Whispers Of Desires: A Sense Of Courage {Book 3}

❀ꗥ～ꗥ❀ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐢𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞'𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 ❀ꗥ～ꗥ❀

A flurry of movement followed the maid's announcement. Asha who had woken up by the sound of the door, shot a questioning glance at Adanna before rising from the settee. "Well," she said with a sigh, "We shall leave you two to your important matters." With a tired wink towards Adanna, she nudged Ife towards the door.

As the door closed behind them, a slender figure emerged from the hallway. Nandini, her face etched with concern walked in, towards her. "Adanna," she greeted warmly, her voice filled with affection.

"Nandini!" Adanna exclaimed, relief washing over her. She gestured towards the seat beside her. "Come, sit. I was just about to ring for tea."

Nandini settled onto the plush settee, her gaze lingering on Adanna's face. "Are you quite alright?" she asked gently, her voice laced with worry. "I saw what transpired at the ball in the papers."

Adanna scoffed, the memory still stinging. "Honestly? Perfectly fine," she lied, trying to keep her voice light. Just another day in the life of Lady Adanna, it would seem."

Nandini's lips curved into a sympathetic smile. "Yes, well, the papers do tend to have their own... creative interpretations of events." She paused for a moment, her eyes searching Adanna's. "So, you are truly giving up on finding a husband, then?"

Adanna hesitated; the sting of yesterday's humiliation still fresh. "I do not know," she admitted with a sigh. "Perhaps. Maybe the idea of a husband has been drilled into me for so long that I never stopped to consider if it what I truly desire."

"And what do you desire, Adanna?" Nandini asked, her voice gentle yet firm.

Adanna looked down at her lap, a million thoughts swirling in her head. "I desire someone to respect me," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "Someone who values me for who I am, not just my appearance or my family's name."

"And you deserve that, Adanna," Nandini said, her voice filled with conviction. "More importantly, you shall find it. But perhaps taking a step back from the relentless pursuit would not go amiss. After all," she added with a playful wink, "sometimes, the best way to find someone is to let them find you."

Adanna could not help but smile at Nandini's teasing words. "So," Nandini continued, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone, "the news I bring is no longer of importance to you?"

Adanna's eyebrows shot up. News? What news?

Nandidi stared at Adanna for a moment, her expression one of mischief and amusement. Adanna couldn't help but wonder what news she might be referring to. "Alright, alright," she said, laughing lightly. "Tell me this news, then. For the sake of sating my curiosity, of course."

Nandini's smile widened. "It involves a bit of a journey, Adanna," she began, leaning forward conspiratorially. "Do you know of a place called Aerionia?"

Adanna furrowed her brow. The name sounded vaguely familiar, but she wasn't sure where she'd heard it. "Aerionia," she repeated, testing the word on her tongue. "The name sounds... familiar, but I cannot say I have ever been particularly interested in other kingdoms."

Nandini chuckled. "Well, you should be now. My husband, Lord Thaddeus, has a friend, a griffin rider actually—"

"A griffin rider?" Adanna interrupted, her eyes widening in surprise. Griffin riders rarely mingled with outsiders. They were majestic beings who had little to no interacts with outsiders, so it was a shock to here that a wizard had a friend who was one.

Nandini nodded, her eyes twinkling. "Indeed! And this friend told Lord Thaddeus that the future Duke of Aeronia, his mother, Duchess Camila De León, is holding a rather... unconventional gathering."

Adanna leaned in, completely captivated by Nandini's words. "Unconventional?" she repeated "...What kind of gathering?"

"A gathering of potential brides for her son, of course!" Nandini declared with a mischievous grin.

Adanna's jaw dropped. "Wait, wait, wait," she stammered, trying to process the outrageous news. "Let me get this straight. There is a duke... in another kingdom... who is looking for a wife?"

"Not the Duke himself is looking, but his mother, Duchess Camila." Nandini corrected.

Adanna scoffed. "His mother? What kind of nonsense is that? He is a grown man, cannot he find his own wife?"

"Now hold on, let me finish," Nandini interjected, a touch of amusement in her voice. "It is not quite as simple as that. Apparently, the Duchess Camila is hosting a competition of sorts."

"A competition?" Adanna raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched on her face.

"Precisely," Nandini continued, "A gathering of eligible women to compete for the Duke's affections."

Adanna burst into laughter, a genuine, carefree sound that filled the room. "Compete for his affections? Nandini, who would be foolish enough to participate in such a farce?"

Nandini leaned back in her chair, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "You would be surprised, Adanna. Apparently, there is quite the interest. From what Lord Thaddeus' friend heard, after a series of competitions, ten women will be chosen to stay on and continue vying for the Duke's attention. Ultimately, the Duke himself will choose his bride."

Adanna stood up abruptly, pacing the room with a frown creasing her forehead. "No," she declared, shaking her head vehemently. "Absolutely not! I may be looking for a husband, but I would not subject myself to such foolishness."

Nandini watched her friend with amusement. "Even if you do not win," she began, her voice enticing, "the Duchess has promised a handsome reward for all participants."

Adanna stopped pacing, her gaze flitting back to Nandini. A spark of curiosity flickered in her eyes. "Reward?" She repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. "What kind of reward?"