Seryoso akong naglalakad papunta sa dungeon, wala akong maayos na tulog kahit sobra akong napagod. Ganoon pa rin, ang pakiramdam na nakapatay ay hindi pa rin nawawala sa akin. In fact, binangungot pa ako ngunit nakakasigurado naman ako na masasanay ko rin ang sarili. 

Pagpasok ko sa Dungeon, agad kong tinungo kung saan nakakulong ang lahat ng nadakip namin. I smirked when they immediately noticed my arrival. Their eyes widened in shock as my presence caught them off guard. I stood before them, crossing my arms over my chest, a subtle smirk playing on my lips. “Hmmm, look at yourselves,” I muttered, my gaze slowly sweeping across each of them.

But then, I was taken aback when they suddenly fell to their knees before me. “Your Majesty! Help us! We are innocent!” they cried out in unison, their voices trembling with desperation. I feigned surprise, my expression one of genuine disbelief, “Really?! Oh, my precious people,” I replied, my voice tinged with sadness. I looked at them with an air of pity, as if their plight truly moved me. “Help us, Your Majesty! My family, they are worried!” one of them pleaded, his voice breaking with emotion. I covered my mouth with my hand, pretending to be affected, but then a cold, mocking laugh escaped me.

“What a pity,” I sneered, my tone dripping with sarcasm. “Did you really think you could deceive me? Huh! The audacity!” I spat, my eyes narrowing with fury.

“Have you ever considered those innocent women you have victimized?!” My voice rang out, echoing off the cold, damp walls of the dungeon. I could feel my fists clenching, my nails digging painfully into my palms as the anger surged within me.

“You people have no shame! I will personally see to it that you all meet your end!” I declared, my words laced with venom. Their eyes widened with terror, their faces turning ashen with fear.

I laughed, a cruel, mocking sound, as I watched the terror contort their faces. “That’s right! Fear me! Fear the weight of your sins!” I cried out, my voice filled with a twisted excitement that sent a thrill through my veins. I turned and left them, leaving them to stew in their panic and despair. My laughter echoed through the dungeon as I made my way back to the surface.

As I had anticipated, the families of these noblemen soon rushed to the Imperial Palace. They had gathered outside the gates, and I decided to meet them myself.

“Your Imperial Majesty!” they cried out in unison, their voices tinged with desperation. In their panic, they had even forgotten the proper protocol of greeting me first. Not that I blamed them—if I were in their situation, I’d be in a state of panic too. “Your Majesty! Please help us!” they begged, trying to push past the knights who quickly blocked their path.

“Relax, people! We won’t get anywhere if you’re all in such a state,” I said to them, my voice calm and steady, my composure unwavering.

They tried to compose themselves, but the fear and anxiety were still etched clearly on their faces. “So, what’s this all about?” I asked, feigning concern.

“Your Majesty, my husband! He’s gone missing,” one of them revealed, her voice trembling with panic. I stared at them for a moment, letting the silence hang heavily in the air before I took a deep breath.

“Did you know that your husbands are involved in the disappearance of women in our land?” I inquired, my voice calm and measured. Their eyes widened once more, the shock clearly written on their faces.

“Your Majesty! You cannot make such an accusation without proof! My husband is innocent!” one of them exclaimed, her voice filled with indignation. The audacity of these nobles—they neither respect nor trust me.

I smirked, a cold and knowing smile. “Of course. That’s why I’ve invited you all to the Plaza del Sentencia at noon today,” I stated, watching as their eyes widened in realization, as if they already knew what was coming.

Plaza del Sentencia, ang lugar na ito ay matatagpuan sa gitna ng kabisera, isang malawak at pampublikong plaza kung saan nagaganap ang mga pagbitay bilang isang babala sa lahat. Ang plaza ay napapalibutan ng mga matataas na pader na may mga nakakatakot na ukit at rebulto na naglalarawan ng hustisya at parusa. Mayroong mataas na entablado sa gitna, kung saan isinasagawa ang pagbitay habang pinapanood ng mga tao.

Ang lugar na ito ay hindi lamang ginagamit para sa mga bitay kundi pati na rin para sa ibang uri ng pampublikong parusa. Ang mga tao ay nagtitipon sa Plaza del Sentencia upang masaksihan ang katarungan na ipinapatupad ng estado, isang seremonya na may halong takot at paggalang sa batas ng emperyo.

