Chapter Dieciocho: From Strength to Strategy

A persistent ringing of a bell shattered the peaceful sleep Adanna had been enjoying. She squeezed her eyes shut, burying her face into the soft pillow deeper into the soft pillows, yearning for but five more minutes of reprieve. But the incessant chiming only grew louder, accompanied by the creak of the bedchamber door opening.

"Buenos días, Señoritas," Inés said, her voice overly cheerful for this ungodly hour. "It is time to rise. Today brings the second challenge."

Adanna groaned, a muffled sound escaping her lips. The past two days had been a blissful time of rest and leisure, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the first day. Waking before dawn seemed positively barbaric.

Before she could process the horrors of the day, Inés was already at her bedside, gently helping Adanna out of bed. Juana was similarly engaged in helping Serena, whose tangled black hair suggested she was not thrilled about the early wake-up call either.

The maids bustled about, dressing them with the same efficiency, as both Adanna and Serena were still struggling to fully wake up. They shuffled downstairs like the walking dead, the bright Aeronian sun which had not yet risen, was a shock to their sleepy eyes. 

The dining room was a sea of bleary faces. The other were attempting to eat breakfast, the sounds of clattering silverware punctuated by yawns. It was clear that, everyone shared Adanna's sentiment about the early hour.

They took their seats at a table, a plate of sweet pastries and hot chocolate placed before them. The sweet aroma tickled Adanna's nose, but exhaustion overpowered her appetite. She rested her head upon her arm, the heavy weight of her eyelids fighting a losing battle against the rising sun.

Serena, "I beg your pardon," she called out weakly, her voice husky from sleep. "Please what time is it?"

The servant, a young woman with bright eyes and a kind smile, stopped and bowed. "It is six o'clock in the morning, Señora."

"Six?" Serena echoed, her voice a mix of surprise and dread. "Whatever could the challenge be that requires us to rise so early?"

Adanna mumbled her agreement, her eyes fluttering shut once more. Just then, the dining room doors swung open, and Duchess Camila entered with a flourish, her red gown embroidered with griffin feathers trailing behind her. She was followed by two figures, two maids. The room fell silent, everyone's attention focused on her.

"Buenos días, señoritas," she greeted, her voice laced with a hint of amusement at their sleep-deprived faces. "I understand that many of you are tired and perhaps a little confused about this early wake-up call."

A chorus of mumbled agreement rippled through the room.

"Well," the Duchess continued, a knowing smile gracing her lips, "as the future Duchess of the De León estate, your duties begin bright and early. One must always be prepared for the day ahead." She scanned the room, her gaze lingering on Adanna and Serena for a moment.

"Now, on to the second challenge. You shall all be heading to the drawing room shortly. The theme of this challenge is... etiquette."

Adanna's eyes flew open at this proclamation. Etiquette? Really? A groan escaped her lips, met by a similar sound from Serena. It was far too early for this...

The grand drawing room hummed with nervous energy as the contestants filed in. Adanna's eyes scanned the room, taking in the gold trimming and the lavish blue curtains that framed the large windows. The walls were covered with paintings of majestic griffins, their fiery eyes seemingly watching her every move. The room's opulence was undercut by its rustic charm, with wooden beams crossing the ceiling and a large stone fireplace crackling with warmth.

In the centre, stood a table with thirty one identical silver cups, surrounding a massive silver jug. Adanna exchanged a puzzled glance with Serena. What in the world could this challenge entail? Their bewilderment was mirrored by the other contestants, who whispered amongst themselves, their brows furrowed in concentration.

The creak of the door announced the arrival of Duchess Camila. The room fell silent, all eyes turning towards the regal figure. She surveyed the room, her gaze sharp and scrutinizing. "Damas," she began, her voice clear and commanding, "you must be wondering what all this is about." She gestured towards the table. A chorus of mumbled agreement rippled through the room. (Ladies)

"Well," the Duchess continued, a hint of amusement in her eyes, "the jug in the centre contains a fine Aerionian wine. However," she paused, letting the suspense build, "the jug is crafted from a rare mineral called Aetherium. Once formed into an object, Aetherium becomes incredibly heavy. Even the most seasoned griffin riders struggle to hold objects made from this material."

