Royally Yours (Jikook AU📱📲)

9

Lord Eishi jumped at the sudden screech of tires stopping outside. The greedy man's eyes widened, and he practically sprinted to the entrance, eager to escort the awaited guest from the car.

Three men dressed in crisp black suits accompanied a noble clad in expensive designer clothing. As they walked into the theater, Lord Eishi followed closely behind, practically drooling at the sight of potential profit. His excitement was palpable.

"Oh my! Oh my! Lord Cin, we prepared everything for you," Lord Eishi gushed, leading them to comfortable seats.

The noble took a brief glance around the theater, his sharp eyes scanning every corner. His three aides stood silently behind him, all in black suits.

"We don't have a lot of time to waste. Make it quick," the noble said curtly, sitting down.

"Yes! Of course, my lord! I will get the basta—I mean, the dancers—ready immediately!" Lord Eishi stammered, nearly tripping over his feet in his haste.

And so, the performances began.

Groups of dancers performed in pairs or trios, and a few danced solo. In total, Lord Eishi had thirty-seven performers under his control, all giving their absolute best.

The noble, however, never once smiled. His eyes remained unnervingly sharp, making many performers nervous. Some stumbled under the pressure, small mistakes glaringly obvious.

Jhope, Jimin, and Jihyo, on the other hand, moved with confidence and fire.

J-Hope poured every ounce of passion into his performance, his movements sharp yet fluid, each gesture telling a story. Jimin and Jihyo performed a flawless duet, their coordination seamless, every step in perfect harmony. Even though they already knew the odds were in their favor, they refused to hold back. There was nothing that could stop them from dancing.

When the last note faded, the noble leaned back, expressionless. Lord Eishi practically squirmed in anticipation.

Finally, the noble spoke.

"I watched all the performances," he said, turning toward Lord Eishi. "You have talented slaves, Eishi."

The greedy man's smile stretched ear to ear.

"Among all of them," the noble continued, "one performance left a deep impression on me. It was the best dance I've ever seen. They are worthy of going to Seoul."

A collective gasp rippled through the theater. All the dancers froze—except Jimin and Jihyo, whose jaws dropped in shock.

Not Ruel... But Seoul?

The realization hit everyone like a lightning bolt. The evaluation wasn't just for a local show—it was a ticket to the heart of Seoulvenia, the main city, the place where opportunities were endless... and dangers, too.

J-Hope's knees nearly buckled. He turned to Jimin and Jihyo, tears welling in his eyes. "W-We're... going?"

Jimin and Jihyo stared back, equally shocked, though their minds were racing with the possibilities and risks.

"Silence! The lord is not done talking! Do you want to die?" Eishi's aide barked, snapping everyone to attention.

The noble's servant, standing stiffly in a black suit, pointed toward the trio.

"So the team with a girl and two lads... My lord, Baron Cin, has chosen you three dancers to go to Seoul with us."

The room erupted in whispers, eyes wide, jaws dropped. Thirty-seven dancers had been reduced to three chosen performers.

J-Hope almost collapsed, his strength failing him entirely. He grabbed Jimin and Jihyo, tears streaming as he clung to them.

Jimin's heart thudded in his chest. Seoul... The city where the royal palace stood, the city where fate could change—or crush—them entirely.

What... just happened?

For a moment, none of them spoke. They just stared at one another, the reality sinking in: their lives were about to change forever.