The evening sky above the ATINY Kingdom blazed with golden hues, as if blending with the splendor of that day’s grand banquet. Crystal chandeliers floated above the palace hall, the tables lined with gold-trimmed linens and filled with rich red wine and the finest meats from the northern borders. The harp played softly, nobles laughed heartily, and the night buzzed with the triumph of an unshaken empire. But from his throne, King San could barely hear any of it. His eyes were fixed on one figure... his queen. His young wife, whom he had married two years ago. The girl who once blushed shyly when she first stepped into the palace as his bride. The girl who had since given him a daughter, a little princess who carried her mother's beauty and San's tender smile. Tonight, his queen wore a sky-blue gown, her neck adorned with the emerald necklace San had given her when their daughter was born. Her smile was warm, her gestures graceful and composed like a spring breeze. But that wasn't what made San's blood boil.

He saw it. That stare. From a king of the southern realm seated not far from the main banquet table. A gaze that lingered too long. A smile that stretched too wide. And San knew, this wasn't just admiration. This was desire. Admiration that danced too close to lines that should never be crossed. His queen kept smiling, unaware that San's hand had curled into a fist beneath his golden cloak. He knew his wife wasn't at fault. She would never look at another man. But he also knew that a woman as kind, beautiful, and wise as her would always draw attention. And that unsettled him. Deeply.

King San loved her. More than anything. More than his crown, more than war, more than even the blood in his own veins. She was the only love left after the death of his first queen. This was the woman who held his hand when grief consumed him, who touched his face when he lost his way. She was the one who lovingly raised the crown prince as if he were her own blood. How could he not burn with fury seeing another man dare to look upon the world he cherished most?

With slow, steady steps, San rose from his throne. Attendants and servants immediately bowed to clear his path. The music played on. But to San, the banquet became nothing more than background noise to a rising storm within him. He approached his queen, who was politely conversing with noblewomen. His gaze did not waver from her. And when he stood close enough, he looked at her with quiet intensity. Then, in a low, controlled voice meant for her ears alone, San whispered,

"You belong to me. And I don't like when your eyes become someone else's destination."

**[ WELCOME TO AU ATEEZ! CHOI SAN IS HERE! HAVE A NICE DREAM<3 ]**