Adanna dismounted Aetheris as her eyes met Serena's across the stable. Serena's face was a picture of shock as she walked beside her griffin, a beautiful creature with feathers as dark as a moonless night. "Adanna!" Serena whispered urgently, leaning towards her friend. "You were not lying? Is that... is that really Aetheris?"
Adanna couldn't suppress her grin. "I told you a bit of exploring was not so bad," she whispered back. The sight of the familiar griffin had filled her with a mix of nostalgia and excitement.
Serena's eyes widened further. "But what of the mysterious griffin rider? Where is he?"
Before Adanna could respond, the Duchess's voice rang out, silencing all conversation. "Ladies, form a line, por favor!"
They complied, and Aetheris took his place at the end of the line, his gaze never leaving Adanna. The Duchess surveyed them, her eyes twinkling with amusement at their various attempts to win over the griffins. "Now, onto part two of the contest," she announced, "Griffin Grooming Basics!"
The room erupted into a flurry of whispers as the contestants looked at each other, trying to gauge who had the upper hand. The Duchess held up a hand for silence. "Your aim of this challenge is to care for your griffins. Groom them, bathe them, and overall tend to their needs for one hour. There will be a 'Most Valuable Participant' chosen, who will receive a private meeting with the Duke."
The ladies' excitement grew palpable but the Duchess wasn't finished. "Our stable hands will be judging your care of the griffins. Any form of mistreatment will result in immediate disqualification. Your time begins now!"
The stables erupted into a flurry of activity as the ladies rushed to bathe their griffins. Adanna, however, hung back, observing the crowded washing stations with a sigh. She turned to Aetheris, who seemed equally unimpressed by the chaos.
"What do you say we go for a little walk, Aetheris?" Adanna whispered to the griffin, who seemed to understand her perfectly. He nodded his head, and they began to stroll down the long aisle of stables, away from the chaos.
As they strolled through the courtyard, enjoying the momentary peace, a familiar voice called out, "Aetheris!"
Adanna and Aetheris turned to see the mysterious stranger from days ago, the one who had caught her during her ill-fated escape attempt. He was dressed in the same guard's attire, though this time his eyes weren't filled with embarrassment, but rather a gentle curiosity. "You!" Adanna exclaimed, her voice a mix of surprise and relief.
"Mi... my lady," he stammered, his eyes darting around the courtyard as if looking for an escape. "I... I did not expect to see you here."
"Well it is nice to see you again," Adanna said with a smile, hoping to put the man at ease.
The man nodded, a shy smile playing at his lips. "El... the feeling is mutual," he said, his English still thick with his Spanish accent. "But I must admit, I am surprised to see you with Aetheris."
"He is my griffin for today. It is part of the third challenge - a griffin was supposed to choose each of us, and Aetheris chose me." Adanna said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
The man's confusion deepened. "That is... that is not supposed to happen," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"What do you mean?" Adanna asked, her own confusion growing.
The man shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting around as if looking for an escape. "Aetheris es... is my griffin," he explained, "He is not supposed to... participate in the challenge."
Adanna's eyes widened in surprise. "What?" She looked at Aetheris, who seemed to be grinning mischievously.
The man pointed to the sky, where a lone griffin circled overhead. "I believe that is the... el griffin perdido... the missing griffin Aetheris seems to have... replaced."
"Oh dear," Adanna said, her voice filled with amusement. "That is possibly why the Duchess was staring at me..." She chuckled, patting Aetheris's neck.
"Well, I shall... take Aetheris and... leave you to the contest," he said, reaching for Aetheris's reins, his voice a jumble of English and Spanish, his eyes flicking to the griffin as if seeking permission.
"You cannot do that!" Adanna protested, placing a hand on Aetheris' reins.
"¿Por qué no? Why not?" the man replied, his confusion clear despite his shyness. He took a step closer to Aetheris, his hand hovering near the griffin's reins.
"If you take Aetheris, I shall be left griffin-less and I will be disqualified from the competition," Adanna said, her voice firm but not unkind.
A flicker of confusion passed over the man's face. "I thought... I thought you did not like the contest?" he said, his English still tentative and heavily accented.
Adanna sighed, a wry smile on her face. "I do not but I wish to stay in Aeronia for a while longer," she admitted. "I need to win this challenge, or at least not be disqualified."
She turned to Aetheris, running her hand through his feathers. "What do you say, Aetheris? Do you wish to stay with me or go with him?"
Aetheris responded by nuzzling against Adanna's side, making it clear where his loyalties lay.
"I... I see," he said softly. "Lo siento... I apologize."
