ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡɪᴄᴋᴇᴅ, Sookai

003

‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙ ♔ •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙⁺˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧͙

BEOMGYU

The thick, wooden gates to King Hueningkai's castle open heavily, the custodians struggling to pull it back as another two watch me closely. They slide their eyes from my status to each other's until the custodian on the right addresses me.

"Your Royal Highness, King Hueningkai will see you now..." he says with a small bow and then begins leading me toward the palace entrance.

I quickly pass my horses' reins to on of my men, nodding my thanks before I follow after him, steps fast to keep up. I hear my men be told they'll be shown where they are staying while I'm visiting King Hueningkai and that they'll take my horse to the stable not too far from the palace itself.

My men are led off away from the palace of Xairia and a lump forms in my throat that I swallow down.

If Hueningkai really is how rumours have made him out to be, being unarmed and without security is risky, but I'd like to see my old friend, it's the first time he's agreed to a meeting in years.

I glance around the palace I frequented as a child, struggling to comprehend how this is a place I made countless memories.

The disappeared greens and vibrant vegetation lost to crisp browns of dried grass and dusty sand, reminding me of the abandoned lands I'd passed through when travelling here.

Grief washes over me and a bitter sense of nostalgia with it, gone is the place I remember so fondly, replaced with a place that appears to be without the sun to nurture and love it. All warmth lost.

The custodians stop in front of the palace doors and wait for them to open before leading me further.

Down the marble hall way, my shoes click off the floor and I count how many of those I hear before we make it to the throne room. Little has changed from inside the palace, paintings remain the same, decorative statues, and the rich red and gold materials the Huening Royals have a love for.

When the final door opens and I see him, tears prick my eyes and my chest tightens-in front of me is the brother I played with and teases as a child.

He's older, but little has changed. The most noticeable change is his height, he towers over me as he walks over to greet me, holding out his hand. He'd once disappeared under my shadow when we were little, big-eyed curious. His eyes are sharper now and his confidence is undeniable.

"Prince Beomgyu of Emisteen..." He checks me over as my name rolls of his tongue, a playful smirk on his face. "You've aged."

A scoff-as prince-like as I can be-and roll my eyes. "I could say the same for you," I remark with a grin and he laughs through his nose, smiling.

"It's been a while," he mumbles, dropping my hand and spinning on his heel, striding towards an archway door that leads elsewhere.

As I inspect our surroundings, I spot a fearful man clutching a large and lumpy bag that he makes effort to hold still. Two custodians at either of his side and more scattered around the room.

We arrive at the grand hall where I remember parties and buffets from when I was younger, replaced with an empty air and lonely dining table made for thirty individuals.

Hueningkai takes a seat at the head of the table and a servant pulls out the chair next to him for me. I thank him as I take a seat, shuffling in my chair so it's closer to the table.

Our wine glasses are filled almost as soon as we sat and Hueningkai sips on his as he regards me. "Tell me, how is the country of Emisteen?"

"Well..." I reply, "my parents are soon introducing means of improvement..." I bring my wine glass to my lips and take a sip, tasting the bitter-sweetness of it on my tongue and the hint of cranberry.