Chapter Veintiuno: Curtains, Secrets, and Unexpected Encounters

The sound of forks and knives on plates filled the grand dining hall as Adanna moved her breakfast about her plate. Unlike her usual joy at meals, she seemed lost in thought, pushing her eggs around with little interest.

Serena, sitting across from her, watched with worry. "Adanna," she said softly, "is all well? You have not eaten a bite of your food."

Adanna jumped, as if woken from a dream. She tried to smile, her eyes too bright. "Oh, I am quite well, Serena. Just not very hungry this morning, that is all."

Serena did not believe her. Adanna's usual cheerful manner was gone, replaced by a thoughtful air. She knew something troubled her friend, but Adanna was very stubborn, and would not speak unless she wished to.

Just as Serena was about to ask more, there was a commotion near the door. A young servant, out of breath from hurrying, ran towards Serena, his eyes wide with excitement.

"Princess Serena," he said, bowing low, "we have found them! Even thicker curtains, just as you asked. They are kept deep within the house, and I was told to bring you to see them at once."

Serena's face brightened with joy. "Excellent work!" she cried, clapping her hands. "Thank you so much for finding them. This is wonderful news." She turned to Adanna, sounding a bit sorry. "I am terribly sorry, Adanna, but it seems urgent. Would you mind if I excused myself for a moment?"

Adanna nodded, still lost in her thoughts. "Go," she said absently. "I will be fine."

Serena gave her a quick smile before rushing out of the hall, her excitement palpable. Adanna watched her go, the conversation with the Duchess's twist about the "Most Valuable Participant" weighing heavily on her mind. The veil was an intriguing addition to the competition, but she couldn't shake off the image of the mysterious griffin rider. His kindness and the thrill of their shared secret adventure was a stark contrast to the rigid rules and expectations of the De León estate.

Serena followed the eager servant through many halls, the cool stone walls seeming to whisper secrets as they walked. They climbed a grand staircase and stopped at a set of heavy velvet curtains, pulled aside to reveal a hidden chamber. The air was dusty and still, the room filled with forgotten treasures. In the corner stood a large wooden trunk, the brass latch gleaming dully in the candlelight.

The servant opened the trunk with a creak, which was filled with rolls of fabric in every color one could think of.

"Here we are, Your Highness," the servant said, bowing low. "As you asked, a selection of our thickest curtains."

Serena's eyes widened at the sight of the curtains. "These are wonderful!" she cried, a true smile on her face. "They are perfect. Thank you so much for finding them."

The servant smiled with pride. "I am glad you like them, Your Highness. It was my pleasure to serve you."

Serena gathered the thickest curtains she could find, their weight showing how well they would block the light. "I will take these to my chambers then," she said. "The sunlight has been a bit... strong these mornings."

"Very well, Your Highness," the servant bowed again. "The maids will come and put up the new curtains in your rooms later today."

With a final word of thanks, Serena turned to leave the room, the heavy fabric held tight in her arms. But just as she stepped out into the hall, a tap on her shoulder made her jump. She turned around quickly, her heart beating fast.

There, leaning against the wall with a casual smile, stood the strange man from the courtyard.

Surprise took Serena's breath for a moment. "You!" she cried, her voice showing both annoyance and a kind of startled amusement.

The stranger laughed, a warm, pleasing sound. "Good morning again, Princess Serena. How strange to meet you here." His eyes danced with mischief.

"It is rather a shame," she said, her voice cool. "You seem to know my name quite well, yet I do not know yours."

"Forgive my poor manners, Princess," the man replied, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Leonardo."

"Leonardo, is it?" Serena raised an eyebrow. "No family name?"

Leonardo laughed once more, the sound light and free. "I prefer to keep a bit of mystery, would you not agree?" he said, his gaze never leaving hers.

Serena could not help but roll her eyes. "Unless you are secretly the Duke himself, I hardly think a name is cause for mystery."

The man's smile faltered for a brief moment, something unreadable crossing his face before quickly vanishing. He recovered swiftly, though, regaining his confident manner.

