Chapter Diecisiete: A Risky Plan

The knocking on the door woke Adanna from her sleep. She had spent the entire night concocting a story for the guards, tossing and turning between excitement and fear. A muffled groan from the other side of the room told her Serena had slept poorly too.

Juana and Inés came in, less cheerful than usual upon seeing Adanna's tired eyes. Serena, her black hair a tangle around her face, sat up with a yawn. "Good morning," Inés said, trying to sound bright. "Your attire for the day is ready."

Adanna nodded, rubbing her eyes. "Thank you," she murmured, her mind racing with the plans she had made the night before.

The maids bustled about, dressing them in flowing blue gowns that reflected the sky outside their windows. As they were being laced up, Adanna thought this would be the perfect opportunity to begin her plan. "Inés," Adanna said quietly, "how might one send a letter home?"

Inés smiled in surprise. "Why, Lady Adanna," she laughed, "I could do that for you. We collect outgoing letters daily."

Adanna cursed inwardly. Having Inés deliver the letter would ruin her escape plan. "Oh, that is very kind," she stammered, "but I... I would not wish to trouble you."

Inés raised an eyebrow, amused. "Are you certain, Lady Adanna? We are happy to help."

"Quite certain," Adanna insisted, too strongly. "I would not dream of inconveniencing you. Might there be a messenger or a... a letterbox?"

Inés thought a moment. "There is a box in the courtyard, for non-urgent letters . If you tell the guards at the estate door, they can let you into the courtyard and you can put your letter there, under their watch, of course."

Adanna's heart raced. This was a risk, but their only chance. She glanced at Serena, who seemed to give her a look of 'it is too risky'. But Adanna knew she couldn't pass up this opportunity. "Thank you, Inés," she said, her voice steady. "We shall do just that."

After Juana and Inés finished, they led them out of their chambers. The corridors of the De León estate were as grand as ever, yet the whispers of the maids lingered in Adanna's mind like a pesky fly at a feast. As they approached the dining room, the sweet aroma of breakfast wafted through the air, but her stomach was too tight with anticipation to feel hunger.

Breakfast was a silent affair, the tension palpable between Adanna and Serena. They exchanged knowing glances, their eyes speaking the words their mouths dared not. The other contestants, oblivious to their plan, chattered away about the upcoming challenge. Adanna's mind, however, was miles away, racing through the lands of Aeronia, eager to uncover its secrets.

After breakfast, a tense silence hung between Adanna and Serena as they linked arms and walked out of the dining room. As they exited the dining room, Serena bumped into a tall figure in guard armor.

"Apologies," a muffled voice mumbled before the figure continued on its way.

"That was strange," Adanna muttered, her nerves jangling.

The ladies continued walking and they saw the other ladies were roaming around the estate, which was perfect for their escape plan. The guards would never notice them.

"Serena," Adanna whispered, "it is now or never."

Her friend nodded solemnly, her eyes shimmering with a mix of fear and excitement. Together, they made their way to the front door of the estate, where two guards stood, their gazes stern and unwavering. Adanna took a deep breath, her heart thumping in her chest. One of them, a broad-shouldered man with sun-kissed skin, couldn't help but steal a glance at Adanna. His gaze lingered a moment too long, making her feel self-conscious and judged.

Taking a deep breath, Adanna stepped forward, her voice shaky. "Pardon me, guards," she began, "might we put a letter in the courtyard box?"

The guards looked at each other. The one who had stared at Adanna turned to the other guard. "¿Qué dijo?" (What did she say?)

"Pidió ir a enviar una carta." The other guard replied, his voice gruff. (She asked to go send a letter.)

Adanna's heart skipped a beat. She had not anticipated this. The guard who was staring at Adanna nodded whilst the other one spoke. "To whom is the letter addressed?" he asked his accent thick.

Adanna and Serena shared a worried look. Thinking quickly, Adanna said, "Our families. It is most urgent."

"Urgent, you say?" the other guard said doubtfully. "Should it be handed over by the two of you?"

"Yes," Adanna lied, her stomach churning. "It contains private matters we would not wish to entrust to another."

The guard turned to the guard who was staring at Adanna who had been silent. "Dice que es urgente y personal. ¿Deberíamos dejarla ir?" (She says it's urgent and personal. Should we let her go?)

"La duquesa dijo que no debíamos dejar salir a nadie... pero podíamos observarlos muy de cerca," the guard who didn't speak English said to his companion in a low tone. (The Duchess said we shouldn't let anyone out... but we could watch them very closely.)

"Very well. But be quick. And stay where we can see you." The guard who spoke English relented, his eyes never leaving Adanna's.

Adanna felt such relief she nearly fell. A triumphant smile flashed across Serena's face, quickly replaced by worry.

The guards exchanged a look that was half skepticism, half amusement before the one who spoke English nodded. "You may go," he said gruffly. "But remember, we will be watching you."

Adanna and Serena stepped outside, the warm Aerionian air feeling like a caress after the stifling interior of the estate. The courtyard was a riot of color, with flowers in bloom and the distant sound of griffins' calls echoing through the air. Adanna's heart pounded in her chest as she scanned the area for any sign of the griffin-drawn carriage she had seen earlier.

"Are you certain of this, Adanna?" Serena whispered, her eyes darting nervously around the courtyard.

"Do not worry, Serena," Adanna whispered back, her eyes searching. "Stay back for now. I shall signal when it is safe."

With a final warning look from the guards, Adanna walked towards the estate gate her heart pounding madly. Serena stood awkwardly behind, watching Adanna approach the gate, just as a carriage was arriving at the entrance. This was the moment of truth.

