

"I defended your case! And you pushed the blame on me!" 

The count stood and he looked at him. "I tried to tell you about the plan!" 

"Yeah, but you screw it up! Don't push the blame on me!"

"I picked you up in that filthy slam, now you are barking at your owner!" he yelled at the young lawyer.

Watching them displeased many, but it was a nice entertainment for those who become a victim to them, including Stella, who was laughing at the moment. 

"I am not your damn dog!" the lawyer yelled back.

Still, this should bring the truth to light. "Count Brandon and his pear, as an act of insult, you shall await my verdict for your crimes in a week's time—put them in jail!"