"And where might you be taking these... particularly thick curtains, Princess?" he asked, pointing to the heavy bundle Serena held.

Serena hesitated for a moment, then a sly smile played on her lips. "Perhaps a little secret of my own," she teased. "But very well, I suppose a little honesty will not hurt. I am a vampire as you already know, and the sun can be quite unpleasant for me."

Leonardo nodded, a gentle smile replacing his earlier amusement. "Ah, I see. That explains your need for such thick curtains. It must be quite an adjustment for you."

Serena rolled her eyes, her grip tightening on the fabric. "Indeed," she said. "But why do you lurk in the shadows of this hidden chamber?"

Leonardo pushed off the wall, stepping closer to her. "I was simply looking for something," he said vaguely. "But I must admit, seeing you here, so early in the morning, has been quite the delightful surprise."

Serena felt a strange tingle down her spine, an unexpected thrill from his nearness. She took a step back, holding the curtains as a barrier between them. "Your charm is wasted on me," she said, her voice cooler than she felt. "Now, if you will excuse me."

Leonardo's smile grew more intense. "I see," he said, his eyes never leaving hers. "But I am not one to be easily dismissed." He took a step closer, closing the distance between them. "Allow me to assist you. Those curtains do look rather heavy. Perhaps a gentleman could offer his help?"

Serena looked at him, weighing her options. He seemed genuinely willing to help, with no trace of fear or disgust. With a shrug, she dropped the heavy bundle into his arms, catching him slightly off guard.

"Well, you did offer," she said, already walking away. Leonardo looked down at the unexpected burden, then back at Serena's retreating figure. He burst out laughing again, a deep, full laugh that echoed through the hallway. He hurried to catch up to her, the thick curtains awkwardly draped in his arms.

"Hurry up!" Serena called over her shoulder as she walked briskly, her silk slippers whispering against the cold stone floor. "I have a schedule to keep!"

"Coming, coming!" he called out, sounding a bit breathless. "A vampire princess with a wicked sense of humor, who would have thought?"

Serena smirked, a secret smile playing on her lips. This unexpected meeting was certainly proving to be more interesting than she had thought it would be.

Relief came over Adanna as she at last reached her chambers. She fumbled with the door handle, her arms aching from carrying the heavy breakfast tray back to the kitchens (taking a few extra sweet cakes along the way). Just as she pushed the door open, a voice she knew well cut through the air.

"Serena? What are you doing with..." Adanna's voice faded as her eyes fell on the stranger, his back turned to her as he held a large bundle of cloth in his arms.

Serena turned quickly, surprise on her face. "Adanna? What are you doing here? I thought you were at breakfast?"

Adanna, unable to speak for a moment, could only look back and forth between Serena and the stranger. "Actually," Adanna finally said, her voice a little breathless, "I was just... full. I did not feel like eating much this morning." She looked at the stranger with doubt. "Who is this?"

Serena, flustered, quickly stepped towards Adanna, placing a hand on her arm. "Oh, this is... Leonardo. We just happened to meet each other in the hall."

Adanna raised an eyebrow, not quite believing. "Leonardo, you say?"

Before Serena could say more, Adanna took charge. She walked up to the stranger, looking quite regal despite her simple dress.

"Lady Adanna of Niameda," she said, offering a quick curtsy.

Leonardo, caught a bit off guard by her sudden appearance, straightened and bowed in response. "A pleasure to meet you, Lady Adanna." His voice kept its smooth charm, but a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes.

Serena, seeing Adanna's teasing look, spoke quickly. "He was just... helping me with these," she said, pointing towards the curtains in his arms. "They are rather heavy, you see." She reached out and almost snatched the cloth bundle from Leonardo's grasp. "He is leaving now," she added, a hint of finality in her tone.

Leonardo laughed softly, a hint of a smirk on his lips. "Well, it seems I am no longer needed," he said, holding out the curtains to Serena. "Thank you for the company, Your Highness. Perhaps we shall meet again?"

