Adanna and Serena were in their chambers, getting ready for dinner in their chambers, their minds a whirlwind of thoughts. The threat against Countess Seraphine and the mystery surrounding the Duke's identity hung heavy in the air.
"Maybe we should talk to Alejandro," Serena suggested, as she wore her shoes. "He might know something that could help us."
Adanna paused, her fingers tracing intricate patterns on her dress. A small smile tugged at her lips as she thought of Alejandro.
"Adanna, are you okay?" Serena's voice brought her out of her thoughts.
"Oh, yes," Adanna said, shaking her head slightly to clear it. "I was just... thinking."
"You had a smile on your face when I mentioned Alejandro," Serena said, her voice teasing. "Is there something you are not telling me?"
Adanna felt her cheeks flush. "It is nothing," she mumbled, turning away to hide her face.
Serena's eyes twinkled with amusement. "I knew it! You do like him!"
However before Serena could say anything, the door swung open with a gentle creak, and Inés and Juana, their personal maids, stepped into the room, their heads bowed in respect. "Dinner is served, ladies," Inés announced, her voice a bit strained, as if she had been holding her breath.
"Thank you, Inés," Serena said with a smile as the two maids curtsied and began to leave.
"Wait! Before we go," Adanna called out as the maids were about to leave, her voice filled with urgency. "What about the threatening message? Is it being investigated?"
Inés and Juana exchanged a quick, knowing glance before Inés spoke. "Yes, Señorita Adanna," she said with a nod. "The Duchess has informed King Mateo, and a thorough investigation will be made."
Serena's eyes widened with surprise. "Aeronia has a king?" she whispered to Adanna as they linked arms, her voice barely audible.
"Yes, Señorita," Inés said with a small smile. "King Mateo is a just and wise ruler, and his sister is Duchess Camila."
"And Duchess Camila's husband is Duke Ricardo," Juana added quickly, before Inés could stop her.
Inés coughed delicately into her hand, her eyes flashing a warning at her companion. "That is all," she said firmly. "Now, let us make our way to dinner."
Inés shot Juana a warning glance, but it was too late. The secret was out, and the air grew thick with tension. Adanna's eyes narrowed, her curiosity piqued. "King Mateo? So, the Duke is married to the Duchess, who is the King's sister?" she asked, trying to piece together the puzzle.
Inés nodded stiffly, her eyes darting to the closed door as if expecting someone to burst in. "Yes, Señorita," she said, her voice tight. "The Royal family of Aeronia is quite close-knit, and the Duke is indeed married to Duchess Camila. But let us not speak of this further. Dinner waits."
Inés and Juana walked out of the room, their expressions unreadable. As the door clicked shut behind them, Serena leaned closer to Adanna, whispering, "It seems they are hiding something."
Adanna nodded, her mind racing. "Indeed," she murmured. "This place is full of secrets."
They made their way down the grand staircase to the dining hall, their arms linked together. The chandeliers cast a warm glow over the gleaming table settings, and the smell of roasting meats and fresh bread filled the air. However the scene they saw as they entered the hall was anything but welcoming. Ladies were huddled around Countess Seraphine, who sat with a regal poise. They were whispering and giggling, their eyes sparkling with excitement.
"What do you think they are talking about?" Adanna whispered as they approached the crowded dining hall.
Serena leaned in closer, her vampiric hearing picking up snippets of conversation. "It seems they are all eager to hear about Countess Seraphine's meeting with the Duke," she murmured back, her eyes darting to the group surrounding the lady in question.
"Let us sit close, I shall use my hearing powers," Serena whispered into Adanna's ear, her voice barely audible over the buzz of the chattering crowd.
Adanna rolled her eyes playfully. "You have hearing powers?" she teased.
"Well, something like that," Serena murmured, her eyes focused on the group. She leaned in closer, her vampiric senses heightening to catch the whispers of the Countess and her admirers.
"But only after we have had our meal," Adanna insisted, tugging Serena towards the table. "You know how I get when I am hungry."
They sat at their designated seats, which were thankfully not too far from the Countess's entourage. Serena's eyes took on a distant look as she honed in on the conversation. The whispers grew clearer, and Adanna watched in amazement as her friend's expression shifted from concentration to surprise, then concern.
