Chapter Treinta: The Duke's Return

The next day was heavy with tension as Adanna wandered through the library, her eyes scanning over the dusty tomes for any clue to the history of Aeronia. Most of the books were in Spanish, a language she didn't understand, but she was determined to find something in English. Her fingers danced over the spines, feeling for any sign of familiar script.

Finally, she stumbled upon a book titled "Chronicles of the Aeronian Kingdom." It was old, the leather cover cracked and the pages yellowed with time. As she opened it, the scent of history wafted up, and she felt a shiver of excitement run down her spine. The book was written in a language she understood, and she devoured the pages eagerly.

Her eyes widened as she read about Duke Ricardo's past. He had been a griffin rider, a hero in the war against the Ogre people of the Kingdom of Grottoria, which had occurred three decades ago. The revelation that Duchess Camila's marriage to the Duke was an arrangement made by her brother, King Mateo, added another layer to the mystery. The Duke's father had been a trusted friend of Lord Veridan, and they had built a successful empire together.

Adanna's thoughts swirled with possibilities. Could the Duchess have had something to do with the Duke's disappearance? Perhaps she had been seeking a way out of a loveless marriage. The library door creaked open, and Adanna quickly closed the book, her heart racing. She didn't want anyone to know what she had discovered, not yet. As she turned to see who had entered, she was surprised to find Lady Midori herself, her serene eyes meeting Adanna's nervous gaze. "Lady Midori," Adanna said, quickly closing the book as if hiding her suspicions. "What brings you here?"

Midori's smile was gentle, but there was a sharpness in her eyes that made Adanna's stomach twist. "Oh, just looking for a good read," she said, her voice lilting. She glanced at the book Adanna had hidden. "Do you have any recommendations?"

Midori smiled gently. "I seek a moment of peace amidst all this chaos. The world outside is so loud with rumors and fear. What about you? What have you been up to?"

"I was just..." Adanna hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "I was looking for a book...about...beauty regimes of the past," she lied. She held up a random book to bolster her lie.

Lady Midori's smile never wavered. "Ah, beauty regimes. How fascinating," she said, her voice as smooth as silk.

Adanna felt a bead of sweat trickle down her spine. "They can be surprisingly enlightening," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

Midori's gaze searched hers for a moment before she nodded. "Indeed," she said, her eyes lingering on Adanna's. "I believe I have heard of a book that might interest you," she offered, her voice soothing. "It is about the healing properties of certain herbs and spells from my homeland. It is not widely known, but I think you would find it quite...fascinating."

Adanna's curiosity was piqued, despite her suspicion. "That sounds wonderful," she said, her voice genuinely excited. "Could you show it to me?"

Midori led her through the labyrinth of bookshelves, the silence between them feeling more like a dance than a confrontation. They arrived at a section of the library that Adanna had never been to before, filled with books in languages she didn't recognize, their covers adorned with intricate gold patterns.

"Here it is," Lady Midori said, pulling out a small, leather-bound book. "The Art of Enchantment," she read aloud, her voice filled with a strange warmth.

Adanna took the book, her hands trembling slightly. "Thank you," she murmured, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar script.

"Perhaps we could study it together?" Midori suggested, her smile radiant. "I could use some company, and I am sure you'd appreciate a friend in this...competitive environment."

The offer was unexpected, and Adanna felt a flicker of hope. Despite the tension in the air, she knew she needed allies. "I would love that," she said, her voice filled with relief.

As they exchanged thoughts, Adanna felt a connection growing between them, a bond formed from the shared chaos of their surroundings. They talked for hours, laughter mingling with the tension, creating a fragile comfort.

Eventually, dinner rolled around, the weight of the day still hanging heavily in the air. The sunset bathed the dining hall in golden light, Serena and Adanna sat at their usual table, casting glances toward Princess Anjali. She was seated with Lady Midori, Countess Seraphine, and Duchess Catalina, her expression a mix of confidence and composure.

"If she is involved, what could her motive be?" Serena mused, her eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

Adanna shrugged, sipping her tea. "Could be anything from political gain to personal spite. We need more evidence."

The sudden silence was deafening as the sound of shattering glass pierced the air. A scream echoed through the room, and everyone's gaze snapped to the broken window. A small object lay on the floor, surrounded by glittering shards. The guards rushed over, drawing their swords, their eyes searching for an intruder. "Stay Calm!" A guard shouted, as the room erupted into a flurry of whispers and gasps.