Adanna's eyes twinkled mischievously. "I will only accept your apology on one condition," she said with a smirk. "You must tell me your name."
The man hesitated, his eyes darting between Adanna and Aetheris. "Alejandro," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Baron Alejandro."
Adanna's eyes widened. "Oh! I'm so sorry, I did not realize-"
Alejandro shook his head quickly. "No, no... está bien. It is fine."
Suddenly, Adanna remembered the challenge. "Oh dear! Aetheris, we must get you to the stables for a bath." She turned to Alejandro. "Goodbye, Baron Alejandro. Come on, Aetheris!"
But as Adanna started walking, she realized Aetheris was not following her. She turned back, confused. "Aetheris? Why are you you coming?"
"Aetheris no... does not bathe in the regular stables," Alejandro spoke up, "He has a... un establo personal... a personal stable. He only bathes there."
Adanna's face fell. "What? How on earth am I supposed to bathe him now?" she asked, feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Alejandro seemed to wrestle with himself for a moment before suggesting, "We could... go to Aetheris's personal stable. Give him a bath there."
Adanna's eyes lit up. "Would you assist me?" she asked, hope shimmering in her voice.
"Is that not... against the rules?" Alejandro asked, his voice thick with his Spanish accent as he glanced around nervously.
Adanna's face fell. "You are right, I apologize. I should not have asked." She turned to Aetheris. "Well, lead the way then, my friend."
As Aetheris started walking towards his personal stable, Adanna followed, leaving a conflicted Alejandro behind. Once they reached the stable, Adanna began running the bathwater, her eyes scanning the area for any sign of the special treatment Aetheris was accustomed to. The water looked cold and the brushes were rough. Panic set in as the clock ticked away the precious minutes of the challenge.
Just when she was about to dip the first brush into the water, Alejandro appeared in the doorway, holding a basket filled with luxurious grooming supplies. His eyes met hers, and she could see the amusement in his gaze. "I thought you might need some... assistance," he said, his accent thick and warm.
Adanna's face lit up. "Really? Thank you, Alejandro!" she said, taking the basket from him with a grateful smile. She watched as he approached Aetheris, his movements sure and confident. It was clear that he had bathed griffins before.
Together, they began scrubbing Aetheris, working in companionable silence. Adanna couldn't help but notice how gentle Alejandro was with the griffin, his hands moving with a kind of quiet confidence that seemed to put the creature at ease.
As Adanna went to get a huge bucket of water, Alejandro continued brushing Aetheris's feathers, murmuring softly in Spanish. When she returned, she called out, "Ready?"
Alejandro nodded, stepping back. Adanna lifted the bucket, preparing to pour it over Aetheris. But at the last moment, the mischievous griffin moved, causing the water to cascade over Alejandro instead. There was a moment of stunned silence as Alejandro stood there, dripping wet, his eyes wide with shock. Then, Adanna burst into uncontrollable laughter, doubling over as tears of laughter filled her eyes.
Alejandro stared at her, bewildered by her reaction. Her laughter was infectious, though, and soon a chuckle escaped his lips. "I am so sorry!" Adanna managed as she covered her mouth with her hand, trying to compose herself. "It is just, you looked so surprised!"
Alejandro shook his head, still chuckling. "No, no," he said, his voice laced with amusement, "It is I who should apologize. I did not expect Aetheris to be quite so... playful."
As their laughter subsided, Alejandro glanced down at his soaked shirt. "I should... quitar esto," he mumbled. Before Adanna could ask what he meant, Alejandro removed his shirt revealing a well-toned torso covered in ink. Adanna's eyes widened, taking in the intricate tattoos that snaked down his arms and across his chest.
Adanna's mind travelled elsewhere, thoughs she had never had before, as she admired Alejandro's bare torso. Alejandro, noticing her stare, blushed slightly and cleared his throat.
The sound snapped Adanna back to reality, her own cheeks flushing with embarrassment at being caught staring. "We should... finish with Aetheris," Alejandro mumbled, avoiding Adanna's gaze.
Adanna nodded quickly, grateful for the distraction. "Yes, of course. Let us try again."
As they turned back to Aetheris, the griffin seemed to have other plans. He sidled closer to Adanna, nudging her towards Alejandro. Her eyes flicked up to meet Alejandro's, and she couldn't help but feel a strange warmth spread through her.
Then the sound of a bell intrupted their thoughts as they finished drying off Aetheris. "The challenge must be over!" Adanna exclaimed, realizing the time had flown by. "Thank you so much, Alejandro, for your help!"
"It was nothing," Alejandro replied, his cheeks still tinged with pink. "Aetheris is a good griffin. He knows who truly cares for him."
