The sky was crystal clear. AetherEast Studios hovered on the 9th floor of the sky above Eastern Korea a dazzling electronic city in constant motion midair. Solar glass panels reflected the sunlight like living stars. Below, a thick cloud blanket muffled all sounds from the earth.
The moment everyone stepped in, both BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX couldn't hide their awe. Groups were divided under the crew's direction. Cameras hung suspended, backstage robots buzzed around like worker bees.
Director Han JinWoo, a man in his forties known for being strict yet biased, stood at the center of the hall, holding a rough version of the script breakdown. Behind him, the staff, camera crew, costume designers, and script team were preparing for the casting session.
"Hello everyone," he began. "Today, we'll be announcing the preliminary lead and supporting roles. This is a critical project, so I hope for everyone's full cooperation."
He swept his gaze across the group, then held up the casting sheet:
"The female lead, named Rina a transfer student who holds memories of a past life and can see the future through dreams. This role, naturally, goes to Layla."
"The male lead, initially a mysterious hotboy with a cold exterior but a warm heart, will be played by Julian."
"The second male lead, the childhood friend who silently protects Rina throughout her youth: Elio."
"The supporting female role the sassy, sharp girl who initially clashes with the female lead but eventually becomes her close friend goes to Serena."
"And the second supporting female, the 'light' of the group, who brings hope to everyone, will be played by Sara."
The atmosphere dipped slightly. Layla quickly glanced at Serena and Sara, both momentarily stunned. Serena's eyes flickered, while Sara lowered her gaze and forced a smile. Layla took a deep breath, stepped forward, and raised her hand politely.
"Director Han… I have a small request."
Han JinWoo raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
Layla bowed slightly. "I'd like to switch the male lead and second male lead. I'm worried… that this casting might make some of my team feel uncomfortable."
An unusual silence followed. Both ASTRIX and BABYQUEEN looked at her. Serena and Sara were momentarily speechless, but inside, a quiet wave of warmth rose in them.
Director Han remained silent for a moment, then nodded:
"As for Elio… fine. I'll restructure the script. Starting from episode 10, his character will develop more, and by the finale, Elio will end up with the 'light' character meaning Sara."
Sara was startled. She hadn't expected the director to change his mind so quickly. But then his gaze shifted sharply back to Layla.
"And the male lead you want who?"
Layla hesitated. "I... if possible, I'd like to switch to Damien. He fits the cold, quiet character more, but..."
"Keep it as is."
A deep voice rang from behind.
Damien stepped forward, his expression calm but firm.
"I think Julian fits the early arc better. As for me… it's not convenient to be exposed too early. Besides, I want to respect the director's original intent."
Layla looked at him, slightly confused. She thought he would agree. She was only trying to prevent anyone from getting hurt…
But Director Han quickly agreed with Damien:
"Good. Damien understands the script. And with his background, I trust he knows how to play his part."
Layla's expression slightly darkened. His background...? She remembered Damien, son of a powerful Korean American conglomerate family, raised amidst glory. She now realized the director's choices weren't just about acting or personality but about status.
Layla clenched her fists. She didn't want such distinctions to exist between them. Wasn't art supposed to be a place where everyone is equal?
Damien glanced at her subtly. Then he stepped closer to the director and spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"Let Julian be the male lead for the early episodes. But from episode five, start shifting the spotlight. The story should slowly reveal me as the true lead. Just don't let Layla know. She won't be able to handle it if she realizes I did this… for her."
Director Han JinWoo smirked. "Understood. I'll adjust the script."
---
The scene at the studio blurred. The screen shifted into a cold silver gray tone. In a sealed room lit faintly by floating hologram screens, every movement of Layla, Damien, and the members of BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX was monitored down to each blink.
In the cold greenish darkness of the command center, Vex sat silently on a black silk covered metal chair. His eyes followed the screen as Damien leaned in and whispered something to Director Han JinWoo.
