Thasinia opened the door and led John inside where he found a simple sitting room with sofas, a table in the middle that had tea and snacks on and bookshelves around the walls.

After closing the door she led him towards the balcony where John froze as he saw three beautiful women in evening gowns turn to look at him before smiling and standing to greet him.

In the center of the group was Alea who was dressed in a silver satin, sleeveless, split thigh, high waisted evening gown that showed off her ample bosom and cleavage.

She also wore a silver collar that turned into a thin see through silver cloak that draped around her shoulders and down her back.

John also saw the necklace he gave her resting on her deep cleavage.

Sarah was wearing an ice blue coloured sleeveless, spaghetti strap, split thigh, high waisted evening gown that seemed to trail slightly behind her on one side where the split thigh was.

Around the breast area it was partially see through below and in between her ample bosom while showing off her deep cleavage.

Adria wore a dark red coloured extra long sleeved, round neck, high waisted evening gown that had the sleeves that draped to the floor, while just below the neck line and above the waist the dress was split showing the skin between her ample bosom.

All three young women smiled when they saw how handsome John looked and that he was mesmerized by their beauty.

"See I said you were in for a treat." Thasinia teased before asking.

"Well what do you think of your three dates, you lucky man you?"

"Beautiful." Was all John could say causing the three beauties' smiles to grow.

"You look very handsome yourself John." Alea said with a smile.

"Agreed, I knew he would look good in a suit but even I am surprised how good he looks, much better than all my previous dates to these sort of events." Sarah said while smiling happily.

"I concur, although this is the first time we have met, I must say you look very handsome John." Adria said before stepping forward and offering her hand for a handshake as she said.

"I am Adria Bristle, first Princess of the Human Race, it's my pleasure to finally meet you in person, John Michaels."

John surprised all four women present because instead of returning Adria's handshake he gently took her hand with his own before turning it so the back of her hand faced up as he brought it up to his lips and kissed the back of it before saying.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, also Adria."

Adria showed a surprised look and blushed slightly before smiling.

Normally as the princess she would be greeted with her title, but she did not mind in John's case that he didn't.

After what happened to him in the past and the fact he was willing to help them.

"You see Alea that's how you flirt." Thasinia said with a teasing smirk while Alea and Sarah nodded in agreement and Adria noticed with surprise that she was not offended or disgusted by the flirting like what happened with other men who only showed lust and greed in their eyes.

John's eyes showed nothing but kindness and because of this she made no move to remove her hand from his, something she would normally have done as soon as the greeting ended.

As John held her hand gently he noticed she was wearing her access band visibly, he turned to look at Alea and Sarah whereby he noticed that they also openly wore their access bands without hiding them.

He smiled at the three who smiled in return, understanding his meaning before Adria spoke again.

"As the only one of us yet to do so, I would like to thank you for your assistance tonight with Jordan Marks as well as the assistance of my two sisters here."

"Sisters." John asked with a raised eyebrow."

"Ah it would seem Alea has not told you, the three of us as I'm sure you're aware are close friends, there are others in our friend circle but unfortunately we do not get to see them much because of personal affairs that keep us busy."

"Regardless we trust each other completely and are so close to one another we treat each other as sisters."

"I see. John said before adding.

"I hope the beautiful lady can show her thanks later by giving me the honor of one or two dances with her."

Adria raised her eyebrow in surprise before she giggled and responded.

"I believe that would be entirely possible sir."

"Hey, why have I not been asked about dancing with you later?" Sarah asked with a pout causing the other three women to chuckle.

John showed a surprised expression before responding.

"I thought it was obvious I would ask you to dance since you're my date and we are now friends."

Sarah smiled before quickly forcing it back to a pout and complained.

"A lady still wishes to be asked."

"Very well. John said as he let go of Adria's hand before approaching Sarah and taking hers and saying.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Would you do me the pleasure of promising me a dance or two this evening my lady?"

Sarah smiled widely before pretending to reluctantly accept.

"Well since you asked so kindly and since you're the only true gentleman that will be present at the banquet tonight I guess I will be forced to accept your invitation."

The three other women present sniggered before Adria said with a teasing tone.

"Forced to?"

Sarah just shot her a glare as if telling her to be quiet.

“How about some photos of the handsome man and his beautiful dates?” Thasinia suggested to which they all agreed.

***

As John and the others were taking photos.

Over in the grand banquet hall of the ring palace guests were starting to arrive as the royal elf speakers announced each group that arrived individually.

The hall itself was decorated in a modest way with the exception of flags of each race that hung from the ceiling.

In the center of the hall a slight raised platform was present for people to dance on if they wished.

A band was playing soft music at one end of the hall opposite the grand entrance with a large variety of different instruments of different races.

Along the two side walls were tables filled with plates of different cuisine from the many races as well as a mixture of alcoholic and none alcoholic beverages.

"Welcoming from the Central Continent the Centaur delegation led by Chieftain Thed Stormborne.”

"Welcoming the Faun delegation from the Central Continent led by King Drohwec.”

"Welcoming the Merfolk delegation from the coast of the Eastern Continent, led by King Nater and Queen Amara.”

"Welcoming the Lizardfolk delegation from the Northern Continent led by Chieftain Gruk.”

"Welcoming the Troll delegation from the Western Continent led by Chieftess Zola.”

"Welcoming the Giant Delegation from the Southern Continent led by Awsor.”

"Welcoming the Treant delegation from the central continent led by Faena.”

“Welcoming from the southern continent the Kobold delegation led by Snakbi.”

“Welcoming the Lamia delegation from the northern continent led by Queen Eriphiphia.”

As more and more delegates from the different races arrived they started to mingle together as they greeted their friends and ally's while ignoring their opponents or enemies.

The delegates talked and laughed while drinking and eating while waiting for the main parties to arrive.

The entry order was essentially come when you please however there was an unwritten rule that the final seven were always the same.

The Gnome and Fairy delegation came in the group because the Gnomes helped the Dwarfs craft the first access band while the Fairy's assisted the Elves and Draconian with the world spell.

The final five were the original five that signed the Genesis Agreement with the last to enter, always being the host.

As all the guests were expecting the Gnomes or Fairies to enter soon the announcer said something that mildly surprised all the delegates and made them look towards the entrance.

"Welcoming from the eastern continent the Kitsune delegation led by Empress Sakoto."

The other delegates all looked towards Sakoto with surprise as none of them expected the Kitsune to make an appearance.

It was well known that they found this banquet boring since Sakoto's mother, the former empress, had once left in the middle of a banquet years ago claiming it was dull and she was going home to sleep.

Since then they had only attended once just after Sakoto took the throne.

Everyone wondered what brought this surprise appearance on as they watched the Kitsune delegation enter.

They were by far the smallest delegation so far consisting of only Empress Sakoto herself, and a younger female Kitsune who walked beside her and people recognised as Shizu, Sakoto's daughter and the Kitsune Princess.

Sakoto and Shizu both wore beautiful Kimonos that highlighted their curves and showed off their ample cleavage while their long bushy tails swayed behind them.

Sakoto had nine tails while Shizu had seven.

Many men and some women looked at both with lust and greed in their eyes, however both women ignored them as they went to get themselves drinks.

"Welcoming the delegation of Gnomes from the Southern continent led by King Wilmorn Deggleseggle.

As everyone was admiring the two fox beauties the announcer got their attention again as the Gnomes arrived.

"Welcoming the Fairy delegation from the central continent led by King Oberon."

"Welcoming the Human delegation from the eastern continent led by Empress Alexia Bristle."