Haneul Academy had never looked like this before.
The ivory hallways were dressed in silver and ice-blue silk banners, chandeliers dripping with crystal snowflakes. The grand ballroom—normally reserved for shareholder galas and elite-only ceremonies—had been transformed into a winter wonderland fit for a modern-day royal court.
It was the night of the Midwinter Ball.
And the whole school was holding its breath.
"I didn't know they even owned this many candles," Ha-Rin muttered as she stood just beyond the ballroom doors.
Her reflection shimmered in the glass—soft waves pinned half-up, the academy's signature crest embroidered into the waist of her midnight-red gown. It had been dropped off anonymously in her room. No note. But she knew.
Seo-Won.
Of course, the tag inside read JIN PRIVATE COLLECTION.
Typical.
"You look breathtaking."
She turned to find Tae-Hwan leaning against the marble pillar, dressed in black formalwear with a single silver pin on his collar.
He gave her a small smile. "But the kind I'd ruin myself for."
Ha-Rin rolled her eyes. "Please. You've seen too many dramas."
He offered his arm. "May I escort you?"
She hesitated.
Seo-Won had said Guest of Honor. But no rules, no restrictions.
She smiled softly. "You may."
⸻
Inside the ballroom, heads turned the second she stepped in.
Not because of her dress. Not because of the low heels she barely managed to walk in.
But because of him—Tae-Hwan—beside her. Confident. Calm. Hands tucked in his pockets like he had nothing to prove.
Whispers followed their every step.
"Is she with him now?"
"What happened to Seo-Won?"
"I thought she was just a Drop?"
At the far end of the room, Jin Seo-Won stood near the host's platform, dressed in a tailored black-on-black tuxedo with silver embroidery at the cuffs.
He watched her.
No smile. No nod.
Just... watched.
Ha-Rin met his eyes.
And looked away.
⸻
Meanwhile, across the ballroom...
Lee Na-Gyeom circled like a hawk.
She'd come dressed in a pale gold gown that glittered with every step, her lips painted a sharp red. A group of elite girls followed her like shadows, all waiting to see if the queen bee would strike.
Na-Gyeom wasn't watching Ha-Rin.
She was watching Seo-Won.
And when her gaze finally met Hye-Ri's across the room, the tension was nuclear.
"Well," Na-Gyeom whispered. "This party just got a guest list upgrade."
Song Hye-Ri stood alone near the drink bar, dressed in a backless crimson gown with no trace of modesty. Her hair curled around her bare shoulders, lips curved in a knowing smirk.
Every boy noticed.
Every girl hated her for it.
Except Hye-Ri didn't care.
She had one goal.
Reclaim the throne.
⸻
Back near the orchestra...
Ha-Rin tried to focus on her glass of mocktail, ignoring the stares, the tension, the weight of everyone's expectations.
She wasn't used to being seen. Not like this.
"Care to dance?"
Seo-Won's voice was calm. Deadly calm.
She turned.
He stood before her, hand extended—not demanding. Offering.
Tae-Hwan looked between them.
"It's okay," Ha-Rin said softly. "I can handle him."
Tae-Hwan stepped back without a word.
Seo-Won led her to the dance floor, just as the orchestra began a slow waltz.
"You came with him," he said as he placed one hand on her waist.
"I didn't realize there were rules."
He narrowed his eyes. "There are. When you're mine."
She raised an eyebrow. "Am I?"
Silence. A step. A turn.
"You never said you weren't," he murmured.
"You never said I was."
He spun her lightly, drawing her closer than etiquette allowed. "You wore the dress."
"Because you sent it."
"You danced with me."
"Because you asked."
He grinned darkly. "So we're playing games now?"
"No. I'm just not playing yours anymore."
⸻
They didn't notice the circle of onlookers forming.
Nor did they see Song Hye-Ri stepping onto the dance floor until she was a breath away.
"May I cut in?" she asked sweetly.
Ha-Rin stepped back.
Seo-Won's jaw clenched.
But before he could speak—
"Be my guest," Ha-Rin said, flashing a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
She turned away, heart pounding.
Tae-Hwan appeared instantly, as if summoned by intuition.
"Do you want to leave?" he asked gently.
She nodded.
They slipped out through the side balcony, the winter air biting and clean.
⸻
Inside, Hye-Ri smiled at Seo-Won.
"She's good," she said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "But not good enough."
"She's better than you'll ever be."
Her smile faltered.
"Careful, Jin Seo-Won. Your father doesn't tolerate disobedience."
"Then let him disown me."
Hye-Ri laughed. "You think this is about love?"
"No," he said. "It's about choice."
⸻
On the balcony...
"I should've never come," Ha-Rin said, her voice shaking.
Tae-Hwan handed her his blazer without a word.
She clutched it tightly.
"They'll never accept me here."
"Then screw them," he replied.
She looked at him.
"What if I'm not strong enough?"
"You are," he said. "But even if you're not—I am. And I'll carry you through it if I have to."
She blinked back tears.
"You're dangerous, Yoon Tae-Hwan."
He smiled. "Only to boys who don't know what they've lost."
⸻
Back inside, Seo-Won walked off the dance floor, fury coiled behind every step.
He didn't stop until he found Ha-Rin again—this time alone in the hallway.
"You're running away," he said.
She turned. "No. I'm walking away."
"That's not like you."
"You don't know me."
He stepped forward, cornering her gently against the wall.
"I want to," he said. "Every chaotic, stubborn, brilliant part of you."
"You hurt me."
"Then let me fix it."
Her breath caught.
"You don't get to break me and then be my bandage."
He leaned closer, his forehead resting against hers.
"I don't want to be your bandage."
"Then what?"
"Your equal."
Silence crackled between them.
Then her lips trembled.
"You still owe me an apology."
He smiled.
"Let me pay in kisses."
Before his lips could touch hers, Ha-Rin shoved him back and fled down the hallway, pulse hammering in her ears.
⸻
Somewhere behind them, Song Hye-Ri watched from the shadows.
Eyes sharp. Mind sharper.
"Two can play this game," she whispered.
Because the war for my righteous place?
Had just begun.
⸻
END OF CHAPTER 14
Author's Note:
❄️ The Midwinter Ball has arrived... and so has the chaos 😏💔
Ha-Rin walked in on Tae-Hwan's arm, Seo-Won was watching like a storm in a tux, and Hye-Ri? She's ready for war. Every glance, every dance step, every word in this chapter is a battle move.
Who do you think really won tonight—Ha-Rin, Seo-Won, Tae-Hwan, or Hye-Ri? 👀
Let me know in the comments, my seoulmateu, because this game is only getting messier... and hotter 🔥
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