// Chapter 28 \\

I departed Eastern Court with no goodbyes, happily embracing the stars of the night sky above me as I walked through the portals. I felt a sigh of relief to be back within my own Court. After that final discussion at Eastern Court, it had felt like I would've been captured and kept prisoner. I knew it wasn't possible, but part of me still felt like it would happen. Leeyon didn't trust me and I probably wouldn't be welcomed in her Court again. However, that didn't hurt as much as knowing the trust Yeosang and Hongjoong had for me dwindled rapidly from this visit. The meeting said enough of how they felt about my actions.

I wanted to prove their doubts wrong. I wanted them to trust me. But I doubted what I knew. The fuzz blurred and confused me. I couldn't trust myself.

I still didn't have the answers I was searching for from there. In the end, I only felt more confused than clear-minded after that excursion.

I huffed a sigh and began my trek through the Night Court palace gardens when I was stopped by a servant. They left me with an envelope which I didn't much care to read until they'd told me it was a letter from Spring Court. Yeosang. I thanked the servant and waited till they were gone. As they walked away I pleaded in my mind that perhaps this was a note confirming he believed me— that Yeosang still trusted me. I didn't stop to think after the servant left, though. I tore open the letter. I read the words desperately.

Come to my Court as soon as you can.

I have some information I would like to discuss.

-Yeosang

I read the paper once more. I read it again. I read it five times and allowed my heart to sink slightly before folding it into my hand. Yeosang had something he still wished to discuss with me after all of that. This wasn't a letter of trust or belief, but it was a letter and that at least had to show that Yeosang didn't think of me as the enemy. I straightened my shoulders then. I would go and speak to Yeosang. I desperately wanted a friend's side to be on. However, I had one matter to attend to before that.

That was how I ended up in the cellars underneath the Night Court palace. I came down after immediately reading Yeosang's letter. I didn't even bother to change out of the yellow, Eastern-Court-inspired, dress I now strode through the halls in. The damp and dark hallways echoed my footsteps as I made my way through the tunnels. Rows of guards stood at position as I strode by. I didn't stop as I crept further in— as chills ran up my spine. I strode confidently and assured that I wouldn't run out of the room this time. The guards had let me through the first door and I'd let myself through the second.

Once more, I stood inside the entrance of the cell of Jung Wooyoung.

The chains moved slightly when I entered: Wooyoung positioned himself to sit upright as I walked into the room.

"How did it go, little flower?" Wooyoung smirked, violet eyes glittering in a demonic manner.

My complexion did not allow any ounce of humor. My features were hard, my voice was cold, and my boldness radiated, "How you planned it, Taker."

"The name is Wooyoung." He spoke coldly with a shivering glare before he blinked and that glare turned into a beam, "Plan? What makes you think there was a plan?"

"Quit dancing around the target and get to the point." I spoke, kneeling down to his level. Every inch I lowered, Wooyoung's smug look became more apparent. It sent shivers and I hated it, "You planned to ambush us and have me framed, didn't you?"

"Framed?" He chuckled, yet his eyes were earnest as he spoke, "I sent you there for a hint of an answer. If anyone would be framing anyone, it would be yourself."

"That doesn't even make sense."

"You only think that doesn't make sense."

"So what's this supposed answer then? A Taker attack that puts the Court on alert?"

"And just what Taker attack?"

"San was there."

I couldn't quite believe I'd choked out the words and couldn't for a brief moment after I said them as the room went eerily quiet. The smug look of Wooyoung's face quickly fell. I should've been relieved by that, elated, but his face became something worse. Those violent, violet eyes sharpened to something beyond mere craze. It was something of possession. His jaw clenched and his face morphed into one of hatred.

"San?" His voice was so dark and unrecognizable, but I found it familiar.

I jolted at the voice, my throat tightening and heart pounding at the enraged face before me. Those eyes almost looked like they were accusing me in that moment. Something in them disturbed me. I didn't want it.

Wooyoung laughed with his head tilted back, his eyes tittering on the edge of insanity as he grinned. He then hunched over to where his hair shagged and covered his face, breathing heavily.

"You," he heaved, his heavy, dark voice still prominent, "Saw San?"

