Home Debut Ball

A month later, the royal family along with 5,000 soldiers, 2,000 nobles, 67,000 eastern migrants and 1,000 slaves arrived.

The slaves, migrants, and nobility marveled at the Gates of Gadreel.

Will, Elizabeth, their parents, Elder Thaddeus, and Kurosawa stood inside the city gates to receive the king and regent.

Five thousand soldiers secured the safety of the regent and king.

When the regent and king stepped out from their royal carriage, everyone present dropped to a knee, except Elder Thaddeus who bowed.

"Greetings your majesty, and sire!" Will said.

"Rise," commanded the regent, who hugged his uncle and aunt first.

"Your majesty and sire, please follow us to our manor," Will asked.

"You have a magnificent city, Baron vont Ballard. Might we have a tour first?" Prince Roland asked.

"Kurosawa, please provide his sire with a tour," Will commanded.

"I shall visit the manor," the king said sounding exhausted.

The king and queen returned to the carriage with Elizabeth, Duke, and Duchess and headed to the mansion with 50 soldiers.

Kurosawa ordered a new carriage to transport James and Helen back to the mansion.

Will, Prince Roland, and Kurosawa toured the barony with an army of 500.

The other soldiers, spread out through the city and garrisoned the city's walls. The additional 5,000 soldiers, brought the total number of soldiers above 10,000.

With the arrival of the new migrants, the civilian population cracked by 100,000. Even with a combined population of over 150,000 the city still felt abandoned. Even with a population of 150,000, the city's capacity was only at 10%.

As Will tuned in and out as Kurosawa lectured about the city. If something was amiss, Kurosawa would jot it down on his notepad. If the prince asked a question he didn't know, he'd jot it down on his notepad.

Will's mind was focused on his debut party. Truthfully, Elizabeth, the duchess, and his mother had done all the work for the debut party. When he asked, if she needed help, Elizabeth said no.

Honestly, Will was blown away by the number of nobles that agreed to attend. When Elizabeth told him, both the king and regent planned to attend he was shocked. Rarely, did the king attend a baron's home debut party. Yet now almost all the nobles agreed to attend his ball.

As the ball grew closer, Will saw the tension increase in his household staff. Ms. Park was the most anxious. With the king, queen, regent, Duke, and duchess staying the night, the house staff had their hands full.

For the past two months, artists and artisans worked day and night to decorate the manor. Custom ornate silverware, silver cutlery, and crystal glassware were delivered. New landscape paintings are covered on the walls. A pastry chef and more servants were hired. There were more servants in the kitchen, washing clothes, and making beds, everywhere Will went servants bowed and greeted him.

Elizabeth was so busy, Will had not had a chance to see her, only the bills. And the bills were pulling up. The total housed staff cost more than 5,000 silvers.

The artists in residence also cost 500. The new plates, serving dishes, and cutlery cost roughly 2,500 silvers. Elizabeth ordered 1,000 sets of table wear and crystal glasses.

Elizabeth also hired 201 gardeners for a cost of 200 silvers, which included the new gardening equipment. The Head Gardner demanded a monthly wage of 15 silvers. The closer the date of the ball, the more expenses piled up.

The day of the debut party finally arrived. Will wore a four-button double-breasted jacket, the sleeves were decorated with decorative silver bands at the edges.

The jacket had a wide, round neckline which revealed part of his ornate shirt worn below it. Over his jacket, he wore his Baron white sash. On his jacket's right breast wore his Knight Academy pins, Medal of Valor, and Lord of Games pin.

His pants were simple and relatively straight. The shoes he wore were made from a rare dire beast hide, but are otherwise a design found commonly.

When Will stepped out of his room, he saw Elizabeth speaking with Ms. Park and Michael.

Elizabeth wore a pastel yellow majestic dress that flowed from top to bottom and with a sweetheart neckline, which revealed the relatively decorative dress worn below. The gentle, corset of her dress covered her stomach where the continuous flow was broken up by a thin rope belt worn fairly high around her waist.

The top of the dress is shorter at the front and curves outwards, the back continues to flow a long length behind her and ends in a narrow rectangle.

Her sleeves covered her shoulder and she wore beautiful white silk gloves.

"You look beautiful! Are you ready?" Did will ask?

"Yes, I've worked very hard to make this the best debut perfect for you?" Elizabeth said passionately.

"Thank you, I'm sure this party shall be wonderful. But Elizabeth, all I can about is your happiness. I rather spend a day with, you than a day without you," Will said truthfully, kissing Elizabeth on the cheek.

Elizabeth's heart fluttered for a moment, that was such a sweet sentiment.

"Shall we greet our guest?" Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth and Will stood to the side of the front door. As the guest entered, Will and Elizabeth would personally greet them.

At the 18th bell, the first guests arrived, and a quintet began playing.

