"Presenting.. The honorable Sir Willbert, Madame Willbert and the Duchess of Willbert!" The announcer said as we walk into the ballroom. All eyes on us as I walk alone behind my parents. There are whispers everywhere, snarly words from the nobles about my divorce. I had expected this to happen as I had no time to turn the rumours in newspaper. The invitation had arrived long before I reincarnated into this body. The ball only invite nobles from the main brances of the family with long historical records so Baron Eloise will surely not be here. As for my husband, he is previously a commoner so he's not invited especially since our divorce talk will be held in a few months.
I saw my 'friends' making disgusted look while covering their faces with hand fans. They laughed before they saw me near them. They immediately shifted their expression to try currying favor with me.
"Qamilya! It's been so long since we've seen each other. How could you not even send any letters and you don't even come to our tea parties!" Said a lady with bright blonde hair. She's the second daughter of Count Herdit. Without my influence as the duchess, she couldn't even have an invitation to the ball yet she acted arrogantly. I can't help but wonder why Qamilya was friend with them. She made a sad expression while grabbing my hands. Then, she suddenly made a shocked look.
"Oh! How could I be so insensitive! I heard you're going to be divorced with the duke. My heart aches for you Qamilya!"she said while making such scene in fromt of all the guests confirming my divorce. I keep my cool while taking back my hands.
"Oh dear, you've been misinformed, Lady Qinsten. I'm the one divorcing my husband, not him. You have to be careful not to make the same mistake as me marrying a man like him" I said before pretending to gasp with a shocked expression like I misspoke.
"Oh dear! I'm sorry Lady Qinston. I forgot you just had your engagement broken up last week. My heart hurts so badly for you. But.. do we know each other that well? You should keep the formalities as this is the royal ball." I could see her almost crying. This is the 3rd time her engagement has been broken so it has became a hot topic among the nobles. She immediately signaled to withdraw with her friends. Without any more attack towards me, she ran outside the ball. A few ladies ran after her shortly.
I let out a small sigh. One battle is won but it's the social world after all. There is deemed to be more battles in this war of popularity. Right now there is a social flower and it's Lady Werlock. She is the lady from a moderately rich Baron family but since her father is associate of Baron Eloise, they're most probably on the same page.
While I might not be used to the social world, I plan to have a connection that's able to turn the tides in the social world. Thus, I plan to make the princess who's just debuted to be the new social Queen.
"Presenting!! The King and Queen of Morthon Empire,Crown Prince Verwinnes Dé Morthon and Princess Veronicia Dé Morthon!" Announcement were made to mark the entry of the Morthon Royal family. All eyes are on the balcony where the King and Queen are waving to us. All the nobles bow down to the royal family. There is the princess between The King and the Queen. Her short dark blue hair with a silver stripe completely mesmerised all guests. She has that cold blue elegant aura emitting from her. Some nobles can be heard praising her highly while some make snarky remarks saying she's showing off her ability. It is expected from the nobles to show either awe or envy as her aura shows that she is at least a master swordsman. There are five stages of being a swordsman with the first being amateur swordsman, noble swordsman, master swordsman, grandmaster swordsman and lastly Honorable swordsman. Her aura being moderately strong shows just how great she is at handling swords despite her young age.
I went to present my presents for the princess with my parents. As my parent's present has been taken by the servants, I bow my head to their majesties as I signaled to the servant to bring my own present. My parents seems anxious about my present since I only told them that I have a separate present for the princess.
"Your majesties, I have a separate present I wanted to gift for her highness the princess, I poured my heart and thoughts into making it. I hope your highness likes the present" I told the servants to open the box only to shook the entire ballroom. The princess stood from her seat showing her interested eyes to my gift.
"I present to you my invention, It's a dual-edged sword I made with magic and obsidian. I spent weeks and months to make it as I knew her highness loves swordmanship. I embed a blue sapphire on the handle and I carved your name on it. I hope your highness is pleased with the gift." I said. I retreated to my parents while bowing my head . I lied when I said it took months to make. With the amount of magic I have, it is actually no problem for me to make it in a few days.
"Ehem. I am pleased to accept the gift you prepared, Duchess Willbert. You must have had a hard time making it. It is magnificent!" She said calmly but her eyes shone as she told her servant to bring it to her. Her parents, The King and Queen are also pleased with the gift.
"Haha! Since my daughter is so happy with your gift, I as her father shall bestow a gift for you! Whatever you had wished for Duchess Qamilya, you shall tell me and I'll give it to you." He said laughing happily. I smiled . That's exactly what I'm aiming for.
"Thank you Your majesty for your graciousness. However, I cannot think of anything I wanted. My heart and mind is full of my son. I just wanted him to be happy and not be endangered." I said while shedding some tears. The princess look at me sadly. His majesty the King thought for a few seconds before he responded.
"Is that so? I heard you're divorcing your husband? It must have affected your son greatly." He said. I shook my head in disagreement.
"It isn't the divorce that had affected him rather it's his father's infidelity and abuse that had made him hurt." I said looking pitiful. The nobles whispers are all over the ballroom . Some nobles look at me pitifully while some others who is associated with my husband silently stare at me.
"Oh dear! How could he? You married him despite being of low status and now he dared to cheat on you? Father, we have to help the Duchess." The princess said while intertwining her hands. She look at her father with tearful eyes. Her father, a major girl dad simce the previous live seems hesitant.
"I've never get my hands on these type of problems but since my daughter wanted me to help you, I shall be the judge for your divorce and help you.." He said. My parents look at me happily. Having The Emperor as our judge means that no cases of my husband will go unnoticed.
"Thank you Your Majesty for your grace. Your help means a lot to us." My father said to His Majesty as we retreat from the ball.
I walk to the pastry stand on the side of the ball after my parents were swarmed by their acquaintances.
"Hello Duchess Willbert. I'm Revana , the lady of House Johanson." A lady with dark purple hair and blue eyes bowed to me. I recognise her after a few seconds taking a look at her face. She is a lady from a long standing family since the empire's reign. Her family is great but they suffer from poverty after her father fell sick.
"Hello Lady Johanson. It's nice to meet you again." I saw through Qamilya's memory that the lady has been bullied due to poverty. Though, she is still as highly spirited as ever.
"I heard you're preparing for the academy entrance exam this week? I wish you luck!" I said to her. She is a great woman. In Qamilya's memory, her father will soon die and she have to give up on her dreams to attend the academy . There's no harm in befriending her.
"Yes, Your Grace. Although I am far from being a genius, I am sure I will pass the exam!" She said spirited. I smile at her proudly.
"I'm sure you will. If you do pass the exam, I will happily be your sponsor." I said making her eyes light up. She looks genuinely happy with my statement.
"Really, Your Grace? I will not let you down!" She said before asking permission to go back to her mother. I watch as she walk away while I take a sip from my champagne.