TOMORROW is Valentine's Day. Traze isn't supposed to be thinking about it. She's still frustrated that Lotus didn't win the audition for the birthday bash so she's not really in the mood to be even thinking about His Royal Highness' birthday. But everytime she tries not to think about it, an ad just pops out of nowhere in the streets or on the television. Everyone is talking about it, obviously because this has never happened before.

"Honey, are you really not going to the bash?" Her mum asks, appearing from the kitchen with a glass of water. She sits beside Traze on the couch, who is still busy searching online for a job.

"Mum, I have better things to do than go there and have fun," she answers, sighing.

Her mum pats her head. "Patricia, you need to have fun once in a while."

"I am having fun once in a while, mum," she says, looking at her.

"Really now? Then, can you please just do it for me?"

"Why do you want me to go there, mum?"

"I want you to meet the people I'm working for in the Palace and see how nice they all are. You don't have to hate on them just because they fired me, pumpkin." Mrs. Collins looks at Traze earnestly, as if trying to send her a secret message.

Traze heaves a deep sigh. "I know the the Princes are kind, mum. It's just that... why does life have to be unfair for us? Why are there Royals and Elites? Why can't we all just be equal?"

"Hun, if we're all equal, then we won't have to work hard to achieve our goals. Our life will be boring as it is, don't you think?"

Traze shakes her head. "I don't know, mum."

"Just think about it, hun. I just want you to be happy, alright? Go to the bash tomorrow." Her mum kisses the top of her head.

"I don't even have anything to wear, mum."

"Then just wear what you have. I'm sure they won't mind. Prince Jaehyun in particular is an unprejudiced person."

"I know that, mum. It's not him that I'm worried about. It's the people who will attend there. I'm sure they'll be judging me and throwing me looks that can kill."

Her mum laughs quietly. "Since when did you care about what others think, hun?"

Before Traze can answer, someone knocks on the concrete, catching both their attention. They turn around and see Chelsie holding a dark blue mini dress. "You can wear this for tomorrow," her sister says, walking towards them.

Traze has never worn a dress before, not because she doesn't want to, but because she doesn't have any party or event to attend to that requires her to wear it. "Chelsie... that's beautiful."

"Honey, where did you get that?" Their mum asks her.

Chelsie smiles, as she takes a seat across Traze. "I made it. It's supposed to be mine. But I figured I'd just give it to Traze. You better go there tomorrow."

"But Chelsie, it's yours. I can't take it."

"I already made it for you, Traze. It's the least I could do."

"For what? I didn't do anything."

"For cheering for me during the audition. Even if we didn't win... you gave me confidence," Chelsie says, looking away.

Traze knows it's her sister's way of thanking her, which is rare since Chelsie has never been affectionate towards her. "Alright. I'll go... only because I don't want to waste your effort in making this beautiful dress."

Chelsie smirks. "You better."

"Thank you, Chelsie," Traze says. Just then, her phone rings so she quickly answers it. "Izzy? Why'd you call?"

"Traze, you won't believe this."

"What is it, Iz?" she asks impatiently.

"We got it!" Izzy almost shouts over the phone.

Traze pauses, analyzing what her friend just said. "You mean..."

"Yes! Someone from the Palace called Doyoung and told us that Fire Siren declined for some reason and we're their 2nd option so we're in. We're going to the bash tomorrow! Tell Chelsie about it and you better go there with us as well. Alright?"

Traze blinks for a moment, looking at Chelsie who is reading a message from her phone with her hands trembling. "Chelsie."

"Is it real?" Chelsie mumbles, looking at Traze who nods at her in response. "We got the gig! Mum, we did it!" She hugs their mum, who motions Traze to join them so she does. "I'm so proud of you, both." Mrs. Collins says, tapping both their backs.

