• 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 | 𝘺𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘢

𝟏𝟔. 𝗨𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱

𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞: 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥

Mere hours were left before everyone's departure, and it was more than evident just by the ambience held around the large tables. It was the last meal shared with the volunteers, after all.

The marvellous night you had spent with Yelena sparked up the conversation of your relationship with Onyankopon once more; however, this time, Viktoria was no longer being distant around you, nor did she hold the grudge-like demeanour. The other women could only guess that it was due to a possible peaceful conversation between the two of you, oblivious to the truth of the matter.

But you didn't quite mind it. Your mood had significantly lightened since the morning you had woken up beside the blonde woman, greeted with a series of soft kisses on your face as the faint sunlight crept up on her room.

From a later encounter with Onyankopon, you learnt that he had spent the night with some of his comrades, and his smile was unmissable by all when he learnt about what Yelena had told you.

Having a few days passed by since your nocturnal absence, the women's main topic to be discussed at the table was now the excitement of that evening's attack, accompanied by unsurprising nerves.

Being surrounded by the ones who had been training with you the past two months gave everyone a feeling of reassurance, one that was much appreciated in the uncertain times.

The final afternoon in the volunteers' headquarters was to be a restless one.

Everyone was to take their leave at 7 pm, at sundown, both by carriages and horses. The volunteers would be equipped with their weapons, visible to others as they would wear stolen attires from the Marleyan soldiers; the women, on the other hand, would wear their regular clothing, as you were all trained to fight with them as a result of being servicewomen under the guard of Mrs Henzler.

An hour prior to that, each and every member was to be ready and loading the carriages with explosives, in the case of a major attack. Mr Yeager wouldn't be present on the journey to Penzance, to prevent him from being involved with the assault.

He was a Warrior, there would be no tolerance if he were discovered to be betraying the army.

If nothing fell out of place, there were still 2 hours of peace before those around you needed to start moving. During the remaining time, you had a meeting with Yelena in her office, one you had settled with her the day before.

Circumstances wouldn't allow the two of you to spend another intimate moment, but a last instance alone with her was more than sufficient for you.

As much as you enjoyed listening to the exuberant comments from the girls around you, as well as a volunteer or two that joined in on the conversation, the vacant seat on the other table reminded you that there was somewhere else you needed to be in that moment.

Of course, your meal had been long finished, so all there was to do was excuse yourself for a brief moment, with the excuse of wanting to pack a few things you had forgotten.

"While you're there, could you grab my gloves? I don't want to scavenge through the luggage in the dark when we get there tonight...my hands will be well frozen by then"

A few giggles from the women beside Yosefine were heard, one of which belonging to Viktoria. The sight was lightening, and you truly hoped to return home safe and sound to enjoy the smiles on everyone's faces every day that would follow after the attack.

"Sure, just remember to wear them this time"

With one last nod, you turned away from the women and commenced your step down across the table. So many of your comrades were now mixed with Mr. Yeager's men, and it was a delightful feeling to see how close everyone had become. You yourself had bonded with a few, but none came quite as closely involved with you as a certain blonde.