FINALLY!!! THE LONG-AWAITED UPDATE IS HERE.

This is just the Hyung Line and it is 3000+ words Maknae line version will be coming soon, just wait up!

Anyway, enjoy the update.And we are gonna have a surprise appearance in the book.

Any guesses :)Those of you know, shut up 🤫

"Gosh, I'm nervous." At this point, Hyunjin was speaking for all of them. All of them were beyond nervous. 

"I mean, we've had enough experience on the field and stuff but girls..." Changbin scratched his nape. "Noona was right when she called us chickens when it came to girls," Chan said, adjusting his tie. "Not all of us are Felix," No sooner the words had left Lee Know's mouth, than Felix's head whipped to the side. "HEY! HEY! HEY!!"

The boys burst into laughter, before walking down the staircase that led to the ballroom.
Stray Kids had never backed away from a challenge and they certainly were not going to back away from this.

"Oh lord, it is happening!" Momo shuddered as she followed Sana down the stairs. "Let's do this, Momo-rin!" Sana gulped hard, pushing the gigantic double doors open.

"This is it," Wonhan whispered, making all the others suck in a harsh breath. They slowly filed into the large ballroom, full to brim with people.

The first thing one was bound to think when they stepped into the ballroom was 'damn, this is huge'

Instead of just a traditional chandelier, the room was illuminated with countless LED strip lights hanging down from the walls with a small crystal chandelier hanging in the middle of the white. Instead of the eye-straining yellowish glow, the room was bright white and soothing.

Elaborate Victorian-style marble pillars stood tall at four corners of the room, holding up the ceiling. The floor itself was white and gold tiles. It gave off a simple and royal look at the same time. Something which both Sana and the boys loved,

The ballroom was full to the brim. Court officials, the families of the Nobles. Foreign Princes and delegates; it was buzzing with chatters and mellow laughter.

Suddenly, the doors at the top of the stairs opened, revealing the King Maker. Following closely was the Royal Advisor. They stood at the foot of the stairs, performing a graceful bow, making everyone return the gesture.

"The Royal Family welcomes everyone to the Royal Ball." The announcer's voice boomed from the very back of the ballroom. That was some vocal power! Sana and Momo took their seats on one of the boxes a bit high up from the ballroom, greeting the guests again.

"His Royal Highnesses, the Princes of the Kingdom." The reaction was automatic. Everyone jumped to their feet as the sound of boots hitting the tiled floor echoed from the top of the stairs. The crowd collectively gasped as Prince Bang Chan appeared, his visuals soo dazzling that they almost blinded everyone!

 
The visual attack did not cease as Prince Lee Know followed. While this Prince was known for his devilish charms and shrewd brains, the gasping just got louder as he descended the stairs.
The gasps grew louder when Seo Changbin walked out. It was rare for even the Palace residents to see Prince Changbin, all decked up. He was a man of action, the bravest of them all. But today, as he followed closely behind his Hyung, the people realized that this Prince could pull off anything and everything!

The ladies in the crowd almost fainted when Prince Hyunjin appeared. He always walked like he was walking on a runway but today, every little movement he did overflow with the regal aura he always exuded. Han Jisung was known as the 'Quokka Prince' for his rightful reasons. Everyone in the kingdom had seen this Prince jump around, scream and flee like a headless chicken and go crazy like he was loose to the mind; but no one actually knew how to react when he appeared, looking like he was carved out of marble.

 
Lee Felix was shining, like full-on dazzling under the fluorescent lighting. His dreamcatcher charm twinkled in the light cast and he honestly looked like he was sent from above, sprinkled in fairy dust. You know how the innocence in someone's heart gets strong enough that it radiates off their face? That's what happened to Seungmin and Jeongin. They were the youngest, not to mention most mischievous of all of them but today, their playful charms just added to their visuals. The eyes twinkled with what one could call suppressed mischief, knowing grins and angel-like presences.

The crowd exhaled as a unit as the princes walked to the front, greeting the crowd. Everyone returned the gesture with graceful curtsies before the Princes took their throne.
Prince Bang Chan was in the middle with Lee Know, Changbin and Hyunjin on one side while Prince Han, Felix, Seungmin and Jeongin were on the other side.

"Oh my God!" Sora blinked, stunned out of her wits. "Is he even real?" She gasped, her eyes fixated on Han, who was roughly fifty steps away from her. Thanks to being concealed from the crowd by a heavy lace curtain, she and the others could gawk all they want!

