Chapter Catorce: Ready or Not: The First Test

Sunlight, filtered through the slightly thicker curtains Serena had insisted on, gently kissed Adanna's face, waking her from a fitful sleep filled with dreams of griffins and grand ballrooms. She yawned and stretched, the softness of the silk sheets wrapping around her like a warm embrace. The room was still, the morning's early light casting a serene glow over everything.

A smile played on her lips as she remembered the previous evening's struggle. Serena, could not handle the slightest sunlight disturbing her beauty sleep, had insisted on the extra layer of curtains. Adanna had teased her about it, but now she was grateful for the soft light that allowed her to ease into the day gently.

Adanna rose and gazed across the chamber. Serena, lost in slumber, had sprawled across her bed,. Adanna chuckled to herself before climbing off the bed and walking over to the windows.

Adanna carefully stepped behind the curtains, her eyes taking a moment to adjust to the dimmer light. She reached for the tiebacks that held the heavy drapes in place, her fingers fumbling slightly due to the early morning chill. With a gentle tug, she secured the fabric, ensuring that not a single ray of sunlight could enter the room as Serena slept peacefully.

She opened the window slowly and her breath caught at the sight before her. Aeronia bathed in the golden morning light was a sight most wondrous. Buildings shone with a gentle glow, vibrant flowers peeked out from every corner, and griffins soared majestically in the sky. As she observed, a glint of blue caught her eye. It was a griffin with the same striking blue crest that the griffin that had brought her and Serena to Aeronia wore.

And there, riding the griffin with practiced ease, was a figure dressed in amour. A knight, she presumed, as he wore a helmet that hid his face. He looked so at home in the sky, his body moving in perfect harmony with the creature's powerful wings.

Adanna watched in admiration as she watched his masterful command over the griffin. But then, something most unexpected occurred. The knight, seemingly without cause, turned his head in her direction. She froze, suddenly aware that she was being watched. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she could not pull her gaze away from the mysterious rider.

For a brief, terrifying moment, it appeared his movement startled the griffin, causing them both to stumble mid-air. A gasp escaped Adanna's lips. The knight, however, reacted with great haste. With a practiced maneuver, he regained control of the griffin just before it would have dropped him. Adanna felt a rush of adrenaline as she watched, her hand pressing against her chest as if to calm her racing heart.

But the excitement was not yet over. As the griffin landed with a graceful thud, the poor knight, seemingly still confused, tumbled clumsily from its back with a surprised thud. Adanna could not contain herself. A burst of laughter, stopped by her hand over her mouth, filled the room. Below, the knight scrambled to his feet, glancing up at her window for a fleeting moment before disappearing behind the griffin.

Laughter bubbled from Adanna's chest, and she had to lean against the windowsill to steady herself. The knight's clumsy dismount had been the most amusing thing she had seen in days. Just then, a firm knock upon the door startled her back to reality. Hurriedly, she closed the window and adjusted the curtains to their usual position just as the door creaked open to reveal two maids with bright smiles and an air of bustling efficiency.

"Good morning, Lady Adanna and Princess Serena," one of the maids said, bowing low. "I am Juana and this is Inés. We are come to prepare you for the first challenge!"

The first maid Juana had a darker compaction and short black curly hair and the second maid Inés had pale skin, brown hair and brown eyes. Adanna's laughter subsided, replaced by a nervous flutter in her stomach.

"The competition begins so early?" she exclaimed, surprised at the hour. The maids exchanged a look, one nodding in confirmation. One maid, Inés, with a gentle smile, approached her, "My Lady, please let us go to the bathing chamber. There is much to prepare before the day's events commence."

The other maid, Juana, walked towards a sleeping Serena, gently shook her shoulder. "Your Highness," she whispered, "it is time to rise. The first challenge awaits."

A chorus of groans and feeble protests erupted from Serena as the maid's words penetrated her slumber. Adanna couldn't help but laugh again at her friend's dramatic display of reluctance to leave the comfort of her bed.

"But it is still the dead of night!" Serena mumbled, her voice thick with sleep. "Why can they not allow me another hour's rest?"

