The masquerade ball was in full swing, the grand hall a whirl of color and music. The dance had ended, leaving Adanna's heart racing and her thoughts in a whirl. The mysterious man in black and white had disappeared as suddenly as he had appeared, leaving her feeling both elated and bewildered. Before she could even think of what to say to him, she caught a glimpse of a figure slipping out of the room.
It was a woman dressed in a beautiful gown covered with dragon scales, her long black hair cascading down her back and her golden eyes gleaming with a fierce intensity that seemed almost otherworldly. Adanna recognized her immediately as Princess Anjali from the Dragon Kingdom of Scaleonia. But why was she leaving so discreetly?
Adanna's instincts kicked in. Something didn't feel right. Without wasting a moment, she scanned the room for Serena. Spotting her friend in a sea of masked faces, she pushed through the crowd, her heart racing. "Serena!" she called out, breathless.
Serena turned to her, a question in her eyes. "What is it, Adanna?"
"Serena, I will be right back. I need to check something out," Adanna said, her eyes never leaving the retreating figure of Princess Anjali. She didn't wait for a response, instead, she slipped away from the masquerade's grip and followed the princess at a safe distance. Her heart thudded in her chest as she navigated the dimly lit corridors of the estate, her eyes locked on the shimmer of scales disappearing around the corner.
The corridor grew quieter, the music fading into the background. The only sounds were the echoes of her own footsteps and the distant laughter from the ballroom. Finally, Anjali entered a chamber, the door closing with a soft click behind her. What was Anjali doing sneaking around during the ball? And why was she headed back to her chambers?
Something about the princess's behavior seemed... off. But without more information, she couldn't jump to conclusions. Deciding she had seen enough for now, Adanna quietly turned around and made her way back to the hall.
When she returned, Serena was waiting, her eyes narrowing as Adanna approached. "Where did you run off to?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Adanna took a deep breath. "Princess Anjali. I just saw her sneak out of the ball and head back to her chambers. It is suspicious because all the other contestants are in one room, present at the masquerade but she went to her room," she whispered, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Serena's eyes grew wide with surprise. "That is suspicious," she said, leaning in closer. "Could she be involved in the threats? Or perhaps she is just taking a break from the festivities?"
"I do not know," Adanna murmured, still lost in thought. "But it is worth looking into."
"I guess we have our first suspect," Serena said, her voice low and thoughtful.
The next morning, as Adanna sat in front of the vanity mirror, her thoughts were still a whirlwind of the masquerade's events. Although she remembered the mysterious man, her mind was still consumed with thoughts of Alejandro and his shy dememour and kind personality. She was lost in thought when a knock at the door pulled her back to reality.
Serena had just finished tying her hair back when they heard a knock on the door. She looked at Adanna through the mirror, raising an eyebrow. "Wonder who that could be," she said, a hint of excitement in her voice.
"Who is it?" Serena called, opening the door to reveal Juana, the young maid, standing in the corridor with a letter in her hand.
Juana curtsied. "A message for Lady Adanna, my lady," she whispered, her eyes glancing nervously over her shoulder.
Serena took the letter, her curiosity piqued. "Who is it from?" Serena's asked Juana.
"It is from someone," Juana replied with a cryptic smile before stepping back. Serena thanked her and closed the door. She turned to Adanna, who had been watching the exchange with curiosity. "What is it?" Adanna asked, setting down her makeup brush.
Serena's eyes danced with excitement as she handed her the letter. The envelope was sealed with a crimson wax stamp, the imprint of a griffin's head. Adanna unfolded the paper, her heart racing as she saw Alejandro's name scrawled in elegant script across the top. "It is from Alejandro," she murmured, reading the contents.
The note was brief but urgent. It requested a meeting at the library that evening, hinting at new information regarding the mysterious events surrounding the contest. "He says Leonardo will be there too," Adanna relayed, her heart skipping a beat at the mention of Alejandro's name.
Serena leaned closer, her eyes scanning the parchment. "How did they get Juana to deliver the note?" she whispered, her curiosity piqued.