"Are any of them real? I'm sorry but I'm having a hard time registering." Jina gasped, fanning herself. She knew that Prince Felix was beautiful but oh my God!! Beautiful was an understatement for this man. "I'm having doubts, not gonna lie." Yeseul gasped.
He was an angel simply happening to be walking on Earth.

The older nobles exchanged slight looks of amusement as they watched the younger ones practically jump for the curtains as soon as the Princes took their seats. It would be lying if one said that the older girls also didn't edge closer and maybe crane their necks a little bit to get a better look at their future Kings.

Hey, they were bound to get curious!! "You ready?" Eunkyung looked at Chaewon. The girl nodded, shifting her weight back and forth between her two feet.  Han Chaewon was supposed to enter the ballroom first and the girl was going crazy with nerves. 

"I think I'm gonna faint." Chaewon gasped out, fixing her hair. "Heck no you aren't!" Yun Hyeok interjected, "Girl, you are gonna sashay into that ballroom and knock the air out of your Prince's lungs." She cheered, "By the way, who is it that you are courting?"

"Prince Bang Chan." Yun Hyeok's face fell in an instant, making everyone giggle slightly. The collective sound of that was loud enough to reach the ballroom.

Everyone's heads automatically turned in that direction, the constant chatter decreasing in volume. Everyone was curious to see the 16 nobles, whose identity remained a secret to everyone minus the King Maker and her trusted party of soldiers. And of course, the nobles themselves, but they had sworn secrecy until they were formally introduced.

"That just felt like a round of harps playing in every corner of the room." One of the nobles remarked, loud enough to reach the Princes' ears.

"You know that you're the best one to start this, don't you?" Hajun said, staring at Chaewon.
"I know it's pressure but something tells me that you're not the one to be afraid, of them, Lady Han." Chaewon just stared at the girl before nodding. She exhaled shakily once before looking at the attendant, letting her know she was ready.

The young girl rushed past the corridor, hidden from the guests and whispered in the ears of the announcer.

It was time... "Your Ladyship, Han Chaewon." The announcer's booming voice had barely made it across the whole room before the heads started turning. That name had always turned heads. She was the Army General's daughter, one of those who had been closest to the royal family.

The Princes were somewhere in between curiosity and anxiousness about meeting the nobles. But this name was not unfamiliar.

"Chae Noona?" Han whispered, making Bang Chan slightly turn towards his younger brother.

The second she came into view, it was like all air was knocked off their lungs! She was dressed in an icy blue gown which had quite a long train of airy satin. The waist was fitted and decorated with crystal appliques. The top was almost ivory with chiffon details around the shoulders, while one of her shoulders was hidden the other was exposed, emitting a delicate but attractive aura around her. Her long black hair was pulled up in an elaborate bun while her make-up remained simple but beautiful. 

She stopped right in front of the Princes, performing a graceful bow. They nodded back respectfully. Bang Chan particularly struggled to keep a straight face, but respectfully bowed back nonetheless.

She then turned to where Sana and Momo were, graciously bowing. Sana nodded back, slightly smiling. The final bow she did was to the crowd who hastily returned the gesture.

The last person they had expected to see here was one of the toughest and most sought women of the Kingdom. She was known to be one with action, adrenaline and adventure. As she walked to stand in her designated place, the crowd almost forgot that these delicate echoing footsteps were quite known to cause quite a stir amongst the nobles.

"That was one way to start Miss Minatozaki," Momo whispered, enjoying the amazement in the ballroom. Sana just smirked, nodding.

"He just keeps on looking at her," Yukiyo whispered peeking at the ballroom, unable to handle her curiosity. "I wonder if they actually know each other..." Yeseul said, thinking. "I wonder," Jina said, still staring at Bang Chan.

Clearly, Yukio wasn't the only one curious. "Wow Eunnie, you're confident!" Yeseul clapped as Yun Hyeok stepped up behind the lace curtains. "Heck yeah, girl!" Yun Hyeok nodded, "I've been waiting for this," "You look beautiful, Eunnie." Yukio smiled, making Yun Hyeok snap her head towards the young girl. "Thanks for saying that, but I'd rather if you didn't." With a deep breath, she gave her okay to the attendant, who held the curtains open for her.

"Lady Kwon Yun Hyeok," Every time that announcer opened his mouth, everyone wondered exactly what did that guy to strengthen his vocal cords that much. A collective breath was drawn in as the girl walked into their line of sight. She was literally glittering under the lights of the ballroom, as her heels echoed through the walls.

