Now don't murder me for leaving you guys with a cliffhanger. This chapter is 3000+ words and I'm scared that I'm gonna bore ya'all out. 
But do not worry, the next chapter is in the works. And it will come out soon.
Till then, enjoy this one.
Also, let's clear up the confusion. Since we have two Chaewons, I'll address Han Chaewon as Chae and Park Chaewon as just Chaewon.
Hope that makes sense.

Ateez at the top and THEM VISUALS ARE *chefs kiss*
LEAVE THEM COMMENTS I AM EXCITED TO KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS!
And yes! More moments and interactions are to come. Be patient with me, please!

TMI: I looped the sexiest playlist I had while writing this chapter. Think River, Red Lights, Bicycle, The Eve, Love Talk, Oh Mami, level sexy. Needless to say, they inspired me quite a lot😏

Also, who's the mystery man? Any guesses? 😉
Enjoy the chapter

"It's been a while since I've seen any of them," Han remarked as the Princes gently grabbed the remaining girls' hands and lead them to the dance floor. 
"Yeah for me too," Chaewon said. She watched the tall and handsome man grab Haeun's hand and lead her to the dance floor. A fond smile graced her face as she saw Haeun blush. 

"Let the ball commence," The announcer bellowed, making the orchestra tune their strings and the opening notes filled the ballroom.

Not 5 minutes into the dance, a hearty laugh echoed across the ballroom. One that the walls of the castle were familiar with; but it had been a while since they heard it.
Heads turned in that direction, and the onlooker's hearts melted as they watched two separated friends in their own worlds, as they laughed their hearts out. It had been a while since any of them saw Chae laugh soo heartily.
Sana's eyes softened, at the sight of Han and Chae. 'I told you it would be worth it,'

Yun Hyeok turned her head, wondering where the laugh was coming from. "They look soo adorable together," 
Her words caught Chan's attention, whose body was here but his mind was exploring God knows which corner of the universe. He turned his head, catching the sight of Chae and Han.
"Yeah, that they do," Chan said, suppressing the growing emotions inside him. "She must be close to you all," Yun Hyeok looked back at him. 

"Yeah," Chan exhaled, "We used to be friends when we were young. She's still close to the boys."
"Not to you?" Her abrupt question made Chan speechless. What was he going to say?
"Not that much, we just drifted apart." He admitted, saying what was not even half of the truth.
"That must be sad, losing your childhood friends." Yun Hyeok said to herself, her eyes glancing at Chae once in a while. "Maybe you guys could reconnect during this time," 

'Could we?' Chan thought as he turned her around, a bit too fast. Making Yunhyeok tighten her hold around his shoulders. "I'm sorry, did I scare you?" He panicked.
'God damn it, Bang Chan!' He scolded himself internally. Just as he removed his hands off her, Yun Hyeok held their intertwined hands tighter. "No, no!" She shook her head. "You didn't scare me. I'm okay."
The glow in her eyes, the soft smile and the way she didn't hesitate to assure him; felt nice to Chan.

"You seem mad at him," His voice was deep and quiet, like plush velvet. Compared to his partner, he was quite tall but he portrayed his inner gentleman, discreetly bending his knees just enough to not tower over the girl.

"Don't ask questions you already know the answer to Oppa," She scoffed, a small pout resting on her lips. A quiet laugh left his lips as he spun her around. "Say kiddo," He spoke softly, placing his hands on the small of her back. "You trust me, don't you?" 
The younger girl looked up in surprise before nodding. "Then trust me when I say that I'm gonna fix her." 
With the determination in his voice, the twinkle in his eyes and the small smile at the edge of his plump lips; Haeun was sure that he would fix her. 
He was the only one who had the chance anyway...

Kim Hong Joong was not the one for parties but given his position, he had no choice but to grow accustomed to it. But when he got the kingmaker's invitation, his immediate instinct was to accept it. He trusted Sana and her judgement. 
They'd been single for long enough anyway. 