Adanna recognized the object immediately - a small, delicate vase, filled with dead flowers. The note attached to it fluttered in the breeze, the words scrawled in the same handwriting as the one she'd found in her room. "I told you there would be consequences," it read, the ink stark against the white parchment. Her heart raced as she realized it was directly targeting Enchantress Larissa, the second winner of the 'Most Valuable Participant' award.

Adanna felt a chill run down her spine. The first threat had been directed at Countess Seraphine, the first winner of the 'Most Valuable Participant,' and now it was Larissa, the second. "Are all the threats going to be against those who have a chance to meet the Duke?" she wondered aloud, her mind racing.

"Who could be behind this?" Serena whispered, her eyes darting around the room as if expecting the culprit to appear.

"We must find out who's responsible before it's too late," Adanna murmured, her eyes on the vase.

The commotion grew louder until it was abruptly silenced by the click of Duchess Camila's heels on the marble floor. She swept into the room, her eyes flashing with a mix of anger and concern. The buzz of whispers died down to a murmur as all heads turned to her.

"Ladies!" the Duchess's voice boomed, filling the hall. "I will not tolerate such disturbances in this estate. Whoever is behind these cowardly acts will be found and dealt with accordingly!"

The room grew still, all eyes on the Duchess as she surveyed the scene with a steely gaze. Countess Seraphine stood, her expression a blend of poise and concern. "Your Grace is absolutely right. Whoever is responsible for these threats is not just causing fear, but also tarnishing the reputation of our esteemed competition. It must be stopped!"

"Guards!" Duchess Camila's voice cracked like a whip, and two men in gleaming armor rushed to her side. "Aseguren el perímetro y asignen un guardia a cada dama." She ordered, her voice icy with rage. The guards nodded, their eyes sharp as they ran out of the dining room. ("Secure the perimeter and assign a guard to each lady.")

Then the door swung open and in came Enchantress Larissa, just returning from her one-on-one meeting with the Duke. The room went quiet as she took in the scene, the broken vase and the note. "Enchantress Larissa...how was your meeting?" Duchess Camila inquired, her voice tightly controlled.

Larissa's smile was brittle. "It was...interesting," she replied, her eyes flicking to the vase. "But it seems I have missed quite the excitement here."

The Duchess nodded gravely. "Indeed," she said. "It appears that someone has taken it upon themselves to send us all a...reminder of our vulnerabilities. This will not be tolerated."

Enchantress Larissa went to sit at her place at the dinner table, the other ladies rushed up to her, eager for details about her meeting with the Duke. Serena and Adanna watched the scene unfold before them...did they all just forget about the threatening note? They whispered to each other, sharing their suspicions.

"The Duke was...quite nice," Larissa said, her cheeks flushed. "He was very interested in my...uh, my background. But he did not say much about himself."

The other contestants murmured among themselves, a collective sense of disappointment palpable in the air. "Maybe he is just not as exciting as we thought," Lady Catalina said, her voice laced with a hint of smugness.

"The Duke is not boring, it is probably you who bore him," Lady Isabella scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. The room grew tense, but Adanna bit her tongue, focusing instead on the warm bread in front of her. She didn't want to engage in another petty squabble, not when the real threat remained unspoken.

"Maybe he is just being polite," Adanna offered, her voice calm. "Or perhaps he is not one to share his feelings easily."

Serena leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Or maybe he is just not into any of us," she whispered, and Adanna couldn't help but laugh despite the gravity of the situation.

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the sound of the dining hall doors swinging open with a bang, and in rushed a guard, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. His eyes searched the room, and when they found Duchess Camila, he stumbled forward. "Duchess Camila," he panted, switching between Spanish and English, "el duque...your husband...the Duke...Duke Ricardo...he is back!"

The room fell silent, the air thick with shock and disbelief. The whispers and chatter ceased immediately, all eyes on the trembling guard. Duchess Camila's hand flew to her chest, her eyes widening in a mix of hope and fear. "What did you say?" she demanded, her voice barely above a whisper.

"He is alive!" the guard exclaimed, his face flushing with excitement. "He is here now...in the courtyard with another lady...and they are both unharmed!"

The implications of that statement hit like a tidal wave, leaving the room in stunned silence. Adanna's thoughts spiraled out of control. Who was this lady? What did it mean for the competition? What if the Duke's return changed everything they had fought for?