Seonghwa didn't expect a magnificent throne room, given this was a school over a palace, but he also didn't anticipate a dingy little chamber with diffuse light from the mist clinging to the windows. Books towered in perilous stacks that were kept from toppling over with magic. A single lamp burnt in a corner to illuminate the man seated in the worn armchair. He was sunken into some ancient leather-bound tome of spells, but looked up when he noted his visitors.

"Magus Maximus, we bring you Grandmaster Hongjoong and his husband, Crown Prince Seonghwa of the Crystal Sphere. They are here to sign the treaties," the magister announced. He stayed as a witness when Hongjoong and Seonghwa entered with respectful bows. The others bid their early goodbyes to return to their studies.

Fascinated by how they were so busy despite their offhand attitude, Seonghwa greeted the Magus Maximus. He was a middle-aged man with the arms of a woodworker. His dark beard curled mysteriously over his lip, and he wore heavy silks in shades of brown and black. A staff by his side revealed he was some sort of summoner and learned magic by cultivating his mind over having sorcery in his blood.

Truly, anyone could be the best. Hongjoong's studied success might be his downfall if he ever dared too much and a spell backfired on his body.

"I expected you, crown prince. Sit. Hongjoong prepared everything prior to your arrival," the authoritative mage said. He searched for the right paper in the stack by his side. Hongjoong produced a jar of ink and a feather from the clutters of miscellaneous. With pointed fingers, he adjusted them in front of Seonghwa for him to read. While he delved into the agreements to make sure none had changed or displeased his future rule, the highest mage looked Hongjoong up and down.

"How are you faring as a husband? I imagine your talent is wasted where you can't cultivate your skill."

If possible, Hongjoong became even frostier here. Only rigid responsibility guided his sense of duty.

"The Moon Castle offers many outlets for me to practise my magic, and Seonghwa supplied me with scriptures and ingredients. How are things going here?"

Satisfied with Hongjoong's undying greed for knowledge, the Magus Maximus leaned back. Next to him, his tea boiled itself and filled the air with the thick aroma of birch leaves.

"None of the novices deserves the rank of an arch-mage. We have some promising newcomers, but I am assured I will hold my position for a long time."

Once Seonghwa scratched the elegant swirls of his signature under the papers, the other mage took the quill from him. He signed without going over it again, having prepared ahead of time to assure his satisfaction.

Hongjoong was the last to skim the paper, the last name missing next to Seonghwa's.

"And how did the jousts go, Your Highness? Did promising winners join your side?"

Prudent that his sleeves wouldn't catch onto anything and damage precious enchanted items, Seonghwa crossed his hands in his lap.

"Certainly. Though I have yet to get to know them on a deeper personal level, all of them suit the role."

"Hopefully, Hongjoong doesn't bring shame upon us?"

Hongjoong scoffed but didn't look up as he signed the paper by hand. From the sorcerer, who was ever so unbothered to touch things and rather enchanted them to comply, the sign felt even weightier.

"Of course not. His prestige honours the academy, and his intelligence is ever so stimulating to me. Though I was trained by the wisest of all kingdoms, I often find his wit to match mine."

Now, a thin smile played around the magus' lips. He looked almost condescending, as if he was sure the other kingdoms and their combined wisdom couldn't compare to their ancient records.

"If you wish to further your learning, hesitate not to use him as your tool to contact us. I would gladly improve Your Highness' abilities," he offered. Seonghwa nodded a polite bow and seized his copy of the contract.

"Thank you for your hospitality."

Hongjoong didn't dawdle, rising from his chair right away. When Seonghwa followed, the magus focused on his book.

"I ask you not to wander around too much, Prince Seonghwa. The magic of these walls may nauseate you and I would like for our students to concentrate on their studies," the highest mage said before they left. Hongjoong held the door for Seonghwa as they slipped back out into the carpeted corridor.

"I shall not be a bother. Good night."

The magus nodded, allowing them to go.

Seonghwa didn't exhale loudly once outside, but he schooled his face into neutralness. Enough people in here could read his thoughts. Though elven minds were difficult to enter, and Seonghwa was trained for perception, he would do well not harbouring any ill opinion towards the mages' mocking words.

"I prepared my chambers to share with you. It's not much, but better than the bunk beds the novices get. After this trip is over, there is no need for me to keep my dorm, as I will be bound to you and live by your side. While I get everything ready and gather my things, please heed the magus' words. Some of these items best remain untouched," Hongjoong said. In the torch-lit stone corridors of the spire, his sashay in the fitted green suit looked most natural. Captivated by his natural charm, Seonghwa followed his swift pace into the sleeping quarters.

"You must mistake me for a bumbling fool."

"No. I'm looking to know you safe," Hongjoong said with a fleeting smile over his shoulder. Puzzled by how dangerous it might be, Seonghwa glanced around the hallways. He felt the thrum of magic in the air, saw it clawing at the veil between worlds that was thin in this place. Up here, where the stronger mages practised their elaborate spells, it was more dangerous than where the novices studied. Though magical barricades avoided accidents, Seonghwa could imagine it was far too easy to stumble into an invisible pact on accident.

"Understood. I will stay in the room." With so much reading material around, Seonghwa couldn't get bored.