Waiting behind the grand doors, Hong Joong wasn't really expecting anything. He was used to parties, to the constant chattering, the loud laughs and the seductive gazes of women left and right. He was very much used to and tired of it. People want something to do with him just because of his position, he felt used. He wanted someone to meet someone who wanted him for who he was and not his crown.
The doors parted and he walked in and instantly, the girl in the large blue dress caught his eye. Why?! She just did-!

That dress looked like it was a lot to handle but the way she handled it and those high heels-!
The mere look of them looked painful. The thing that intrigued him the most was how she looked freaking pissed to be in the position she was. Like one wrong move and she would explode. And something told Kim Hong Joong that this explosion would not be pretty!

"You know..." He started as he gently lead her to the dance floor. "You can get rid of those shoes. They seem like they're hurting you." 
"And are you gonna hold them while we waltz around this floor?!" She seethed, making Hong Joong's eyes widen. 'Nah she's ready to explode,' He thought to himself before taking a quick glance around. 
"Take them off," "You're-" "Just believe me, and take them off when I tell you to."
Without letting Jeeseun respond, Hong Joong almost lifted her away to where he needed them to be.
Jeeseun hated being ordered around and being told what to do. The audacity of this insanely attractive man to order her around within ten minutes of their first meeting-
She was too appalled to talk but before she could protest, he almost carried her away.

'I swear to God if this wasn't a public event,' She cursed under her breath. 'Then again, these shitty heels are hurting my feet. So if he's gonna help me get rid of them, might as well just give it a try.' She shrugged, 'I can always say that he stole my shoes, how he's gonna explain that is his business.'

"Who are you talking to?" Jeeseun internally slapped herself as she realized she got caught mumbling to herself, in front of this God of a man. 'He's gonna this take me for a total nutcase,'
"There you go again," He scoffed, "You have the attention span of a fruit fly," Her mouth fell open.
"Take them off," "Excuse me!?!" Jeeseun blurted out a bit too loud.

"Lady, I meant your shoes! Take them off," It was rare that Hong Joong lost his patience with someone but this girl really tested his limits. 
Being compared to a fruit fly had wounded Jeeseun enough, so she took off the black platform heels and passed them to Hong Joong who looked like he wanted to yeet those shoes and the owner into the next dimension.
But luckily for Jeeseun, he grabbed her waist as he spun her around, rather gently.
In the blink of an eye, the shoes exchanged hands. Hong Joong passed the shoes to the younger noble in a sky blue gown and from her, it was indeed yeeted into an empty room beside the ballroom.
And no one noticed...

"Remember to retrieve them when you have the chance." He sighed, looking down at the girl, who was still in shock.
The siren eyes widened in shock and the parted lips instantly replaced the irritation in his mind. He found this girl in his arms, quite adorable. Annoying, yes but adorable at the same time.

"God I hope that didn't hurt someone," Jongho was very endeared as she kept looking back at the room she threw the shoes in. "Hey you threw them in an empty room, remember," He reminded, waltzing her around the chandelier-lit room. "Oh yeah, right." She looked back at her best friend. "So this was your work trip huh?!" She teased, lightly pouting
Jongho laughed, bringing her closer.

"Wave, you're the one to talk. You didn't even tell me you were gonna accept the invitation."

"Jong, I can't just tell my best friend that I am going to court someone." She hit his chest, barely earning a muscle move. "I thought you would've known better to hit me." Jongho teased, casually flexing his buffed-up form. "Alright alright muscle pig, you are buff as heck, I admit."
What really felt weird to Jongho was that she looked soo different today. His best friend, Sora was mostly dressed in shorts, sweats and hoodies and ran, screaming and jumping like a hamster. 

