\\ NIGHT\\ Fantasy AU \ ATEEZ Fanfic

// Chapter 36 \\

I sighed as I stood on the beige pedestal of that rosy pink room looking into the mirrors in front of me and the dress I was now wearing. I looked down to watch the maids who were fixing up the fabric at the dress's ends. I insisted that I would make my own dress for the ball, but Seonghwa had refused. Apparently he had a clothes designer design something capable of fighting in. I'd begrudgingly agreed to this only to be now staring into a mirror of a large gold, white, and purple dress.

Two petal like clothes weaved over my chest and curved over my cleavage with golden glittery tips. The weaving if this cloth continued down the dress as two separate sashes that were out at my sides. Then there was the lavender cloth that turned white as it draped down to my feet. The maids were still adjusting the cloth at my feet, making sure it fit perfectly.

In a way, it made me angry. They were doing this willingly, of course, but something about me being the one standing in the dress and having them work at my feet didn't settle right to me. I didn't even want this dress, but somehow it was going to be important to battle tactics in the plan we'd made for the ball gathering.

The plan was set in place. We spent the rest of that morning yesterday delving into the specifics of how the operation would work. We discussed the usuals of festive party planning like the hor ordeuvres and guests, but we mainly focused on the other part: the plan if the Takers do attack the ball. There would be guards stationed at certain areas of the ball room, but there would also be ones disguised in the crowd in similar combat designed clothing like what I was being put into right now. Then there would be scout teams searching the empty hallways near the ballroom for any sign of the weapon the Takers might be using— if they bring said weapon. My entire being shivered at the thought they had something that could take away our second form, but the precaution was needed nonetheless.

We'd also agreed to notify the Northern Court of our plans— Choi Bongju, the High Monarch there— since he was a trusted ally. I'd suggested allowing the Dusk Court to know of our plans, but, since no High Monarch is in place at the time, we'd agreed to hold back our information. However, I still worried about Mingi if the Takers attacked, despite him being known to be fast to take action in such sieges.

The last of the maids finished up the adjustments on my dress. With a nod of one of the maids heads was signal enough that they were done. I waited as the maids grabbed their materials and then one by one found their way out of the room, leaving me alone. Alone to stare at myself in the mirror to the dress I wore. I sighed, finally having a moment to myself.

I looked down as it felt like my head was spinning and being overwhelmed. So much was going on and it felt like I couldn't keep up. I still couldn't. I was forgetting details and losing myself in my own mind— and I didn't even know my real name. We weren't even sure what was awaiting us at this ball that would take place a day from now. That's when I felt something grab the side of my hips, taking me out of my thoughts and causing me to tense up.

"It's only me, Starlight," San's soothing yet small sounding voice cooed.

I still found myself shaken up as I looked up to see San smiling from behind me in the mirror, his hands comfortably placed at my sides. I felt San rest his cool chin on my shoulder which finally got me to relax. I didn't hear him slip into the fitting room, yet, it was somehow reasonable I didn't notice since I was deep in thought.