Villain kids

26

Sungchan strolled down the hallway, eyes wide with wonder. The walls were rich with details—ornate paintings, golden moldings, polished statues. He paused at every portrait, skimming the names beneath them—kings, queens, legends of the past. It felt like walking through a live history book, and honestly? He was eating it up.

Then he spotted a large, regal-looking door. That had to be it.

With a gentle knock, the door creaked open, revealing the prince himself, standing there with a soft smile.

Sungchan: "Sorry if I took too long..."
Mark: "No worries. I already told the staff I'm busy from lunch 'til six, so I’ve got plenty of time. I want to show you a place in the castle that I think you’ll really like."
Sungchan: "Alright then… uh, lead the way?"

Mark gave a nod, circled around his desk, and casually pressed a button. With a quiet mechanical whir, an entire closet shifted aside to reveal a hidden passageway.

Mark: "Right through here," he said, laughing at Sungchan’s wide-eyed expression.

They walked down the narrow path, the entrance quietly sealing behind them. Another opening appeared ahead, and as they stepped through, Sungchan nearly gasped.

Sungchan: "What is this place?"

He turned in slow awe, taking in the bright fabrics, sketchpads, twinkling lights, and tiny creatures flitting about.

Mark: "This is the design studio. We’ve got a few human workers, and well... animals."

Sungchan: "...Animals?"

Mark: "Like in Cinderella. The mice? They helped make her dress? Same vibe here. We have a whole crew of animal helpers, but only two human designers. Their job is to make the sketches clear enough for the animals to follow. It works surprisingly well, but the humans are pretty overworked. They’re only allowed lunch and two hour-long breaks."

Sungchan: "Wait... you said three workers, but now two?"

Mark: "Right, sorry. I’m the third. I help out when I can. And actually, that brings me to why I brought you here."

He paused and looked at Sungchan more seriously.

Mark: "If you decide to stay in Auradon after my coronation, I want to offer you a job here. You’ve got an eye for fashion, I can tell. You’d be paid, no classes, and with you as part of the team, everyone would get more rest. Plus, you'd have time to explore, hang out, do whatever you like."

Sungchan froze. His brain completely short-circuited. This felt... fake. Way too good to be real.

Sungchan: "Someone pinch me."

SQUEAK.

He let out a yelp as a small pain bit at his ankle. He looked down to see a tiny mouse, waving up at him and giggling. Sungchan jumped back, nearly losing his balance—

—but a gentle touch steadied him.

He turned, flustered, and found himself face-to-face with a very familiar smile.

Sungchan: "Oh—I'm so sorry for almost knocking you over!"
Shotaro: "Don’t worry. I fell the first time I saw the mice too…"
Sungchan: "Thanks for catching me."
Shotaro: "Of course. I couldn’t help but overhear... You like fashion?"
Sungchan: "I LOVE fashion. I’m freaking out a little—I can’t believe the prince just offered me a spot here!"

He beamed, eyes practically glowing. Shotaro and Mark just smiled at his enthusiasm.

Mark: "Shotaro, would you mind showing Sungchan around? Maybe let him help out a little? I’d like to enjoy the rest of my free time today."
Mark (turning to Sungchan): "By the way… any idea where Donghyuck is?"

Sungchan smirked knowingly.

Sungchan: "If he’s not in our room, he’s probably in Jeno and Jisung’s. Enjoy~" he teased, voice sing-songy, watching with glee as the prince’s face turned a bashful pink.

Mark didn’t even try to deny it. He just bolted out of the room, cape fluttering like a man on a mission.

The other two burst into laughter.

Sungchan: "He’s so whipped, I tell you."