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

14. Oil painting

Warm weather became more frequent as the days passed. Spring colors decorated the kingdom as everything was in full bloom in the month of May. Princess Yona and Bang Chan still spent their weekends in the library, reading and playing out the stories for the children, but this time of year was always very busy for students: they had to prepare for their final exams. Since the princess went to an all-women college of fine arts, she had to prepare a unique piece for each of her final exams. And since the deadline was approaching, she had to cancel her upcoming reading corner. She was, however, very happy that more people started visiting the library, looking for books to read to their children. That was a part of her plan, but only the beginning - there was still a lot of work to be done.

Princess Yona firstly had to pass her final exams so that she can enjoy her time reading to the children. And while successfully passing other subjects, she struggled with her unique art piece. The princess sat in her favorite white gazebo behind the castle with many paints and tools around her, the white canvas staring right back at her. Yona wore a simple gown with short sleeves, appropriate for the warm weather and possible paint stains. She twirled a strand of hair between her fingers, not knowing how to start as every idea that came to her mind seemed stupid in the end. Her imagination and motivation were draining out of her.

"Oh, it's the princess," Yona heard a familiar male voice and turned to look over the large canvas, seeing three men dressed rather casually. Since it was the early Saturday morning, there weren't many soldiers in the dorm as most of them went to see their families for the weekend. But, three of them stayed. Felix, along with Bang Chan and their other friend greeted the princess politely. She was sure that she saw their tall black-haired friend a couple of times but couldn't remember his name...

"Hello," Yona greeted them with a smile, "You didn't go home?"

"No, we decided to stay" Felix answered, "Would Her Highness care to join us on a stroll through town?"

As much as his offer was tempting, walking around with three handsome men really seemed like a relaxing idea, the painfully white canvas in front of her and bunch of paints around reminded her that she had a lot of work.

"Thank you for the offer, Sir Felix, but I have an assignment to do..." Yona sighed and looked at the white empty square.

"And what is our princess painting?" third man, tall and just as handsome, leaned on the white metal railing, peeking at Yona's 'painting'. The tone in his voice was playful but the smile on his full lips disappeared as he saw an empty piece. "Are you having an art block?" he asked so casually, looking straight into Yona's eyes with his black ones. His relaxed nature made Yona relax as well so she smiled at him and nodded.

"Sir... Hyunjin, was it?" she asked, his name popping in her mind, remembering the day of the parade when he rode his horse next to the royal carriage. The male smiled widely and nodded, his arms still crossed on the white metal. "You could say that... I actually don't know what to paint and I'm running out of time..." she sighed again, "A theme for this artwork is 'fantasy' and I don't want to paint a castle on the clouds or something so cliché, but I don't have any inspiration," Yona frowned.

"Then, how about a portrait?"Hyunjin asked, backing away from the railing. "You can paint a person and later add some details. Make them an angel or something."

Yona chuckled at Hyunjin's suggestion, "I think my art skills are good, so I could manage to paint a portrait but... all of my friends are busy with their works, my family as well," her weak smile reached the man before her and he smiled wider, taking another step back, presenting himself.

"Then, how about me?" Hyunjin asked and a surprised silence arose as all three of them looked at him wide-eyed, "Art is one of my favorite hobbies," he continued, proudly putting a hand on his chest, "I would love to pose for you and give you some ideas, princess. I don't have anything planned for today, after all... Chan and Felix can go walk by themselves and I'll be here to serve you, Your Highness," Hyunjin finished, bowing to the princess elegantly.