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

❀ꗥ～ꗥ❀ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 ❀ꗥ～ꗥ❀

Finally three hours had passed and Adanna was lost in the beauty of the garden, her fingers caressing the petals of a cobalt blue flower. She barely noticed the murmurs rising as the Duchess and her maids appeared, the other women already facing their tables.

"Ladies!" Duchess Isabella's voice called out.

Adanna was brought back to reality as she turned around. A large circle of tables had been set up in the garden, each table holding a single crystal vase and a long line of griffin feathers – each of them different in colour and texture. Adanna's gaze drifted from the fiery red feathers to the bright yellow ones.

The other competitors, a sea of worried faces, stood beside their respective tables. Serena, her brow furrowed in concentration, was already examining the feathers spread before her. Adanna caught her eye and offered a reassuring smile, though her own heart was racing.

"Good afternoon ladies," Duchess Isabella announced as she took her place at the centre of the circle. The chatter died down instantly, replaced by a tense silence. The Duchess, ever the picture of poise, began to speak. "Today's challenge is designed to test an essential quality for any future leader of Aeronia – the ability to create a harmonious environment."

A murmur of curiosity rippled through the crowd. Adanna watched as the Duchess gestured towards the tables.

"Before you lie the fallen feathers of our griffins," she explained. "These magnificent creatures are not harmed in any way. Naturally, they shed their feathers throughout the year." She paused, allowing the information to sink in. "As the future Duchess, you shall be responsible for ensuring the well-being of your people," the Duchess continued. "Part of this responsibility lies in creating an atmosphere conducive to peace and prosperity. And what better way to do so than by bringing beauty and harmony into your surroundings?"

The Duchess then launched into the specifics of the challenge. "Your task today is to arrange the provided feathers in the crystal vases before you. There are a few key points to remember." Her voice turned serious. "The vase must contain at least seven feathers. You may use the same color of feather a maximum of three times, and these repetitions cannot make up the entirety of the arrangement. Ultimately, your creation should be pleasing to the eye, a visual representation of balance and harmony."

A collective gasp escaped the assembled women. Some, particularly the griffin riders, nodded in understanding. Others, like Adanna and Serena, felt their stomachs twist in knots. The thought of creating something beautiful with such a limited set of tools and under the scrutinizing gaze of the Duchess and her peers was daunting.

The challenge seemed deceptively simple, yet Adanna knew that the complexity of griffin feather arrangement was not to be underestimated. The Duchess continued, her gaze sweeping over the room. "Five of you shall be leaving Aeronia today," she announced, a note of finality in her voice. "Only the top thirty-five will proceed to the next round."

A wave of panic surged through Adanna. Five eliminated so early? This competition was to be tougher than she anticipated.

"Lastly," the Duchess concluded, her voice laced with a hint of warning, "any attempt at cheating, whether through seeking assistance or using feathers not provided, shall result in immediate disqualification."

"When the bell rings," the Duchess declared, raising a small handbell, "your time shall begin. You have one hour to complete your arrangements. May the most creative and resourceful amongst you prevail."

A tense silence enveloped the garden as the Duchess signalled the start of the challenge with a delicate ring of the bell. The contestants rushed and started grabbing feathers for their tables, whilst Adanna gripped the edge of the table, her gaze fixed on the vibrant feathers before her.