Eclipse *Minsung*

The Sun Lands

*Note: when I read books and there's a ball, I have the hardest time picturing the music the characters are dancing to. If you're similar, don't worry, I have a song for you to listen to if you want to be more immersed in the ball that happens in this chapter.

*The song is Serenade for Strings Op.48- Tchaikovsky. The third movement, Elegie, is the one I listened to for the dance between Jisung and Minho. The fourth movement, Finale, is what I imagined for the dance between Minho and the princesses.

*Listen to those, or don't. Enjoy!

Jisung was in awe of the Sun Palace. He knew it was beautiful from a distance, but up close it was utterly magnificent. Banners of crimson and gold swayed in the warm breeze swirling through the air, reflecting against the sandstone walls that nearly appeared to be made out of gold in the evening sun. The gardens stretching all around the castle were wide and full of green bush trees, and the smooth stone paths that weaved between the rainbow of different flowers were bordered by large trees covered in weeping vines.

His attention was drawn from the green and blue butterflies that fluttered through the flowers as a shadow passed over their arriving caravan. Aja landed on the wide steps leading up to the main entrance of the castle, carrying a beaming Prince Minho. Jisung's awe was no longer directed toward his surroundings. The Prince of the Sun was almost glowing, like the sun was welcoming him home as it surrounded his body.

Unfortunately, Jisung didn't have forever to stare at the other prince. As always, formalities got in the way, and he was grateful for Changbin's reassuring presence as they made their way through the slow process of being welcomed by the sun court. Jisung wasn't used to being seen and acknowledged, so he felt rather lost about how to conduct himself properly. Members of the court and servants alike all bowed to him and greeted him respectfully, and he felt the need to crawl out of his skin and disappear.

When he was finally escorted to the rooms where he would be staying, Jisung let Changbin take the lead in talking to the servants. Though the palace was huge, there weren't nearly as many stairs as the Moon Palace, which was a blessing after over a week of travel, and Jisung distracted himself by studying the large, arched stained-glass windows lining every corridor. He was fascinated by the way the colors of the glass set the floors on fire.

Jisung was a little overwhelmed by everything, but when he saw the rooms assigned to him, he wanted to turn them down. Unlike the rooms at the Moon Palace, these were not separated by walls, but by large, sweeping curtains that ranged from white to cream, to ruby red, and the space was huge. He was sure he could fit a few of his bedrooms just in the lounge area, and the bed on the other side of a large white curtain made his bed at home look like a child's.

Jisung stood in the middle of the room, staring at the space around him in a speechless way while Changbin quickly instructed the servants where to put Jisung's minimal amount of luggage. He thankfully excused them once they were finished with that.

"Your Highness, are you alright?" Changbin asked the moment they were left alone.

Jisung nodded, grateful for his ability to mask his emotion. "Yes, I'm simply... worn out."

Changbin nodded. "I understand that. At least the weather held up on our way here, right?" He stepped toward the doors. "I will let you rest. Nothing is planned until tomorrow, so if you need anything, just send the word, and I'll be here."

"Thank you. I mean that." Jisung glanced away. "As a prince I shouldn't have forced my bodyguard to interact with anyone for me."

Changbin, surprisingly, smiled. "You don't need to thank me for looking out for you. My job is to help you with anything you need, not just to protect you once in a while. I wanted to help, I promise."