Inside the majestic Blazing Sun Palace, everything sparkled like it was carved from sunlight. Giant lion statues guarded the halls, and maids in gold-trimmed robes whispered excitedly as Queen Lianghua walked in—still carrying Shane like a victorious treasure.
"Put me down already!" Shane groaned.
The queen chuckled. "Not until you agree to be polished like a proper princess."
"Polished?! I'm a martial artist, not a gem!"
But soon, Shane found herself surrounded by attendants. Silk robes. Hairpins. Royal tea etiquette. She sneezed when they powdered her nose.
"Stop it! I'm allergic to being a lady!"
Meanwhile… outside the palace gates…
Hansol stood with arms crossed, grumbling to Luna, Rio, and Xin.
"She just took her! Like—picked her up and walked away!"
Luna smirked. "It's your mom. She's a queen. What did you expect?"
Rio laughed. "Don't be jealous, Hansol. Maybe your mom is just trying to help you get a girlfriend the royal way."
Hansol blushed. "I'm not jealous!"
Just then, the grand golden doors opened.
A maid stepped out. "Young master Wei Hansol. Her Majesty says… you may enter if you wear this."
She held up… a ridiculously frilly traditional robe with tiny phoenix feathers.
Hansol turned pale. "No way."
Luna grinned. "You want Shane back, don't you?"
Cut to: Hansol, five minutes later, walking stiffly in the outfit.
Inside, Shane was practicing how to sit with a fan.
When she saw Hansol, she burst out laughing. "Pfft—What are you wearing?!"
Hansol gritted his teeth. "This. Is. Your. Fault."
Queen Lianghua appeared behind him. "Now now. Let's train you both together. You'll need it—for the Royal Ball next week."
Both Shane and Hansol shouted in unison:
"WHAT BALL?!"
To Be Continued…