Chapter 1: Magic Number

Staring at the pristine ceiling above her, Teddy contemplated the intelligence of ramming her head full force into a wall.

On the pros, it might stop the stabbing pain in her head, make her family postpone the "choosing", or better yet disqualify her.

However, the cons were it might make said headache worse with a concussion, give her half-sisters more ammunition to humiliate her, or induce more pitying looks from her "friends".

It would probably be more prudent to slam her sisters' heads into a wall.

Knocking interrupted Teddy's important debate. Sighing Teddy, hauled herself up to open the door. Outside stood a middle-aged male in a fitted suit.

"It's your turn miss." The man said respectfully. Teddy nodded her head in confirmation, examining the man briefly for familiar features, not finding any she continued on her way.

It was rumored that one of the manservants was her father, but no one had bothered to find out which, it would have been too much effort and money to get all the manservants' DNA tested just to find out the father of a bastard child.

Teddy let out another sigh as she stared at the door to the ballroom. Opening the said door she gazes at the rows of males, probably about a hundred still present. Being the illegitimate child made her "choosing" later meaning these were the picked over remains from the other nobles.

The idea of owning another human male or female had never appealed to Teddy, it's expected as her noblesse oblige. They must take some of the less fortunate into their homes and provide for them for the rest of their life. Of course, complete obedience is a cheap price to pay.

Every high-class female eighteen to twenty-five participated in this "choosing", there was a certain quota of how many you took in and keep that needed to be kept. The higher your social class the more "good" you had to do.

Stepping forward she began to scan the men before her. The quicker she hit her quota the quicker she could return to her room gulp down some more pain meds and curl into the fetal position. Although since she would be living with these people for the rest of their lives she wanted to be somewhat careful. In the second row in she discovered someone of interest.

He was on the taller side close to 6', his hair dyed a beautiful silver gray. His features didn't meet the current beauty standards, but he was handsome by any standards. Why hadn't he been chosen?

Stepping closer she tilted her head reading the holograph of relevant information on his chest. That's when she spotted his "flaw". His IQ is 148. Potential mistresses would fear betrayal.

Sensing her scrutiny Kim Namjoon, began shrinking into himself. Probably preparing for the obligatory mockery of intelligence in the male species. "Wrist" she quietly demanded holding out her hand. Shocked his gaze flashed to hers, before slowly placing his wrist in her hand. Holding his wristband steady she tapped her master band to his. Marking him as hers.

"Nice to meet you Kim Namjoon, see you in a bit 'kay?" Not waiting for a response she grinned and proceeded down the line. She had made one choice. she needed more than five, but less than ten.

Her headache seemed to have receded a bit, she assumed it was because she was happy. Kim Namjoon meant she would have someone just as smart as her to have conversations with. Not that she minded chatting with people of lower intelligence but every once in a while she craved a rousing debate about random topics or an impromptu quizzing battle.

Surprisingly she found another person of interest when she reached the end of the line. Unlike the others, he didn't seem eager to lower his gaze. It was cat-like in its lazy judgment of those around him.

When he meet her gaze he held it, not dodging even turning his body so she could look at his information. At the very top in large red print was the warning that he had been issued several demerits by other nobles. And below that, a medical mark that he had a faulty shoulder.

He smirked as she walked closer holding out his wrist in anticipation of the next demerit. Most likely for his blatant disrespect. Returning his smirk she placed her master band on his.

"Nice to meet you Min Yoongi, we'll get that shoulder looked at soon okay?" Min Yoongi's smile dropped as he pulled his wrist back so he could look at it. Teddy continued her journey knowing what he would find. She had marked him as hers.

The disobedience wasn't what intrigued her, it was the quiet strength and intelligence behind his choice. She had seen the defeat in his eyes he had wanted to get chosen, but the first jerk that had given him a demerit had taken that chance. Getting a demerit during a choice meant others were less likely to choose you.

But since the nobles wanted more men to "volunteer" they had put into place a clause that stated if you weren't chosen then you would be sent to a special facility to meet your daily necessities. So he had chosen the next best choice and decided to go out with pride.

Unfortunately, she knew something he didn't the facility was open to female "visitors" and the more demerits meant more visitors with fewer regulations on what they could or couldn't do.

As she proceeded down the fourth row a movement caught her eyes, this male had red hair and what appeared to be an excessive amount of energy, his fingers tapped his leg on his foot tapping in the same rhythm. Seeming to hear her approach he glanced up a smile rivaling the sun, spreading across his face.

Returning it with her own beaming smile she tapped his wrist to hers. The moment she saw that smile and her heart warmed the slightest bit, she had chosen him as hers.

She assumed Jung Hoseok lasted this long in the "choosing" because of the energy he possessed and his light-heartedness. After all, what does darkness fear more than light?

She was shocked midway down the next aisle, there stood a man that belonged to modeling. His stunning proportions and broad shoulders make him a top choice. His gaze stayed lowered as she arrived in front of him. That's when she found what had scared the rest of the nobles off.

His caregiver had placed a long list of warnings at the top of his profile. Accusations about his arrogance, sense of entitlement, and rebellion covered the first page of the screen.

Giving an undignified snort Teddy once again tapped her wrist to his, he was hers.

"See you later handsome." she chirped. It was funny how they could rephrase confidence.

As she passed she failed to notice the smile on Kim Seokjon's face as he looked at his bracelet.

Unfortunately, it seemed her luck had ended by the end of the ninth row she hadn't found anyone of interest and she needed one more before she could go home, to the bed calling her name.

And then the miracle of miracles her eyes spotted someone, He was a tall doe-eyed boy with a blush running from his cheeks down his neck. Anxious to get this over with she practically jogged down the aisle giving her second command of the day for a wrist. She was puzzled when his face paled as he held out the requested hand.

"Hey, it's not his fault you don't like muscular mean. Can you insecure arrogant pieces of trash just leave him alone?" It was another male to the left of her current target, his skin was a beautiful wheat color, his hair almost covering his eyes as he stared down the threat to his friend.

Although she wondered how they had become friends. The men in the choosing weren't placed next to people they knew probably to prevent a situation like this where "emotional" men might lash out at the disgrace their friends or relatives experienced.

She opened her mouth to explain when she was interrupted once more this time by another male, "Why does a gorgeous lady like yourself bother to stop so low to interact with us, I'm sure there are lots of men right here willing to offer you what you looking for, no matter what that is." This man was shorter than the other two his features more feminine. His features paired well with the flirtatious expression he was giving.

He was trying to assuage her anger with compliments and a suggestive tone, but she noticed the veiled insult. If she was a true lady she never would have stooped to give a demerit to someone who didn't meet her standards, and plenty of men would offer her what she wanted, but not them. Unlike her, they had dignity and respect for others and themselves.

Exhausted from the day she didn't say anything else, just making her request plural this time. After tapping their wrist in the order they were in line, she stepped back.

"Nice to meet you, Jeon Junkook, Kim Taehyung, and Park Jimin. I admire your courage and faithfulness to friendship. But let's finish our conversation when we meet up again with our roommates."

She then trudged towards the room off to the right of the ballroom. Where she would sign the custody papers and the men would be escorted after they collected their bag of belongings.

As pained and worn out as she was she still smiled as she thought about her new roommates, she hadn't expected to take in so many, but now that she did it she couldn't help but think that seven was the perfect number. Maybe a magical number.