"Aetheris let us go back," Adanna said, urging the griffin towards the main stables. They had to get back before they were caught, especially since Alejandro was technically not allowed to be there. The griffin complied, and they hurried back to the main stables, dodging stable hands and contestants alike.
When they returned, the contestants were gathering around the Duchess, who was just beginning her speech. "Congratulations ladies, for getting this far," she said, her eyes sweeping over the exhausted group. "The stable hands will be looking at your groomed griffins and they shall read out the names of the 10 who shall proceed to the next round."
Adanna's heart thudded in her chest. She hoped her unconventional approach with Aetheris wouldn't cost her a spot in the competition.
1. Countess Seraphine from the Vampire Kingdom of Ivamis
2. Lady Catalina from the Griffin Kingdom of Aeronia
3. Lady Isabella from the Griffin Kingdom of Aeronia
4. Baroness Mariana from the Griffin Kingdom of Aeronia
5. Enchantress Larissa from the Wizard Kingdom of Ember-glow
6. Sorceress Beatriz from the Wizard Kingdom of Ember-glow
7. Princess Anjali from the Dragon Kingdom of Scaleonia
8. Lady Midori from the Phoenoix Kingdom of Blazevale
9. Princess Serena from the Vampire Kingdom of Ivamis
And finally
10. Lady Adanna from the Human Kingdom of Niameda
Adanna's breath hitched as she heard her name called out. She had made it to the next round. She turned to look at Serena, who shot her a knowing smile, and the two shared a discreet thumbs up.
"Lo siento, Lady Aaliyah, Princess Demila, Lady Elara...but you have all been eliminated," Duchess Camila announced with a sly smile. The room was thick with tension as the three named contestants looked shocked and dejected.
The ladies were escorted out of the stables, leaving the rest of the ladies with the duchess for the next announcement. "Now ladies, The Most Valuable Participant." The anticipation was palpable as the stable hands whispered among themselves, exchanging knowing glances.
"Countess Seraphine," the Duchess announced, her eyes sparkling with mischief. The crowd of contestants gasped as the vampiric beauty covered in a dome which protected her from the sunlight, stepped forward, her griffin looking equally elegant. Countess Seraphine was tall and slender with long, flowing black hair and piercing green eyes. Her fangs peeked out slightly as she offered a small bow, a gesture that was returned by the Duchess with a courteous nod.
"Countess Seraphine's griffin is the most presentable and well-groomed," the Duchess declared, and the crowd murmured in agreement. Adanna nodded in understanding, she had not even brushed Aetheris so the thought of her not being the 'Most Valuable Participate' did not come as a surprise. Besides, she did not want to meet the duke, not yet anyway. She knew she had not come to Aeronia to win his heart. But to explore Aeronia and trust me, she was going to do just that.
The Duchess turned her attention to Countess Seraphine, her voice warm with approval. "Maids will attend to you immediately," she instructed. "You shall meet the Duke tonight, so prepare accordingly."
Countess Seraphine's smirked slightly, enjoying the envious glances from the other contestants. "Thank you, Your Grace," she said, her voice as smooth as velvet. "I shall not disappoint."
"Maids, please attend to the Countess," the Duchess called out, and a bevy of servants rushed over to Seraphine, eager to serve. "Now, as for the rest of you," she continued, turning to the remaining maidens, "make good use of your time. There will be no rest for the weary, for next week, we shall hold a masquerade ball, and it is there that the fourth challenge will take place."
The room buzzed with excitement and whispers as the Duchess revealed the next part of the competition. "The ball will be your chance to truly shine," she said, her eyes gleaming. "You must charm not only the Duke but also the guests of the estate. It is a night of mystery and intrigue, where alliances may be forged and secrets revealed."
With that, the Duchess swept away, her long skirts whispering against the stone floor. The maids ushered the stunned contestants back to their chambers, their heads spinning with thoughts of elaborate gowns and intricate masks.
Adanna felt a strange mix of excitement and anxiety. A masquerade ball was the last thing she had expected, and she knew it would be a test of her ability to blend in with the high society of Aeronia. But she was also thrilled at the prospect of seeing Alejandro again. Would he be there? Would he recognize her behind a mask? The questions swirled in her mind like a tornado of butterflies.
But before she could get lost in her thoughts, the stable hands arrived to collect the griffins. She watched as Aetheris was led away by a stable hand, his gleaming feathers ruffling slightly as he walked. She reached out to stroke his mane one last time, whispering, "Thank you," into his ear. The griffin nuzzled her affectionately before trotting away, his eyes seeming to say 'See you soon'.
As the last griffin was taken from the stable, Serena rushed over, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We did it, Adanna!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around her friend. "We're one step closer to winning!"
