Chapter Text
-- [Day of the Annual Confrontare]
"Remember to brush your teeth every after snack, hm?"
"Aaand, don't forget to ask for the Prince's sign for me, okay?"
"Absolutely no can-do." Seoyu pinched her brother's cheeks. After a while, Seongwu raised the white flag.
Mrs. Ong held her son's hands and made a happy yet pained expression.
"Don't get into trouble."
"Then, what's the point of this, Mom?"
"Seongwu, I'm serious. Be careful." He sighed. Mama Ong is just full of concern for her beloved heir.
"I will. The carriage's waiting, I gotta go." Seongwu grabbed his mother in a tight embrace, a hug that will last until he finally flees out of the royal 'dungeon'.
"I will miss you, son."
"So will I, Mom. Take care." He planted a peck on Mama Ong's forehead.
"Goodluck brother." After Seongwuhad let go of his mother, he turned to his older sister and they did their sibling hand shake, finishing off with a hug too. "Thanks big sis."
"All right, we're getting too emotional now. I'll see you in no time!" It was 5 feet away to reach the royal carriage's door. He gradually started pacing down their front yard's path.
Fate is waiting up ahead.
"Bye son! Goodluck! We love you!"
"Don't forget my souveneir! Kiss the Prince for me!!"
"Hell no, Seoyu!?"
The Ong household watched and waved as the young man of the house, their last strand of hope, filled the royal carriage. It will take Seongwu to get home for a while.
The horses neighed, it was time to go.
Seongwu captured every detail of their yard, from the grass up to their house's roof, her sister's proud smile and her mother's tears.
He suddenly wanted to get off.
"I'M GOING TO MISS YOU BOTH! I WILL BECOME THIS YEAR'S PRIME, THAT'S A PROMISE!"
He shouted, with his voice fading away as the carriage moved on with his head out the window.
That wasn't his goal, but he just felt like saying it and it felt good.
/*/*/*/
8:00
"Are the carriages here?"
The butlers and maids were tailing along the Prince, struggling to keep up with Daniel's fast pace.
"Not yet, Your Higness."
"How much longer will it take them?"
"Perhaps 45 minutes or about an hour, my Prince."
His forehead wrinkled after hearing Mr. Han's hypothesis. What a nuisance. The button is on Daniel's sleeves is also being a nuisance.
"If they arrive without me in the palace, have Butler Won escort them to the Blue Mansion, after the noontime broadcast."
"Understood, Your Highness." The flock of sheeps halted in the staircase after their sheperd raised his hand in dismissal. The alpha sheep bowed with the flock.
Mr. Han knew that Prince Daniel would be off to escape his nightmare. He didn't bother asking because he didn't need to.
It was written all over his face.
/*/*/*/
11:00
Tall trees, western-style structures, sophisticatedly-dressed people, and a faraway path waiting to be tracked -- this was Seongwu's ideal photography ground.
And now, he's seeing it with his own two eyes. He is rethinking whether he would be thanking god for this scenery.
Its more beautiful than he ever imagined.
The carriages led all the gentlemen to the front doors of the Blue Palace. Seongwu arrived fifth out of all all the E-list. And of course, the second to the last carriage to arrive. He can't help but feel... lucky.
"Seongwu bro!"
"Minhyun bud," In he went to Minhyun's arms. He was almost out of breath before he could even speak. "How come you arrived earlier? And what's up with that bright aura of yours?"
"Just glad I'm in this together with you."
"Bro,"
"Bro."
"UGH, quit those womanizer-lines."
"By the way, have you seen those B-listers? Especially, the Park guy?" From a distance, a pink-haired guy stood out as he talked with his fellow B-listers.
Jihoon noticed the duo's stares and scowled back. They prentended to whistle in reflex.
Despite Minhyun's company, Seongwu felt the rising tension among all the gents. He never felt more inferior in his whole life.
The trumpet blew. The enormous wooden doors opened, Mr. Han waiting at the top of the stairway.
"Greetings gentlemen, the Blue Palace welcomes and humbly invites you all inside."
Murmurs echoed in the air, followed by the sound of footsteps marching inside the palace. The 50 challengers now stepping into their opponent's base.
"I'm sorry but where is the Prince?" A D-list raised his hand.
"Unfortunately, His Highness has to run some errands and requested to keep you company in his stead."
"Who are you anyway?" An F-list retorted.
"I am Mr. Han, the Palace's head butler and the Confrontare challengers' advisor, at your service." Mr. Hans politely bowed to his guests.
The Prince's butler as our guidance counselor? Isn't this ironic? Seongwu's face turned sour.
"Gentlemen, may I request that each and everyone of you to please proceed to the Common Room for the preparation of the noontime broadcast."
"How about our stuff?"
"Your belongings are already taken care of by the palace butlers, maids, and footmen. Do not worry, for your things will be inside your assigned rooms already." Mr. Han confidently responded. Everyone seemed contented and began to move to the East Wing.
All but Seongwu.
"Excuse me," He raised his hand, with his eyes pinned on the butler, his expression deadpan. "When will we meet the Prince?"
The pile of listers stopped and stared. Every eyes blinked hard. Mr. Han took him a second to respond. What an eager lad, he suppose. "Soon, sir."
"Oh. Thank you," The corner of Seongwu's lips curving up slowly. "Mr. Han."