Rose had prepared herself for many things she would have to do after the war but this was something no amount of preparation could have prepared her for. She knew how to use a blade, and she had been doing it for as long as she could remember but wearing a dress? That was new to her.

Do people actually wear this kind of thing? Rose thought. she was raised on the battlefield, and she had rarely had the luxury to wear anything as impractical as this. The dress the maid had stuffed her into was far too tight on the waist which while not comfortable, was not as bad as the skirt. It was long and puffy reaching down to the floor making the dress its self a tripping hazard.

It's only for one night then I can get the title and the money I was promised. Rose was a mercenary and not just any, one of the best at lest she thought so. She had taken down monsters from goblins to ogres and had been hired for a few miner wars. Her most recent job was to work as a part of the attack force in the war between The Solest empire and the kingdom of Jadewood. She had made great achievements and the emperor had decided to give her the title of honorary knight which she would have refused if it weren't for the tax exemption she would receive from the title.

“Ma’am the party has started it's time for you to head out,” the maid who had managed to force Rose into the dress said. The maid had gone through hell to find something that she could convince Rose was "practical" enough. It was the least puffy dress that was still considered formal attire.

“Let's just get this over with.” Rose let out a sigh as she left the room following the maid toward where the party was being held.

At least The emperor let me and the other soon-to-be nobles stay in the green palace while the party was being set up over the past few weeks. Although I think that was just to keep us under his watchful eyes but it was a nice brake from the tents and cheap inns I had been staying at. Rose mused in her mind. There were about 7 other commoners that were getting the rank of honorary knight.

Was all of the death worth two large gem mines? Rose had never understood why nobles were so obsessed with gems and gold it seemed like a waste to her when the money could be used for more useful things.

Rose’s thoughts were interrupted as she entered the large ballroom. It was opulent the floor was a white tiled marble each block was worth a week's worth of food for a commoner if she had to guess. There was a large golden chandelier with diamond chains Rose had no idea how much it had cost but just looking at it made her envious that they could waste money on such things with how many were starving outside of the palace walls. She shook her head to refocus her self.

“If you need anything Ma’am just ask one of the servants they are sure to help.” The maid said before slinking off. Rose just stood stunned by the scene after a moment she gulped then heading into the crowd.

About 20 minutes had passed since she had entered the ballroom room she had overheard some juicy tidbits that would have cost a fortune to find out about before. If she was lucky she may be able to use them to find a new job after this.

As she was thinking of her future prospects she hears a loud trumpet Turning her head she sees the emperor enter his long blond hair swaying as he walked. He looked like he could be blown over by a light wind but even from were she stood Rose could tell that his purple eyes were as sharp as ever like that of snake. Emperor Amos was know for being cunning but in recent years his body has started to deteriorate and it was thought that he would pass soon leaving his only son the throne.

Just behind him was prince Leo. He is slender but not to the point of looking sickly unlike his father. The prince stood tall his eyes looking over the crowd like a hawk. His purple eyes gleamed with pride that seemed overbearing. The price was well know to be full of pride and greed but treats those that serve him well.

The Emperor began to speak “We have gathered he today to celebrate the end of the war and the ones we have to thank for it! The 8 Brave warriors that led are forces to victory in the darkest hour will be given the title of honorary knight! Will the eight please line up.” The man's voice was far louder than one would expect from how he looked.

Rose set her drink down walking in till she stood before the emperor. Then knelt before the emperor along with the other soon-to-be honorary knights. The emperor began with The brown-haired man to Rose’s left. The emperor went down the line knighting each of Them.

It was not long till it was Rose's turn. She did her best to stay calm as she felt the cold metal of the steel of the blade touch her shoulders. She never let anyone bring a sword this closes to her neck before. If the man that held the blade so wished he could slit her throat before she could do anything. It made her heart start to beat so loud that she could hear it in her ears.

“I dub thee Rose Yvonne and I grant you the title of honorary knight of now Arise”

But that panic only lasted for but a moment. She stood up her eyes meeting the emperor’s. His eyes seemed to pierce into her very soul but only for a moment.

“Let the ball truly begin!” The emperor yelled then music began to fill the large room many taking this time to begin dancing. The emperor then turned left. Rose let out a sigh of relief.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Her new name was was more fitting then she expected. Most commoners don’t have last name if a commoner becomes a knight or honorary knight in this case then the person that knights them must give them a last name. Theses names unlike the title can be passed down.

Nobles surrounded the freshly knighted group Rose looked for a opening her eyes scanning across the crowed and soon she saw a path though. As soon as she found the path, Rose used it weaving though the crowd as best she she could. She was headed straight for a place with few people near it. Soon she found her self near a corner of the large ball room.