Adanna furrowed her brow. Was the challenge a test of strength, then? A nervous murmur spread through the room as the Duchess revealed the challenge's aim.

"Each of you shall have a cup," she explained, "and your task is to fill it with a full glass of wine from the jug." The ladies seemed to relax, nodding their heads in understanding. This did not sound too difficult, did it?

But before they could grow too comfortable, the Duchess added a crucial detail. "There are, however, a few...reglas," she said, drawing out the word. (rules)

"Uno," Duchess Camila began, holding up a single finger, "you may only use one hand."

A collective gasp arose from the room. Only one hand? This seemingly simple task suddenly felt far trickier.

"Dos," the Duchess continued, holding up a second finger, "any spilled wine, even the smallest drop, shall disqualify you."

A wave of nervous chatter filled the room. The pressure was certainly mounting now.

"Tres," Duchess Camila went on, raising a third finger, "the cup must be completely full. No half measures here, ladies."

"Cuatro," the Duchess added, raising a fourth finger, "you must maintain elegance and poise throughout. No spilling on your dresses, no stumbling, no... unladylike behavior."

"And finally Cinco," Duchess Camila concluded with a dramatic flourish, "any attempt at cheating, using two hands or otherwise, shall result in immediate disqualification - Descalificada, as we say here in Aerionia."

The room erupted in murmurs. This challenge was far more complex than it initially appeared. Thirty minutes, they were given, to fill a cup with one hand, without spilling a drop, and ensuring it was completely full. A daunting task, indeed.

"Form a line," Duchess Camila instructed, gesturing towards one end of the table. "Each of you has thirty minutes. The time begins... now!"

A flurry of activity ensued as the contestants scrambled to form a line. Adanna watched as the first lady stepped forward, a determined look etched on her face. Serena, grasped Adanna's arm, pulling her towards the back of the line.

"Come, let us observe how the others tackle it first," she whispered, her voice laced with nervous excitement.

Adanna nodded, taking a deep breath and preparing herself for the challenge ahead. The first lady stepped forward, her fate about to be revealed. The weight of the Aetherium jug was already evident in the strain on her face as she attempted to fill her cup. Would she succeed? Or would her dream of becoming Duchess be dashed by a single drop of spilled wine?

The bell rang signalling time was up for the first lady. Duchess Camila approached with a grace that seemed to belie the severity of the task ahead. She examined the cup with the scrutiny of a hawk eyeing its prey. The tension was palpable as she dipped her finger into the wine, checking for any signs of overflow or spillage. Her finger was red with wine. "Fuera," she said simply, dismissing the lady with a flick of her wrist.

The lady's face fell, a silent sob escaping her lips as she was escorted out by two stoic guards. The maid swiftly refilled the jug, and the next contestant stepped up, her hand shaking slightly as she tried to mimic the Duchess' demonstration.

Adanna and Serena watched in horror as the first few attempts ended in failure. Each lady's hope was met with a cold 'Fuera', their dreams of becoming the next Duchess of De León dissipating with the scent of spilled wine. The pressure mounted with each elimination, and the room grew quieter, the air thick with tension.

The competition progressed. One by one, the ladies took their turns, their attempts ranging from graceful to clumsy. Each failure was met with a collective gasp from the remaining contestants. The line grew shorter, and Adanna's heart pounded louder with every elimination.

So far 7 contestants had been eliminated, and the tension in the room was thick. At last, it was Serena's turn. Adanna observed as her friend approached the table, her back as straight despite her evident apprehension. Serena drew a deep breath, her gaze fixed on the cup before her. She reached for the Aetherium jug, her hand trembling slightly.

"You can accomplish this, Serena," she whispered under her breath, hoping her friend might hear her through the tense silence that had descended upon the room.

Serena nodded, a flicker of determination replacing the fear in her eyes. She carefully tilted the jug, her arm straining under the unexpected weight. A thin stream of wine arced gracefully into the cup. Adanna watched, mesmerized, as Serena manoeuvred the jug, maintaining a steady flow.

Just as it seemed Serena might succeed, a tremor ran through her arm. The jug wobbled precariously, threatening to spill its contents. Adanna's heart leapt to her throat.

