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...
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THE SUN HAD BARELY SET, casting a warm glow over the palace grounds, but inside, preparations for the charity gala were already in full swing. the air was filled with the hum of activity, with palace staff bustling around, adjusting last-minute details, arranging decor, and ensuring that everything was flawless for the evening. tonight was a significant event for diana, one she had anticipated for months. not only was it a chance to promote arts education, a cause close to her heart, but it was also her first major speech as a representative of the royal family.
in her chambers, diana stood before the mirror, adjusting the delicate silver clasp of her royal blue gown. the fabric shimmered with each movement, catching the light in subtle ways, the deep color making her feel confident, regal. a stylist gently brushed the last few strands of hair into place, her look polished but understated. as she admired her reflection, she felt a blend of excitement and nerves. tonight was important—not just as a public appearance, but as a personal milestone.
"are you ready?" her mother asked, appearing at the door with her younger sister, charlotte, by her side.
diana turned, smiling at her family. her mother gave her an approving nod, pride shining in her eyes. next to her, charlotte looked like a miniature princess in her soft lavender dress, wide-eyed and slightly nervous.
diana knelt down to her sister's level, offering her a reassuring smile. "are you ready for tonight, charlotte? there will be a lot of people, but i'll be with you the whole time."
charlotte nodded, clutching diana's hand tightly. "will it be like the last event?" she asked, her voice a bit shaky.
"a little, but this one will have more fun people to talk to. and maybe after dinner, we can sneak away for some dessert," diana whispered with a wink, earning a giggle from charlotte.
hand in hand, they made their way to the grand ballroom, the soft murmur of conversation growing louder as they neared. stepping through the doors, diana was met with an awe-inspiring sight. the room was draped in elegant decorations, floral arrangements meticulously placed, and soft lights illuminating the grand chandeliers above. distinguished guests filled the room—politicians, prominent figures in the arts, and notable philanthropists, all gathered for the cause of supporting arts education.
as they entered, diana could feel the weight of her title settling on her shoulders. she greeted attendees with the practiced grace she had learned over the years, her gestures warm yet controlled, her smile genuine but poised. she had come to understand the nuances of royal etiquette, the subtle but necessary ways in which she had to present herself. tonight, however, felt different. it was her night—her moment to use her voice to bring attention to a cause she truly cared about.
as diana moved through the crowd, her thoughts drifted momentarily to felix. she could almost feel his presence beside her, a calming reminder of the confidence he'd given her. even though she couldn't communicate freely with him, she knew that somewhere, he was rooting for her, his support an invisible but solid foundation beneath her.
diana's mother leaned close to her, nodding toward a group of guests. "they're from the national art fund. i think they'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the program," she whispered.
with a soft smile, diana made her way to the group, engaging them in conversation. she spoke with passion and conviction, discussing the importance of creativity in childhood and sharing stories of her own experiences with art and theater. her genuine enthusiasm seemed to resonate with them, and soon, she noticed the warmth in their responses, the shared nods of agreement, and the spark of mutual interest.
before long, the evening reached its most anticipated moment: her speech. standing at the edge of the grand stage, diana took a deep breath, feeling a surge of nerves as she looked out at the gathered crowd. her family sat in the front row, with her mother giving her a reassuring nod and charlotte waving shyly, her small hand a comforting anchor. in the back of her mind, she could still hear felix's words from earlier in the week, his gentle encouragement filling her with a quiet confidence.
as she stepped up to the podium, a hush fell over the room. the attention of hundreds of people settled on her, yet diana found a calmness she hadn't expected. she began to speak, her voice clear and steady.
"good evening," she started, her gaze sweeping across the room. "thank you all for being here tonight and for supporting such an important cause. the arts have the power to inspire, to connect us, and to remind us of our shared humanity. i have been fortunate to grow up surrounded by music, art, and theater, and i truly believe that every child deserves that same opportunity."
as she continued, her words grew stronger, filled with personal reflections on how art had shaped her own life. she shared anecdotes of her early days in theater and the profound impact music and dance had on her. with each story, she drew her audience into her world, painting a picture of why arts education mattered so deeply to her. she spoke about the joy, the freedom, and the sense of purpose that creative expression could bring to young people, especially those who might not otherwise have a voice.
when she finished, there was a moment of silence, followed by a powerful wave of applause. diana felt a swell of pride as she looked down at her family. hee mother's eyes were filled with admiration, while her younger siblings clapped with an unrestrained enthusiasm that made diana smile. she had done it—she had spoken not just as a princess, but as herself, as someone who cared deeply about making a difference.
after her speech, diana was swept into a whirlwind of conversations, each guest eager to commend her or discuss potential partnerships. she felt both exhilarated and slightly overwhelmed, the attention almost dizzying. but amidst the praise and handshakes, she managed to steal a few quiet moments with charlotte, who looked up at her with wide, admiring eyes.
"you were amazing, diana," Charlotte whispered, her voice filled with awe. "you sounded like a real queen."
diana chuckled, pulling her sister into a gentle hug. "thank you, charlotte. i couldn't have done it without you here."
as the evening wound down, diana felt her phone vibrate gently in her clutch. she glanced down, her heart leaping as she saw a notification from felix. she couldn't reply, but the message itself was enough:
felix: "saw a picture of you online—you look stunning. i hope the event's going well. i'm proud of you."
a soft blush rose to her cheeks as she read his words. she wished she could share everything with him—the speech, the triumph, the feeling of accomplishment. but just knowing he was thinking of her, even from afar, filled her with a warmth she couldn't quite describe.
as the last guests began to leave and the ballroom emptied, diana felt a profound sense of satisfaction. the night had been a success in every way. she had carried herself with dignity, represented her family well, and, more importantly, she had used her voice to advocate for something meaningful.
returning to her room, diana finally had a moment to herself. she glanced at her reflection, still in her gown, and smiled softly, remembering felix's words.