Serena nodded, a forced smile on her face. "Perhaps," she said, taking the bundle from him. "Now, I must attend to my duties."

"Of course, enjoy the rest of the competition." With a final wink at Serena, he turned and walked away, leaving the two friends in a tense silence.

Serena watched him go, a faint blush coming to her cheeks. Adanna, however, stood with her arms crossed, looking quite skeptical.

"Very well, tell me all," Adanna said, walking to Serena with a determined look on her face. "What was that about?"

Serena winced at the tone in Adanna's voice. "Truly? Nothing," she said quietly, not looking at Adanna.

"Nothing?" Adanna scoffed, her hands flying up. "Then how... when did you meet this... Leonardo fellow? Are you friends? What were you doing with a stranger in the hall? I thought we were not to be alone with strangers, yet here you are, being friendly with a mysterious man!"

Serena's cheeks turned quite red. Adanna, bless her, could be as watchful as a hawk when she wished to be. "Adanna, slow down!" Serena begged, holding up a hand. "It is not what you think. It is the same man from the courtyard...I just met him once more in the hall."

Adanna was not convinced. She walked about the room, her confusion growing. "Met him? In this big estate? And then he just... helps you with some curtains? Come now, Serena, that sounds odd!" Her voice grew higher with every word, showing her growing confusion.

Serena sighed, sitting down in a nearby chair. Adanna was right, it did sound strange. But how could she explain her brief, unexpected meeting with Leonardo without telling of his strangely charming manner?

"Well it was a chance meeting indeed!" Serena said with a laugh, trying to lighten the mood. "I was just looking for some curtains and he offered to help. It is quite the coincidence, is it not? Beside we were just... talking." She did not say anything about him being very flirtatious or her own amusement at his boldness.

Adanna stopped walking and looked at Serena, thinking hard. "Talking, you say? About what?"

"Just... things," Serena said, her voice very quiet.

Adanna crossed her arms, a playful look in her eyes. "See, this is why we must stay together," she said, her usual good humor returning. "Now, when a handsome stranger appears from nowhere and wants to chat with a princess, there should be a lady such as myself there to make sure nothing improper happens!"

"Truly, Adanna," Serena said, tired out, "It was just chance. We met in the hall by accident, that is all."

Adanna raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on her face. "Of course," she said, her voice full of doubt. "Just chance that a handsome stranger ends up helping a princess with her sun troubles."

Serena rolled her eyes, but could not help a small smile on her lips. Suddenly, Adanna's interest changed.

"Speaking of troubles," Adanna said, falling dramatically onto the bed, "I wonder what the Duke is like in person? This whole hidden meeting thing is quite odd, do you not think?"

Serena nodded thoughtfully. "It is rather strange," she agreed. "One would think seeing your possible partner would be an important part of the choosing process."

Adanna laughed. "Maybe he is some ugly troll they are trying to hide behind a fancy curtain," she joked, her voice muffled by the soft pillows.

Serena laughed. "Do not be silly, Adanna. I am sure the Duke is a very handsome man."

A bit of doubt touched Serena's heart. "But what if he is not?" she thought aloud. "What if he cannot... perform well?"

Adanna sat up quickly in bed, looking very confused. "Perform well? Perform what?" she sputtered. "Serena, what in the world are you talking about?"

Serena hesitated, her cheeks flushing a light pink. This was not exactly the kind of conversation she'd envisioned having with Adanna, but the look of genuine cluelessness on her friend's face was undeniable. With a sigh, she decided honesty was the best policy.

"Well," Serena began cautiously, "part of a successful marriage... involves intimacy between a husband and wife." She searched for the right word, finally settling on, "The consummation of the marriage."

Adanna looked utterly confused. "What does that have to do with the Duke not performing well?"

Seeing Adanna did not understand at all, a spark of amusement shone in Serena's eyes. This was new ground, even for her. Nia's innocence had been a surprise, but Adanna's complete lack of knowledge was almost funny.

"You truly are Nia's sister," Serena said with a laugh, shaking her head. "So pure, so unblemished by the world's... complexities."

