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Superiority.
The Choi-Dynasty had been ruling over this land for centuries, power striking from the blue-blooded family through generations.
Elegance.
The current throne is objected by a king, cold at face, warm and heart, accompanied by an even braver and intelligent queen, forming the head of the reign.
Wealth.
There's no one in the land of their reign unhappy, at least not to an extent where anyone would want to overthrow the head of the Dynasty, a huge wave of wealth had hit the people ever since the first crown had been Choi-owned an eternity ago.
Elitism.
The Choi children: an eye-catching mesmerizing princess, an older sister to the two princes, the youngest son, the lands worshipped new hope and love, and of course the first son as the future king, an all known graceful, cold looking man, already making everyone fall for his minds will and eternal beauty. Choi Sungyoon, to be precise.
He is the one Joochan fears the most.
Don't make noise, avoid falling out of line, always be polite and never ever dare to stare into the eyes of the royal family members or you'll be off the road. Joochan had been revising the rules the head server had engraved into his mind all week for the special event this night. The night ball is his first official grand event where he'll work as a server for the royals.
His family had been living in the land as simple farmers for he doesn't know how long until a few years ago his best friend and work companion Jibeom fortunately had gotten them both official jobs as mediocre paid servants inside the castle he had always gazed at from afar when he was younger. The job was not too thrilling at first, he would spend most of the working hours in the basement, taking care of laundry and such things and only be lucky enough to even take a glance at his employers in secret from inside the windows when they were spending afternoons enjoying the low sun or at best behind a corner of a hallway when they were welcoming guests or else. Their appearance and behavior till now seems otherworldly to Joochan, yet he has always dreamed of coming face to face with them for as long as he has been working for them.
The past years Joochan had been making his way up the employee line, his job as a direct server after his occupation in the kitchen of the massive castle seemed like a huge change as he was now allowed to come in contact with the highest class. The chances were still lower than with being a castle or even personal guard but Joochan was willing to take it.
A reason for his hope was to his own surprise none other than the oldest prince himself. Joochan had always been mesmerized by how this man who is certainly one of the most important people in this land seems not to care about all the luxuries he gets handed so easily and rather stays out of focus. Choi Sungyoon is the one standing behind his relatives, only to be reminded by his own father to take responsibility as the future king and represent his position. Choi Sungyoon prefers staying inside the security of the castle rather than meeting the people who admire him. Choi Sungyoon stays in the shadows to let his siblings shine. And still he makes Joochans blood freeze beneath his skin. Joochan knows he's certainly felt the prince's gaze lay upon him on occasion when they were lucky enough to bypass - though Joochan never had the courage to return it, scared of being judged and at worst even fired. But he can't help but be creeped out by the feeling the prince has taken note of his seemingly transparent self before.
The night of the ball had come. The big event lured royals from all around inside the massive ballrooms, Joochan is certain he has never seen this many luxuriously dressed people in the same spot - he can only think of the costs this one evening had caused. The halls and rooms look mesmerizing in a way that is close to the glowing star's blanket that unfolds on clear summer nights.
Joochan is propped next to his coservants, trembling in fear and excitement. Luckily, the employees appear invisible to the higher class, their only purpose to manage the guests wellbeing. Joochans emotions remain mostly unnoticed.
"This situation seems so unreal! I would've never thought I'd be this close to these important people, like ever in my entire lifespan!" Jibeom whispers towards him when they walk past each other inside the kitchen to bring some of the absolutely mouth-watering food trays outside.
Joochan can only nod half heartedly at his friend, still stiff from his fear of messing up this important opportunity - good behavior could even mean a promotion which would mean more money to secure health for his family.
The night continues without many blunders - only one time he almost crashes into a group of dancers when they storm past him holding more trays to fulfill his duty. Just as the event slowly comes to an open ending, one of the head chefs orders him to bring some ingredient from the basement since it ran out of stock. Which means for Joochan he gets to escape the noisy masses of people inside the ballrooms, all their loud blabbers about wealth and money already started to give him a slight headache. As he reaches a corner near the staircase leading downstairs, someone rushes in no time right into Joochan, there's no way he can react accordingly to avoid the impact. He goes crashing on the floor, stunned and slightly dizzy from the encounter. The other person lands harshly only a few struts from his own body, looking down in embarrassement as they stand up to pat the dirt from their clothes. "I-I'm ultimately sorry-I never meant to cause this inconvenience.." Joochan still on the floor, wondering how the other person seems so fine just after the crash - he himself can only gaze at the floor, controlling his racing mind to calm down and think clearly again. He can only see the others tidy shoes and neat black shiny trousers that already seem to be worth more than Joochans entire work attire. "Please, let me help you get up." Finally, Joochan looks up only to find a handsome young man reaching down his hand for Joochan to take in order to be at eye level again. But he's stunned as he sees the others flustered but slightly anxious expression laying on his absolutely beautiful features - hair as dark as the night, skin as bright as the sun, eyes as sharp as the ones from eagles and as deap as Marianas Trench. It takes Joochan some moments filled by silence to put his own hand on top of the other's slightly cold one, trying to control his from shaking, as the man pulls him up from the ground. Joochan doesn't dare to gaze at the other again, he's too fazed by the glow that radiates from him. As he does look forward again though, the man slips away as fast as he came crashing into the other.
Only when he left, Joochan recognized him as the prince, Choi Sungyoon.
Even after this rather surprising encounter, Joochan can't seem to find the prince between the guests as he returns from the storage room. He subtly scans every face in the entire building but it feels like Sungyoon had just magically vanished from his sight. Although this sends disappointment through Joochan, he's also slightly relieved as he still feels embarrassed about himself not bringing out a word of gratitude towards the other when he was so close to him.
And even though he couldn't find him in person anymore, Sungyoon's face seems now more engraved into his mind than ever before. After the ball, at night laying sleepless in bed, the next days at work, Sungyoon messes with him mentally. The older prince is all Joochan can think of, he panics when he imagines having to talk to him again or accidentally crossing his paths.