My head tilted to the floor as my body shook, "I-" my voice was cracking at this point, "He was the one that ambushed us."

Why was I telling him this? It was like the words flooded out of me.

Wooyoung continued to breath heavily for a bit, his face hidden beneath his violet locks. Then, his breathing slowed into a calmer, quieter pace.

"Yes." Wooyoung raised his head with a slight smile. He appeared calm, but his smile wasn't as smug as before and his eyes were unreadable, "San. He wasn't supposed to be there."

"So he wasn't there to give us the answers you found?"

"Sh- ah— I am the one talking."

I went silent, half unknowing of my own will.

Wooyoung pondered my words for a moment, appearing calm yet deliberate about this, "San wasn't supposed to be anywhere near you."

To this, I furrowed my brows. The way he said it had chills rippling through me. I didn't ask the many questions I had, though. I stayed silent.

Wooyoung gazed at me for a bit, that's when I realized the sweat pooling at his head. He didn't seem to mind, though. His stare was intently on mine, "Tell me, what happened?"

And I unquestioningly told him. It felt like I was a small, innocent girl, curious and incautious of the man that stood before me. But I told him everything. I told him about San breaking through the glass, how I subconsciously approached him, the fight, and the flooding. I even began to tell him of the mysterious figure and that's when he gave me a look that had my mouth closing shut.

Wooyoung blinked, though his calmness was evidently being replaced with an uncomfortable stiffness, "This figure... describe them again."

Somehow, I hesitated but the intent look Wooyoung gave had me talking once more, "Well... they wore robes of black, grey, and white. Many black belts and black weapons, a crossbow on their forearm—"

"A nickel mask made up of gears." Wooyoung finished as he gasped for a breath.

Something I hadn't realized was clenched around me, released. This caused my eyes to widen as I realized. Wooyoung had used magic on me— but he was a Taker— his crescent powers—

"You were controlling me—"

He panted, "I was." But his sinister voice did not match his pale face.

"You're crescent powers—"

"Are what you just witnessed. I ward off and I welcome."

"But you block magic too?"

He smiled despite his state, "Magicians never reveal their secrets."

"You—"

But a look in his eyes had me stopping. There was an invisible grip on me once more.

"Turn around and sit down," Wooyoung commanded.

There was nothing I could do to stop myself. I couldn't even shake out of the fear that took over me and shivered down my bare back. Don't do anything. Please. Suddenly, it felt like those weeks ago when I entered this prison before and ran out. It felt like the Dawn Court gardens when he bashed my head into the fountain. It felt like the Dawn Court ball when I first met him. It felt like something further back, beyond those events. It felt like something worse was coming upon me. Something I didn't wish to take or give, but he would take and give it all. Just like that, the boldness disappeared. I was scared.

There was silence for a bit before I felt myself being released. I hadn't felt anything in those moments, but I didn't stop to contemplate that. I panted, scrambling away from Wooyoung as I was shaking. I didn't turn back until I was on my feet and practically pressed against the cell door.

"Wh- What." I gulped and caught my breath, "What did you do?"

Wooyoung only stared back at me, bored. His face became more flush, but his words seemed pale as he'd been moments ago, "Little flower, listen to me carefully. If you see that figure again, stay away from them. Hide."

I took in his words, but if he wasn't going to respond to my words, I wasn't going to respond to his.

I could feel my features going stone cold as well, "I am going to report your crescent abilities to Spring Court."

Wooyoung laughed, the bored seriousness leaving his features as he tilted his head back, "Of course, you would."

I clenched my jaw. I somehow felt like I'd been stripped bare before him in this room and I did not like how exposed I felt. I turned to leave.

"One more thing..."

I found myself pausing and turning back towards him. This time, it was my own will, but I hated to meet his eyes again.

"The perfect lens was the answer within Eastern Court," Wooyoung ducked his head lower with a smile, "And that is only part of the answer."

I turned back around completely, despite the shivers of my body and voice, "And what is the other part of the answer?"

Wooyoung let out a humorous chuckle, "I said you could only frame yourself, right little flower? The other part of the answer is you."

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 🥺

\\ See u in the next chapter! \\