So small and cute and crazy. She was like the sea, someone who was beautiful, vast and uncontrollable. Today she did own to her nickname. The sky blue silk, cotton and tulle dress hugged her body like a glove, accentuating her tiny waist that always surprised Jongho. Her hair pulled off her face, allowing the onlooker full access to her angelic cheeks and bright eyes. The frilly sleeves of her dress brushed against Jongho's black and silver jacket. The embroidered front of her dress felt itchy but Wave took it like the champion she is.
As they smiled softly and danced to the music, Jongho suddenly realized why people waver from the thought of being just friends.
They can't help it.

"Ouch!" Lee Know hissed making Jieun tremble on the inside. That was the second time she'd stepped on his shoes and she was close to having a mental breakdown. She knew Lee Know's temper and knew that people feared him because of that. Was he gonna yell at her in front of all of these people? 
Jieun held her breath, expecting him to storm away from her, clearly done with her. 
"Did I hurt you?" His gentle, hushed voice came like a cold breeze on a suffocatingly hot day. Jieun looked up at him wide-eyed, still shocked about the fact that he didn't burst out loud and embarrass her. 

"I should be asking you that!" She gasped, "I stepped on your foot twice, does it hurt too much?" Should we stop? Maybe change partners..."
Her ramble was cut short as he let out a hearty laugh. 

"Let me talk a bit..." He suggested, before grabbing her by her waist and kept swaying to the music. Jieun couldn't stop the surprised gasp that left her lips, but the Prince paid no attention to it.

"Miss, what you must realize is that I've had people do worse to me than accidentally step on my foot. Accidents happen, given your situation, I'd rather be surprised that you aren't nervous. Don't worry, I'm perfect. And about the partner change..." He knelt a bit closer to speak in her ear, "I'd like to keep it as it is, for the rest of the night."
Watching her soft cheeks turn a vibrant shade of pink was insanely endearing to Lee Know. He wouldn't say that he was a lady's man but with this particular noble, it was just soo freaking adorable to watch her blush and gasp at the simplest actions of his.
Meanwhile, she could remain blissfully ignorant about the fact that anyone else who'd stepped on his foot, even as an accident would be rewarded with a harsh glare at least.
Everyone shouldn't know everything.

"Awww they look soo cute," Yuriko smiled. Jieun was one of those very few people that she wasn't jealous of. And that said a lot about their relationship. Even though they are polar opposites, Jieun is the only one in Yuriko's life who can control and reprimand her.

"It's been what, 15 minutes that I've been dancing with you? And you haven't bothered sparing me a glance?" In defence of the insanely attractive man, he was used to turning heads. And people could barely ever resist taking a second look at him. He was just soo gorgeous
A face straight out of a manga, small eyes, luscious red lips and sharp, piercing eyes that twinkled with mischief. Jung Wooyoung was just too good to be true. 

Clicking her tongue, Yuriko turned to tell the man off, but she was stunned silent instead. Her ancient crush on Yang Jeongin was literally thrown aside as she stared at the man in front of her. Given her nature and freedom, she had met all too many men compared to her age,
And she knew who she was dancing with.

The famous prince. Known for his devilish eyes, his loud laugh and his nature. He was famous for his Jekyll and Hyde personality and his famous shenanigans all over the kingdom. Who didn't know him? But this was Yuriko he was dealing with. And she would be darned if she let him know that he stunned her silent. 
"Well maybe because I am not the slightest bit interested in you..." She huffed. "Have you ever thought of that, your Majesty?"

Wooyoung smirked before his hand around her waist tugged. Air could not pass between them, they were that close. Yuriko let out a tiny gasp, feeling her heart rate shoot up.

"Is that so, Ms Kim?" He whispered in her ear, and Yuriko swore she could hear the delicious smirk in his voice. "Your body tells me otherwise." He pulled back to look her in the eye and dear God! To Yuriko, it felt like lasers going through her. 
"You breathes are shorter and quicker, your cheeks are that cute shade of red, and your tiny little fingers have successfully wrinkled my jacket," He averted his eyes for a split second to see the wrinkles before staring back at her, with the same piercing eyes. "Thanks for that." Oh, what Kim Yuriko would give to wipe that smirk off his face!