EKSAKTONG alas dose naroon na kami sa Plaza del Sentencia, many people attended, curiosity evident on their faces, except for the families of the prisoners we had captured. They were all in tears, exhausted, their faces a mess of grief and despair.

Earlier, I had met with the High Judge to finalize the judgment, and he had agreed without hesitation.

Now, I sat on a luxurious chair, surveying the surroundings. The sight of the crowd was not particularly pleasing to me—a common sentiment I often felt.

“We are all gathered here today to witness the judgment from the Imperial Palace!” Henry announced, holding a scroll in his hand, where the sentence of the guilty was written. “These people have committed sins! They are involved in illegal activities! They are responsible for the disappearance of our women!” he exclaimed, causing the crowd to gasp in shock.

Then, all the women we had rescued were brought out. They stood on the stage, tears brimming in their eyes. The crowd erupted in chaos, with some people crying out, claiming one of the women as their daughter.

“Silence!” Henry commanded. The crowd fell silent, but panic was still etched on their faces.

“And now, for the criminals!” Henry continued, stepping aside. The knights then brought out all the men who were guilty, leading them to the center of the stage. Each man had a noose prepared for him, hanging ominously from the gallows.

The crowd erupted once more, their voices a mix of cries, pleas, and anger. I smirked at the spectacle before me.

“Your Majesty! Please help us!”

“Your Majesty! Give us some time!” The families of the criminals were now begging for my mercy—time? For what? So they could spend a few more moments with those criminals? Nonsense! Did they ever think of their victims? Did they give those women a chance? No! So why should I give them any?

The crime they committed was unforgivable, and the only justice for them was to be erased from this world.

I nodded to the High Judge, signaling him to proceed.

"By the will of the Empress, the sovereign ruler of the Empire—the Emperor, and by the laws that govern this land, you, Robertine, Gidon, Helmet, Israel, Ganor, Eduardo, Harbin, Nole, Thomas, Samuel, Sidon, Hermano, and Hellot, have been found guilty of human trafficking. Your actions have brought dishonor and chaos to the realm, and for this, the ultimate price must be paid," the High Judge announced. The cries of the criminals' families echoed through the crowd, their voices filled with desperation, before the High Judge continued speaking.

"Before the eyes of the gods, the Emperor, the Empress, and the people of this Empire, I hereby sentence you to death. May your souls find no peace in the afterlife, as your actions have brought none in this life..."

"Let this serve as a reminder to all who would defy the will of the Empire: justice is swift, and the consequences are inevitable. The Emperor’s word is law, and the law is absolute... With the power vested in me by the Empire, I pronounce this sentence to be carried out immediately. May the Empire stand eternal!" the High Judge declared, and suddenly, the crowd fell into a heavy silence. Now, it was the criminals who were crying.

The knights swiftly placed the nooses around the criminals' necks, and then, the floor beneath them opened, causing them to hang lifeless from the ropes. I smirked as I watched the families of the criminals collapse to the ground, overwhelmed by grief and despair. The Duke was fortunate not to be among those we captured, but I will ensure he is the next to fall.

I didn’t linger any longer and returned to the palace. As soon as I arrived, Anastasia rushed to meet me, her face twisted in fury.

"Your Majesty! Have you no heart?! How could you do that without even giving them a chance to defend themselves?" she yelled, her voice trembling with anger. Her fists were clenched tightly, her breathing heavy, as if she was struggling to contain her urge to strike me.

I raised an eyebrow. "Consort Anastasia, have you ever considered what they did to our kind?" I asked her, referring to our kind—as women. Her brow furrowed before she spoke again, "But, Your Majesty—"

"Are you questioning the decision of the Imperial Palace, Consort Anastasia?" I interrupted, my voice firm and unwavering.

For a moment, she was rendered speechless, "I am not, Your Majesty, but what about the families?" she insisted, her voice filled with concern. I stared at her, noting the stress and tension etched on her face.

I sighed. "The execution has already been carried out. Once it's done, it's done," I remarked before turning away from her and leaving.

I had no desire to argue with her any further—I was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to rest. I knew that after what had happened, more people would seek to overthrow me, but I would not let them succeed.

They are the villains of this world, and I am their greatest villainess—no matter what they do, they will never defeat me.

Ps: Consort Anastasia pala dapat so iedit ko na lang yung mali, pero noong kararating lang ni Anastasia Lady pa talaga yun hehe.