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

7. Attack

Last weekend in the month of November came around, carrying the same cold weather pattern that was present throughout the whole previous week. But the said cold weather didn't stop those who wanted to have fun and enjoy in the only two days of the week where they didn't have to work. Bars were full and open through the whole night, the atmosphere in them warmer than the heather in the back of the room. People sang, danced, drank, and just enjoyed their lives. One of those bars, although a less popular one, located near the end of the main street played live music which drew almost everyone to the center of the bar for a happy dance. The average age wasn't important - the bar was full of both young and old. However, youngsters had more stamina to dance to almost every song played. The only time they had a break was when the musicians took one for a snack, drink, or bathroom. And alcohol wasn't a driving force to have a good time - Yona was proof of that. The bar owner was aware of her presence from the very first time she visited so he intentionally limited the capacity of the object.

The bar that the princess visited was small and cozy, people friendly and respectful, and the music fun and loud. Customers were regular and very nice and natural with the princess. They shared their stories and problems with her and she was glad to listen to each of them. She easily befriended everyone, especially a group of people her age, both girls and boys. Their stories struck her deeper - they helped their parents on the fields in order to survive and because of their poor earnings they were uneducated and barely knew how to read so Yona promised and brought them some of her favorite books which she read to them, teaching them the meanings of different words.

But this night wasn't a night to study and read - they all just wanted to relax with music, dancing, and good food, to forget their daily problems. Yona lived for those nights full of laughter with these people whom she called her real friends as she did not once take any interest in their "status".

It was nearly 4 AM when two soldiers exited through the back gate of the castle. In the middle of the guarding shift, the older soldier decided to take the younger out to spend the remaining two hours of his shift on the night patrol in the town.

"For starters, we'll patrol the main street. Since it's the weekend, there are many people gathered partying, so we always put a couple more guards on the watch," the older man spoke and the young one listened closely, nodding.

Both in their uniform, equipped with a long sword at their waist, two men went down to the main street and were immediately met with lights, music, and people as if it was daytime. Stores and bars were still open, some people even danced in the middle of the street as a couple of musicians played for them. King didn't have any complaints about the all-night partying as long as it was profitable, and seeing people drinking and eating, ordering more of it right away, it surely was making a good budget.

Two soldiers parted ways by the fountain, agreeing to meet up at the same spot by the end of their shift at 6 AM, both to patrol up and down the main street. Bang Chan understood the instructions and turned, placing his left palm on the pommel of the sword's hilt, and went down the street, looking left and right at happy people around him. He walked steady yet he was very quickly near the end of the street. Turning his head after seeing a couple buying street food, he noticed a group of young people exiting the bar at the bottom of the street. They were dressed similarly in their poor clothes, laughing and singing. Looking closely at that group, Chan noticed a familiar gray cap on the short boy... Yet that wasn't a boy but princess Yona in her "commoner" disguise. He stopped in his tracks and just watched her behavior with the group she was in - her smile didn't leave her face, it was wide and happy, her eyes glimmering because of that happiness under the fake big glasses. She talked and laughed with those people and that sight pushed a smile on Chan's face - he saw how she really looked while having fun outside.