Adanna couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, we did," she agreed, her voice filled with a joy that she hadn't felt in a long time. The tension of the competition had been building up, but in that moment, it all felt worth it.
The two friends turned to walk back to the estate, only to find themselves surrounded by the disdainful stares of their fellow contestants. A few of the ladies snickered, their eyes filled with spite. It was clear they had not enjoyed the sight of a human and a vampire working together, let alone sharing a victory.
Ignoring their judgemental looks, Adanna and Serena linked arms and marched into the estate. "Oh dear," Adanna muttered, rolling her eyes. "It seems we have made a few enemies."
Serena grinned. "Let them hate," she said with a shrug. "It only makes us stronger."
Adanna nodded in agreement, feeling the weight of the competition lift slightly. "Come on," she said, leading the way, "Let us go get changed. We have earned it."
Adanna and Serena were about to enter their chambers, their heads still swirling with the excitement of the day's events, when a blood-curdling scream pierced the quiet evening air. Both friends froze in their tracks, their hearts racing in unison. The sound was so intense, so filled with fear, that it seemed to echo through the very walls of the estate.
Peering out into the hallway, they saw a flurry of activity as the other contestants and maids poked their heads out of their doors, eyes wide with shock and concern. The scream had come from Countess Seraphine's chamber, and as they looked down the corridor, they could see the vampiric beauty standing in the doorway, her hands clutched to her chest. Lady Midori, her chamber mate, was beside her, looking equally horrified.
Adanna and Serena exchanged a worried glance before rushing towards the commotion. As they approached, they heard the maids whispering frantically, their voices a tapestry of fear and confusion. "What happened?" Adanna called out, her voice cutting through the cacophony.
Serena pushed past the gathering crowd, her eyes searching for any sign of trouble. Inside the chamber, she spotted the message scrawled on the wall in crimson letters, stark against the pale stone. "Adanna," she whispered, her voice tight with concern, "Look."
Adanna followed her gaze, her eyes widening in shock as she read the words. "S-stay away from the Duke or I will kill you?" she stuttered, not quite believing what she was seeing. "But who would do such a thing?"
Countess Seraphine, her face pale even by vampiric standards, turned to them, her eyes wild with fear. "I do not know," she breathed, her voice shaking. "But it was there when I returned from the stables. Someone is watching us."
The two friends exchanged a look of horror, realizing the implications of the threat. The competition was not just about finding a suitable partner for the Duke anymore; it had taken a dark and dangerous turn.
The Duchess swept into the corridor, her eyes cold and calculating as they took in the scene before her. "Guards, please escort Countess Seraphine to a more secure location," she ordered, her voice as sharp as the swords at their hips. The four guards moved swiftly, flanking the trembling vampiress and guiding her away, leaving a trail of whispers in their wake.
"Ladies, return to your chambers immediately," the Duchess said, her tone brooking no argument. The contestants hurriedly complied, their chatter replaced by the echo of their retreating footsteps. Adanna and Serena lingered for a moment, exchanging worried glances before deciding to follow the Duchess's orders.
Back in their chamber, the two friends sat on the plush bed, the weight of the day's events heavy on their shoulders. Serena leaned back against the velvet headboard, her expression pensive. "I wonder who the Duke is and why anyone would do something like this," she said her voice tinged with confusion. "I mean, we are all contesting for the Duke's hand. There is no point in threatening us like that unless... unless they do not want anyone to win at all."
Adanna nodded solemnly, her thoughts racing. "If we are going to figure out who is behind this, we should at least know who the Duke is," she murmured, her eyes flicking to the closed door of their chamber as if expecting it to reveal secrets.
Serena sat up, her eyes lighting up with curiosity. "True. But what about that mysterious griffin rider you mentioned? Could he have something to do with it?"
Adanna looked up, surprised. "Alejandro?"
Serena's eyes widened. "You know his name?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with surprise and a hint of teasing. "Alejandro, the mysterious griffin rider?"
Adanna felt her cheeks warm under her friend's scrutiny. "Yes," she said, her voice a bit too defensive. "I saw him when we were waiting for the bath chamber to be empty. He is not so mysterious. Besides, he says he is a baron and that he is friends with the Duke. Besides, he is so shy—"
As Adanna spoke, she began absentmindedly drawing hearts in the plush bedspread with her finger, her tone dreamy. "He is so shy, and his muscles... and those ink art..." She trailed off, realizing what she had said.
Serena's laughter filled the room. "Adanna!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You like him!"
Adanna's cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, and she sat up straight, her eyes wide. "What? No, I do not! I mean, I do not know him like that!" she protested, but her voice lacked conviction.
