Minho descends the basements steps, feeling the air get thicker with every step.

He's been wondering what's down there ever since Felix invited him to live in the younger prince's castle a few months ago and Minho - bored and with nothing requiring him to return to his father's estate until he takes over lordship - said sure.

That was when he was first introduced to the absolute magical extravagance that is the royal castle of Levanter. It floats in the center of a lake so shiny it looks like the water is made of silver, a magical bridge that only appears for Prince Felix and anyone he deems friendly. The whole place hums with a sort of energy that had made Minho felt strangely nervous and jumpy for the first few days until he eventually got used to it. There's designs and runes and strange writing carved into all sorts of things, walls and columns and sculptures and ceilings, which apparently all contributes to the magic. Glimmering arrows appear to guide visitors if they so much as utter the words 'dining room', which had been one piece of magic that Minho had taken liberal advantage of in his first few weeks. Decor and design and even the very base layout of the castle are subject to change at any moment, sometimes at Felix's will, and sometimes seemingly at random. And yet it doesn't occur to Minho until three months after his arrival to actually ask how in the world any of it is possible.

Apparently, the answer lives in the basement.

"Oh! I should have thought to explain it to you, sorry." Felix had grinned sheepishly when Minho had asked. "It's all thanks to Jisung."

Jisung. A genius faerie who has lived under Minho's feet this whole time.

"No one's really sure how long he's been here." Minho had gone to Jeongin after Felix had been pulled away mid-conversation for princely duties. "Longer than any of us have been alive."