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

❀ꗥ～ꗥ❀ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐜𝐡𝐨: 𝐀 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 ❀ꗥ～ꗥ❀

Adanna fidgeted with her hands, her mind racing. The more she heard about Aerionia, the more the idea of being part of this world filled her with a mix of excitement and trepidation. She glanced at Nandini, and sighed. "I do not know," she admitted. "The rewards...they are beyond anything I could ever imagine..but the idea of competing for a man's love feels... foolish. Especially a man who is not even looking for a wife himself, but rather his mother!"

A gentle smile appeared on Nandini's face. "Adanna, my dearest friend," she said, her voice soft and understanding, "do not be troubled. I did not tell you this so you would chase after some unmarried gentleman. No, this is a chance for you to get away from Niameda, to escape all the gossip and disdainful looks."

Adanna's eyes went wide. Escape? She had not even considered that, but the idea gave her hope. "Escape?" she repeated.

"Yes," Nandini said. "Think about it, my friend. Aerionia is a whole different kingdom, a land full of opportunities we cannot imagine. Even if you do not make it to the top ten, you would still spend a month or two away from the constraints of Niameda. A chance to find your calm again and refresh your weary spirit."

Adanna bit her lip, her thoughts whirling. Nandini's words had struck a chord deep within her. The thought of escaping the confines of Niameda, of finding her own path in a land so big and rich with possibility...it was intoxicating. "I do not know, Nandini," she worried, "This is all so sudden. I must discuss it with my sisters, Nia and Kazi, at the very least. They will surely have thoughts to share."

Nandini smiled gently, her expression understanding. "Of course, my dear. It is wise to seek your sisters' counsel. Take whatever time you need to consider." A mischievous look appeared in her eyes. "Who knows? Perhaps a bit of friendly competition may remind those gossipmongers that Lady Adanna has an adventurous spirit, after all. And who knows what adventures may await you in Aerionia?"

"No!" Kazi exclaimed, her voice ringing through the drawing room. Adanna, who had been eagerly telling her sisters all about the competition, stopped mid-sentence and looked at Kazi with wide eyes.

"What? Why?" Adanna said, taken aback by Kazi's vehement response. "Is it not exciting? A new kingdom, a chance to win amazing rewards..."

"To compete for a man's attention?" Kazi scoffed. "That is...absurd!" she continued, her voice growing more heated.

Adanna turned to Nia, who had been listening patiently the whole time. Nia was a woman of few words, but her gaze held quiet understanding. "Nia," Adanna pleaded, a hint of desperation in her voice. "Please, say something."

Nia sighed before speaking, her voice measured. "I am not sure about the competing, Adanna," she admitted, "but the thought of you leaving Niameda, to an entirely new place, is something I believe you need." She paused, searching for the right words.

Kazi turned her head towards Nia, eyes wide with disbelief. "Nia, you cannot be serious about allowing her to go to a whole new kingdom? One that Ivamis and Niameda have no alliance with?"

Adanna encouraged by Nia's words, stood up. She began pacing the room, her voice growing louder and more animated as she spoke. "But Kazi, listen! This could be a marvelous opportunity! The rewards alone are incredible, even for our family's means. Three thousand crowns just for participating? That is more than some earn in a lifetime! And the chance to travel? I have never even left Niameda! Imagine, an entirely new kingdom, with griffins and perhaps even..." she trailed off, her voice filled with wonder.

Adanna's rambling continued, her eyes shining with excitement as she painted a vivid picture of the kingdom of Aerionia. "The culture there is said to be rich in music and dance, with festivals happening almost every night! Imagine.."

Kazi, however, had heard enough. Slapping her hand on the table, she cut Adanna off sharply, "Enough rambling, Adanna!"

Adanna stopped, looking at her sister sheepishly. Annoyance flashed across Kazi's features, but Nia merely raised an eyebrow, silently encouraging her sister to continue. With a sigh, Adanna took a seat back down, her enthusiasm somewhat muted. "I suppose I do get carried away sometimes," she admitted. "It is just that the idea of experiencing something new, something so different from what we know here...well, it is exciting."

"Look," Kazi began, her voice softening slightly, "we understand you are upset about the ball incident. However, running off to some strange kingdom to vie for a Duke's favor is hardly the answer."

Silence hung heavy in the room as Adanna's words faded away, leaving an air of longing and curiosity. Kazi sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Do you think Father will allow it, Nia?" she mumbled, a worried frown creasing her brow.

"Perhaps, if we can convince him," Nia responded with a thoughtful frown.

Adanna, eyes wide and pleading, interjected into their exchange. "Please, Kazi! You must let me go!" she begged, her voice barely above a whisper. "Oh, and what if I did not go alone? Maybe a companion could accompany me?"

Kazi shot her a skeptical look. "Accompany you? Who? Ife and Asha would surely have no interest in such an adventure, and Tanisi is out in the countryside. Nia and I are already married and are unable to chaperone you."

Adanna, began pacing the room, a determined look in her eye. She stopped abruptly, her hand slapping her forehead as inspiration struck. "What about...Princess Serena!" she exclaimed.

Both Kazi and Nia's heads snapped towards her, their expressions mirroring disbelief. Nia shook her head. "Kiyoshi would never allow it, Adanna. And besides, I highly doubt Princess Serena would be remotely interested in accompanying you on such a journey."

Adanna, however, remained resolute. Her voice, though shaky, held desperate conviction. "Please, Nia! You said Serena seeks a husband herself. I could escort her, and while she competes, I could explore Aerionia's wonders! This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, Nia. You know Aerionia rarely receives outsiders."

Nia bit her lip. "I am uncertain, Adanna," she mumbled.

Kazi, decided to test Adanna's logic. "Very well," she conceded, "let us hypothetically say you win the Duke's heart. What then?"

Adanna, however, remained oblivious to the sarcasm. "Well," she mumbled, fidgeting with her dress, "I have heard Aerionian men are quite handsome. But if no men notice me here in Niameda, I doubt they will look twice in Aerionia either!" She let out a frustrated huff, plopping down onto the couch. "I just wish I could do something exciting, something to make my life feel worth living again."

"Adanna, please do not talk about yourself like that." Kazi said as she rubbed her temples. "And another concern - how will you communicate? They speak an entirely different language in Aerionia."

Adanna, interjected firmly. "Kazi, please stop! No matter the obstacles, I will face them alongside Serena. So, will you allow me to bring her with me to Aerionia?" Her pleading eyes met Nia's, hopeful and determined. "Please, Nia."

Nia and Kazi exchanged a long, silent look. The decision weighed heavily on them. Finally, Nia sighed in resignation. "I would have to consult Kiyoshi first," she admitted, "and Kazi must obtain Father's approval. But we shall not stand in your way."

Adanna's face broke into a smile. "Oh my goodness, thank you!" she squealed, throwing her arms around Nia in a tight hug. Relief washed over her as she repeated her gratitude, showering Kazi with an enthusiastic hug as well. "I am leaving Niameda!" she declared, as she twirled around the room, laughter bubbling up from her chest. "I am really going to Aerionia!"