Serena's laughter grew louder. "Oh my goodness, Adanna! You are in love!" she teased, reaching over to tickle her friend's side.
Adanna squirmed and giggled, trying to push Serena's hand away. "I am not!" she protested, her eyes sparkling with embarrassment. "We are just acquaintances. Besides, I am competing for the duke's hand, remember?"
Serena rolled her eyes playfully. "Acquaintances, huh?" she said, winking at Adanna.
"And what about Leonardo?" Adanna asked, her voice mischievous as she watched Serena's reaction.
Serena looked up, slightly startled. "What about him?" she asked, her cheeks flushing a delicate shade of pink.
Adanna leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with playful intrigue. "You have met him in the courtyard where no contestants are allowed, and also in the corridors—just randomly. Is it not a bit strange that you are the only one who seems to run into him?"
"So?" Serena's blush deepened, and she avoided Adanna's gaze. "What about him?" she asked, her voice slightly defensive.
"Well, he carries himself with so much confidence, almost as if he owns the place," Adanna mused, her voice laced with teasing suspicion. "It is quite typical behavior of the Duke, do you not think?"
Serena's eyes grew wide as she finally put the pieces together. "You do not think... Learnado is the Duke?" she whispered, her voice filled with astonishment.
Adanna nodded solemnly. "I very much do believe it," she said, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. "It seems that you might be the future Duchess after all!"
"What on earth are you talking about? There is no understanding here." Serena's voice was a mix of bewilderment and irritation, her eyes darting around the room as if looking for an escape from Adanna's ludicrous suggestion. "Besides,"
Adanna leaned closer, her tone teasing. "Let me guess, Leonardo is not your type, but you blush every time I bring him up?"
"I—I do not know what you are talking about."
Adanna burst into laughter. "Oh, come on, Serena. It is clear as day!"
Serena rolled her eyes, though she couldn't hide her smile. "But if whoever is behind this knows what the Duke looks like or how he acts... then who are they?"
Adanna's laughter faded, replaced by a thoughtful frown. "That is a good question. If they know so much, they must be close to the Duke, or at least very familiar with the inner workings of the court."
Serena nodded, her expression turning serious. "We need to figure this out. Whoever is behind this has to be someone with a lot of knowledge about the Duke."
"Who is we?" Adanna questioned, her eyes narrowing slightly as she watched Serena.
"Well, us," Serena replied, her hands gesturing between the two of them.
Adanna raised an eyebrow. "Who is us'?" she asked skeptically.
"Oh come on Adanna, you were the one who talked about wanting adventure!" Serena exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "And now that we are in the middle of one, you are scared?"
Adanna looked at her friend, her expression a mix of frustration and amusement. "This is not the kind of adventure I had in mind!" she protested. "I wanted to explore Aeronia, not play detective in a life-threatening competition!"
Serena grinned, her fangs peeking out slightly. "But where's the fun in that?" she teased. "Besides, we're in this together, and I've got your back. And who knows, maybe we'll uncover some court secrets along the way."
"You are a vampire, Serena! You can fly, you have powers, you are practically immortal. I am a human, for goodness sake." Adanna said, her voice a mix of sarcasm and fear.
Serena shrugged, her fangs glinting in the candlelight. "Your sister Nia is human too, and she was part of that whole mess with the kidnapping of vampire and human children," she reminded Adanna.
"Yes, but Nia stayed in Ivamis while Kiyoshi was out fighting. She had guards and the entire kingdom protecting her." Adanna pointed out, feeling a twinge of annoyance at Serena's carefree attitude.
Serena shrugged. "Okay, what about Kazi?"
Adanna's eyes narrowed. "Kazi's been sword training since she was a child. She's the general of Niameda. Of course, when Althea was in danger, she was equipped to take on danger."
"See, you have got plenty of capable people in your family. So, what is the problem?" Serena smirked, her fangs glinting in the candlelight.
"The problem is, I am the one who is going to be in danger. I am the one who could end up a victim." Adanna's voice was tinged with fear, but her eyes were determined.
Serena's smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. "That is why we need to find out who is behind this," she said firmly. "We can't just sit back and let this happen."
Adanna hesitated, her mind racing. She knew Serena was right, but the thought of getting involved in something dangerous filled her with dread.
"Fine," she finally muttered, her voice barely audible. "But if anything happens to me, I am haunting you for the rest of your immortal life."
Serena chuckled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Sure, sure, whatever you say," she teased. "Just do not forget to practice your ghostly haunting skills while you are still alive."
Adanna snorted, but a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. She knew that no matter what happened, she could always count on Serena to have her back.