Well, she had been right when she thought of this as a mess. Grace was currently in the main throne room with her goblins bound and restrained. Grizt was still unconscious and had to be carried in. As for Oaguz, she came to after getting a bit and getting some treatment. On Grace's other side was the mage who had been in charge of the prosthesis treatment in the first place.
"Karita Flora, am I to understand that this happened because you placed a military grade core into a medical prosthesis under the advisement of someone lacking any properly grounded knowledge in your field?" The Empress demanded. The knights who were standing guard stayed silent, but the noble in attendance were making snide comments. Some of it was aimed at the foolishness of the common folk and their lack of common sense. However, Grace felt her heart sink as still others pointed out her faults in this. Of course they all feigned respect and politeness on the matter. However, it still did not change the hurtful contents of their words," Enough! This is an Imperial hearing! Not a place for gossip! And I must request you answer now, daughter of Flora!"
Karita seemed to hold still and her expression changed as if she were choking on the words she answered with," Y-yes your grace, but I-"
"I did not ask for excuses. I asked for facts on. You are a trained professional. As such, you should have held the highest authority on the matter at that time. It is clear that you lack the sense needed to run a medical facility. As such, I proclaim you to be stripped of your current position. Further, your access to facilities and resources will be limited until further notice. And lastly, you'll receive your new assignment from the guards on your way out. It's not much of a job admittedly, but if you do well you might be able to salvage your career. Dismissed!"
Karita wilted under each proclamation. It was clear that she had screwed up. In all honestly, Grace felt sorry for her part in the whole mess. In a way, she knew it had been unfair. The worse part of the matter was that she knew it couldn't be avoided. Her mother had been put in a bad spot. Part of the problem was the fact that someone had to take the fall for the mess. There had been quite a bit of property damage as well as injuries. The blame had to be spread out. Especially so since Grace had to take the least blame for purely political reasons. As such, the fact she had been the one to push the matter into such a bad situation had to be blamed on someone else for being incompetent. However, this did not mean that Grace was not in for some trouble. She felt her heart sink as Karita walked slowly and sullenly out of room with an escort. A guard handed her a parchment as she passed through the main doorway.
"Now, as for you daughter," Her mother spoke in a cold and authoritative manner. This caused Grace to stand more straight and tense up," I will speak to you on the details of this matter in private, but I want you to confirm several things. First, did you truly believe the goblin's insistence in regard to her lack of strength?"
Grace froze at this particular question. This was a major problem. The fact was that there was no good way to paint herself with this. If she said yes, she would not only be lying to her mother in public, a lie her mother would see through, but that her public image would be that of a naive fool. It was obvious that she had to say no, but she didn't care for what others would have to say. There are a number of reason, after all, for why someone would agree to help a lie.
"No," Grace answered with a simple shake of her head. She held herself back from defending herself. It was considered disrespectful to speak out of turn under these circumstances.
"Then would you care to explain to me and those present why you decided to pursue such a matter?" her mother pressed on.
"I would rather not," Grace knew better than to speak openly on the matter. Her mother stared at her in silence for a moment. Their eyes were locked. After the moment had passed, the Empress gave a nod of acceptance. The fact was that the details of what was going on were delicate. Some, if not many, of those present would some of the her reasons as proof of weakness. That couldn't be allowed. Grace simply had to accept the rumors that would be floating about and have to work to fix and improve her image later.
"Very well then. I will hold judgment until after I here the most important facts. Now in accordance to protocol, you need to make the order of truth," The Empress continued the proceedings. It was now time to question the goblins. As they were slaves, Grace was to give an order to them to answer the empress truthfully.
Grace gave a bow before turning to her goblins and commanding them," By the laws of the crown, I hereby order Oaguz, Stranbrai, Weye, and Shritoo to asnwer the Empress and speak true."
"Daughter, you left one out," her mother chided. Grace flinched at this, but sighed and collected herself once more.
"Grizt, I hereby order you to answer the Empress and speak true."
"Good! Now down to business. What was the purpose of lying under these circumstances?" The Ruler demanded from her throne.
It was Oaguz who stepped forward to answer," The boss wanted to be stronger. I wanted to help the boss."
"So the slave, Grizt I believe, lied for personal?" The Empress questioned darkly.
"For us, power in any form is quite important. To be offered such is something any Goblin would do anything for," Stranbrai stepped in.
"I am not here to hear you excuses. Very well, Grizt, what was your purpose in lying to my daughter," The Empress demanded of the unconscious goblin. The tattoo on her face flared to life and she screamed painful after a minute. The other goblins looked in shock and worry. Grace flinched at this. She had purposely tried to spare Grizt from this.
Her eyes opened and Grizt began to answer in a pained voice," I wanted strength."
"Why did you want this?"
"I wanted it to-" Grizt stopped at this. She could feel the fire building. It was telling her to follow the orders," I am not sure. I want to say any number of things, but none of them feel right or true. I do not know."
"I see, so you do not know why you lied? Then I demand to know why did you cause havoc and injured my people?"
"I don't even know what you are talking about. I only remember the joy when I felt strong again. I don't know anything," The goblin answered.
"What do you mean by again? Did you not lie about your strength?" The empress inquired. The was some hushed mutterings as some of the nobles commented. Some took intrigue at this detail while most simply laughed at the goblin clearly being insane. As for Grizt herself, she seemed stunned at this question. Her eyes seemed to glaze over as if she were seeing another place. However, the burning sensation returned and she shuddered at this.
"I only can remember a feeling like that. A memory from before my first?" She seemed confused as she said this. More nobles started to laugh.
"It sounds as if you are unsound of mind and thus unfit to serve my daughter. I will-"
"Mother, I beg you hold your judgment," Grace blurted out. It was a moment of desperation. These goblins were interesting and different, but they were still people. She had come to realize that in her time talking to Weye. Just as she couldn't allow a human to be killed for her fault, she couldn't allow for someone Weye and the others clearly cared for to die like this. The room broke out into gasp and turned to yelling and arguments. Her mother stood up and walked forth. She stopped before her daughter and a slap rang out over the chaos. Grace had fallen more out of shock than than the force of it. She looked up into her mother's eyes and saw pain within her eyes. Grace stood up and held her gaze in defiance. Her mother sighed and took a breath.
"Grace Honoria Adrienne of the house of Winfield! Stand down! Though you may be my daughter, I will not suffer this transgression again from you. However since you seem to be adamant on this matter. Enough so to break decorum even, I shall give you one chance. However it shall come with a cost!" The empress's words brought order back. Grace worried at what was to be said next.