The Winged Dynasties: Chanjin

Beneath Royal Masks

The grand halls of the Han Kingdom's palace were a sight to behold. Marble columns, intricately carved with symbols of unity and power, stretched high toward the ceiling, where massive crystal chandeliers cast a warm, golden light. The palace bustled with activity, the sounds of servants preparing for the upcoming Celestial Summit mingling with the quiet murmurs of visiting royalty.

Hyunjin had seen the palace before, but the weight of this particular visit pressed heavily on his shoulders. It wasn't just the summit that made him uneasy—it was everything leading up to this moment. The tension with Jaebum, the unspoken feelings between him and Chan, and the political instability brewing across the kingdoms. He felt like he was walking a tightrope, and one wrong move could send everything crashing down.

Felix, always a source of levity, walked beside him as they entered the palace. His golden wings fluttered slightly in excitement, though he kept his voice low.

"Quite the place, isn't it?" Felix said, glancing around. "I've always thought the Han Palace was the most impressive of the four. Too grand for my taste, but you know they love their spectacle."

Hyunjin smiled faintly, though his heart wasn't in it. "It's beautiful. But the grandeur makes me nervous. It feels like everyone's hiding behind their masks."

Felix raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that what we all do at these things? Pretend everything's fine while we're all secretly plotting?"

Hyunjin didn't respond, his thoughts drifting to the summit's purpose. Peace. Alliances. Stability. But under the surface, he knew there was tension. Kingdoms were growing restless, particularly the Yang Kingdom, and the idea of true peace felt more fragile than ever.

As they made their way through the grand entrance, Hyunjin felt Chan's steady presence just behind him. His personal guard, as always, was silent and vigilant, but Hyunjin could sense the tension between them. The conversation from the night before weighed heavily on his mind—his quiet admission that his feelings for Chan went beyond duty.

Hyunjin glanced over his shoulder at Chan, their eyes meeting for a brief second before Chan quickly averted his gaze. Hyunjin's heart tightened. The space between them felt unbearable, but there was nothing he could do about it—not here, not now.

"Your Highness," a servant interrupted his thoughts, bowing deeply. "The royal banquet is about to begin. The other princes are gathering in the main hall."

Hyunjin nodded, and with one last glance at Chan, he turned and followed the servant toward the banquet hall. Felix fell into step beside him, already teasing him about the upcoming formalities.