The next day, the dining hall was buzzing with early morning chatter and the clinking of silverware against fine china. Adanna and Serena entered, still in their matching dressing gowns, their hair loosely braided and eyes still holding the shadows of a restless night.
As they approached the grand table, they noticed the unusual seating arrangement. The ladies had been divided into groups, seated at separate tables. Adanna's heart sank as she spotted Countess Seraphine, Countess Catalina, Princess Anjali, and Lady Midori at one end, while Lady Isabella, Baroness Mariana, Enchantress Larissa, and Sorceress Beatriz occupied the other.
"What is going on?" Adanna whispered, glancing at Serena as they took their seats at a secluded table.
"I am not sure," Serena replied, her gaze darting between the two groups. "Is there already rivalry among them?"
Adanna and Serena took their seats, the tension from the night before still lingering in the air. The room fell silent as Lady Isabella approached, her eyes flickering from Serena to Adanna. Adanna felt her cheeks burn as Isabella's gaze lingered on her.
"Princess Serena," Lady Isabella said with a syrupy smile, ignoring Adanna completely. "Would you care to join us at our table?" She glanced back at the other contestants, who were already digging into their breakfasts, their laughter ringing out through the grand room. "You would be in such lovely company, away from, well, you know," she trailed off, her eyes flicking to Adanna.
"Lady Isabella what is the meaning of this?" Serena said, her voice like ice.
Isabella's smile was unbothered. "Oh, I am just saying, we would not want you to feel squished," she said, her eyes dancing with spiteful amusement as she took in Adanna's curvy figure. Adanna's cheeks reddened, and she felt a sudden urge to shrink into the chair. The room grew quiet, and all eyes were on her.
"I beg your pardon," Serena said, her voice as sharp as the silverware on the table. "I believe my friend and I are quite content here."
"Oh please Princess Serena, do not be so dramatic," Isabella chuckled, her voice as sweet as honeyed wine. "You cannot be friends with a human who does not even know her place. Besides, I am sure Lady Adanna would enjoy some...alone time."
Serena's eyes flashed, her grip on the chair tightening. Before she could respond, Adanna stood up, her chair scraping against the marble floor. "Lady Isabella, my size does not determine my worth," she said firmly, her voice carrying through the room. "I am a contestant in this competition just like you, and I shall not be belittled or bullied."
Isabella's smile never faltered, but her eyes grew cold. "Sit down, Adanna," she said, her voice like a whip. "You are causing a scene."
But Adanna was not one to be cowed. She stepped closer to Isabella, her eyes meeting hers. "You are the one causing a scene," she said calmly. "And I dare say, your manners are less than ladylike."
The room held its breath, waiting for Isabella's retort. "How dare you!" she began, her voice shaking with rage. Then snickers from the other side of the room turned her attention. The other contestants were openly laughing at her.
Isabella's cheeks flushed with humiliation. She turned on her heel and stormed back to her table, her gown swirling dramatically behind her. Adanna felt a surge of triumph, her heart beating wildly in her chest. Adanna sat back down and took a deep breath, her appetite suddenly vanished.
As the tension in the air dissipated, Serena turned to Adanna, shaking her head. "What audacity! I cannot believe she had the nerve to say that.
Adanna forced a smile, but inside, she felt even more self-conscious. Serena placed a comforting hand on Adanna's shoulder. "You are beautiful just the way you are. Do not let anyone make you feel less than you are. You are strong, kind, and talented. That is what matters."
Adanna appreciated the reassurance, offering Serena a small smile. But deep down, the insecurity lingered. "Thanks, Serena," she murmured, trying to shake off the encounter.
As they continued breakfast, in silence, the dining room door swung open and in walked in two guards, their armor gleaming in the morning light. They paused, waiting for the chatter to die down before one announced, "Buenos días, Señoritas. Today is the day of 'El Desfile de los Cielos'."
The room grew quiet, and all eyes turned to the guards. "The Duchess has permitted for you to watch the parade through the estate gates," the guard continued, his expression stern. "But any attempt to leave the estate grounds will result in immediate disqualification from the competition."
A buzz of excitement filled the room, and the murmurs grew to a crescendo of chatter as the guards announced the griffin parade. Serena's eyes lit up as she faced Adanna. "Finally, you get to see the heart of Aeronian culture, just like you have always wanted!" she whispered, her voice a mix of excitement and relief that the tension from the previous night had been momentarily forgotten.