♚♚♚

JAEHYUN looks at himself in the mirror, as a stylist hands him the coat. Today doesn't feel like it's his birthday. He feels as if it's the Judgement Day. Their father gave them an option to choose 5 girls from the bash and these girls will be evaluated according to the King's standards. He doesn't exactly know what his father wants them to do, but he has to be wise in choosing.

"It's Doom's Day." Johnny barges inside the room, his face is blank this time. Far from the usual cheerful Johnny that Jaehyun knows.

"Again, I'm sorry," he apologizes, sighing.

"We just have to pick 5 girls. Not a big deal. I'm sure it'll be fun," Johnny speaks monotonously.

Suddenly, someone knocks on the door. "Your Highness, you need to go to the Hall now."

Johnny moves towards his brother, tapping his back. "Happy birthday again, brother. It would've been better if it didn't end this way though."

Jaehyun nods. "Let's get this over with."

As soon as they reach the Hall, everyone focus their eyes on Jaehyun. A spotlight shines in the center, blinding him for a second. After the greeting for the King and Queen, he starts to descend the stairs, as the guards line up on the side, bowing at him with every step he takes.

The music starts to play coming from a band he remembers to be named Lotus who didn't win during the audition. He was actually there watching the bands, which auditioned that day. He remembers Lotus clearly more than the others because the moment they went up the stage, a familiar person suddenly stood up from the group of spectators, cheering for that particular band. She must be friends with them, he thought that time.

He was distraught when Lotus didn't win, so he talked to the panel and convinced them to take Lotus instead. Of course, they listened to him. It's for his birthday bash after all. That's the only thing he's looking forward to this evening. He knows for sure that that girl will show up now that her friends are here as well.

As Jaehyun reaches their table, Antoine advises them to start asking girls to dance with them. Johnny quickly stands up and asks the first girl he sees on the corner. Jeno shyly approaches a girl on the table near them. Meanwhile, Jaehyun sits still, wandering around and looking for a particular girl.

But instead of finding a girl, he sees his schoolmate, Taeyong on the table across them. The latter shoots him a glare, as he drinks a glass of wine. Girls in beautiful gowns continue to gather up inside the Hall, but no one catches Jaehyun's attention.

Just then, someone suddenly pokes his back, startling him. "Your Highness." A girl bows infront of him, offering her hand. "May I dance with you?"

Jaehyun gets taken aback by her gesture. It's brave of her to ask him first, but he prefers to ask ladies instead of the other way around. Nevertheless, he doesn't want to appear rude infront of the girl, who is undoubtedly gorgeous with her brown locks and captivating smile. "Of course," he finally says, standing up, taking her hand and leading her to the center of the dance floor.

"Thank you, Your Highness," the girl says, as they start to dance to the slow music.

"My pleasure," he answers, smiling.

"I hope you're enjoying your day, Your Highness."

"I am," he says. "May I know your name?"

"I'm Avery, Your Highness."

"Avery. It's as beautiful as you," he compliments her.

The girl blushes, looking away. "Thank you, Your Highness."

"I don't suppose you're studying at Eton? If I've seen you there, I would've remembered."

"I... uh... I just came from Wales, Your Highness. I'll start at Eton probably next week. My family decided to move here for good."

"Ah, is that so? I'm glad I met you here." He turns her around and suddenly sees Taeyong watching them in his usual livid face. Jaehyun ignores this until the music finally ends. He walks Avery towards her table and glances at the band, who is now playing their audition piece. He's about to turn around, when he notices a girl standing on the corner, clapping her hands and cheering for the band.

It's her.

A/N: GUYS, JOHNNY IS FINALLY DEBUTING!!! (HENCE I UPDATED EARLIER THAN EXPECTED!) I'm so happy for him. I can't wait to see him again in NCT Life. And have you watched their performance at SBS Gayo yet? SMent just dropped the teaser for their comeback and it's so lit. I can't even put it in words. I can't wait to hear their comeback song and their album. 

Anyway, what did you think about this chap?

Thank you for reading! Vote and comment if you liked this. ^^

~neoluv #limitless