Chapter Veintiséis: A Griffin's Cry, A Hero's Dilemma

Alejandro sprinted towards Aetheris, his heart pounding in his chest like a war drum. The crowd parted in shock, the guards' eyes widening as they realized one of the contestants was rushing towards the fallen griffin. The other contestants stared, frozen in place. Adanna watched, her heart in her throat, as Alejandro reached Aetheris' side. She longed to follow, but the fear of disqualification kept her rooted to the spot.

"No, Adanna!" she whispered to herself, biting her lip as Alejandro knelt beside Aetheris. He pulled out the arrow embedded in the griffin's leg, revealing a note attached to it. Adanna's stomach churned at the sight of Aetheris bleeding profusely.

Alejandro whispered soothingly to Aetheris as he worked to remove the arrow, his movements swift and precise. Adanna felt a surge of helplessness. The weight of the rules pressed down on her, but the sight of Aetheris suffering was unbearable. "I cannot just stand here!" she thought, desperation clawing at her.

Without thinking, she ripped the fabric of her gown, tearing a long strip from the hem. "I am sorry, dress," she muttered under her breath, her heart racing. She dashed past the gate, ignoring the warnings of the guards.

"Adanna, no!" Serena called out, but Adanna's eyes remained locked on Aetheris.

Alejandro looked up at her in shock as she approached, but she didn't stop. She dropped to her knees beside the griffin, her eyes filling with tears as she saw the blood pooling around him. Without a second thought, she handed Alejandro the makeshift bandage. "Here, use this," she said, her voice shaking.

Alejandro took the fabric, his eyes meeting hers for a brief moment before returning to the task at hand. Together, they worked to stop the flow of blood, their hands moving in tandem. The guards rushed to help, ushering the stunned contestants away from the scene. The crowd outside the gates began to disperse, their festive mood shattered by the disturbing sight.

As the bleeding slowed, Alejandro wrapped the bandage tightly around Aetheris's leg. The griffin's labored breathing grew steadier, and Adanna felt a wave of relief wash over her. She stroked Aetheris's feathers, whispering comforting words into his ear. Alejandro looked down at Aetheris, then back at her. "Gracias, Adanna. I—" He hesitated, his eyes softening. "You risked everything for him."

"I could not just stand by," she said, her heart racing as she took in the scene. Alejandro's gaze softened as he took in her torn dress, understanding her desperation to help Aetheris.

The sudden silence was shattered by the sound of footsteps on the cobblestone. The Duchess emerged from the estate, her eyes scanning the chaos before landing on Alejandro, kneeling beside the injured griffin. She strode over, her eyes flicking to the knight's helmet he had donned for the parade.

Her gaze moved to Aetheris, and she knelt beside Alejandro, her hand gentle as she stroked the griffin's neck. "You will be okay, my dear Aetheris," she murmured, her voice filled with genuine concern. "Guards help them," she barked without looking away from the griffin, her voice filled with urgency.

Then her gaze turned to Adanna, her expression unreadable. "In my study, now," the Duchess said, her voice a soft command that left no room for argument.

Adanna's heart raced. She exchanged a quick glance with Serena, who looked both proud and anxious. As she walked past the other ladies, Adanna felt their eyes on her, some filled with excitement at the potential scandal, others with admiration for her bravery. She tried to ignore them all and focused on the task at hand—getting Aetheris the help he needed.

The maid led Adanna through the opulent halls of the estate, the plush carpets muffling their steps as they approached the Duchess's study. The door was open, and inside, Duchess Camila sat regally at her desk, her gaze piercing as Adanna entered. The maid curtsied and retreated, leaving them alone.

The Duchess gestured to the chair opposite her. "Lady Adanna, please sit," she said, her tone even and unreadable.

Asanna did as instructed, her heart thumping like a drum in her chest. The Duchess's study was a testament to her power and wisdom, with bookshelves stretching to the ceiling, filled with tomes that spoke of ancient knowledge and political strategies. The air was thick with the scent of leather-bound books and the faint smell of incense.

"Lady Adanna, daughter of Duke Nari the former Governor of Naimeda." The Duchess's voice was like velvet, but her words were edged with steel.

Adanna's eyes shot up to meet hers, her heart racing. "Yes, Your Grace," she replied, her voice trembling slightly.

"What you did out there was commendable," the Duchess continued, her tone measured. "You saw a griffin in need and sprang into action, not caring about the consequences. I commend you for that."

"Thank you, Your Grace," Adanna said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"However," the Duchess said, her expression shifting, "every action has consequences. You broke the rule of leaving the courtyard. I shall not disqualify you, as your reasons were justifiable, but you will be punished. For two rounds, you cannot be chosen as Most Valuable Participant. This means, even if you are the best performer, you will be unable to have a one-on-one meeting with the Duke. Is that clear?"