"What is it?" Adanna asked in a low voice, unable to resist the urge to know what was being said.
Serena held up a finger to silence her, her eyes narrowing as she listened. Her hearing was not just good, it was unnaturally sharp, a trait of her vampiric heritage that often came in handy.
The Countess was speaking, her voice low but clear to Serena's enhanced ears. "The duke... so very quiet. He talked of nothing but the gardens, my dear," she said with a dramatic sigh, fanning herself with a lace-trimmed handkerchief. "It was like speaking to a... well, a man who does not know how to speak to a woman!"
The surrounding ladies gasped, their delicate hands flying to their mouths. The air in the hall was charged with whispers and glances, each one a silent judgment. Adanna leaned closer to Serena, her eyes wide with curiosity. "What are they saying?" she whispered.
Serena winced, her head starting to throb from the sudden influx of noise. "They are talking about the Duke," she murmured back, her eyes squinting with the effort of focusing on the conversation. "The Countess found him boring."
"Perhaps he did not find you entertaining enough," the lady with the olive skin and striking blue eyes spoke, her voice as graceful as the wave of her chestnut hair. She was Lady Isabella, known for her wit and sharp tongue. The countess's face flushed at her words, and the room grew quieter than ever, the only sound being the clinking of silverware against fine china.
"How dare you, Isabella," the Countess spat, her eyes narrowing. The other ladies gasped, and even Adanna felt the tension rise. "I will have you know, I can be quite entertaining!"
Serena's head pounded, the cacophony of whispers and gasps becoming too much for her. She took a deep breath, willing the pain to subside. "I am okay," she murmured to Adanna, forcing a smile through her discomfort. "It is just... I have not used my hearing like this in a while. It is a bit overwhelming."
Isabella shrugged, her expression nonchalant. "It is just a possibility," she replied, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear.
Serena and Adanna exchanged amused glances. It seemed Lady Isabella was not afraid to speak her mind, no matter how much it ruffled feathers.
The room was filled with tension as Lady Isabella's words echoed through the grand hall. Adanna watched the exchange with growing interest, while Serena's headache grew. She realized that the conversation was getting out of hand and decided to intervene.
"Serena, are you okay?" Adanna asked, placing a hand on her friend's arm. The room had gone silent, all eyes now on the two of them.
"Yes, yes," Serena assured her, rubbing her temples. "Just a bit rusty, that is all. My hearing powers are like muscles, Adanna. If I do not use them, they get out of practice."
"Hearing powers?" Adanna whispered back, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "But how? How do you have such powers?"
Serena took a sip of her water, her eyes twinkling as she began to explain. "Every vampire has a unique power, something that makes them special," she said, her voice a soft murmur. "But my brother Kiyoshi is different. If he was not the king, he would have had a power like everyone else. But the Ivamis crown is powerful and sacred. When it was placed on his head, it glowed brightly, confirming his rightful place as ruler. And the crown makes the King much more powerful than any other vampire."
"Was your other brother, not fighting for the throne as well?" Adanna asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Serena's smile faded slightly at the mention of Daemon. "Yes, he was," she said softly. "However his fight was doomed from the start. The Ivamis crown is not just a symbol, it is a living entity, bound to the true heir."
"What was Daemon's skill?" Adanna asked, her curiosity piqued by the mention of Serena's late brother.
"Daemon's power was speed," Serena replied, her voice a mix of fondness and sadness. "But since he did not practice, his skills diminished over time."
"But why would he not train?" Adanna wondered aloud. "Surely, that could have been his edge in the fight for the throne."
Serena sighed. "Daemon was...distracted. He did not believe in the crown's prophecy. He thought the throne was his by birthright alone. He neglected his powers, thinking them unimportant. And when our father passed and the crown chose Kiyoshi, it only reinforced his belief that it was all a sham."