Adanna forced a smile, her thoughts a tangled mess of inadequacy and doubt. She nodded, trying to push her feelings aside. After breakfast, Adanna and Serena, along with the other contestants, gathered near the towering iron gates. Outside, the sound of distant cheers and lively music echoed through the air. El Desfile de los Cielos had begun.
Beyond the gates, the streets were alive with color. People lined the roads, waving banners in Aeronia's deep brown and vibrant gold, colors of the land and the sun. Flags fluttered in the wind, and the scent of spiced foods wafted through the air. It was a celebration unlike anything Adanna had ever seen.
In the sky, griffins swooped and soared, their riders dressed in ceremonial armor. The griffins' sleek bodies shimmered in the sunlight as they performed daring acrobatics. Each rider carried a banner, its colors representing different noble houses of Aeronia. Their crests were embroidered with intricate designs, fluttering in the wind as the griffins dipped and rolled, eliciting gasps of awe from the crowd below. Then a particular griffin caught her eye—Aetheris.
She smiled faintly, feeling too insecure to call out to him. Sighing, she glanced around for Serena, but her friend had already pushed her way to the front of the crowd. Adanna smiled at Serena's enthusiasm, then turned to head back inside.
Bowing to the guards, she slipped away from the festivities and wandered into the garden. She ambled through the blossoms, absentmindedly touching the delicate petals and watching insects flit about. As she caressed a flower, footsteps interrupted her thoughts. She turned abruptly to find a man in armor standing before her.
"Can I help you?" Adanna asked the knight, trying to keep her voice steady. The man reached up and removed his helmet, revealing himself to be Alejandro.
"Pido disculpas...I mean, forgive me," Alejandro began, his cheeks flushing beneath his armor. "I shouldn't have come here. I just..." He trailed off, his eyes searching hers for a moment before he looked away.
Adanna's breath caught in her throat. "Alejandro! What are you doing here?" she stammered, her hand still on the petals of the delicate bloom.
"I-I am part of the parade," Alejandro stumbled over his words. "But I noticed you weren't at the gates with the others, so I... I came to find you."
Adanna's eyes searched his, looking for any hint of the truth behind his sudden appearance. Despite her insecurities, she couldn't help but feel a warmth spread through her at his words. "You left the parade for me?" she asked, her voice tinged with surprise.
He rubbed the back of his neck, looking a bit flustered. "F-Forgive me Si parezco tonto," he stuttered. "I just didn't see you at the gates, and I... I was worried."
"No, no! You have done nothing wrong," Adanna quickly reassured him, her cheeks warming. "But you should go back. I mean, I did see Aetheris—it would be a shame if you miss participating because of me."
"It is fine," Alejandro assured her, his voice thick with understanding. "The parade is not so important...Are you okay?"
Adanna forced a smile, but Alejandro could see the sadness in her eyes. "Yes, I'm fine," she said, but the tremble in her voice betrayed her.
He stepped closer, his armor clanking softly. "You seem upset," he said gently.
"It's just...," Adanna began, then sighed. "I...feel...as if I do not belong in this contest...As you can see, I am not exactly thin. I am not exactly like the women...participating in the contest...It has been difficult finding a suitor who sees beyond that."
Alejandro's eyes searched hers for a moment longer. "You are as beautiful as the sunrise, Adanna," he said softly, his voice laced with sincerity. "Your body is a masterpiece, curves and all. Do not let anyone make you feel otherwise."
Adanna's heart fluttered like a caged bird, his words striking a chord deep within her. No one had ever spoken to her like that, with such gentle conviction. "Thank you, Alejandro. That means a lot."
He looked away, flustered by his own words. Alejandro met her gaze, his cheeks now a deep shade of red. He coughed awkwardly before speaking again. "I apologize if I overstepped, Lady Adanna," he murmured, his eyes dropping to the ground. "You should not care what others think," he continued, his voice softer now. "You will find a man who loves you for who you are."
Adanna's eyes searched Alejandro's, feeling a warmth spread through her that had nothing to do with the sun's gentle embrace. "Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Alejandro nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "No problem," he said, trying to sound casual as he replaced his helmet. "Now, I should return to the parade. Wouldn't want to miss out on the festivities."
Just as Alejandro was about to turn and leave, they heard the distant sound of screams. It grew louder, cutting through the serenity of the garden like a knife. Adanna and Alejandro looked at each other, their hearts racing in sync. Without a word, they turned and sprinted back towards the courtyard, their eyes searching for the source of the panic.
As they went back to the courtyard, they froze. A griffin lay on the ground, its magnificent form marred by the sight of an arrow protruding from its side. Adanna's eyes widened as she realized it was Aetheris.