But Serena, with a surprising burst of strength, righted the jug. The final drop of wine landed in the cup, filling it to the brim. Relief washed over Adanna like a tidal wave. Serena had done it!

The Duchess approached the cup, a hint of grudging respect in her eyes. This time, her finger remained dry as she inspected the rim. A curt nod was her only acknowledgment of Serena's success.

"Very good, Lady Serena," she said, her voice cool. "You may take your place."

Serena stepped back, a triumphant smile illuminating her face. She winked at Adanna, a silent message of encouragement before rejoining the remaining contestants.

Now, it was Adanna's turn. She drew a deep breath, the weight of watchful eyes bearing down upon her. But Serena's success had increased her confidence. She could accomplish this. As Adanna reached for the jug, she met the Duchess's gaze. A flicker of something – challenge? amusement? – danced in the Duchess's eyes. But Adanna held her ground. It was time to prove herself.

Adanna's hand hovered over the massive jug. Unlike Serena, who had tackled it head-on, Adanna took a moment to observe. The other ladies had focused solely on the wine, their anxiety clouding their judgment. But Adanna, noticed something odd.

The weight. The jug itself wasn't the issue; it was the wine inside. Liquid, especially in such a large quantity, would naturally shift and slosh, making it incredibly difficult to control the flow with just one hand. Her brow furrowed in concentration. If she could somehow minimize the movement of the wine...

"Might I ask a question, Duchess?" Adanna inquired, her voice calm and clear.

The Duchess raised an eyebrow, a flicker of curiosity replacing her usual stoicism. "But of course, Lady Adanna."

"Do we need to fill the cup with any wine, or does it have to be the wine that's in the jug right now?" Adanna asked, her voice steady despite her racing thoughts.

A collective gasp rippled through the remaining contestants. Had Adanna just found a loophole? The Duchess's lips twitched at the corners, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

"An interesting query," she conceded. "The challenge is indeed to fill the cup with wine."

A mischievous grin spread across Adanna's face. She knew what she must do. Turning to the maid standing discreetly by the table, she spoke. "Might I have an empty cup, if you please?"

The maid, confused but ever-obedient, produced a fresh cup. Adanna then turned back to the jug, a plan formulating in her mind. Instead of attempting a one-handed pour, she carefully tilted the jug, allowing a small amount of wine to flow out into the spare cup, therefore reducing the volume and weight she had to control. The room watched in silent anticipation, unsure if this was a clever tactic or an impending failure.

With each controlled tilt, she removed a portion of the wine, effectively lightening the load. Once the jug felt manageable, she filled the designated cup with a smooth, steady hand, not a single drop spilled.

The level of the wine in the original jug had sunk considerably, but Adanna had achieved her goal – a full cup of wine.

As she set the jug down, the maid, seemingly on cue, rang the bell. The Duchess approached, her gaze fixed on Adanna's offering. Again, she ran a finger along the rim, but this time, there was no trace of wine.

"Excellent work, Lady Adanna," the Duchess declared, a rare smile gracing her lips. "You are the first to understand the true essence of the challenge. Logic, not brute strength, is the key."

The other ladies, stunned by Adanna's ingenious solution, could only stare in disbelief. The Duchess turned to them, her voice laced with a hint of disappointment.

"The remaining contestants shall not have the opportunity to attempt this challenge. Those who have already succeeded through strength alone may remain. However, those who have not yet tried are hereby disqualified." The Duchess's words echoed through the grand drawing room, leaving a trail of disbelief and astonishment.

A collective groan erupted from the line. Some women looked angry, others frustrated, but none could argue with the Duchess's decision. In total, fourteen ladies were escorted from the room by the guards, leaving seventeen contestants, including Adanna and Serena.

Adanna could not help but feel a surge of satisfaction.

As she took her place standing beside Serena, a triumphant grin spread across her face. This Duchess, it seemed, was not just interested in etiquette or strength; she valued resourcefulness too.

The second challenge was over, but Adanna knew this was but the beginning. There was one more challenge until the main 10 contestants were chosen. And with seventeen contestants still in the running, the competition was far from over.