The Grand Hall of the Royal Palace shimmered beneath crystal chandeliers as South Korea's elite gathered to celebrate the King's sixty-fifth birthday in modern-day Korea, 2026. Among the wealthy investors and influential guests was y/n, the twenty-two-year-old CEO of a global investment company worth billions. Known as Seoul's untouchable "Ice Queen," she walked through the palace with effortless confidence, ignoring the whispers that followed her. Her attention was drawn instead to the man descending the marble staircase—Crown Prince Heeseung, the future king of Korea. Dressed impeccably and carrying himself with quiet authority, he met her gaze from across the ballroom, and for a brief moment, the noise around them disappeared. To everyone's shock, the reserved prince made his way directly toward her. "CEO y/n," he said with the hint of a smile, "I've heard many stories about you." Unfazed, she replied, "Most stories about princes tend to sound exactly alike, Your Highness." To the astonishment of the guests, Heeseung let out a genuine laugh before extending his hand. "Then perhaps," he said, his eyes never leaving hers, "you should give me the chance to become an exception."