𝔇𝔢𝔰𝔦𝔯𝔢 | ɴᴏᴍɪɴ

ᦓꫀꪜꫀꪀ

The countdown to the ball had begun—just three days remained. While excitement buzzed through the school, Jeno found himself entangled in a knot of anxiety. The thought of Jaemin discovering his secret weighed heavily on him. He had been dreading the moment when his hidden identity as a prince would be revealed.

Mark, on the other hand, was uncharacteristically calm about his own secret. He had always felt that revealing his status as a prince would be a way to impress Haechan. To him, it was less about the anxiety and more about the potential for it to strengthen his connection with Haechan.

Jeno's nervousness reached a peak as he paced the hallway. Johnny, his reliable older brother, noticed his agitation and approached him with a reassuring smile.

"Hey, Jeno," Johnny greeted, placing a comforting hand on Jeno's shoulder. "You seem a bit on edge. Everything okay?"

Jeno sighed heavily. "It's this whole ball situation. I'm terrified that Jaemin will find out who I really am. I've managed to keep it a secret this long, but it feels like everything's about to unravel."

Johnny chuckled softly, his expression warm and understanding. "Listen, Jeno. You've been handling this well. Jaemin cares about you for who you are, not for some title. If he finds out, it's because he's grown to trust you and you've let him in."

"But what if it changes everything?" Jeno protested. "What if he feels betrayed or deceived?"

Johnny shook his head reassuringly. "That's not going to happen. Sure, it might be a shock, but Jaemin values honesty. And besides, you've shown him who you are beyond the prince. That's what matters."

Meanwhile, Mark strolled casually down the hallway, an air of confidence about him. He had been discussing his plans with Johnny, his excitement evident.

"I'm telling you, Johnny, when Haechan finds out I'm a prince, he'll be impressed. I've got this all figured out," Mark said with a grin.

Johnny raised an eyebrow. "You think that's the way to impress him?"

Mark nodded. "Absolutely. I mean, it's not every day someone finds out their friend is a prince. It's bound to make an impression."

Johnny's smile widened. "Well, as long as you're prepared for the consequences. Just make sure you're ready for whatever comes after the big reveal."

As the day of the ball approached, Jeno continued to wrestle with his fears, while Mark remained buoyant about his plans. The anticipation built, and both Jeno and Mark prepared for the evening that would reveal their secrets and, hopefully, bring them closer to their true selves and their friends.

In the meantime, Jeno took Johnny's advice to heart, trying to focus on the present and the positive aspects of his friendship with Jaemin.