In a city full of wonders and dreams, Léonore Ravenscorft, a brilliant but introverted academic prodigy, meets Mark Lee, a charismatic musician with an alluring charm and creativity.
Her world changes when she is invited to collaborate with SM Ente...
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Léonore was seated at her desk, the soft hum of her computer and the distant sounds of campus life filtering through the open window. Her eyes drifted toward the open book on her desk, a well-worn text on astrophysics. Though the equations and theories were familiar, her mind had wandered elsewhere that afternoon, lost in the constant balancing act between her many passions.
She closed the book and let out a soft sigh. There was something comforting about the chaos of her life, even if it sometimes overwhelmed her. Between her studies at Oxford, ice skating practices, and the occasional musical performance, there was hardly a moment to breathe. Yet, she craved that fullness—the busy schedule kept her grounded, especially after her father's passing.
The sharp ring of her phone cut through the quiet, startling her out of her thoughts. It was an unknown number. Usually, she would ignore it, but something made her pick up this time.
"Hello?" Her British accent was crisp, carrying a tone of curiosity.
"Good afternoon, Miss Florence. This is Jang Cheol-hyuk, CEO of SM Entertainment."
Léonore blinked, her mind scrambling to piece together how or why one of Korea’s biggest entertainment companies would be calling her. She had heard of SM Entertainment, of course—who hadn’t? The company was a powerhouse in the music industry, known for creating global K-pop sensations. But what could they possibly want from her, an astrophysicist?
"I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time," the CEO continued, his voice smooth but professional. "We’ve been following your work for a while, and we believe you would be an excellent fit for an upcoming project we’re developing with NCT Dream."
NCT Dream. The name rang familiar, but not in a way she had ever given much thought to. She knew of them—seven young men who had taken the world by storm with their music and charismatic stage presence. But the connection between her world of academia and theirs seemed tenuous at best.
"A project with NCT Dream?" she echoed, still trying to make sense of it. "I'm not sure I understand. My background is primarily in science and—"
"Precisely why we believe you’d be a perfect addition," the CEO interjected, sensing her hesitation. "We’re looking to create something unique, a collaboration that brings together different worlds. Your expertise in astronomy, along with your artistic talents, could bring a fresh perspective to the project. We think your story, your voice, would resonate with a broader audience—especially given your advocacy for women in STEM."
Léonore paused, weighing the offer. It was an odd proposition, to say the least—working with a K-pop group to create… what exactly? A show? A performance? An art piece? She didn’t know, but the intrigue had been planted. Her extroverted side lit up at the idea of something new, something that pushed the boundaries of what she had done before.
And yet, a part of her—the quieter, more introspective part—hesitated. Was this what she needed right now? Another project, another commitment, another piece of herself to give to the world?
