Adanna stood up; her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Who could possibly be here to see me?" she muttered under her breath. She looked at her sisters before walking out of the drawing room. As she made her way to the entranceway, she froze, her eyes widening at the sight of the figure standing before her. The woman, with her long black hair, beautiful brown skin, and striking brown eyes, was dressed in a stunning sari. Their eyes met, and a moment of recognition passed between them before they both squealed with excitement and ran into each other's arms.
"Nandini Kapoor, is that really you?" Adanna asked, her voice muffled against her friend's shoulder.
"Who else would it be, my dear friend?" Nandini replied, returning the embrace just as tightly. "It has been far too long!" Adanna stepped back to look at her friend, admiring the way she'd grown into herself over the years.
"When did you return to Niameda?"
"I arrived just yesterday. How have you been?"
"I am doing well, thank you. Come, let us go to the drawing room," Adanna said, leading Nandini towards the room.
As Adanna opened the door, Asha and Ife's eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Nandini. Nandini Kapoor, Adanna's childhood friend, was a dragon tamer whose family had resided in Niameda for a few years while her father had inherited an estate here. However, when they were 13, Nandini moved back to Scaleonia, the kingdom of dragons, while her brother remained in Niameda until his late teens.
"Nandini!" Ife exclaimed, leaping off the sofa to envelope Nandini in a warm hug. "It has been years! How are you?"
"Ife, is that you? My, how you have grown! If I recall correctly, you were only 11 when I left Niameda," Nandini said, her eyes sparkling with affection. She then turned to Asha, who remained seated, still in shock. "Asha, how are you?"
"I-I am quite well, thank you," Asha stammered, slowly rising from her seat. "It has been far too long." She offered Nandini a small smile, still in shock at the sight of her. Asha straightened her gown before attempting to make her way out of the drawing room. Nandini stopped her, her voice gentle yet firm.
"Ishaan asked about you," she said. "He hopes you are doing well."
Asha turned to face Nandini, a small smile playing on her lips. "I am not interested in anything Ishaan might say about me," she replied, her voice soft but steady. "But it is good to see you, Nandini. However, I kindly request that you refrain from discussing me with him in the future." With those words, Asha gracefully exited the drawing room, leaving the others alone.
Ife and Adanna exchanged glances as their sister left the room. "I shall leave you two to catch up," Ife said with a small smile before she exited the drawing room.
Adanna turned to Nandini, her expression apologetic. "I'm sorry about her-"
"It is fine," Nandini interrupted, waving her hand dismissively. "Whatever happened between those two does not involve us. Come, let us sit." She gestured towards the couch, and Adanna led her over.
As they settled into the couch, a maid approached and handed Nandini a steaming cup of tea. Adanna leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, I heard you recently got married."
Nandini's face lit up with a radiant smile. "Yes, it was a truly magical affair."
"If I recall correctly, you married a wizard, is that right?" Adanna asked, arching her eyebrow.
"Yes, that is correct," Nandini replied, her expression softening. "Lord Thaddeus Blackthorn is not only a powerful wizard but also an extremely kind and caring individual. I feel blessed to have found him."
"However, it was a miracle that my parents allowed such a union, especially after my sister's arranged marriage to a duke in Scaleonia." Nandini took a sip of her tea before continuing, "My father always believed that magic and dragon blood did not mix, but my mother insisted that love conquers all. Thankfully, she was proven right when my parents not only attended the wedding but also gave their blessing."
"Well, as long as you're happy," Adanna said, reaching out to give her friend's hand a gentle squeeze.
"I am," Nandini assured her. "To be honest, it was quite interesting integrating Scalonian culture with Ember-glow traditions, but overall, we are doing well." She took a sip of her tea before turning the conversation back to Adanna. "Now, enough about me. What about you?"
Adanna sighed, a hint of frustration in her voice. "Nothing much has happened with me. As you know, Nia and Kazi got married, and as the third daughter, everyone expects me to wed soon. Yet, it seems I attract dust more than suitors."
They both shared a laugh, "I must say it was a surprise when I heard Kazi, of all people, got married. I remember when we were young, she would tell us we should never get married!"
"I remember that!" Adanna laughed, the memories flooding back. "Do you recall when she made us promise to all become soldiers?"
"Oh, my goodness, yes!" Nandini giggled, nearly spilling her tea. "I cannot even hold a sword! How could I have become a soldier?"
"Speaking of swords, I recall your brother is in school, right?" Adanna asked, a gleam in her eye.
"Yes, Ishaan is in Scaleonia, studying to become a skilled dragon tamer. I believe he should complete his studies in a few years' time." Nandini paused, a thoughtful expression crossing her face.
"A few years?" Adanna's eyes lit up with interest. "That requires a lot of dedication, I must say."
"He is very determined, and I'm incredibly proud of him," Nandini said, smiling softly.
The two friends continued to converse for hours, catching up on their lives and reminiscing about the past. As the sun began to set, Nandini bid Adanna farewell and made her way home.
As Nandini departed, Adanna turned back inside, her eyes catching sight of Asha ascending the stairs. A flicker of concern crossed her face as she called out, "Asha!"
Asha paused, her hand resting on the banister as she turned to face her sister. Adanna quickly closed the distance between them, her voice soft and filled with worry. "Are you alright?"
"I am fine," Asha replied, her voice slightly distant. "Why do you ask?"
Adanna hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "You know, you still have not told us what happened between the two of you... between you and Ishaan."
Asha's eyes met Adanna's, a silent plea for understanding evident in her gaze. "Adanna, I am grateful for your concern, but I do not wish to dwell on the past." Her words were gentle but firm, leaving no room for further discussion.
With a slight nod, Asha turned and continued her ascent up the stairs, her footsteps echoing softly in the silence that followed. Adanna watched her go, a mixture of confusion and concern lingering in her heart. She wanted to reach out, to offer comfort or understanding, but something held her back. Perhaps it was the knowledge that, in the end, some things were better left unsaid.
One sunny afternoon, Adanna found herself in the garden, tending to her favorite roses. She had always found solace in nature, and the gentle rustle of leaves and the sweet scent of flowers helped to calm her troubled thoughts. A butterfly flitted by, its wings a brilliant kaleidoscope of colors, and she couldn't help but smile.
Lost in the tranquility of the moment, she almost didn't hear the maid calling her name. Turning around, Adanna saw the young woman approaching her with a sense of purpose.
"Lady Adanna," the maid said, curtseying.
"Yes?" Adanna replied, her eyebrows raised in curiosity.
"What are you doing, my lady?" the maid inquired.
Adanna smiled, gesturing to the garden around her. "Gardening, as the eyes can clearly see. What is it?"
The maid hesitated, glancing at the garden before meeting Adanna's gaze once more. "My lady, your father requests your presence in his study," the maid informed her.
"Very well," