\\ DUSK\\ Fantasy AU \ ATEEZ Fanfic

// Chapter 15 \\

It now felt like how things used to be: Seonghwa being unreadable as ever, visions I couldn't even comprehend, and the seething unknown plight that weighed down on my emotions. And maybe that's why the journey back to my Court with Elara was so quiet. We walked across the large light tan path surrounded by purple grass fields, leaving the large city, palace, and other lands of the Dawn Court behind us. Here, along this path, a portal could open to take us home to Night Court.

Of course, Seonghwa didn't come to escort us, being the way he had with his simple command to leave.

As if I was his subject.

And perhaps that's why I clenched my fists in silent rage. Perhaps that's why I kept my mouth shut and didn't say a word to Elara.

But I didn't need to speak for a conversation to be started.

"Well, there was a short end to that visit."

I could've scolded Elara's stroke of confidence in that comment. However, the silence said enough.

"I... I'm sorry, ma'am, was I too blunt?"

My temper and overall commotion in my head was on a tight leash— it was practically overflowing. I could lash at her. But that thought alone had the waters of temper's fuel drain. I didn't realize my body was stiff until I loosened it then. I didn't want to hurt people— I never wanted to hurt anyone. So, I didn't want to hurt Elara.

"No," I sighed after another long moment, "It was a short visit. Almost as short as..." I snickered a bit, "Well, as his temper."

I was surprised to look over and find Elara's face crack into a smile as she gave her own laugh. She grinned for a bit before pursing her lips together in effort to try and reform the neutral complexion of a knight.

"Well, at least you were able to make a bit of progress?" Elara raised a brow as she tilted her head in my general direction.

I gave a nod to her, despite knowing her blind eyes wouldn't allow her to see my agreement of her statement. It also prevented her from seeing my grimace right after. I might've made a bit of progress, but the progress I made...

It frightened me.

"Yeah," I gave my verbal response to her statement. I sighed, "As tiny of a bit as you can get."

Elara snickered, "Yeah, well, at least you dreamed."

I smiled, "Well, of course, I'm sure you knew well of how I never had the ability to dream."

I was her High Monarch, and of course Court citizens knew many things of their High Monarchs. This would be something she surely knew.

"Yes, but," Elara hesitated with her words, tilting her head, "I don't um... I don't dream."