Adanna shrugged, her eyes never leaving the words on the page. "I do not know," she replied absently. "But we should get ready for tonight. It sounds like they have found something important."
Serena nodded, her gaze sharpening with determination. "I will start with Anjali. She has been so reclusive since the masquerade, it is like she is hiding something. I will find out what I can and then join you at the library afterward."
Adanna nodded in agreement, "I will visit Aetheris in the stables. Just to see how he is doing after he was shot," she said, her voice filled with concern.
"Aww, I wonder how he is doing," Serena said, her voice filled with genuine concern. She placed a comforting hand on Adanna's shoulder. "Just remember, you are doing the right thing by checking on him."
"I know," Adanna said, her gaze drifting to the window, the light reflecting off her eyes. "But I cannot shake off the feeling that we are getting closer to something big. And it is definitely not going to be a dance lesson."
Serena's expression grew serious. "Just be careful, okay?" she said before slipping into a more cheerful tone. "And maybe you will get to see Alejandro again!"
Adanna could not help but smile at the thought. "Serena, you are going to make me blush," she said, playfully swatting her friend's hand away.
With a laugh, Serena grabbed her shawl from the bedpost. "I am going now," she said, her voice filled with excitement. "Remember, I will be looking for you at the library afterward."
Adanna nodded, her mind racing with what she could possibly discover at the stables. As the door clicked shut behind Serena, she took a deep breath and stood up, her eyes reflecting her determination. She knew the stables would be quieter during the day, with most contestants still preparing for the evening's events. It would be the perfect opportunity to visit Aetheris without raising suspicion.
She made her way through the corridors and into the stable, where the scent of hay and earth filled the air.
As she entered the stable, Aetheris looked up, his golden eyes shining with recognition. The griffin's feathers ruffled as he struggled to stand, but Adanna rushed over to calm him. "Easy, Aetheris," she soothed, placing a gentle hand on his forehead. The stable hand looked up from his work, his eyes widening at the sight of Adanna.
"My lady," he stuttered, quickly bowing. "What brings you to visit our injured guest?"
Adanna's heart ached at the sight of the majestic creature lying helplessly on the straw. "I just wanted to check on him," she replied, her voice soft. "How is he?"
The stable hand, an older man with a kind face, offered a sad smile. "He is a fighter, that one," he said. "But he is still weak."
"Thank you for taking care of him," Adanna replied earnestly. "I just want him to get better."
"Not a problem. He is a special one," the stable hand said with a grin. "Very loyal to his owner."
Adanna's heart fluttered slightly at the mention of Alejandro. "His owner is quite impressive, is he not?"
The stable hand's expression changed, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "You know Alejandro?" he asked, his voice hushed.
Adanna nodded. "He is a good man. He has been kind to me, and I know he cares for Aetheris deeply," she said, stroking the griffin's feathers gently.
The stable hand looked around as if to ensure they weren't being watched, then leaned in closer. "You are aware of his lineage, my lady?" he whispered, his eyes searching hers for any signs of deceit.
Adanna's brow furrowed. "Lineage?" she repeated, confused. "He is a Baron. What do you mean?"
The stable hand looked taken aback, his eyes darting around before he spoke. "I-I am sorry, my lady," he stammered. "I misspoke. Alejandro is a noble man, yes..."
Adanna frowned slightly, sensing his unease. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice gentle but firm.
"Nothing my lady, it is just..." He paused, his eyes darting around the stable. "Alejandro is well-respected around here, especially when it comes to griffins."
Before she could press further, Aetheris let out a soft trill, nudging her hand again. Adanna smiled, refocusing on him. "Alright, buddy, let us get you some treats, shall we?" She asked the stable hand for some griffin treats, and he handed her a small basket filled with fresh meats and berries. Aetheris's eyes lit up at the sight, and he chomped eagerly as Adanna fed him. While Aetheris enjoyed his snack, Adanna chatted with the other stable hands, asking them about the griffins and the estate.
