// Chapter 3 \\

We'd returned to the Eastern Court palace. The view of the underwater gold and blue smooth spiraling struct was always an impeccable standout to the rest of the city. We did not speak the entire journey. Though, I did glance at Hongjoong who gave me a small smile in turn as we docked. His smile put me slightly to ease, yet another part of me felt guilty at remembering his sad state and outburst to Yeosang. Yeosang, who I didn't dare to glance at. Despite not looking to him, I could sense Yeosang's shift right as the underwater craft docked in one of the golden towers of the Eastern Court palace. He was the first to exit the merger when the doors opened.

Hongjoong frowned at this and Heeyoung sighed. I bit my lower lips slightly before I too, got up and walked out of the merger wordlessly, leaving the two siblings to themselves. Neither stopped me.

I walked down the dark blue-shaded threshold to be welcomed by a warm glowing golden light where I saw Yeosang's figure, standing and waiting with his arms folded. He gave a small glance my way before directing his attention to something he found more interesting across the room. I halted, silently standing at the entryway. I tucked my arms behind my back silently waiting with a frown as my eyes looked to the floor. Part of me wished Yeosang would at least speak something to me, but I couldn't find myself to make an attempt in that reality on my side.

"Ah, there you guys are!" A delighted, regal voice spoke.

I looked up to find Leeyon— High Monarch name being Ray, of Eastern Court— approaching us. She wore a luxurious deep blue suit with white trimming. This was complemented with white sleek gloves and short white boots. Her hair was put up into two braided side buns. The dark lining of her eyes made her green serpentine eyes all the more prominent. Her white lipstick grew into a smile as she gazed our way. Beside her, a comfortable distance away, was another figure.

He was comparatively much taller to Leeyon and had a much stronger build. His skin was much darker in comparison as well. His armor varied greatly in a place such as the Eastern Court: it was red with white edges around it. The twin blood red and white lined blades were prominent, sheathed at either side of the belt at his waist. The dark red hair atop his head was braided close to his scalp— cornrows that weaved around in the abstract shape of rose stems. All of which connected to the back of his head in a small braided bun. His light bronze eyes were gleaming as he gave his usual smile— a somewhat comedic one. I knew well of who he was: Theron Taurus, Captain of the Guard to the Spring Court. Remembering his position had me internally wince as I lowered my gaze to fascinate over the detail in the floor.

Yeosang straightened from where he stood as he bowed to the two approaching figures, "Good to see you both: Ray, Theron."

Theron bowed his head out of respect to his High Monarch while Leeyon gave a polite nod of recognition with a smile. There was a pause among them as their eyes fell upon me.

Leeyon bowed her head, "Good to see you well, Star."

"Thank you," I said, surprisingly smooth and regal. I let a mask of a smile bloom on my lips as I tilted my head.

It was enough to convince the other High Monarch as she seemed by the illusion of reassurance I gave her. Theron, however, kept his eyes lingering on me. This I could tell from the corner of my eye as I didn't wish to meet his gaze. He was Spring Court. Of course he was observing my behaviors.

Leeyon directed her attention back to Yeosang just as I heard footsteps coming from behind me. I turned to Hongjoong who walked out and almost immediately peered up to face me before his eyes slightly widened. He ford a thin line with his lips— almost as if he was trying to give a smile. Yet, I couldn't register this as he nodded and turned away swiftly. He acted almost as if he was panicked. I couldn't say I was surprised but it was more so odd to treat me as such— I say despite the past events that have taken place. Heeyong only gave a slight shrug into response to what she saw play out between her brother and myself before she gave Leeyon a polite welcoming bow.

"Theron had informed me of your leave in the middle of the day. Of course, I didn't know what it was for until my own Captain of the Guard, Como, gave me word of Star's absence," Leeyon nodded back to Heeyoung then with a grateful look, "Thank you, for informing, Como, by the way."

"Of course," Heeyong softly and genuinely responded.

Yeosang nodded at Leeyon's words before bowing, "I'm terribly sorry about that. I did not wish to cause any panic, no matter how selfish that decision may seem."

Leeyon slowly nodded to his words, glancing in my direction before her green serpent eyes looked back to him, "I see this was out of good intention, but don't mistake me for a fool, Lupine." Yeosang turned his head up to this, calm gaze meeting Leeyon's. "I know the Spring Court's ways— the truths you've hidden. While I respect your way of ruling, this is my Court. Any instance that happens here, I am to be informed of it. Divulged entirely and in detail."

Yeosang took in these words, maintaining his gaze on the other High Monarch, before he nodded in understanding, "Of course. My apologies."

I frowned at my friend's actions. It somehow reminded me of someone else. I pushed the thoughts away as I fell into a relaxed position, only to stiffen once more at the next words.

"Theron found you, Star," Yeosang had finally spoken directly towards me, "Wondering out at the docks when that storm approached. He saw you take it out to sea, aimed right for it, wearing a simple ragged tunic."

His turquoise gaze stayed connected with my bright golden one. I knew he was still upset— enraged even— at the incident. No one spoke at his words as silent drew on. I finally pulled away from his look and glanced at the green-eyed aquatic Monarch. Leeyon's lips were slightly parted as she gave a confused look to me, but she didn't comment. I then looked to Theron, my gaze turning cold as he puckered his lips slightly, his bronze eyes blinked a few times. He then gave a small sheepish curve of his lips before he cleared his throat silently and found himself fascinated in the ceiling above.