Serena, seeing Adanna's discomfort, decided a gentler approach was needed. "Perhaps a picture would help," she thought as her eyes turned red, the pupils dilating into swirling pools of magic. The air around her grew warm and thick with power. With a wave of her hand, a book appeared out of thin air, landing in her lap with a soft thud.

The book was called: "A Guide to Marital Joy.

Adanna's eyes grew wide as she stared at the book's cover, which depicted a very plump, smiling couple dressed in their wedding attire. She had heard whispers of such things before, but nothing more than whispers. Her curiosity piqued, she took the book and began to flip through the pages. The words were in an archaic language, but the illustrations were... quite detailed. Her cheeks grew red as she turned page after page, her eyes widening at the intimate scenes displayed.

Serena, explained with as much delicacy as she could muster, the various aspects of marital intimacy to her wide-eyed friend. Adanna listened, her eyes glued to the book, her cheeks burning a deep shade of crimson. The illustrations were more informative than she had ever imagined they could be, and she felt both embarrassed and fascinated.

The surprises kept coming, each one more shocking than the last. Adanna, still very red in the face, looked up at Serena from behind the book. "So, have you... you know, consummated a marriage before?" she said quietly, the question barely heard.

Serena smiled, a knowing look in her eyes. "Oh, Adanna," she laughed, her voice playful, "in my younger days, I've certainly had a few... adventures. But never with a husband, of course."

Adanna's mouth nearly fell open. "But... is that not the whole point?" she cried, turning the pages of the magic book with wide eyes. "Marriage and... and..." she stopped, not knowing what to say.

Serena leaned back in her chair, looking amused. "Marriage is about many things, Adanna," she explained kindly. "Love, friendship, building a life together. But yes, closeness is also a part of it." She winked at Adanna. "But sometimes, a girl just wants a little adventure, would you not agree?"

Adanna stared at Serena, her mind racing. The book in her hands showed a very specific kind of closeness, one that seemed... different from what Serena was describing. "So... all this..." she pointed at the book, "is what happens when you get married?" she asked nervously. "And from how you described it..." her voice stopped again, her cheeks turning red once more, "is it truly as... pleasant as you made it sound?"

Serena laughed, a warm, true sound. "Let us just say, Adanna," she teased, "a good marriage can be quite... satisfying." She squeezed Adanna's shoulder kindly. "But trust me, this book does not tell the whole story. There is a lot more to closeness than just the body parts."

Adanna, however, seemed focused on something else. "Maybe I should ask Nia about it," she thought, looking through the book again. "She has been married to Kiyoshi for five years now, surely she knows..."

Serena's smile faded for a brief moment. "Actually, Adanna," she said gently, "I would not suggest asking Nia about this."

Adanna looked up, surprised. "Why not? She is my sister!"

"Yes, but Nia is... well, Nia," Serena said carefully. "Remember how traditional she is? I doubt she would want to talk about such a personal thing, even with you."

Adanna thought about this for a moment, then shook her head. "Maybe Kazi then?" she suggested. "She has been married to Prince Azrael for four years now, surely she would be more open about it."

Serena sighed. "Perhaps," she agreed, "but Kazi can be a bit... well, awkward at times. And trust me, this is not exactly a talk you want to have with someone who might stammer every other word."

Adanna fell back in her chair, looking disappointed. "So what am I supposed to do?" she complained. "Do I just... guess?"

Serena reached out and squeezed Adanna's hand again, a comforting warmth coming from her touch. "Do not worry, Adanna," she said softly. "You will figure it out. And besides, if you ever have any questions, you can always come to me."

Adanna looked up at Serena, a spark of hope replacing the confusion in her eyes. Having such a close friend to talk to, even about such a delicate topic, was a comfort she had not realized she needed. She knew Serena, despite her royal status, would not judge her for not knowing.

"Really?" Adanna asked, sounding a bit relieved.

Serena smiled warmly. "Of course," she replied. "After all, that is what friends are for, are they not? And since your sister Nia is married to my brother Kiyoshi, we are almost like family anyway."