The room grew quieter as the ladies around them took in this revelation. Adanna leaned closer to Serena, her eyes wide with fascination. "So, when he was in the vortex," she murmured, piecing the story together, "After he committed treason, one they found him very quickly because Vortex is a very small kingdom and two, Vortex is very hot and although we are of royal lineage and can stay out in the sunlight, Daemon's lack of practice made him very weak to the heat. And one thing led to another and he died. "
Adanna's heart ached for Serena's past. "I am so sorry. Yes your brother did horrible things but he was your family," she said with genuine sympathy.
Serena nodded, a sad smile playing on her lips. "Thank you, Adanna. But it is what he deserved," she murmured, the pain of her brother's betrayal and death still fresh. "Now, enough about Daemon and let us focus on the task at hand."
They both pushed their plates aside, the food forgotten in the face of their growing concern. The whispers of the other ladies grew faint as they leaned in closer to each other, the candlelight casting shadows on their determined faces.
After dinner, Adanna and Serena retreated to their shared chambers, the weight of the evening's revelations pressing down on them. The opulent surroundings felt suffocating, the velvet curtains and silk sheets a stark contrast to the harsh realities they had uncovered. Despite the plush comfort of their beds, sleep eluded them both.
Serena sat up with a jolt, the sheets falling away to reveal her pale skin. "Adanna," she whispered urgently, her eyes wide and unfocused.
Adanna stirred, blinking sleepily. "What is it?" she mumbled, pushing a strand of hair from her face.
"I cannot shake the feeling that something is amiss in this place," Serena said, her eyes searching the dark room. "We should investigate." She said as she climbed off her bed and walked towards Adanna's bed.
Adanna groaned, "Must we explore this late at night?"
"Come on! We cannot let fear stop us now," Serena urged as she pulled Adanna's arm trying to get her out of bed.
"But, can you not just turn into a bat and fly around?" Adanna asked, her voice hopeful but tired.
"I cannot leave you behind," Serena insisted, her eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "We are in this together, Adanna. Plus, you are much better at navigating these human estates than I am."
Adanna sighed dramatically, but the spark in her eyes betrayed her excitement. "Fine," she whispered, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. "But if we get caught, I am blaming you and your nocturnal habits."
They shared a grin, the tension of the day giving way to a thrilling sense of adventure. Adanna padded over to the door, her heart thumping in her chest as she turned the knob. The door creaked open, the sound echoing through the deserted hallway. They stepped out into the cool night air, the estate's secrets whispering around them like ghosts.
The corridor was dimly lit by flickering torches, casting eerie shadows that danced along the stone walls. Adanna and Serena moved cautiously, their eyes scanning for any signs of life. The grand staircase loomed ahead, a silent sentinel in the stillness of the night. They approached it with trepidation, their hearts thudding in unison with every step.
"Which way?" Adanna whispered, her voice barely audible.
Serena peered into the darkness, her vampiric eyesight piercing the gloom. "Straight," she murmured, pointing to the corridor beyond the staircase.
They tiptoed down the hall, the soft whisper of their slippers on the cold stone the only sound between them. As they reached the stairs, a sudden noise had them jumping back. Guards. They were patrolling the estate, their footsteps echoing off the walls like a warning.
Without a second thought, Serena pulled Adanna into the shadow of a knight statue, its armor gleaming in the torchlight. They held their breaths, hearts pounding like war drums in their chests. The guards marched past, their eyes straight ahead, and the tension in the air dissipated like mist in the sun.
When the coast was clear, they darted to the next flight of stairs. Serena took the lead, her instincts guiding her. They climbed the steps swiftly, their hearts racing with excitement and fear. As they reached the top, Adanna's foot slipped, and she gasped, the sound sharp in the quiet.
Before they could react, they felt themselves being pulled apart. They looked at each other, panic etched on their faces, as unseen hands grabbed their arms and yanked them in opposite directions.
A door slammed shut behind them, plunging them into darkness.
Adanna opened her eyes, her heart pounding in her chest. A single candle flickered in the darkness, casting strange shadows on the walls. She squinted, trying to make out the figure standing before her.
Adanna opened her eyes to see a figure. "Leonardo?" she whispered, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"Lady Adanna," he replied, a teasing smile creeping onto his face.
Adanna glanced around the dimly lit room, the flickering candle casting dancing shadows on the walls. "Where are we?" she whispered, her voice a mix of curiosity and anxiety.