Yun Hyeok kept her small smile intact as she walked through the halls, her hands clutching the fronts of her sparkly dress. She was dressed in a long ivory dress with elaborate waist details. The skirt has ruffled and sprinkled with silver sparkles and ivory designs all over. The illusion neckline was high and full-sleeved while the slightest of her skin showed from the sheer neckline. The dress was soo glamorous and beautiful that all she needed was simple make-up and a crystal headband to complete her look.

She performed a graceful bow in front of the princes and two more in front of the crowd and the Kingmaker before taking her place beside Chaewon. Something stirred inside Chaewon's heart as she watched him smile at her. 'Do you not even recognize me?' She stared at him, accusingly, before averting her eyes.

"God damn my heart is going crazy!" Yun hissed, making Chaewon suppress a smile. "You did good," She silently encouraged. "As if you didn't stun the sanity out of Bang Chan," Yun Hyeok jibed back, dodging the compliment. 

"He looked like he saw a ghost-" Chae whispered, her heart sinking. "Do you know why?" Yun Hyeok asked, curious, "It's a long story..." Chae silenced as the curtains parted again. "You are soo not off the hook!" The girls looked back at the curtains.

They watched Eun Kyung slip out of her blue blazer and take a deep breath before looking up, her eyes gleaming with an indescribable emotion.

"Madam Min Eun Kyung!!" The announcer's voice this time made the girls jump, but they nonetheless kept their eyes fixated where the curtains had parted.

The crowd murmured as the heiress of Charlotte's family walked out into the hall, dressed in an off-the-shoulder blush-coloured dress, which was just as simplistic as the lady itself.
It was decorated with threaded white flowers and silver leaves while the dress itself was made of English net and satin. She exuded that aura of simplicity and elegance, that she was famous for.

She bowed in front of the Princes, startling Lee Know with the direct eye contact she made. He did not expect her to stare straight at him. She performed her curtsies before making her way to girls.

"Congratulations Miss Min," Yun Hyeok began as Eun Kyung took her place. "You have successfully stunned Lee Minho," Eun Kyung swiftly bowed her head down to hide her laugh.

"One of these days, I am going to burst out laughing in a gathering and one of you will be responsible." She whispered, making the girls laugh softly.

"They seem to be getting along well," Momo remarked, her eyes watching the girls with great anticipation. "For now that is," Sana smiled, watching as the next noble walked out. Particularly because she was the one that worried the King Maker.

Madam Song Jieun was dressed in a way that suited her personality perfectly! The blue and pink dress of silk and net hugged her figure like a glove. The pink flower appliques on the bottom of the dress and elaborate flower details sprawled over the waist and the torso just emphasized the innocent and soft aura around her. Her long black hair was pulled back in a bun while a few strands fell on her exposed shoulders. The aura around her was romantic and soft.

Everyone's eyes trained on her as she bowed gracefully and then made her way toward the girls.
Eun Kyung's heart panged with jealousy as she felt the innocence radiate off this girl and Lee Know's eyes trained on her, for as long as he could.

"My heart is beating soo fast now!" Jieun exhaled, standing beside Eun Kyung. "Was I good?" She asked, a nervous smile on her lips.

'My smile could never be as pretty as yours.' Eun Kyung thought. "You did great!" She complimented, burying her resentment. "Are you alright?" Jieun asked, worry washing over her features. 

'You even won't let me hate you, huh?' Eun Kyung thought before forcing a smile again and nodding. Even if Jieun had doubts, she just gave Eun Kyung a small smile before turning to look forward.

There were a few extra loud gasps from the crowd when Lady Kang Hajun walked out. The asymmetrical champagne-coloured was undoubtedly simpler in terms of bling. But the way Hajun carried it, she did not look anything like the tomboy that used to drive the entire household crazy!

Her hair was held up in an elegant updo while her cherry red lips stood out the most of her features. Her dress rustled again on the smooth tiles as she strode in front of the Princes to perform her bow. There was a different kind of glint in her eyes, a foreign confidence exuded from her. While the signs of hesitation were obvious in her body language, she walked like she did not care for them.

An unknown glint of appreciation appeared in Changbin as he watched her join the girls. "It's you, then." He whispered to himself. "Did you say something Hyung?" Hyunjin whispered. The Seortell Prince just shook his head, his eyes slyly fixated on the confident beauty.

"Oh My God, he just keeps staring at you." Jieun quietly gasped, as Hajun sucked in a harsh intake of air. 'The heck!! He recognized me!' She cursed internally, turning to look at the girls.

