\\ NIGHT\\ Fantasy AU \ ATEEZ Fanfic

// Chapter 7 \\

I questioned myself why I'd played along with his little charade as I followed Cress down the halls of his palace. The same halls where he'd dragged me to that room filled with rune markings where he'd interrogated me as if I was a mere peasant. At least we didn't go back to that room. Instead, we continued further down the hallway, going through many twists and turns. I simply followed behind.

I remembered Hongjoong still being worried while I was with the group being healed. He'd pear over me making sure everything was going well when a healer had been summoned to take care of the searing pain in my body. He, more than anyone, knew I was stalking towards the High Monarch of the Dawn Court not as an ally or friend looking for peace but out of anger and spite. Hongjoong wished me luck as we left.

I could've sworn I saw the same worry in Yeosang's eyes which I hadn't seen in awhile. I was beginning to think he somehow had a spy lurking around to have knowledge of the entire thing that played out but that wouldn't be possible in the mass of chaos that played out. The massacre— that's what we were focusing on. That's what I was following Cress to talk about. But why not the other High Monarchs aid? It was foolish to refuse it and that's what Cress had temporarily done.

We'd finally come to two large gold twin doors. Cress stepped in front of me, a flick of his finger opening the doors. We walked out into the eternal sunrise then. I didn't need to adjust my eyes as I looked at the expanse of garden that laid before me. I quickly looked around the expanse for any signs of a trap. There were none— for now. I still wouldn't let my guard down.

That's when Cress finally turned around to look at me. Those dark eyes piercing into me as I gazed at him. Why were they so captivating? Why did it make it so hard for me to at least scream in his face? Why?

"I figured fresh air may do well for this conversation... and a little walk," He looked down for a moment before he looked up at me again holding out his hand.

I narrowed my eyes at him not buying whatever he was playing at. However, that didn't stop me as I walked forward to grab his hand— a begrudged act.

"Alright, Cress of Dawn Court," I didn't try to hide the sarcastic anger that was laced in my voice.

Cress disregarded my attitude as he inclined his head, "Please, call me Seonghwa."

That's when I let go of his hand, my jaw dropping, "So first you pin me onto a floor with a rune spell accusing me of working with those demons and then you have the audacity to offer usage of your birth given name?"

I immediately saw the irony in my statement as it would've done good to insult him by the use of his birth name before he gave me the right to use it. Never-the-less, I didn't let my vicious golden eyes leave his dark ones.

Cress had bitten his lip then, heaving a sigh before speaking again, "We will be working together through this case, you are still a valuable resource and I would like to make amends."

I nodded my head sarcastically, "Oh really? See, I thought the whole thing of me being a valuable resource was the bait for getting me into the rune room."