"Shh!" Leonardo said, holding a finger to his lips as footsteps echoed in the hallway.
Across from them, Serena blinked awake and although she didn't know him personally, but based on the description Adanna had given her, Serena immediately recognized Alejandro. "Alejandro?" she whispered.
"You are?" Alejandro asked, his eyes searching Serena's face as he stepped closer, his hand still pressed to his lips.
"Oh, I apologize. You have not met me yet," Serena said, straightening her posture. Before she could continue, Alejandro placed a finger to his lips, his eyes flicking to the closed door. After a while, the footsteps faded into the distance, and for a moment, silence enveloped them. After a few minutes, Leonardo and Alejandro opened a hidden door, revealing the faint light from the hallway. Adanna and Serena caught sight of each other, their eyes widening in surprise.
"Lady Adanna?" Alejandro repeated, his voice a mix of concern and confusion.
"Alejandro..." Adanna breathed, her heart racing.
Leonardo on the other hand, stepped closer to Serena, taking her hand in a dramatic flourish. "It is a pleasure to meet you again, Mi princesa de la noche," he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. (translation: "It is a pleasure to meet you again, my night princess.")
Serena rolled her eyes at his dramatic flair, but couldn't help but feel a flutter in her stomach. "Okay, Mr. Charmer," she replied, her voice a whisper.
Leonardo held his chest in mock offense. "You wound me! I assure you, my dear, I am as charming as the moon is to a moth," he quipped in a thick accent.
Adanna chuckled at their playful banter, her anxiety easing as she watched the theatrics unfold. Alejandro, on the other hand, simply stared at her, his expression unreadable.
"Oh, I apologize! This is my friend, Princess Serena," Adanna said, pointing at her friend.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Baron Alejandro," Serena said, her voice a whisper as she dipped into a low curtsy, her eyes never leaving his.
Leonardo stared at Alejandro, his smile never faltering. Alejandro on the other hand, nodded slowly. "It seems she already knows me," he said, his eyes locking onto Adanna's.
Adanna's eyes darted to the floor as she felt her cheeks warm. Leonardo then turned to both of them. "What are you two doing here?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Serena crossed her arms, a playful smirk on her face. "We could ask you the same question."
Adanna seized the moment. "We were on our way to the library," she began, her voice steady despite her racing heart. "We heard noises and... well, we wanted to make sure everything was all right. The competition has been so... intense, it is easy to get nervous. And when we saw that no one was around, we just got a bit... lost?" She ended her sentence with a hopeful lilt, trying to play it off as casually as she could.
"What about you two?" Serena asked, her cool gaze shifting between the men. "What are you doing here, in the middle of the night?"
Leonardo and Alejandro exchanged glances, then said in unison, "We have a duty to fulfill."
Serena raised an eyebrow at Alejandro's evasive answer. "A duty, you say?" she murmured, her cool tone unmoved by their flustered demeanor. "Late this evening?"
Leonardo chuckled, his flirty demeanor shifting to a more serious one. "Yes." He said, his eyes meeting Serena's. "We have duties that keep us up at night."
Serena and Adanna shared a look of disbelief. "Really?" Serena pressed. "That seems... convenient."
"Well you two ladies are going to the library in the dead of night, which is hardly the most relaxing activity one would choose for before sleep," Leonardo said with a smirk, his eyes fixed on Serena.
"We are part of the contest, but you two are men. And I do recall the duke not being interested in men, therefore you as a man should not even be in the estate," Adanna said, her voice holding a hint of accusation.
Alejandro and Leonardo exchanged glances, sighing in tandem. "Fair point," Alejandro admitted. "But if you must know, we...cannot talk here. It is not safe."
Leonardo nodded in agreement, "Follow us," he whispered, leading them down the dimly lit corridor. His confidence was infectious, and despite their initial protests, Adanna and Serena found themselves complying, curiosity getting the better of them.
As they walked, Alejandro remained silent, his eyes scanning the shadows. When they arrived at the library, the place was empty, filled only with shadows and a few scattered chairs. Adanna and Serena chose their seats, watching as Leonardo and Alejandro settled across from them.
