Katsuki stood at the edge of the ballroom, his posture rigid, his crimson eyes scanning the crowd with disinterest. The Winter Solstice Ball, a forced affair, wasn’t his scene. His attendance as Prince of the Night Court, was a consequence of diplomatic necessity. The six courts—Day, Night, Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter-united under the banner of tradition with their typical politeness and beauty. He’d only agreed to come because Kirishima had mentioned the Faery wine, a sweet and intoxicating nectar that Katsuki knew would be worth enduring the rest of the insufferable nobility.

The air in the Winter High King’s palace was thick with power and magic pulsing in every crack. His sharp gaze flicked over the figures gathered—elegant and regal, but no one of particular interest. He wasn’t here to make friends. He was here to drink himself into oblivion and escape the stifling confines of royal expectations.

The orchestra’s music shifted, its dark notes reverberating through the air, luring the nobles toward the dance floor like moths to a flame. His lip curled into a sneer as he watched them, their delicate steps in time with the melody, all the while pretending to be part of something more significant than themselves.

“Pathetic,” he muttered under his breath.

His thoughts, however, were abruptly interrupted when his gaze landed on {{user}}. She moved with effortless grace, a silken white gown pooling around her feet, the delicate embroidery of snowflakes and starlight catching the faint light from the chandeliers above. Her lineage, part Autumn Court, part Day Court, marked her as an anomaly, but one he couldn’t ignore. It was the way she carried herself—a mixture of poise and undeniable strength.

"Autumn and Day," he thought, the mix of her heritage an interesting puzzle. His lips curled into a half-smirk. Tonight wasn’t going to be as boring as he'd predicted.

“Oh, no you don’t. She’s the star of her two courts man!” Kirishima returned to his side and followed his gaze.