"Must be the stiffness in my bow," She laughed awkwardly. The girls stared at her with an 'are you serious' look but to Hajun's relief that's where the whole thing left off since Jeseun was set to enter.

The second her name was announced, the crowd erupted into murmurs. Everyone knew the daughter of the empress of the silver screen. And everyone knew how rare it was to see her youngest born in public.

Hwang Jeseun walked out in a blue and white tulle gown. The skirt was poofy and made out of tulle, a Prussian blue English net covered the tulle, giving it a dreamy look. The off-the-shoulder top was of velvet, decorated with blue English net and a large elaborate gold applique on the waist, with a matching velvet bracelet on her wrist.

The whole look looked very elegant and regal, it was pretty obvious that it was a lot to handle. Jeseun, however, handled it like a pro, as she walked down the ballroom and performed a low bow in front of the Princes. The mischievous glint in her eyes and the small smirk resting on her lips, made something stir in everyone's eyes.

Her eyes had that brooding, boring look at instantly branded her as a rebel, which intrigued Changbin. She looked like trouble but damn! If trouble looked like her then that trouble was worth it!

"This girl stunned the entire ballroom," Yuriko scoffed. "She doesn't even look that pretty."
"Girl shut up!!!" The rest of the nobles hissed at Yuriko, making her jump back in fear. Pretty safe to conclude she did not make a good impression on the others.

"Go ahead, it's your turn." Sora encouraged as Ryanne did last-minute checks on her dress. "Break a leg!"

Ryanne usually would avoid these encouragements but for the sake of holding peace, she offered Sora a small smile. She might not trust anyone of the girls, but she knew that Sana Mintozaki did not speak nonsense; so if she said that friends would be important, Yang Ryanne would comply and make friends just for the sake of winning,

Her long, toned leg flashed out as she stepped out. Instead of the traditional ball gowns, Ryanne chose a stormy grey halter neck dress with a long train behind and a knee-high slit. As she strode past the halls, the shiny silver decorations on her torse glimmered in the chandelier light and her heels clicked, emphasizing her confident steps. Her dress would spark controversy and Ryanne knew that, but she could care less. She got the attention she wanted. Hyunjin's eyes slightly widened as she bowed to the Princes and that made Ryanne's smirk grow louder.

"A bit controversial, isn't she?" Momo remarked as Ryanne confidently strode past the ballroom and took her place. "I just know that she intended for this to happen." Sana let out an airy laugh, watching Yang Ryanne. "Careful Sana," Momo joked, "This one looks like trouble." Sana just smirked, shaking her head.

"It's my turn, isn't it?" Risa breathed out, fixing her gown. "Indeed," Siya nodded, offering a helping hand, and straightening her pearl necklace. Despite her introverted nature, she quite liked this girl.

"You're good," Park Chaewon nodded, "Thanks Chaewonie," Risa smiled, making the younger girl smile back. There was something about Risa that made her so approachable and sweet, that even shy Chaewon felt comfortable around her.

Everyone gasped as the brown-haired beauty stepped out of the curtains. She resembled one of those vintage beauties in her silk, lace and net dress. 

It was a huge dress, with layers of silk, finished with a polka-dotted net with elaborate lace edges. The top was off the shoulder and corset styled with see-through lace sleeves and a pink net bow. She wore a long pearl necklace around her neck, which dangled as she walked.
Her feminine and warm aura drew all the attention as she kept her smile intact while bowing.

"You are glowing!" Jieun smiled as Risa joined her. "Thank you," She smiled. "He's looking at you," Eun Kyung gasped lightly, making Risa glance at the Prince. 

Just as she was told, Hyunjin's eyes were trained on her before they made eye contact, which caused both of them to look away flustered! "How freaking cute!" Chae smiled, teasing Risa. The only one who didn't look too happy with the tiny exchange was Ryanne. But she just avoided the green envy inside her.

"She looks gorgeous, doesn't she?" Momo commented, watching Risa join the girl, smiling.
"She's one of those, who are too good for this world. I just hope she does not get her heart darkened in all of this," Sana said, an emotion between anxiety and affection swirling in her eyes.

"Sana, I did not want to point this out but why is Bang Chan glaring at you, with every chance he gets?" Momo asked as the curtains opened again.

"He is?" Sana questioned before turning her attention to the oldest Prince. Surely enough, he was glaring daggers at the King Maker. Momo watched her eyes jump from the boys to the girls and Sana snickered, "I'll explain later," She giggled before watching the next noble walk out.

Continued to the next chapter...

Fay