After the greeting, the guest would continue to the hall to socialize. Dinner would begin once the king and queen arrived in the hall.

By the 20th bell, all the guests had arrived and the hall was crowded.

Michael whispered in Will's ear, "His majesty, the queen, and the regent are ready."

"I understand, we'll get ready to receive them," Will replied.

A few minutes later a herald announced, "Introducing his majesty Remus Albus Fermion IX, Queen Ashley Maria, and Regent, Crown Prince Roland Godwin."

Immediately, everyone dropped to one knee as the Royal Family entered the hall.

"Everyone rise. Greetings everyone on this most auspicious of days. After hundreds of years, the kingdom finally settled in Friendship Valley.

Today is a celebratory day as we are joined by our close allies from the Wolf Clan and Dwarven kingdom. Moreover, I'm told the Albanian Emissary is here today. Let this be a chance to not only marvel at this impressive house and barony but renew an old friendship," the king said.

With that, the king stepped down from the platform and went to the dining table. The king sat at the head of the table, with the queen to his right and the crown prince to his left. Will sat next to Prince Roland and Elizabeth sat next to the queen. After the host, people were seated based on their noble titles.

As people took their places at the dining table, many-voiced surprise that the Royal Family had come to the party of a mere Baron. Under normal circumstances, such a thing would be unthinkable.

As the guests sat, they marveled at the expensive porcelain plates, crystal glassware, and ornate silver cutlery. Both the mansion and table setting reflected Will's wealth. Both the plates, cutlery, and crystal glasses all had the same design, Will's family crest a silver phoenix, on a shield with a crossing sword and staff.

The guests recognized that it was something many could not afford in this world.

Truthfully, Will was surprised. He'd seen the invoices but not the tableware. Elizabeth had certainly gone above and beyond.

"Baron, I'd say your flatware is almost as nice as the castles," Prince Roland said.

"Your Royal Highness, Lord Regent please offer your praises to my fiancée. All I did was pay for the bill," Will said bowing from his waist in the chair.

"Still the ability to afford such luxuries is not common," the king interjected.

"My success is due to the Royal Family's kindness. How could I afford such nice things with the Royal Family's backing," Will said diplomatically. He knew better to take credit when the king and prince had come.

"Indeed," said the king, who understood Will's cunning plan and agreed with it.

After the first course of cheese and fruit was delivered to eat guests, Will stood to make a speech as was the tradition. Many nobles, had come just to hear the 16-year-old noble's speech.

"Today, I would like to thank all of you for coming to allow me to debut my home and barony. First, I like to give honor to my goddess, Gaia. Second, this occasion would not be possible without the king and Royal Family. Third, I want to thank my future bride for organizing this wonderful evening. We have guests from three other kingdoms. I hope you all come as guests and leave as friends," Will bullshitted. He did enough of these speeches. Thank your god, the organization's CEO, and host. In this case, Gaia, the king, and Elizabeth.

Champagne was prepared and had been poured into everyone's flute.

"Cheers," said Will.

Immediately conversation lit up the table as wine and more wine were poured. Many nobles asked Will and Elizabeth about the tableware.

People asked, how did you get such a beautiful pattern? Or where did you find this much porcelain? This crystal is so clear, where did you buy such beautiful glasses?

Dinner was fresh dire beast meat caught by Nisha. Will saw the guest savoring each bite as the overflowing juicy meat and its soft texture, brought many smiles.

All the nobles who attended were pleased. This event would be the talk of high society.

"Your fiefdom is full of marvelous delicacies. It's the first time I've eaten or drunk such good things. Tell me where did you find the idea for such good food and wine?" Prince Roland asked rubbing his stomach.

"Cousin, I shall pass your compliment on to the chef," Elizabeth said.

"Baron vont Ballard, I am surprised by the number of nobles present. Are you pleased with the party?" the queen asked.

"Yes your majesty," Will replied.

After dessert, Elizabeth and Ms. Park gave a tour of the residence. After the tour, came to dance in the ballroom.

"Baron your house is truly impressive. I particularly enjoy your rooftop terrace, and observatories," Prince Roland said.

"Thank you, sir!" Will bowed.

"We received your message, an iron mine?" Prince Roland questioned.

"Yes, your highness, iron," Will said.

"You plan to sell the iron for to the crown for below-market, why? Prince Roland asked.

"Because I'm patriotic and I want to help you succeed with your plans for the kingdom!" Will said.

"What's the real reason," Prince Roland asked.

"Those are the reason, but if I had to give another I'd say your plan helps me financially," Will said.

Prince Roland, laughed heading the truth.

"When do you meet the Albanian emissary?" Prince Roland asked.

"Tomorrow at noon," Will said.

"The king and I would like to join you is that fine?" Prince Roland asked.

"Not at all," I'll let him know that you'll be joining us.

After the party, Will gave his servants a silver coin as a thank-you for their help.