The Crowned Heart | SKZ x Reader

4 | The Princes First Impressions

The ballroom buzzed with quiet conversation as the other contestants glided around the room, their laughter light and easy. I stood near the edge of the grand hall, unsure of what to do next. My hands clutched at the soft fabric of my dress as I tried to calm the nervous energy surging through me. The princes were only a few steps away now, and while the others seemed to mingle with ease, I couldn't bring myself to approach them.

I had never been this close to royalty before. The weight of their gazes—though distracted by the crowd—felt like it was pulling me down, reminding me I was just a baker's daughter from a quiet village.

Suddenly, a quiet voice interrupted my spiraling thoughts.

"You seem like you're lost."

I turned to see Prince Felix standing beside me, a soft smile on his lips. His golden-brown hair framed his face in soft waves, and his warm eyes sparkled with a mix of curiosity and kindness.

"Oh," I stammered, caught off guard. "I suppose I am."

He chuckled lightly, the sound warm and comforting. "I can't blame you. These events can be overwhelming, even for us."

"You seem like you're handling it well," I replied, my nerves easing slightly as I found myself relaxing in his presence. There was something about Felix that felt genuine, like he wasn't putting on airs just because he was a prince.

"Well, I've had plenty of practice." He shrugged, glancing around the room. "But it's not my favorite way to spend an evening, to be honest."

I smiled, feeling a small spark of connection between us. "I can imagine."

Before I could say anything else, a smooth voice cut through the conversation. "Felix, you're not monopolizing our guest already, are you?"

I looked over to see Prince Minho approaching, his gaze fixed on Felix with an amused smile. He moved with an easy confidence, and there was something about the glint in his eyes that immediately put me on edge—though not in a bad way. He was... magnetic.

Felix grinned at him, stepping aside slightly as Minho stopped in front of us. "Not at all. I was just making sure she wasn't too overwhelmed by everything."

"Ah, always the gentleman," Minho said with a playful smirk before turning his attention to me. "And how are you finding the palace so far?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but before I could, another voice joined in. "Don't let him fool you. He's just trying to be the first to make a lasting impression."

I glanced to my left and saw Prince Jisung standing there, his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his suit. His expression was serious, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes as he looked between Minho and Felix.

"I'm not sure about lasting, but an impression nonetheless," I replied, surprising myself with the small joke. The corner of Jisung's mouth twitched in what might have been a smile, but he didn't give anything more than that.

"Don't worry," Felix said, leaning in slightly as if to share a secret. "We're not all this competitive. Some of us are just here for the food."

I laughed, and the sound seemed to break the ice between us. The conversation flowed more easily after that, and though I was still acutely aware of the fact that I was talking to three princes, I felt a little more at ease.

As we talked, I found myself drawn in by Felix's warmth, Minho's playful confidence, and Jisung's quiet intensity. They were all so different, yet each of them had something about them that was undeniably captivating.

It wasn't long before more of the princes started to join the conversation.

Prince Changbin was the next to arrive, his expression thoughtful as he approached. "I hope these two"—he gestured to Minho and Jisung—"aren't overwhelming you too much."

I shook my head, smiling. "No, they've been very kind."

Changbin nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Good. We'd hate to scare you off before the competition even begins."

Just behind him, Prince Hyunjin appeared, his striking features impossible to miss. He smiled easily, his presence almost as radiant as the chandeliers overhead. "So, have they all tried to impress you yet?"

I laughed softly, glancing between them. "I'm not sure about impressing, but they've certainly been... interesting."

Hyunjin raised an eyebrow, his smile growing. "Well, if you ever need a break from all the competition, I'm always around."

The princes all exchanged looks—some amused, others more serious—but before anyone could say more, the sound of a bell rang out through the ballroom. The conversations around us quieted, and all eyes turned toward the king, who had appeared at the far end of the room.

He was an imposing figure, even in his older age, with a crown that glinted in the low light. He raised a hand, and the room fell into complete silence.

"Welcome, everyone, to this momentous occasion," the king began, his voice carrying easily across the ballroom. "Tonight, we embark on a journey to find the future queens of Valoria, who will not only support my sons but also help lead this kingdom into a new era."

The weight of his words settled over me, reminding me once again of the enormity of the situation I had found myself in. It wasn't just about winning a prince's heart. It was about the future of a kingdom.

"The competition will be difficult," the king continued, his gaze sweeping over the room. "But remember, we are not looking for perfection. We are looking for strength, for wisdom, for those who will stand by our side in both good times and bad."

His eyes locked on mine for a moment, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. Did he already know who I was? Or was he just surveying the crowd? Either way, his gaze was heavy, and I couldn't help but feel the weight of expectation settle more firmly on my shoulders.

"As we begin," the king said, his voice softening slightly, "know that this competition is not just about appearances or status. It is about character. It is about finding the one who will make our kingdom stronger."

With that, the king stepped back, signaling the end of his speech. The music began again, though the energy in the room had shifted. The competition had truly begun.

I glanced at the princes around me, my heart pounding in my chest. Felix smiled softly, as though trying to reassure me. Minho's eyes sparkled with amusement, while Jisung remained unreadable. Hyunjin gave me a small, knowing nod.

I took a deep breath, feeling the enormity of what lay ahead.

I was here to compete for the heart of a prince. But more than that—I was here to find out who I truly was in this world of royalty, power, and responsibility.

The night was only just beginning.