when stray kids is invited to perform at a prestigious charity event hosted by queen elizabeth, felix is thrust into a world far removed from his kpop fame. among the glittering guests is princess diana, the eldest daughter of prince wiliam and kate...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
THE GRANDE HALLS Of BUCKINGHAM PALACE WERE ALIVE with a hum of excitement as esteemed guests filled the ballroom. soft classical music floated through the air, echoing against marble walls adorned with centuries-old portraits of monarchs past. the evening was meticulously planned by queen elizabeth herself, all in the name of charity. guest from across the world gathered to support a cause close to the royal family, and tonight, the queen had arranged for a special performance from one of the biggest kpop acts in the world: stray kids.
felix felt a mixture of awe and disbelief as he and his bandmates entered the grand ballroom. he was no stranger to performing in impressive venues, but standing here, in one of the most iconic palaces in the world, he felt an unmistakable thrill. stray kids had performed globally, but this was different; tonight, they weren't just representing their music. they were ambassadors, a piece of south korea in the heart of england's royal family.
he tugged at his tuxedo, feeling its unusual tightness, and threw a look at han, who looked equally out of place but was doing his best to act cool.
"you think they serve fried chicken in here?" han whispered, a smirk tugging at his lips as he took in the tables filled with hors d'oeuvres that were as decorative as they were unfamiliar.
felix chuckled, nudging him. "maybe wait until after the performance to ask the queen about fried chicken, yeah?"
the group laughed, their collective nerves melting slightly. but felix's heart pounded as their performance time approached. despite his comfort on stage, the grandness of the palace and the weight of the event had a way of reminding him that this was different from their usual concert crowd. and then there was one more thing he couldn't shake: the hope that she was watching.
in the front row, among the royals and dignitaries, was the princess of sussex herself, diana windsor—the eldest daughter of prince william and kate middleton, named after her late grandmother. felix had seen her photographs in magazines and news articles—always poised, with a serene, dignified look, as if she was born to embody the role. yet something about her felt lest distant, more magnetic. he'd spent enough time looking at her picture to wonder if she would notice him tonight.
as the time came, they took the stage. with the band in formation, they began their set, and all the formalities fell away as felix immersed himself in the music. the hall filled with dynamic energy of their performance, with each beat and lyric a bridge between cultures, they shared language of music pulling the audience in. and as felix scanned the crowd, there she was—princess diana, her blue dress catching the light, her gaze on the stage.
their eyes met briefly, and something inside him seemed to spark, an unexpected thrill that sent his heart racing. the connection was fleeting, a moment in the crowd, but it left a mark that lingered long after the song ended.
when the last note faded, the applause thundered through the room. the group share quiet, relieved smiles, proud of how they'd done. but as formalities wound down and they stepped off the stage, felix's thoughts kept drifting back to that brief encounter, the stolen glance with diana. was it just a coincidence, or had she really been looking at him?
