Lin notices my glances at the crowd around her and moves closer to hug my arm. I know that she is trying to calm me down so I do my best to ignore the idiots around her. A lot of them start glaring at me when Lin hugs my arm, but they are just jealous.

I know I shouldn't be jealous, I know without a doubt that Lin loves me. These youngsters don't have a hope in hell of getting between us, but it is still annoying. It is enough that I already can't wait for this ball to end, but it just barely started.

Now that we are already here, there is no way that Lin is going to be willing to leave early. Just the thought of her reaction if I suggest leaving now is enough to make me shiver. I know that she won't hurt me, but she will be disappointed, which is worse.

Besides, I do want to dance with Lin, even if it means putting up with these idiots. Unfortunately, there is still some time before the dancing will start. This is a political event, so quite a bit of time is set aside for socializing before the dancing.

It probably would have been better if we had waited and arrived later. Now we are stuck listening to the drivel of idiots who want to prove they are better than the others. In truth, I could probably get some benefits from these people, but it just isn't worth the frustration.

Besides, I doubt any of them could match the benefits that Zachariah will give me. If they knew about the weapons, the merchants would probably be going insane right now. On the other hand, if I told them they would probably leave me alone and go bother Zachariah instead.

However, that wouldn't get rid of the nobles and it wouldn't get rid of the youngsters. At his point, I doubt anything short of the threat of death would get them to leave Lin alone. Then I spot someone approaching me that it wouldn't be wise to ignore.

Almort says "That's the empire's ambassador."

"I know, I met him. Hello Mr. Ambassador."

Ambassador says "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"It's fine if you call me Ash."

Ambassador says "Ash, then. I have some good news for you. My government has already located over a hundred elves."

"That's excellent news!"

Ambassador says "There is some bad news too. They are scattered all over the empire. We estimate it will take at least a month to gather them and bring them here."

"Hm, that's too long. How long just to gather them in one spot?"

Ambassador says "A week to a week and a half, maybe."

"Alright, I can work with that. Go ahead and gather them. Once they are gathered let me know and I will go retrieve them."

Ambassador says "How will you retrieve them?"

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" I will fly to where you gather them and then move them with magic."

Ambassador says "Oh. Alright, I will pass the message to my government."

"Thank you."

The ambassador walks away, which seems to be a signal since the nobles come back. Of course, the youngsters never moved away, they probably didn't even notice. With the way they are focused on Lin, they probably wouldn't even notice if the building were on fire.

Not that I don't understand their obsession with her, her beauty is blinding, especially in that dress. In fact, I am pretty sure that is why none of the women are approaching me. If Lin wasn't with me, they would probably be circling me like vultures.

When I can't take it anymore I look over at Lin and when she meets my gaze I tilt my head. We both make the excuse of wanting to get some food to get away from the nobles. One side of the hall is lined with tables and they are stacked high with food.

Unfortunately, the youngsters don't take the hint and keep following Lin. The nobles at least have the sense not to follow me over to the food tables. When we reach the tables, we each take a plate and start looking for dishes that we haven't tried before.

Once we have full plates we move off to the side to eat and watch the crowds. Now that the nobles and merchants aren't following me I am able to relax a bit. However, Lin doesn't look very relaxed and she doesn't seem to be enjoying herself.

"Want me to get rid of them?"

Lin says "No, they are just a bunch of stupid kids. It isn't worth the hassle. Besides, you would probably go too far. I saw that look earlier."

"Can you blame me? They are annoying! The way that they look at you makes me want to commit violence."

Lin says "What about you?"

"What about me?"

Lin says "Don't tell me you haven't noticed?"

"Noticed what?"

Lin says "Practically every woman in this room has been eyeing you since we entered."

"What? Really? No, I didn't notice. I only noticed that none of them approached me. I thought they were all intimidated by your beauty."

Lin says "You can be really oblivious at times, but I forgive you."

"Thanks, I guess."

Lin says "How long until the dancing starts?"

"From what Almort said, an hour or so."

Lin says "How can they even call this a ball?"

"No clue."

Lin says "What are we supposed to do until then?"

"We are supposed to mingle, but I am already sick of that."

Lin says "Should we split up?"

"No. Why would we do that?"

Lin says "So the women can have their chance to flock around you."

"Why would I want that?!"

Lin smiles and says "Good answer!"

Almort walks over and says "Ready to continue?"

"Do we have to?"

Almort says "That is the entire point of this ball. Everyone here, is here for the chance to meet you."

"Haven't I already talked to enough of them?"

Almort says "Hardly. In fact, you haven't even talked to half of the important people."

"What? Tell me you're kidding!"

Almort says "I'm afraid not. There are quite a few important women here and they are dying to meet you."

"Hey, I only agreed to be here. I never agreed to meet everyone who wanted to meet me."

Almort says "I know, I know. However, the more people that meet you now, the less people that will pester the council later."

"While that may be true, it isn't my problem. It is the council's problem."

Almort says "Actually, it is my problem. Due to my contributions, the council has promoted me. Unfortunately, part of my new duties is dealing with any and all complaints related to you. That includes those trying to pester the council to meet you."

"Well, that explains why you are pushing me to meet these idiots."

Lin says "That makes sense. The more idiots you meet, the less he has to deal with them."

Almort says "Exactly! So, Ash, please?"