Juana chuckled lightly. "My apologies, Your Highness," she said, her voice soothing, "but the day in Aerionia begins early. The sun is already high in the sky."

Throughout the morning routine, Serena continued her protests, about the lack of darkness. "In truth, Adanna," she grumbled as the maid applied a touch of red to her cheeks, "who sleeps with such light? It is most uncivilized!" Adanna, suppressing a smile, could only offer words of encouragement. In secret, she found Serena's nocturnal preferences rather charming, a quirk that made her even more endearing.

As the maids dressed them in gowns far less voluminous than those worn at home, Adanna could not help but raise an eyebrow. "This style is quite different," she said, feeling the fabric of her simple yet elegant dress. "Is this the fashion in Aerionia?"

"Indeed, Lady Adanna," Inés replied, her eyes sparkling with amusement at Serena's grumbles. "In Aerionia, we embrace the day and its many possibilities. These garments are lighter and more suitable for our active lifestyle."

"And besides flowing fabrics are seen as rather old-fashioned." the other maid chimed in, her eyes twinkling.

This was yet another intriguing difference between Aeronia and Niameda, Adanna mused.

Both maids worked efficiently, dressing them in brown dresses that although less voluminous, showed her curves in a way that made Adanna feel both exposed and surprisingly elegant. She glanced at herself in the mirror, feeling a twinge of insecurity. She felt jealous that Serena was unable to see herself in the mirror because of her vampire nature.

As Inés applied subtle makeup, Adanna could not hold back the question. "Just how many ladies are participating in this competition?"

Inés assisting her paused, a thoughtful expression on her face. "There are forty, Lady Adanna."

Before Adanna could process this information, a loud shriek erupted from across the chamber. "Forty?!" Serena exclaimed, her eyes wide with horror. "Why, that's practically a festival of desperation!" Adanna turned her head swiftly, her own surprise mirroring Serena's. Forty competitors suddenly seemed a daunting number.

The initial excitement of the competition was quickly replaced by a palpable tension as the gravity of the situation set in. Juana who was assisting Serena hurried over, her earlier smile replaced by a concerned frown. "Is all well, Princess?" she inquired. Serena, momentarily speechless, only managed to exchange a look with Adanna before letting out a defeated sigh. This competition was to be far more challenging than either of them had anticipated.

Juana ushered Serena toward the bathing chamber shot Adanna a curious look before disappearing with the princess. Adanna stood before the looking glass, carefully examining her reflection.

The dress, while uncomfortable, did accentuate her figure in a way to which she was unaccustomed. "You are most beautiful, Lady Adanna," Inés finally said, her voice sincere.

"T-thank you," Adanna replied, blushing at the compliment. "It is just... a pity suitors at home do not seem to appreciate it as much... because of my..." She trailed off, unsure how to phrase the rest.

Before Adanna could finish, the other, Juana hurried into the room, her face flushed with urgency. "Inés, we are needed with Princess Serena! It seems she is having... difficulties with the griffin feather earrings." The maid hurried into the bathing chambers, leaving Adanna with her own thoughts.

The maids, Juana and Inés, guided Adanna and Serena from their chambers and down a grand staircase. The air hummed with hushed conversations and the occasional trill of laughter. The dining hall was a marvel of rustic elegance, with exposed wooden beams and vibrant curtains on the walls. Four long tables, each seating twelve, stretched across the room, all but a few seats occupied by ladies dressed in similarly form-fitting clothing. Some, however, incorporated unique touches – feathers, beads, or intricate embroidery – that clearly marked them as contestants from distant lands.

Adanna and Serena found places beside each other at an empty table. Maids bustled about, placing plates with unfamiliar delicacies before them. Adanna looked at her plate, unsure of what she was about to eat.

"What is this?" she whispered to Serena, poking at a slice of a golden dish that smelled heavenly.

"I am not sure, let us ask," Serena replied with a conspiratorial smile, raising a hand to flag down a passing servant. "Please could you tell us," she said sweetly, "what is this delightful dish before us?"

The servant's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "Ah, that is the Tortilla Española," he said with a proud flourish. "A traditional dish, a Spanish omelette with potatoes, eggs, and onions, a perfect start to any day."