"Now," Serena said, her voice dropping to a whisper, "Who are you guys really? And why are you sneaking around?"
Leonardo leaned back in his chair, his eyes gleaming in the candlelight. "Ah, straight to the point, I like that," he said with a smile that made Serena's heart flutter despite herself. "We are friends of the Duke," Leonardo began, his gaze lingering on Serena. "And we are here to solve a mystery that has been plaguing this estate for weeks."
"And what is this mystery you speak of?" Adanna asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Alejandro's gaze grew intense, and he leaned in closer to the flickering candle that cast a warm glow on his handsome features.
"The Duke's father, Duke Ricardo, has gone missing," Leonardo explained, his flirtatious demeanor temporarily subdued.
Serena's eyes widened, and she gripped Adanna's hand tightly. "Missing?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Leonardo continued, "We are looking for clues. That was the 'duty' we spoke of. But now that we have told you the truth, what about you ladies? Why are you two ladies roaming around at night?"
Adanna took a deep breath, deciding it was time to confide in them. "The women in the contest are receiving threats," she said, her voice shaking slightly.
Both Alejandro and Leonardo's eyes widened. "Threats?" Alejandro's voice was a hushed whisper, his gaze locked on Adanna's.
"Yeah," Adanna replied, her voice dropping. "Countess Seraphine, the first winner of Most Valuable Participant, received a threat telling her to stay away from the Duke."
Serena's grip on Adanna's hand tightened. "Someone wants us to leave, or worse, harm us," she murmured, her eyes narrowing.
Leonardo leaned forward, his playfulness vanishing. "This is serious," he said, his expression grave. "The Duke's disappearance and the threats to the contestants—they could be connected."
Alejandro shook his head, frowning. "I do not think so. The Duke went missing about three months before the contest began, and the threats only started when...?"
"Two days," Serena replied, her voice cool and collected, unlike the racing thoughts in her mind. "It is definitely linked to the competition. And since you two are friends of the Duke, surely you must have noticed something unusual?"
Leonardo nodded gravely, his usual flirtatious smile gone. "It is a possibility we cannot ignore," he said, his gaze flicking to Alejandro. "So, how about we work together? Four heads are better than two, after all."
Serena narrowed her eyes. "And why should we trust you?"
Leonardo smirked, leaning closer to her. "Well, Princess, perhaps because I am not just a pretty face. I can be quite useful in unraveling mysteries—especially with someone as captivating as you by my side."
Adanna exchanged a glance with Alejandro, who met her gaze briefly before darting his eyes away. As Leonardo and Serena bickered about trust, Adanna felt her heart racing, but she began to feel self-conscious about her size. She had always been more voluptuous than the other contestants, and it was a trait that often made her feel out of place in the refined world of Aerionian nobility.
Finally, Serena relented. "Fine. We will work with you guys."
She turned to Adanna. "Right, Adanna?"
Adanna, lost in her thoughts, nodded absentmindedly. Serena noticed the shift in her demeanor. "Well, goodnight, gentlemen," she said, standing up. "My friend and I shall retreat to our chambers."
"Goodnight...." Adanna said, her voice very quiet as she followed Serena out of the library, before Leonardo and Alejandro could respond, Serena took her hand and led her out of the room.
As they walked back to their chambers, Serena stole glances at Adanna. "You okay?" she asked, concern etching her features.
Adanna forced a smile. "I am fine. Just tired."
"Why are you lying?" Serena pressed, her voice soft but insistent.
"I really am just tired," Adanna replied, climbing onto her bed. She felt the weight of Serena's gaze on her.
Serena watched her friend, worry in her eyes. "Adanna..."
As Adanna lay in bed, her mind raced. If the men in her own kingdom didn't find her attractive, how could she expect someone like Alejandro to? And Leonardo, the Duke—he obviously preferred Serena. It only reinforced her insecurities. Why would Alejandro, of all people, ever like her?
"Stop deceiving to yourself," she murmured, trying to calm the tumult of emotions inside her. But the words rang hollow, and sadness washed over her. Eventually, sleep took over, but the mysterious encounter with Alejandro and Leonardo lingered in their minds.