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

11. Old lady at the fair

The third and last excursion day started with early-morning lectures just like the previous day. Luckily for the girls, all planned horticulture lectures ended before lunch. They went back to the hotel in their carriages, talking and planning their free time after lunch. Most of the girls will go visit the town's fair, curious to what interesting things they'll find.

As for Bang Chan and Princess Yona... they rode their carriage in the most awkward silence so far. Neither of them mentioned last night and their "heated moment". Just at the thought of it, Yona's cheeks would warm up... even though she spent most of the morning trying to push away those thoughts, they would somehow always come back. It was even harder for her to control her mind with Bang Chan so close.

Yona panicked after Chan left her room last night - she was embarrassed by her actions and her words yet... she had no idea how he reacted. She had no idea that he also had to calm his heart and his drive force when he went back to his room. His excitement was at its peak so he needed to remind himself that he was, first and foremost, a member of the royal army and that, secondly, that young woman whose gentle skin and small body were just millimeters from his was, in fact, the kingdom's princess.

So, in the morning Chan had a clear mind, thoughts of last night still lingering but not a threat. While Yona tried her hardest to stay calm but couldn't - the effect he left on her was too powerful.

"Will you attend the town's fair, Your Highness?" Bang Chan asked as they still rode to the hotel. His voice was calm and sharp as ever. He addressed Yona like usual, not like he did last night which, in a way, disappointed her. However, she had to behave and push her shameful thoughts back.

The princess sat straight and answered to Chan, "Yes. I will go with Layla, Count Desmond's daughter, and a few others after lunch, and since it is close we'll go on foot. You can also come, there are probably a lot of souvenirs to buy."

"I see... Then, I'll join you after lunch," Chan finished and opened the carriage door as they arrived at the hotel.

Before lunch, young noblewomen changed into their casual attire, ate, and gathered up in groups, planning their route. They had plenty of free time until dinner. When they exited, Bang Chan was already waiting. Yona didn't see him in the dining hall so she secretly wondered if he even had lunch. He greeted the girls and promised to give them space, walking a bit further away from them. His statement gave Yona mixed feelings - she had a hard time when he was close but, on the other hand, felt the sad coldness when he was away. In conclusion, she was confused. Her mind worked overtime and many different thoughts incorporated with last night's scenario swarmed in her head. She needed something to calm herself down and the town's fair seemed like a good opportunity to do so.

It wasn't a long walk from the hotel when they saw the first vendors and people selling flowers on the street. Girls looked around, bought candy and toys, played games at the fair, but Yona's friends were really eager to go to the "fortune-telling corner" of the fair. The princess was skeptical; she didn't really believe in fortune-telling even though many tried to convince her with their "reading". Things that those people told her were already widely known, nothing surprising for the princess. But, for the sake of her friends, she agreed to follow them to the popular part of the fair; it was very popular with young women. Located at the end of the street, a long row of different types of fortune-tellers were displayed for the customers: tarot cards, beans, sticks, crystal balls, palm reading, and many more. Excited, three girls rushed from one to another while Yona slowly followed behind. Suddenly, she heard a ringing sound and looked down - it was a golden coin that someone lost. The princess picked it up, examining it. It was a decorative coin, with a crescent moon embedded on one side and a crown on the other. It looked pretty but no one in front of her turned to look for it. Yona rubbed her thumb on the crown of the coin, lost in thoughts.