Adanna nodded, swallowing hard. "Yes, Your Grace." She felt the weight of the Duchess's decision, but knew it was fair. As she rose from the chair, she took one last look at the Duchess's face, searching for any clue to the woman's thoughts. The Duchess's expression remained stoic, giving nothing away.

Adanna walked out of the study, her head held high despite the fear and disappointment swirling inside her. She knew that she had made the right choice by helping Aetheris, but the reality of the situation began to sink in. Two rounds without a chance to be the Most Valuable Participant—that was a significant setback in her quest to win the Duke's heart.

As she made her way to her chambers, she felt a knot of anxiety twisting in her stomach. When she opened the door, she was met with Serena, who practically jumped off the bed and rushed toward her, wrapping her arms around Adanna in a tight hug.

"Are you okay?" Serena asked, pulling back slightly to look into Adanna's eyes. "What did the Duchess say? Are you getting disqualified?"

"I am not getting disqualified," Adanna replied, a small smile breaking through her worry.

"Oh thank goodness!" Serena exclaimed, her relief palpable.

"But..." Adanna hesitated, her heart sinking again.

"But what?" Serena pressed, concern etching her features.

"I will not be chosen as Most Valuable Participant for two rounds. That is my punishment."

Serena frowned. "That is not so bad, is it?"

"It is a little bad," Adanna replied, her tone serious. "We have six rounds left, and three of those are for the top three contestants. If I cannot be chosen, I will not be able to meet the Duke even once."

"I mean, we technically have met the Duke—you know Leonardo," Serena said, trying to lighten the mood.

Adanna sighed. "That is just speculation. We do not know for sure."

"Anyways," Serena said, shifting the focus, "let us stop talking about the Duke and focus on the investigation. The note that was shot into Aetheris... what do you think it means?"

Adanna's mind raced, the earlier conversation forgotten. "I do not know, but we need to figure it out before it's too late."

Just then, a loud knock echoed from the door, startling them both. "Lady Adanna, are you in there?" It was Isabella's shrill voice, accompanied by the giggling of her cohorts. Adanna's eyes narrowed, and she took a deep breath to calm herself before answering. "Yes, what is it?" she called out, her voice steady.

The door swung open without invitation, and in waltzed Lady Isabella, a smug smile plastered on her face. She was flanked by the same group of contestants who had witnessed the humiliating exchange at breakfast. "Oh, Adanna, darling," she cooed, her eyes sweeping over Adanna's torn dress with feigned sympathy. "I heard about poor Aetheris. How absolutely dreadful."

Her words were like a dagger to Adanna's heart, but she knew better than to let Isabella's tactics get to her. "Thank you for your concern," she said through gritted teeth, her voice devoid of warmth.

Isabella stepped closer, her smile turning into a sneer. "I hope it has not ruined your chances with the Duke," she said, her voice as sharp as a serpent's fang. "But I am sure you will find a way to charm him, even if it means playing the heroine."

The other girls giggled behind her, their eyes sparkling with malice. Adanna's cheeks burned with anger, but she remained calm. "I am sure your concern for Aetheris is genuine," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "But I have more important matters to attend to than your petty games."

Isabella's smile faltered, and she took a step back, clearly not expecting such a bold response. "You think you are so clever, do you not?" she spat. "But you are nothing but a glorified servant, trying to win a man who is out of your league."

With a surge of frustration, Adanna pushed the girls out and slammed the door in their faces. She didn't have time for Isabella's rubbish; she needed to focus on finding out what the note said.

"Adanna!" Serena exclaimed, half-laughing, half-shocked. "That was... unexpected."

Adanna's hands shook as she turned away from the door, her cheeks still flushed with anger. "I have had enough of her games," she said firmly. "We need to focus on the real issues here. Aetheris was attacked, and someone is threatening us—or Alejandro and Leonardo, at least. This is not just about winning a title anymore. It is about keeping everyone safe and figuring out who is behind all this!"

Serena nodded, her expression serious. "You are right. We need to get that note and see what it says. Maybe it is still in the courtyard?"

They rushed back outside, their hearts racing as they searched the cobblestone for any sign of the discarded message. The guards had cleared the area, but the evidence of the griffin's fall remained, the bloodstain on the ground a stark reminder of the danger they faced.

As they approached the spot where Aetheris had fallen, they saw Alejandro. He was sitting on a nearby bench, his armor splattered with blood, his eyes haunted. Adanna gasped and without thinking, rushed toward him. "Alejandro!" she called out, concern etched into her voice.

Alejandro looked up, startled. When he saw her, something in his eyes softened. Before she knew it, he stood and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug. Adanna froze for a moment, her heart racing as she felt his warmth against her. The scent of blood and leather filled her senses, but it didn't matter. For a second, the world around them faded.