When Hongjoong led him into their shared accommodations, his smile was more genuine. He closed the door behind Seonghwa and the elf shrugged his cape off. Their visit's purpose had gone over with so fast and now it felt odd to linger. Though his curiosity about Hongjoong's person behind their political ties might be fulfilled now.

"Tell me what you wish to eat and I will summon it. I wouldn't subject you to the blandness of the dining hall. The first spell anyone learns here is how to summon salt," Hongjoong grumbled to himself. With a chuckle, Seonghwa put his cape on his trunk somebody transported here for them.

"Does this land have any specialities you recommend to me?"

Hongjoong paused, thrown off by the question. Then he pondered it.

"We have cultivated the art of using magic to grow our vegetables and prepare our meat. I dare say a rabbit smoked by purple flames and self-grown berries are my favourite. For you, I suggest the broth we gain from tree sap with vegetables and noodles."

"Sounds delicious," Seonghwa beamed. Once more, Hongjoong grumbled into his chest as if he had resorted back to gloomy mage mode as soon as he set foot in this tower. He summoned the food he promised, and Seonghwa was thrilled at the pretty display of the salad they could share.

They ate in relative silence, though Seonghwa thoroughly enjoyed his meal. He also enjoyed his company. Hongjoong glowed in the magic-filled air. His black and white hair was pushed back today and the glinting gold on his deep green suit kept dancing in the candlelight.

After they finished, Hongjoong glanced outside the window. The heavens stayed cloudy, but he created an illusion of a starry sky so Seonghwa could unwind. When he stood, he nodded at Seonghwa to stay seated.

"Get some rest. I will resolve my matters within two days so you may return to the sphere. The bath is through that door. Shall I make you a fire?"

"I know to help myself, thank you," Seonghwa smiled. He remained alone when Hongjoong picked up a smaller staff from the corner of his room that resembled a walking cane. After lifting it at Seonghwa in greeting, he dipped outside, leaving the elf alone.

Now, Seonghwa let go of a breath. He knew Hongjoong's chambers were barred from all outer influences. The sorcerer's magic had become familiar to him. It was the same soothing gold of his eyes and tasted faintly of ginger. Though the first notes were harmless, they left a spicy aftertaste.

Seonghwa changed into his sleeping gown and picked out a book from Hongjoong's collection. There was no harm in touching it as he read about the spire's miraculous history in silence. As a social settlement, the spire was probably one of the oldest in the empire, next to the ruins of ancient elven temples. Thousands of years of magic accumulated here to be handed down and the mist of it was so thick it wouldn't lift even in another thousand years.

Hours passed, and Seonghwa lit a new candle, but Hongjoong didn't return. Seonghwa was alone on his bed and soon lost interest in yet another chapter.

When he rolled up in bed, his eyes skimmed Hongjoong's room. Contrary to his earlier complaints, scriptures lay all over his desk to mingle with enchanted amulets and gemstones. He kept jars of ingredients for his spells around, most of which he assembled in his room at the Moon Castle, as well. Some coats hung in a corner in a haphazard pile, and the chests scattered around for his personal items were opened, hinting at his hurried departure when he left to marry a stranger he never once saw.

Seonghwa stood to wander around. He studied the summoning circles Hongjoong practised and hung up on pieces of parchment. Scribbles in the ancient language of magic and mathematical formulas equated to the success of his spells. His handwriting was quick and artful, the scripture of one who wrote a lot in life and knew what he was talking about with practised ease.

Another shelf curled around the corner between the alcove that held the bed and the window above the desk. Its jars looked most peculiar. Eyes of snakes, skulls of rats. Leaves of many herbs and trees. Ashes, sulphur, gemstones, everything needed for a ritual of witchcraft.

What other things was Hongjoong good at aside from telekinesis? Did he excel in healing? In summoning? Or in crafting deadly potions to send his rivals into agonies worse than death?

Seonghwa reached for a jar holding pine seeds. This one didn't glimmer with magic, so he unscrewed it to breathe in the scent that reminded him of his home. It was a shame Hongjoong had no walnut blossoms, but Seonghwa would rather not have him rip some off Yeosang just so Seonghwa was pleased.

Near Hongjoong's pillow lay the book he last read before he left. The Elves of the Stars.

Seonghwa picked it up with a chuckle. The illustrations inside depicted his kin and described how extraordinary they were and what made them so special. Since celestial heirs were hard to find out in the wild, the royal family was once at war with the mages who sought to butcher their precious bodies for their spells. Now, they fancied the fallen stars that rained onto the earth on seldom days.

A lonely jar stood in the leftmost corner of the shelf, near Hongjoong's sleeping corner. The hues of its magic were subtle, not meant to seal anything of power. Seonghwa turned it in his hands in interest, unable to tell what the fleshy mass pressing against the glass was supposed to be. It was a faint purple and moved occasionally with timid twitches.

Since the magic of this being was so brittle, Seonghwa unscrewed the jar. He expected a biological experiment, maybe the sprout of a magic-grown vegetable.

When instead something huge unfurled from the tiny glass, Seonghwa dropped it with a yell. Tentacled arms shot towards the ceiling, jubilating their freedom. Their suckers squelched in the air, breathing it in. Before Seonghwa overcame his surprise to lock Hongjoong's pet back inside, they seemed as if struck with an epiphany.

A moment later, the tangled purple mass shot at Seonghwa with stretched-out limbs.