Serena, on the other hand, had her own mission. She wove through the bustling estate, her eyes peeled for any sign of Princess Anjali. As she turned a corner, she spotted Leonardo lounging casually against a marble column, his charm radiating like the sun. He had a playful smirk, one that made her heart skip a beat.
"Ah, Princess Serena," he greeted, his tone teasing. "What a lovely day for a quest. Seeking a royal treasure, perhaps?"
Serena raised an eyebrow, suppressing a smile. "More like hunting for information. I do not think that counts as treasure."
Leonardo stepped closer, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Information can be quite valuable, especially if it leads to unexpected encounters."
She rolled her eyes, but there was a playful glint in her gaze. "You are not the unexpected encounter I am hoping for."
"Are you sure about that?" he replied, leaning in slightly. "I could be just the distraction you need. After all, everyone deserves a little fun amidst the seriousness of it all."
Serena's cheeks flushed under her mask, but she didn't miss a beat. "I am quite capable of focusing on the task at hand, Leonardo," she said, her voice laced with a hint of amusement.
Leonardo chuckled, his eyes never leaving hers. "I have no doubt, but sometimes the most interesting discoveries are made when we least expect them." He stepped aside, giving her a playful bow. "But, alas, I shall not stand in the way of your noble quest. Carry on, my lady."
With a smile playing on her lips, Serena continued her search for Anjali. She spotted the princess's distinctive figure through a set of arches, her black hair and scales glinting in the sunlight. Serena followed at a safe distance, her heart racing with excitement. As she approached, she saw that Anjali was not alone—she was speaking in hushed tones to a guard and handed him a piece of paper before giving him a bag, which serena assumed was money.
Serena ducked behind a pillar, her curiosity piqued. What was Anjali up to? Was this related to the mysterious events surrounding the contest?
After the guard took the bag and slipped away, Serena took a deep breath and straightened her back, her mind racing. It was now or never. She pushed aside the nerves and stepped out from her hiding place, her heels clicking against the cobblestone. "Princess Anjali," she called out, her voice firm and steady.
Anjali turned, her eyes narrowing slightly at the interruption. "Princess Serena," she said, her voice cool. "What brings you here?"
"I was...walking the gardens," Serena said, her voice light and casual. "They are so beautiful, are they not?"
Anjali's eyes remained cool, but she offered a polite smile. "Yes, they are quite the sight. But I suspect you did not come here just to admire the flora," she said, her gaze sharp.
Serena stepped closer, her own smile never wavering. "You are right, I did have another reason for approaching you," she admitted. "I....was..looking for you..."
Anjali raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable behind her mask. "Me?" she said, her voice cool and curious. "What for?"
Serena paused, choosing her words carefully. "Well, I was hoping to speak with you. I have heard so much about your wisdom and insights." She took a step closer, her eyes meeting Anjali's unwavering gaze.
Anjali studied Serena for a moment, her golden eyes unblinking. "And what insights do you seek?" she asked, her voice as smooth as the silk of her gown.
"Oh, just...advice," Serena said, her heart racing. "You know, you are from Scalonia...how is the kingdom like...I and my brother King Kiyoshi were planning to visit..." she lied smoothly, hoping to gain the princess's trust.
Princess Anjali's gaze searched Serena's eyes, as if looking for the truth behind her words. "I see," she said finally, her voice measured. "What is it that you wish to know about our kingdom?"
Serena took a deep breath, her mind racing. "Well, I heard that the dragon scales are incredibly rare and powerful," she said, trying to keep the conversation as innocent as possible. "Is it true that they are used in magical artifacts?"
Anjali's eyes lit up at the mention of her homeland. "They are indeed," she said, her voice filled with pride. "The scales of our dragons hold ancient secrets and powers that have been passed down through generations. They are a symbol of our strength and heritage."
They walked through the gardens, the sun casting dappled shadows through the leaves above them. Anjali spoke of her home, her words painting a picture of a land filled with wonder and danger. Serena listened intently, her mind racing with the implications of what Anjali might be hiding. Was it possible that the dragon scales had something to do with the sabotage? Or was she just being paranoid?