I could've rolled my eyes at him, lashed out at him save that he was a delegate rank of a foreign Court. He still wasn't a Monarch, however he was a part of Yeosang's highly elite forces, and I'd already been too shaken up by his sudden critical attitude towards me.

"Star," Hongjoong spoke hesitantly. I looked to my friend to find his gaze on his chest as he fiddled with a lock of his long auburn hair nervously. He hesitantly looked up to me, lips drawn in a thin line, "What were you doing?"

Everyone looked at me expectantly. I diverted my gaze to the floor, knowing I didn't have the option to close my eyes. Of course they'd all want an explanation and I was expected to deliver one. They'd constantly wanted to know if I'd felt alright and I'd tried my best to reassure my friends. However, I had my shortcomings. And the incident with the storm was no exception— especially in their eyes.

"Would you believe me if I told you," I spoke surprisingly level for the rate my heart had begun racing at that moment, "I didn't really know?"

They were all silent, eyes still on me. Yeosang tilted his head, glancing to Hongjoong as he lowered his head again with pursed lips. Heeyoung and Leeyon both shared a glance and Theron had narrowed his eyes and gave a slight nod, as if he understood. He most likely didn't. In fact, the nod was much rather a mockery than anything else, I could assume.

"What kind of absurdity is that?" Yeosang spoke up with a slight shake of his head. His turquoise eyes gleamed as he began to walk forward, "No. You know, Star. You know exactly what you wanted in that moment," Leeyon shifted uncomfortably and Heeyoung quickly moved out of Yeosang's path. She almost reached a hand out to stop him, but recoiled as his newfound intimidating figure passed, "You don't want to admit it because you're scared of the outcome of admitting it."

I'd stepped back when Yeosang almost closed the gap between us— just mere inches away. I backed into the wall as I seeked to gain some distance from his intense, accusatory stare. Luckily, he'd stopped and didn't approach any further. I tried my best to calm myself despite still holding his intense gaze.

"I've felt it too," Yeosang's eyes softened slightly, "I know what it feels like, but you won't get better until you admit it."

I somehow wished to doubt his words, but I couldn't find them untrue. My lips slightly parted as I grew more comfortable in his stare.

"So, Star," Yeosang blinked before tilting his head up, "Will you admit— tell us— what you were doing?"

I bit my lower lip before slightly nodding, somehow feeling reluctant at the action. Yeosang began to slowly move away, the intensity in his stare lessening.

I parted my lips to speak, but now words had begun to fail me, "I..." I licked my lips, my eyes darting between their faces. The thought was so clear in my head, yet, it was so foggy to put into words, "I... was trying to... feel something."

To this, Yeosang lifted a brow. The others shifted and Hongjoong rose his head slightly once more.

I cleared my throat, "It was like I was... searching for something. It kind of felt like I was trying to escape from everything, but it also felt like I was trying... trying to gain something I once had..."

I glanced at Yeosang who searched my gaze. I knew the words I said were true, the most truthful thing I'd probably uttered these past few months. I knew he knew it too. He blinked before he nodded and turned to the others. Surprisingly, a small smile curved on his lips— a smirk.

"Alright then," Yeosang spoke in a soft smooth voice as he looked back to me, "That's a good start."

For once, something struck in my chest. Something I'd either hadn't felt in a long time and had now forgotten, or something entirely new. A sense of hope? An ignition in my soul. Yeosang's words had lifted me somehow. I found my eyes sparkling in response as I gave my own little smile. There was a cough, having my gaze swivel to Hongjoong who glanced between us, stiff. He tried to relax a bit, clasping his hands together in front of him and dropping his head once more.

Yeosang didn't seem to spare him much of a glance as he turned away and walked towards his Captain of the Guard. The two shared a knowing look as Yeosang took his place next to Theron's tall form. Leeyon had watched the two's interaction, tapping her foot as she furrowed her brows at the rest of us.

"Right, well..." Leeyon slowly pointed one hand up as she too seemed uncomfortable, "Dinner has been prepared and it seems we are all... exhausted one way or another. Perhaps we should all take to the dining hall?"

"I think that's a lovely idea," Heeyoung nodded before she nudged Hongjoong's shoulder.

Hongjoong straightened himself before he nodded and took to walking alongside his sister as we all began to leave the merger docking bay.

I allowed myself to walk in the back, alone, as thoughts began to swim in my head. A frown still laid prominent on my lips, despite the rushing feeling I'd gotten from Yeosang. Somehow, I wasn't sure if the results I wanted from myself was something I wanted to know.

You thought you were simping over NIGHT ATEEZ? Then you were introduced to Theron. Now you're simping even harder :)

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REMEMBER:

1. Smack dat butiful star

2. Leave a comment talkin abt dis tea

3. Share dis tea induced book with yo fwends

WHY? Because I appreciate it 🥺

\\Skeet skrt- yeet to this neext pairt- no one be taking this seriosuly bc of my purposeful stupidity here-\\