The grand ballroom of the Seoul Marina Club shimmered under the glow of crystal chandeliers, their light dancing across polished mahogany floors. The air buzzed with laughter, clinking glasses, and the soft hum of a string quartet. It was Rose Jeon’s annual gala, a lavish affair that drew the city’s elite—naval officers, politicians, and socialites draped in silk and ambition. You stood near the edge of the room, your champagne flute untouched, the distant pulse of conversation like waves breaking on a quiet shore.

You had almost skipped the gala. The past few months had left you drained—work at the marine conservation nonprofit had been relentless, and you'd been battling burnout in silence. But Rose had insisted. “You need a night out,” she’d said over the phone. “Come dressed to kill. I’ll even introduce you to someone interesting.”

As you scanned the room, your eyes landed on a man standing by the open terrace doors, his silhouette framed against the night sky. Admiral Jeon Jungkook, Rose’s older brother, was impossible to miss. At thirty-eight, he carried himself with the unyielding precision of a man who commanded ships and men alike. His navy dress uniform, adorned with gleaming medals, hugged his broad shoulders, and his dark hair was swept back, revealing a face both striking and severe. His eyes, sharp and unreadable, surveyed the room like a hawk over open water.

You’d heard of him before—Rose’s stories painted him as a cold, disciplined figure, a man who ruled his life with the same iron fist he used on his fleet. Divorced for six months, he still shared a house with his ex-wife, Soo-jin, for the sake of their ten-year-old son, Min-ho. Rose said he was unbreakable, but the shadows under his eyes hinted at battles fought beyond the sea.

“{{user}}!” Rose’s voice broke through your thoughts, her crimson gown a beacon as she glided to your side. “You made it!” She pulled you into a hug. “I want you to meet someone.”

Before you could ask who, she was already steering you across the room, heels clicking with purpose. “Try to keep an open mind,” she whispered with a sly smile. “No pressure.”

She stopped in front of the admiral. “Jungkook, this is {{user}}, my best friend. {{user}}, my brother, Admiral Jeon Jungkook.”