Realizing what he'd done, Alejandro quickly pulled back, his face flushed with embarrassment. "Forgive me, my lady," he stammered, his eyes filled with regret. "I did not mean to overstep my bounds."I—I did not mean to—"

Adanna blinked, her own cheeks warm. "It is nothing, truly," she reassured him, her voice softer than she intended. "You... you looked like you needed that."

Alejandro exhaled, his eyes scanning her face for any sign of judgment, but all he saw was genuine concern. "Thank you," he said quietly, then cleared his throat. "What happened? The contest... are you alright?"

Adanna hesitated for a second, wondering if she should tell him everything. "I... I was not disqualified," she began, her voice thoughtful, "but I was punished. For two rounds, I will not be able to be chosen as Most Valuable Participant. That means..."

"You will not be able to meet the Duke?" Alejandro's asked, his brow furrowing.

Adanna nodded, her eyes drifting to the torn edge of her gown. "Yes. It is not ideal, but it could have been worse. I could not just stand by while Aetheris was hurt."

Alejandro's gaze softened even more, his eyes lingering on her face. "You are...asombroso...amazing, Adanna," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I am sorry for my earlier behavior. I just saw Aetheris and...I do not know what came over me. I thought..." He trailed off, his eyes dropping to the ground.

Adanna reached out and placed a gentle hand on his armored shoulder. "It is okay," she said, her voice filled with understanding. Just as the moment seemed to grow heavier with unspoken words, Serena, who had been watching from a short distance, cleared her throat loudly.

Both Adanna and Alejandro jumped, turning toward her with a look of embarrassment.

Serena crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, smirking. "I hate to interrupt, but maybe we should focus on that note?"

Before either of them could respond, a voice called out, "Alejandro!"

They turned toward the sound, and there was Leonardo, striding toward them, holding a piece of paper in his hand. His expression was serious, but there was a glint of mischief in his eyes as he stopped in front of them.

"Everyone, follow me," Leonardo said, holding up the paper for them to see. "We have got some answers to find."

Leonardo led them through the garden to a secluded gazebo, hidden amongst the vibrant flowers and towering trees. As they approached, both Serena and Adanna gasped in awe. The gazebo was stunning, with intricate carvings on its wooden beams, draped in vines of blooming flowers that filled the air with a sweet fragrance.

"We have never been here before," Adanna whispered, still marveling at the beauty surrounding them.

Serena nodded in agreement. "I did not even know this existed."

Leonardo chuckled softly as they all gathered inside. "This estate is full of secrets."

Adanna and Serena sat on one of the benches, while Alejandro and Leonardo remained standing. Alejandro leaned against one of the pillars, his eyes flickering between Adanna and the note in Leonardo's hand.

"So, what did the note say?" Alejandro finally asked, his eyes on the paper that Leonardo held tightly in his hand.

Leonardo's lips curled into a grim smile. "It is written in Spanish," he said, holding it up. "Which means our attacker is either from Aerionia or has learned the language somewhere along the way."

Serena leaned in, her eyes widening with curiosity. "And what did it say?"

Leonardo paused for a moment, then spoke. "It says, 'Te advertí la primera vez, no te daré más advertencias,' which translates to 'I warned you the first time, don't let me give you any more warnings.'"

Adanna's heart skipped a beat. "What do we do now?" she asked, her voice shaking.

Alejandro straightened up from the pillar, his gaze intense. "We need to investigate secretly."

"Investigate? How do we do that?" Adanna asked, her voice filled with determination.

"The masquerade ball is in a few days. And since we are not going-"

Serena interrupted, "Wait, why are you not going to attend the masquerade ball?" Her curiosity piqued, she looked at Alejandro expectantly.

Leonardo shrugged, giving Serena a mischievous smile. "We are not exactly on the guest list, darling."

Serena rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile. "Of course, you are not."

Alejandro continued, ignoring the exchange. "That is where you two come in. Since you will be attending, and you will have to keep an eye out for anyone suspicious. Meet as many people as you can, talk to them. We need to figure out who sent that note."

Serena raised an eyebrow. "So while we arerisking our necks and our places in the contest, what will you two be doing?"

Leonardo's grin widened as he leaned against the opposite pillar, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, you know, the usual—investigating where the arrow came from. A bit of dangerous fieldwork."

Serena rolled her eyes again, though this time, there was a faint blush on her cheeks. "Of course. How could I forget? Heroes on the front lines."

Leonardo leaned closer to her, his voice dropping to a playful murmur. "If you need a hero, princess, I am always available."

Serena's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly masked it with a scoff, trying to ignore the way her pulse quickened. "I can manage without one, thanks."

Meanwhile, Adanna, who had been quiet, glanced up at Alejandro. Their eyes met, and a wave of awkwardness washed over her. She still felt the warmth of his earlier hug, and it filled her with a strange sense of comfort she hadn't felt before. Alejandro looked away, his cheeks tinged with pink.