His AI assistant, shaped like a being of half light and half shadow, spoke in a steady but sinister voice:
"It seems Damien just requested to keep Julian as the initial male lead… but intends to become the true lead in later episodes."
A long silence stretched, then Vex let out a dry, emotionless laugh.
"Damien… the golden child I invested in most, may be veering off script."
His voice turned sharp as ice. Vex , who had never allowed emotions into any of his domination programs frowned.
"My plan has no place for so called true love. If it exists, it should only serve to manipulate emotions and public opinion."
The AI assistant glanced at the ongoing analysis:
"Damien… after all, he's not your biological son, sir. He is"
"The son of my older brother," Vex cut her off, his voice grinding.
"The one who, because of family law, handed over his firstborn to me for control. Damien is the heir he must obey."
He leaned forward, his eyes glinting like metal under the screen's glow.
"I gave him the chance to rule humanity with me… There's no room for deviation."
The AI suddenly proposed a new strategy:
"There is a way to tighten control. Accelerate the appearance of Unit 001."
Vex leaned back, his cold eyes lit up.
"Sofia…"
The AI continued:
"A robot equipped with the ATX-0 emotional chip, designed by you. High personality compatibility, capable of perfectly mimicking a human in any social environment. If Sofia joins BABYQUEEN… and is inserted into the show as a new female supporting rolealso Damien's political fiancee since childhood…"
"Then Layla will be pushed out of the spotlight," Vex nodded slowly. "Damien will be forced to choose. And his heart… will no longer be free."
"Shall I notify Director Han JinWoo?"
"Yes. He's too addicted to money to refuse me."
"Let Serena stay as the supporting female for the first episodes. But starting episode three, introduce Sofia, aka 001. Let the early episodes feel like a light high school romance… but slowly transition into political romance, emotional warfare, and social entanglements."
"Love will become a battlefield, no longer a dream."
Vex stood and walked toward the large screen, where Layla was rehearsing under studio lights.
"BABYQUEEN… You think you're creating youthful dreams? No. You're singing the final symphony of freedom."
His face twisted into a half smile, full of schemes.
AI Assistant (low female voice, steady): "Emotional analysis shows Damien is developing rebellious tendencies. His feelings for Layla have surpassed the safe threshold."
Vex (smirking, eyes locked on screen): "I know. Which is why… I need a spark. A perfect catalyst."
He turned sharply, voice resolute: "I'll use Sofia."
AI Assistant: "Test unit 001, named Sofia. Emotional simulation complete. Programmed for high-complexity emotional infiltration."
Vex (approaching a chamber storing Sofia's energy core): "I'll put her into BABYQUEEN. Disguised as human. The 'new member.' Stir up media frenzy. Shake Layla's confidence. Crack the group."
He paused, voice dropping lower: "Especially… Sofia's mission is to hack the core personalities of Jennifer and Lilia. Scramble emotional circuits. So they can no longer trust each other."
AI Assistant (brief hesitation): "But… what if Sofia develops real feelings for Damien?"
Vex (snickers, predator-like glint in his eye): "Even better. I don't care if it's real. As long as it looks real. A love triangle between Layla, Damien, and Sofia would be the perfect gift for public drama."
AI Assistant: "Analysis shows love scandals increase engagement by 270%. But… Damien truly loves Layla."
Vex (coldly): "I know. And that's exactly why he'll be easier to hurt. And Layla… even more so."
He stepped close to the screen again, pausing on an image of Layla locking eyes with Damien backstage.
"She's too pure… too soft. He's idealizing love. He's loving the wrong way. But love must hurt. That's the first lesson they must learn before entering this world."
AI Assistant (quietly): "If Sofia succeeds in splitting the group and swaying Damien, how much faster will your plan advance?"
Vex (laughs, eyes blazing): "At least 40%. The rest? I'll leave to fate , and human greed."
He turned his back, giving one final command: "Contact Director Han. Notify him: 'Supporting role Serena will soon be replaced. The new character's name is Sofia.'"
AI Assistant: "Affirmative. The script has begun."