In the Middle of the Night [BANG CHAN FF] ✔️

5. Duchess' birthday ball

With each day getting shorter, the month of October rolled to the end. Each passing day was getting colder as if the summer that was still lingering in October faded away as November came knocking on the door. The howling wind brought chills to the bones, making its way through the thick fabric of people's clothes. Princess Yona, as well, put on her warm coat as she exited the front door. Her carriage awaited for her by the castle entrance stairs diligently every morning to take her to school. The princess went to an all-girl college, studying fine arts alongside other noblewomen her age. Sitting in the carriage and placing her black leather bag beside her, the princess adjusted the cotton fabric of her white skirt, part of her school uniform, over her legs and leaned in the seat with a deep sigh. It was just another day with fake people, fake smiles and compliments, fake friends.

Coming from school that day, the princess had another two hours of private violin classes after which the afternoon tea party with other girls from her class was arranged. Because of the cold weather, they had their tea time in the castle's warm greenhouse, surrounded by the most beautiful flowers and plants that existed in the kingdom. As usual, the girls talked and joked around, their laughter filling the space of the greenhouse. However, young Duchess Daria seemed restless and jittery, the opposite of her usual personality. She walked around the greenhouse, often glancing out and towards the woods. Yona noticed her actions and followed the duchess's view, quickly figuring out the intentions behind those glances.

"Is there something wrong, duchess?" the princess asked, slowly approaching the other girl.

Princess's voice made the duchess react as if she has been burnt - she flinched at the sound and quickly looked away, "Ah, it's nothing, my princess..." she tried not to stutter, "But I was wondering..." she continued, her voice weak, "Since you received my ball invitations earlier..."

"Do you want to invite someone specific?" Yona was direct which resulted in another flinch from the duchess.

"Ah, yes. Actually..." Daria tucked the loose strand of hair behind her ear and looked at the princess again, "Can you, maybe, come with me... I mean, guide me to the soldiers' building? I would like to invite several of them..."

"Of course," the princess smiled after a short pause, reassuring the duchess whose excitement couldn't be covered.

Daria acted shy, blushing like a little girl, which Yona found very annoying but held her urge to roll her eyes and sigh. Yet, she was correct - Daria wanted to invite some soldiers to her birthday ball and by her previous actions and words, Yona had another guess as to who it might be.

After that night of letting Chan see her in tears, pouring her heart out to him, Yona didn't see him or other soldiers much. She still went out at night but didn't see Chan on guard or waiting to convince her again that sneaking out was bad for her. After some time, she didn't bother to think about it much - she had daily classes at college, private lessons after, and many other obligations to fulfill during the day so her nights out were cut short most of the time due to tiredness and cold weather. The times that she saw soldiers were when she took horse-riding lessons and saw them practicing or patrolling.

Two girls took their coats and stepped out of the warm comfort of the greenhouse right into the cold autumn. Daria was for a head's height taller than Yona but at the moment seemed small, shrunk over the white letters with golden writing in her hands. In Yona's vision, Daria looked like a squirrel treasuring its precious hazelnut but she suppressed a laugh. For the whole walk down to the army's dormitory, two girls didn't speak, it was just Daria nervously blushing and muttering something inaudible.

"We're here," the princess finally said, making Daria straighten her back and clear her throat, the blush still visible on her cheeks. "I must warn you that not all soldiers are present," Yona's words made the duchess turn her head to her in a swift move, her eyes wide in disbelief. In all honesty, Yona enjoyed teasing the other girl so she paused before continuing, "Many are stationed in different areas and towns of the kingdom," the expression on the duchess's face saddened which was, again, very amusing for the princess. "But, let us go to the commander. He'll guide us better," the princess finished and went to a different door of the building.