𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐆𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒 || skz

CHAPTER 4: THE CASTLE OF STARS

Felix studied Seungmin for a moment, eyes then shifting over to Minho. He sat down in front of them, reaching for the teapot and a cup. Seungmin watched him closely as he poured himself a cup of tea. He had changed a lot since Seungmin had last seen him. Gone was the uncertain and nervous prince, replaced with someone who would confidently inherit the throne one day. He radiated warmth and happiness, giving off a warm light as he moved around.

The door opened again, and the dragonguards slunk into the room. Changbin and Jisung were both wearing uniforms while Chan was very dressed down, also wearing a robe like Felix. Minho and Seungmin had most likely disturbed them as they were about to sleep.

Felix took a deep breath, leaning back in his armchair. "Jeongin told me it was about Hyunjin."

"He's..." Minho trailed off, his expression tense. "He's withering."

The room fell quiet, and Seungmin could see the realization settle in the prince and the dragonguards.

"He's withering?" Jisung asked, his voice quiet as it pieces through the deafening silence. "Like..."

"Like me," Minho said, staring down into his cup.

"How..." Changbin trailed off. "What happened?"

"My brother stole Hyunjin's core," Seungmin said, his expression blank. His heart twisted in his chest and he watched as both Changbin and Chan tensed up. The attention in the room was turned to Seungmin, and Seungmin could clearly see the anger that swam in Changbin and Chan's eyes. He didn't blame them.

"Insu?" Felix asked.

That caused Seungmin to pause. "How did you know his name?"

"That was Eunkyung's last word," Felix said, crossing his legs as he leaned back in his chair. "Before you killed her."

"Right." He gritted his teeth, looking down at his hands. "There was a contract given out by The Shadow of Grimholt, where they requested the core of a forest spirit. My brother took the contract and managed to get to Hyunjin's tree before I could get in contact with anyone."

"How did you know about the contract?" Chan asked. His eyes never left Seungmin, and his brows were pulled together in a frown. "Isn't that just something for criminals."

"Chan," Felix spoke softly.

"I'm just curious," Chan replied, his voice strained and his eyes narrowed. "How did you know about the contract?"

"I was in the south. I had just returned from-"

"From where?" Changbin asked.

Seungmin took a deep breath. "I returned to the town where I grew out. South of Serenn. I returned and I went to a tavern I used to visit more frequently when I was..." He trailed off, unsure of how to word himself. "When I was more involved with the criminals of Serenn." He didn't miss the way both Chan and Changbin's glares hardened.

"So you returned to that life?" Chan asked.

Felix glared over his shoulder. Chan just frowned.

"I wasn't intending to return to that life. I'm tired of it and I'm trying to get out. But as I passed through, I decided to look through the business ledgers of possible contracts," Seungmin said, his voice tight and he spoke slowly, choosing each word carefully. Chan and Changbin hated his guts, with a good reason to, but that also meant that they could take his words and twist them. "I have to survive somehow. I was looking for a simple job, maybe smuggling some goods for a lowly crime boss. I needed money." He inhaled sharply. "That's when I saw the contract."