Aubrey shivered under the many glares that were directed towards her. Dressed in only a loose linen cloth she wrapped around her body, she stared out through the iron bars that confided her. 

Aubrey sat in the middle of a large round table, locked within a metal bird cage. Chairs lined the table’s edge, at each one sat a new intimidating presence. One chair was noticeably larger and more ornate than the others. It was positioned opposite from the large double doors that led into the lavish chamber. 

So this is the reward for my loyalty.

In it sat a man with a short beard colored in the same dark black as the hair on his head. He wore a luxurious red suit lined with golden trim. His eyes focused deeply on the faerie that laid in the middle of the table. 

“His majesty the emperor has given me the authority to act as his proxy. The information has already been leaked. I imagine rumors are being spread as we speak, so it is important that we come to a conclusion on how to deal with this matter.”

Aubrey turned her face away so as not to make contact with the man’s eyes. As she averted her gaze, her eyes locked with the woman who stood behind the man.She was a pretty young woman with long hair that was a black similar to that of the man she stood behind. On her body she wore an elegant dress colored in a purple akin to the sapphire brooch positioned on her chest. 

Aubrey had never met her before, but seeing how she stood behind the 1st Imperial Prince, who would become the next Emperor she surmised her to be Rosaline the 8th Imperial Princess, and the youngest of the empress’ three children. 

“Master Grimaldi, I would like to hear your thoughts.” Continued the crown prince. 

“Thank you, your highness.” Said a voice from behind Aubrey.

She did not have the heart to turn and look towards the man. He was the captain of the 11th knight chapter, the Golden Dragon knights, and Aubrey’s commander. 

Aubrey, already depressed by the situation she found herself in, did not have the courage to face him. She thought herself incapable of enduring the shame she would feel. 

“Once again I express my sincerest apologies for our order’s failure to lead the expedition. I would also ask for your leniency on this matter, the information that was provided makes me confident the faerie is indeed our missing knight.” 

He stopped before choosing his next words, Aubrey could not see his face, but could still feel the hint of sadness on his voice. 

“He was a good knight and soldier. His loyalty and character are apparent, seeing as how he still chose to return to us. I ask for you to forgive the shame he has brought to the Empire, and to the title of Swordmaster.”

While Audrey was thankful for the kind words, she could not help but get annoyed at the words. 

You people have no idea what I faced. I’d like to see how well you’d have done. 

The Empire had seven Swordsmasters, formerly eight before Aubrey’s transformation. It was a rank given to those with abilities at the pinnacle of mana control and power for a knight. Aubrey had met five of them, one of which was Beretral Grimaldi, the commander of the Golden Dragon knights.

Aubrey acknowledged his strength, which was much greater than hers even before the transformation, but she could still not imagine him succeeding where she had failed. Even the Wandering Swordmaster who had once inspired a chilling fear into Aubrey, and was said to be among the strongest of the masters, she struggled to picture even him winning against that woman. 

“May I say a word?” 

A new voice had entered, and Aubrey turned her head. The voice belonged to a man who looked similar in age to the 1st prince. He similarly wore a fancy suit, but his hair was a shade of  brown, and his face shaved clean.

“Very well Christoff.” 

“Thank you dear brother.” He said, the corner of his lips upturned in a smirk. 

“This is a precious opportunity we cannot afford to lose. Never in the history of the empire has anyone captured a live faerie. She should be turned over to the royal mages for study. This could be a chance to greatly improve our research, and further our magical development.” 

“That's purely speculation! You have no proof the faerie would enable your research's  success.” Interrupted a young man seated across the table. 

His age was closer to the princess she had seen before then the men who previously spoke. He had fiery red hair, and noticeable youth in his face that the other’s lacked. 

“Such a rare specimen should be put on display in the royal palace.”

“Be quiet Damian, and watch your tone.” Reprimanded the 1st prince. 

While Audrey felt a tinge of anger at the words of her commander, now she felt nothing but pure hatred. 

Should I put a fist through their throats? Such treasonous thoughts, I wouldn’t have dreamed to think like this even just a few months ago. 

Aubrey’s mana control had grown as she became more accustomed to her new body. She could now draw on more mana before, and although it was nothing compared to her previous power, it was certainly sufficient to bend the iron bars and escape. 

Still, she quashed any such thoughts. If she were to try such a thing she would be instantly dealt with by the 11th chapter captain. Even if she evaded him she would still have to deal with the 4th prince who was known to be formidable with a sword, and the royal guards from the 2nd chapter who waited outside the chamber. 

She had no choice but to meekly sit and watch, with no control of the situation, she had nothing to do but hope for a favorable outcome. 

“What did the Obertin family say about this matter?.” 

“They have written expressing how they have experienced ‘a most dire shame’ and would not object to an execution.” 

The previously silent 4th prince replied. His looks were similar to the man who acting as the emperor’s proxy, except he was younger and adorning a clean face as opposed to a beard. 

“Tcht” Audrey clicked her tongue.

While normally it would be a grave offense to do such in the presence of royalty, she was now small enough that likely none but the chapter captain with his heightened senses would notice. 

She also did not care much any more, not for the family who abandoned her as soon as her usefulness expired, nor for the imperial family who offered only punishment and suspicion in the face of her loyalty. 

“May I speak for a moment?” 

Eyes turned to the princess in the vibrant purple dress. 

“Very well Rosaline”

“Thank you brother.” She offered a slight bow, stepping forward to stand beside the man.

“I must say, it hurts my heart to hear members of my beloved family approach this situation with such selfish interests.”

“Christoff, Damian, what you both suggest stands to set a dangerous precedent. The backbone of imperial authority is the knights. They offer their loyalty to the emperor and expect to be honored, and rewarded in exchange.”

She stared down the two men, but they remained silent for the moment. 

“As Leonard said, the information has already been leaked. This can no longer be covered up. You expect to announce to every imperial knight that if they encounter a strange unknown magic that they can expect to be sold off to a royal wizard as a test subject?”

The smirked mouth of the 3rd prince finally turned down, a noticeable annoyance remaining in his eyes. 

“And Damian, your ideas would bring more shame to the imperial family than anything Sir Obertin has done.”

“That’s enough.” Said the crown prince raising a hand. “Do you have any suggestions  Rosaline, or will you only offer reprimands?” 

“Yes, I was just getting there.”

She let out a sigh.

“There is more to a knight than just physical strength. Even if our knight here has gained a feeble body, it is apparent his mind remains unchanged. As an accomplished member of the Golden Dragon order he undoubtedly has a depth of tactical and strategic knowledge.”

“The 111th chapter. The position of chapter captain has remained vacant for a while now, that position should be given to Sir Obertin. In isolation it could be seen as a promotion, a reward for the loyalty of a knight returned despite a difficult circumstance.” 

The man beside her moved a hand over his beard. Seemingly contemplating the proposal. 

“Despite the promotion, it will still be viewed as a punishment for the failure of the expedition, and the shame he has brought.”

He moved his eyes behind Aubrey, to the man seated behind her.

“Captain Grimaldi, what are your thoughts on the proposal?” 

“I have no doubt in Aubrey’s skill as a commander. To command the 111th may be a challenge, but if he cannot do it, then I doubt anyone else can.”

“With that in mind, I will make a decision.” The prince paused for a second, before continuing. “After giving consideration to the words of my siblings and the chapter captain, I will use my authority as proxy to hereby appoint Aubrey Obertin as chapter captain of the 111th knight chapter.”

“Hah.” Aubrey let out a sigh. 

She could finally show some relief. While normally being appointed to such a position would bring one nothing but shame, Audrey had already become numb to the feeling. For now all she wanted was to survive.