Adanna's heart beat wildly as she crept towards the carriage. The griffins' piercing eyes watched her, their feathers ruffling slightly in the breeze. The guards' gazes bore into her back, making her feel like a thief in broad daylight. As the carriage pulled to a stop, she saw her opportunity. The driver was busy speaking to one of the estate staff, his back turned to her.

As she looked around, Adanna noticed a small, unobtrusive spot behind the carriage, where the guards' line of sight. She crept towards the carriage door, her heart racing. The conversation between the driver and the staff grew more heated, their words a jumble of unfamiliar Aerionian dialect, Spanish. The guards' attention was fully on the commotion. This was it.

As she was about to enter the carriage, she head the gaurds say something. "The carriage is broken?" a guard said.

"Si, si," the driver boomed, his voice thick with frustration, "la carreta está rota. No puedo continuar a mi destino." (Yes, yes, the carriage is broken. I cannot continue to my destination.)

Adanna's stomach lurched. Broken? This couldn't be happening. She strained to hear the guards' response, desperately hoping they wouldn't send the carriage away. "Un fastidio," (A nuisance) one of the guards muttered, his voice laced with annoyance. "El próximo envío de carretas no llegará hasta la próxima semana." (The next carriage shipment won't arrive until next week.)

"Si, si," the driver said, "The next carriage shipment will not arrive until next week, but it is not like we need the shipment desperately" said driver.

Disappointment washed over Adanna like a cold wave. Her carefully laid plan lay shattered at her feet. With a defeated sigh, she slunk away from the carriage, her dreams of escape slipping through her fingers. Dejected, she turned towards the courtyard box, deciding to send the letter and hope for the best.

Back at the estate door, Serena fidgeted anxiously, watching for Adanna. Suddenly, a light tap on her shoulder startled her. She spun around to find a handsome man with a tan complexion, brown eyes and light brown hair that curled slightly at the ends. "Hello?" Serena stammered, her heart racing. "Is everything alright?" Her eyes darted around, searching for Adanna.

"Everything is well, beautiful lady," the man replied, his voice smooth and cultured, with a slight accent. "But I could not help but notice you standing alone. Forgive my intrusion, but what brings a beautiful lady such as yourself to this rather... secluded spot?" His gaze lingered overlong, making Serena uneasy. "The contestants are not usually allowed in the courtyard, are they?"

"Oh, I... I am merely waiting for a friend," Serena stammered, her mind racing. She dared not reveal Adanna's bold plan to a stranger, especially one so... intriguing.

"A friend, you say?" The man raised an eyebrow, amused. "And what might your name be?"

Serena straightened, her royal upbringing giving her the poise to respond calmly despite her nerves. "I am Princess Serena, sister of King Kiyoshi of Ivamis," she said, hoping her status would dissuade any unwelcome advances.

The man's smile widened. "Princess Serena, is it? I see your brother is the famous, and some might say, ruthless, King Kiyoshi."

Serena bristled slightly. "I would not call my brother ruthless," she countered, somewhat defensively.

Just then, Adanna came rushing over, a relieved smile upon her face.

"Serena, I am finished!" she exclaimed, breathless. Then, she noticed the man beside Serena, his attention fixed on the princess. He gave a charming smile and bowed slightly.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Princess," he said, his voice tinged with flirtation. "But duty calls. Until we meet again, perhaps?"

With that, he winked and strolled away, leaving Adanna and Serena staring after him.

"Who was that?" Adanna asked, curious.

"I do not know," Serena shrugged, a slight blush creeping up her neck. "He simply... appeared."

Adanna scoffed playfully. "Well, he certainly was not shy," she teased, her eyes twinkling. "He is rather handsome, though, would you not say?"

Serena playfully swatted Adanna's arm, a small smile gracing her lips. "Perhaps," she admitted. "But certainly not to my taste."

Their light banter was cut short as they noticed the guards watching them with a hint of suspicion.

"We better get inside before they start asking questions," Adanna murmured, her voice laced with a hint of urgency.

As they entered the estate, the guards greeted them with a polite nod. Adanna forced a reassuring smile.

"Is all well, ladies?" the guard who spoke english asked, his eyes sharp.

"Yes, all is well, I thank you," Adanna finished, feigning cheer. Once inside and out of sight, she let out a frustrated groan. "Well, that went swimmingly," she muttered sarcastically.

"At least you tried," Serena offered sympathetically. "It wasn't a bad plan, Adanna. Merely some ill fortune."

Adanna sighed, disappointment evident in her eyes. "Indeed, well, ill fortune seems to be the theme of my life," she said with a hint of resignation. "We are trapped in this estate, no escape in sight, and now we know not what the next challenge might be."

Serena placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Come now, we shall figure it out. Together. Besides, perhaps exploring the estate shall not be so dreadful. Surely there must be something interesting to discover here?"

Adanna forced a smile, her optimism somewhat diminished. "Perhaps," she conceded. "But it is not the same as exploring Aeronia. This feels... confining."

"True," Serena admitted. "But for now, we must play by their rules. So, what shall we do? Spend the day in low spirits, or try to make the best of it?"

Adanna's competitive spirit flickered to life. Moping would get them nowhere. "Very well," she declared, with renewed determination. "We shall put our heads together. What might the next challenge be? Mental, physical, perhaps some manner of social test? The possibilities are endless."

Serena nodded, excitement kindling in her own eyes. "Let us see what Juana and Inés know," she suggested. "Perhaps they have overheard whispers about the next round."

And so, with renewed purpose, Adanna and Serena embarked on a new mission: gathering intelligence. They would use their time within the confines of the estate to their advantage, learning all they could about the upcoming challenge and, perhaps, even find a way to glimpse beyond the walls. The Duchess might have them trapped for now, but Adanna was not one to surrender easily.