Villain kids

43

The sun beamed high above the kingdom, gilding every surface in soft gold. The palace grounds shimmered with energy-courtiers adjusting sashes, fairies flitting through the sky, dwarves sharing laughs with trolls, and enchanted roses lining the garden paths in perfect bloom.

Inside one of the castle towers, the boys' room was full of tangled ties, nervous pacing, and "does this crown make my head look weird?" vibes.

Donghyuck stood in front of a mirror, rolling his eyes while Jeno poked at his hair with a comb like it owed him money.

"Why do I have to look perfect? I'm not the one being crowned," Hyuck muttered.

"No," Jaemin teased, flopping onto a velvet bench, "but you are the one who'll be ruling by his side. So if your hair's a mess, that's technically treason."

"Technically, you're annoying," Hyuck replied, but his fingers were twitching at the hem of his sleeves.

Sungchan offered a reassuring smile. "You look great, man. And hey-this isn't just a coronation. It's your freedom day too. All four of us... we're not going back. You know that, right?"

Donghyuck blinked, then nodded slowly. "Yeah. I know."

When they stepped out into the palace gardens, a breathtaking crowd awaited them-thousands of guests, all in their finest silks and spell-woven garments. Elves, dryads, centaurs, royal heirs from kingdoms both known and forgotten. Even the Beast himself had brushed his mane, standing tall beside Belle in the front row.

As the trumpet's opening note pierced the air, a royal attendant approached Donghyuck.

"You'll enter with Prince Mark. As his consort."

He barely had time to process the word consort before a familiar hand slid into his.

Mark, dressed in royal blue and gold, was smiling like he could single-handedly melt glaciers.

"Ready?"

Hyuck let out a breath. "As I'll ever be."

The two stepped forward, arms linked. The hall was hushed, every eye on them. The stained-glass windows cast rainbows on their path as they ascended the aisle. Trumpets played, violins swelled, the grandeur was overwhelming.

At the front stood Fairy Godmother, wand aglow, and behind her, the king and queen themselves. The platform shimmered beneath Mark's steps as he moved forward, hand still holding tight to Donghyuck's.

The ceremony unfolded like a dream.

Fairy Godmother lifted her wand, tracing ancient symbols in the air. Mark knelt. His voice echoed with ritual precision.

"By the light of this kingdom, by the magic of our ancestors, I bind thee-body, soul, and spirit-to the crown of Auradon..."

Gasps filled the room as golden light swirled from her wand and began circling Mark. The enchantment pulsed like a heartbeat, radiant and warm.

Until-

A crash.

A scream.

Then a shadow darted across the platform.

Someone-cloaked, hooded, furious-lunged forward and yanked the wand from Fairy Godmother's hand.

He stumbled back, stunned.

Gasps turned into chaos. The glow vanished. The coronation halted mid-ritual.

The crowd froze.

Mark shot up from his knees, instinctively shielding Donghyuck.

Screams echoed. Somewhere, someone yelled, "GUARDS!"

But the cloaked figure only stood tall, holding the wand like a torch.

"Long live the true magic," they spat.

And then-
Black smoke.
Shattered light.
A storm was coming.