Adanna took a tentative bite, the unfamiliar flavors exploding on her tongue. The potatoes were soft, almost melted, with a hint of caramelization that melded perfectly with the eggs. It was unlike anything she had ever tasted before. The texture was both delicate and hearty, filling yet somehow not heavy. She closed her eyes, savoring each bite. "Mmm," she hummed, savoring the taste. She glanced at Serena, who was also busy with her own plate, which had been altered by the onions being removed because of her vampiric nature, her expression was a mix of surprise and delight.

"I thought vampires drank blood," Adanna whispered, a mischievous look in her eye.

Serena chuckled, "That is the traditional image, to be sure," Serena said with a shrug. "Most vampires do rely on animal blood for sustenance. Human blood, while potent, is simply too rich for their systems to handle regularly." She explained, lowering her voice. "They tend to survive off the blood of animals, not humans. But I am different."

"Different how?" Adanna pressed, intrigued.

"For one," Serena continued, "My bloodline is ancient and I can actually tolerate most human food quite well, you know except from the very few foods such a onions, garlic and very strong smelling foods. My body has adapted over time. Though," she added with a mischievous grin, "there are some delicacies back in Ivamis that vampires do indulge in – a special type of blood-rich fruit that only grows there."

Adanna absorbed this newfound knowledge, watching the other contestants with renewed interest. It was a fascinating reminder that the world, or rather Ivamis, was far more complex than she ever imagined.

As they continued eating their breakfast the last few ladies entered the grand dining hall. Adanna noticed a framed clock hanging on the wall, it displayed the language of Aeronia, which Adanna could not understand. Turning to the servant who had served them their food, she politely asked, "Excuse me, what is the time?"

The servant smiled kindly. "It is nine o'clock in the morning, Lady Adanna," he said. Adanna thanked him just as the grand double doors swung open once more. All eyes turned towards the door as someone entered.

Duchess Camila De León.

Today, she was dressed in an elegant deep blue gown, covered in silver embroidery and she wore griffin featured earrings and a necklace. The Duchess' presence filled the room, and all the chatter immediately hushed. Her gaze swept over the gathered ladies, missing nothing. Adanna felt a shiver run down her spine as those sharp eyes landed on her.

Silence descended as Duchess Camila began to speak. "Good Morning ladies," she began, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "As you all know, today marks the commencement of the competition." A collective breath caught in Adanna's throat. This was it.

"There shall be three challenges," the Duchess continued, her voice taking on a steely edge. "Each designed to test different aspects of your potential as the future Duchess of the De León estate. The top ten contestants shall be chosen to advance."

A murmur of excitement rippled through the room, quickly overtaken by a wave of nervous whispers. Adanna saw the griffin riders, their eyes sparkling with confidence, exchanging looks of anticipation.

"The first challenge," Duchess Camila announced, "is... Griffin Feather Arrangement."

The room had a mixture of reactions. Excited chatter filled the air, interspersed with gasps of surprise and the occasional groan. Adanna watched as the expressions on the faces around her shifted. The griffin riders smiled with delight, their confidence unshaken. But for those like Adanna and Serena, unfamiliar with the intricacies of griffin feathers, fear began to creep in.

Adanna leaned into Serena, her voice barely a whisper. "I... I do not know the first thing about griffin feather arrangement," she confessed, her eyes wide with apprehension.

"Me neither," Serena whispered back, her own eyes betraying a hint of uncertainty. Despite her usual composure, the mention of the challenge had clearly unsettled her.

Adanna's gaze darted around the room, searching for some flicker of hope, some clue as to how to proceed. But all she saw were confident faces, a sea of potential victors. A cold wave of despair washed over her. Were they doomed before they even began?

The Duchess' voice cut through the murmurs. "For some, this challenge may come naturally. For others... it shall be a test of resourcefulness and adaptability. We begin in three Hours" Her gaze, looking across at all the ladies. "Let the competition commence," Duchess Camila declared, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

The room fell silent once more, the weight of the challenge hanging heavy in the air. And as Adanna looked around at the confident faces of her competitors, a single, terrifying thought echoed in her mind – what had she gotten herself into?