"Chief Judicator, even if it’s the Princess Royal’s bedroom, that shouldn’t stop the execution," insisted the Fifth Judicator.

Though this explosion wasn’t Silver’s doing, it bought time. Wenwu wondered why the Fifth Judicator had fixated on him since the trial began.

"Fifth Judicator, you’re too hasty. Look at the prisoner’s face—that’s no condemned man’s expression. This is premeditated. If he caused the blast and the Princess Royal was harmed, we’d all share the blame. Spare him until we confirm her safety," said the Chief Judicator.

Wenwu’s calm was all thanks to Silver. The Chief Judicator misunderstood, but Wenwu’s life was safe for now.

As the shaken crowd recovered, a glowing magic circle appeared beside Wenwu on the gallows.

"Guards! Guards!" The Fifth Judicator spotted it first. "A teleportation circle! He has accomplices! Grab whoever emerges—don’t let them escape!"

Guards surrounded the circle under his orders.

Its glow faded, revealing a figure.

Red hair. Emerald eyes. Princess Royal.

To everyone’s shock, the Empire’s comatose Princess stepped out.

Her fiery hair was disheveled, face smeared with black soot. She wore only a torn nightgown, revealing glimpses of skin—making Wenwu’s thoughts wander.

"Hail the Princess Royal."

The Chief Judicator bowed despite his confusion.

After the initial shock, all knelt except the bound Wenwu.

Ignoring the crowd, the Princess rushed to Wenwu, repeating, "It worked! I succeeded! Because of you, I succeeded!"

Wenwu had no idea what she meant and stayed silent.

Seeing her ignore protocol and speak only to the prisoner, the Fifth Judicator gritted his teeth. He stood, draped his cloak over her shoulders, and said, "Princess Royal, please mind your appearance."

She glanced at him. "You’re just in time."

"What?"

Before he reacted, she drew his sword, slashed Wenwu’s ropes, and pulled him onto the circle. To the Chief Judicator, she called, "I’m fine. Don’t search for me. Handle this mess." Then she vanished with Wenwu before everyone’s eyes.

Even the Chief Judicator froze. In thirty years, he’d never seen a victim rescue the criminal.

The magic circle deposited Wenwu in a ruined room—the explosion site.

"Um... Princess Royal... is there a misunderstanding between us..."

"Talk later."

She opened a half-destroyed wardrobe. Wenwu glimpsed all-black clothes inside. She grabbed one set.

Before his eyes, she slipped off her nightgown. She didn’t stop—until only undergarments remained.

"Princess Royal, this isn’t proper..."

"What?"