"Tell me, Ms Kim, do I make you nervous?" Yuriko could not meet his eyes, the entire time, anger bubbling up in her. How dare he toy with her!?!
"No, you don't!" She lied through her teeth, "Quit whatever you are doing, You Majesty! I like someone else." Her nostrils flared as she was near exploding in anger.

"Well, no shit Sherlock you do!" Wooyoung laughed again, "You have been staring at him like he has horns or something." He jerked his head towards where Jeongin and Chaewon were swaying to the music. And it looked anything but just a friendly dance. And as much as Yuriko hated to admit it, they really looked good together,

Green envy coated Yuriko's senses as she dug her sharp nails into Wooyoung's shoulder. Which she knew hurt like hell but she could care less right now! She was mad and jealous and 
What was in that girl that she didn't have?! Why was it that she made every effort in catching his eyes but he acted like she was just a backdrop? Who was this girl anyway!!!?!

"My my my, Ms Kim!" Wooyoung's voice softened, his hold around her while didn't loosen, his muscles definitely relaxed. It was almost like he was comforting the girl who had yet again, failed to get the attention of the guy she liked. 

"Shut up! What do you know?!" Yuriko snapped, "I'm gonna get him. He has to be mine."
"As much as I hate to burst your bubble Ms Kim, I can't let that happen." Her eyes shot up.
"What do you mean?" She snarled as he spun her around. Tugging her as close as she could be, he whispered to her again, making shivers go down her spine.

"I mean that you can't seriously think I chose to dance with you for no reason." Another spin and he turned her to look her in the eye. "And by the time I'm done, I will make sure that I erase every damn trace of him from your mind. He's too soft for you anyway,"
His words, his actions, his hot breath fanning on her exposed collarbones; everything was making Yuriko go fuzzy. She had flirted and fooled out with boys for as long as he could. How on Earth was this man making her go crazy?!

Her gaze cast to the marble floor beneath them as she detached herself from him. "I need to go sit down." She spoke in the quietest voice ever. Wooyoung watched her speed away, her dress clinging onto her tiny frame. 

The second Wooyoung had entered the large ballroom, his eyes immediately caught on the beauty. Wavy black hair, haughty expression but lonely and longing eyes. In the pink asymmetrical tulle dress that exposed her legs, decorated with white appliques and even with those heels, she was much shorter than him. 
At the first sight of her, Wooyoung knew he had his eyes set on her and her only.

Walking to the drinks corner, he grabbed himself a drink. Sipping on his drink, he watched as her gaze moved to her beloved.
Running a hand through his hair, Wooyoung thought, 'Let's see how long you can hold onto him.'

Chae knew what she was doing when started silly dancing with Han. As much as she loved his energy, this guy could go bonkers sometimes. "Han, I'm gonna pass out at this rate." She giggled, holding onto his shoulders for dear life. "No can do Noona! This is your punishment for not visiting us for soo long." Chae sighed like she was absolutely done with him. She missed this way too much to leave him now.
"At this rate, Eunnie's gonna lose a limb." Haeun laughed watching the two of them. 

"And as much as I would love to watch them, I think it's time we switch." 
"You sure kiddo?" He asked, surprised since Haeun was not willing to face Han for the longest time. "I can't avoid him forever now, can I?" 
Her partner nodded, catching Han's eye. The silent exchange happened after which, Han smiled down at Chae, mischievously.

"Here comes the spin, Noona." "Han no-!"

Chae barely got a word out before Han spun her around. She could feel the absence of his warmth but not for long as another body collided against her own.

Those familiar sharp eyes, striking features and luscious lips curled up in a small smile; once the realization sunk in, her cheeks exploded in a blush. How long had it been since she'd seen him?
"We meet again, Miss Han," His voice sent shivers down her spine. Gosh, dang it...

To be continued...

Again, please don't kill me. I'll update the next chapter as soon as I can.
I love ya'all

Fay