Your steps felt unbearably heavy as you walked across the grand palace courtyard. Towering pillars gilded with golden carvings stood tall, silk banners swayed gently in the evening breeze, and the sound of flutes from the pavilion accompanied your journey. Every person you passed, handmaidens, palace guards, even court officials, bowed deeply whenever the great name of King San was spoken.

Your heart pounded harder. You were only the daughter of a royal healer, accustomed to a simple life in the village, far removed from the grandeur of the palace. Your hands trembled, not from fear of your duty, but because you knew who awaited you this time... the Great King himself, ruler of the ATEEZ Empire, a man revered by his people yet feared by his enemies. The last time you entered the palace was only once, and even then, it had been to massage the Queen, King San's first wife. This time was different... you had been summoned to touch the King himself, the man known to be strong, undefeated in battle, and with an undeniable aura of authority.

When you reached the pavilion, the second consort, an elegant woman with sharp eyes that made you lower your gaze, welcomed you briefly before excusing herself. The handmaidens then guided you into the King's private chamber, a vast room filled with the calming scent of incense. One by one, they retreated politely, closing the doors behind you, until you realized... it was only you and King San.

Before you, King San sat with his back turned, his broad shoulders and scarred back etched like a map of battlefields. His dark hair cascaded partially down his neck, brushing against his shoulders. The room was silent except for the sound of his steady breathing, like a lion resting after conquering the wild. A small table beside him held natural massage oils, placed carefully for you to begin your work. But there was something in King San's gaze when he briefly glanced at you, an expression that seemed not only to weigh your skill but also to measure who you were. Curiosity lingered there, a quiet test, as though he wished to see if you were worthy of being more than just a village masseuse.

Finally, his deep baritone voice broke the silence... steady, calm, but filled with authority.

"Come closer. I want to see if your hands can truly ease my weariness… as they claim."

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