Leaning on a corner of the room far from the crowed. Practically hiding herself there she had never been a fan of other people mostly due to her upbringing she knew she needed to work on that but she could never get herself to put in the effort. It did not help that she was also not a fan of nobles so she a no interest in getting involved with them.

What am I going to do with all that money when I'm done here? I know, let's treat myself and get my scabbard repaired! The scabbard for Rose's sword was in a state of disrepair she could never justify getting it fixed over getting better armor or fixing her sword but with this big payout, she could finally get it fixed.

As she was lost in her thoughts she notices someone coming towered her from the crowed. She could tell in a instant that it was the prince. She turned and started walking to the farthest point from were she was hoping the prince had not noticed that she had noticed him.

She stepped out onto one of the many balconies overlooking a nearby garden. She let out a sigh of relief, thinking she had escaped. Then she felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning around in a panic, her eyes met the princes.

“Prince you should be more careful you startled me,” Rose said trying to keep her composer. The prince was one of the last people she wanted to interact with today. It was well known that he was a spoiled brat. All that is no surprise considering he was the king’s only child.

“Now why should that matter to me?” The prince's voice was arrogant, and he looked down on Rose figuratively as if they were about the same height. Before Rose could get a word out, the prince spoke once more:” To get straight to the point, I’m willing to pay you one-hundred Gold if you act as my bodyguard for the next six months.”

Rose stared at the prince his face unmoving her mind had just stopped working. The average living cost for a mouth for a commoner was one gold, one-hundred gold would be enough money that Rose could live comfortably for years.

Rose had to use all of her willpower that she had built up over the years not to say yes on the spot. But she knew there had to be a reason that the prince was looking for a bodyguard and picking someone that had only been an honorary knight for a short time.

To hell with it! Rose thought not wanting him to back out of the deal. No matter why the prince needed a bodyguard it's unlikely to not be worth that much money.

It was a well-known fact that the prince was spoiled rotten so Rose decided to take a risk “Make it 112 gold and we have a deal” Rose said with the calmest voice she could muster.

The prince thought for only a moment “…Fine I can work with that” he said then he rang a small bell and only moments later a maid approached from just inside the ballroom.

“The contract” The prince spoke harshly far harsher than when talking with Rose. The maid handed a small scroll of paper. Rose realized it instantly it was a Magic-contract. Magic-contracts are special contracts that if either side breaks the agreement they suffer from different effects based on what is stipulated in the contract. Rose had only seen a few of them they were mostly only used by kings or mages due to the sheer cost of getting one .

The prince pulled out a small pen and edited the contract changing the fee then turned it to Rose. “Is that all?” the prince asked Rose took a look over the contract it was a rather standard employment contract for this kind of job. Except for the punishment for breaking the contract which was death for most jobs this would be overkill do for guarding the prince it seemed par for the course.

Rose took one last breath before she held her hand out “Can I borrow your pen?” she asked. The prince sighed “Here.” He said as he handed the pen over. Rose sighed the contract “Rose Yvonne” Then the contract shined for a moment before splitting in two one for Rose and one for The prince.--

The prince stuffed the contract into his coat's pocket. Then spoke as he started to turn away. “Met me after the party The servant will have lodging ready for you.” These were his last words to Rose as he walked away.

Rose let out a sigh She would never have signed a contract at a party like this under normal circumstances but the payout was far too good it was almost four times what the war contract would pay out. All though she was a bit worried about his personality but not much she could do now.

Looking out over the large garden Rose smiled she was finally off the battled field she had been fighting for her life since she could remember. So working as a bodyguard would be a good start to not being in a different war every month whether that war be with monsters or humans.

Rose turned back are headed inside they would be taking most of the snacks away soon and she wanted to at least taste a few of them and what better way to get her mind off everything than indulging herself with some tasty treats.

She made it just in time to grab the last of the snakes before they were taken away. Rose sat a one of the many seating arrangements. Although she was alone it did not surprise her as the dancing had just started. It would be some time before people would be taking breaks meaning she was on her own.

As she sat there snacking her mind wandered back to the past.

Rose could feel the rain dripping down her the sound both soothing and yet as so never racking. Her hand rested on the pommel of her sword around her were other mercenaries they were all hired to attack the Jadewood’s main camp in the dead of night. It was meant to be a diversion so the main forces could attack when the enemy forces were focused elsewhere. Rose knew that most of the others would not make it out of this alive. Even knowing that they knew the risks she still felt a twinge of sadness at that fact.

Bang!

Rose was kicked out of her thoughts as the doors to the ballroom came flying open. Her eyes darting to the door she sees a large group of what appears to be knights enter. All of them are wearing full plate mail on the chest of their armor is a symbol of a Large moon. One of the nobles a man with blue hair stepped forward and before anyone could say anything the man yelled “What's the meaning of this!” his voice carried in the large ballroom.