\\ DUSK\\ Fantasy AU \ ATEEZ Fanfic

// Chapter 4 \\

We were all now in the dining room of the Eastern Court palace. The dining room was unique in its layout: the dome of the place which oversaw the ocean from under its currents. The underwater of the endless sea where shadows of fish jutted through the blue liquid and were clearly visible through the limpid glass. The room was illuminated by golden flames which flickered on white ivory wicks. Those candles jutted from the walls upon golden beams which held up the dome and the clear glass. The golden light mixed with the blue, illuminant atmosphere of the water beyond the glass, creating a cyan lighting that shone down on the checkered black gold floor beneath. There is where we all sat around a large white marble and circular table. Tropical foods of every variety and color sat atop it, filling the golden plates that sat in front of each individual at the table.

I glanced to my left where Hongjoong ate in silence. His grey eyes were illuminated a more saturated blue as he took a humble bite of an aquatic delicacy. He moved a hand up to brush the auburn locks— which had more of a dark purple tint— out of his face before he glanced up to my gaze. He quickly retracted his eyes back down to his plate of food with a nod, bringing his attention back to his food.

To my right was Yeosang, who'd had a joyous conversation with me as our dinner was being served. It seemed like the grudge he'd held since the storm had washed away, almost like it had never been there in the first place. I would've been annoyed with the fact if I hadn't known it to be Yeosang's nature. I did grow up with him, after all. Even if we didn't speak for a time when he left to become High Monarch of the Spring Court. Bringing my gaze over to his lavender tinted hair, I saw him carrying a conversation with his Captain of the Guard.

Theron was sitting next to Yeosang's right, his usual smile upon his face as he gave an assuring nod to something Yeosang had said. His bronze eyes never looked over to me as he kept them glued to Yeosang's. Despite this, I knew that he knew well of me watching him. Perhaps that's how I still felt slightly uneased, even when he wasn't watching me. Like Yeosang, he was observant. Too observant.

I looked across the table, diagonal to me, where a recognizable figure sat. Recognizable, yet not well acquainted with. His name was Como Cairior. I knew this Captain of the Guard from the more recent visits to the Eastern Court. The man had barely touched his plate of food, rather, he hadn't eaten a morsel. Perhaps that was why his figure within the blue and gold suit had a more slim frame, yet it still seemed well built. He had his gloved white hands rest on either side of his plate on the table, strong hands gently folded. His lush black hair curled, as if it was touched by the sea and the winds of its current. It fell over his face, almost hiding one of his pale blue eyes which matched the colored streaks in his hair. His neck— gills on either side— craned as he tilted his head to where I viewed his strong profile. The sharp features of his face were bold in the lighting as he took an interest into the conversation being held by the two women beside him. Those two women being Leeyon and Heeyoung. I decided to let my attention drift to them as well.

"He is a rather.. strapping fellow." Leeyon quickly took a sip of her sparkling emerald green drink before she pursed her lips together.

"Oh really?" Heeyoung drew out as she raised her brows in an amused manner. Her arm was over on the table as she leaned in, resting her head upon it as her red eyes glimmered.

Leeyon gave a knowing look to the Monarch, her slits of her eyes widening with a small chuckle. She calmed herself with a sigh as she tapped her hands on the table, "Yes. Mingi... Eleven seas and above, I never expected him to really... grab my attention the way he did."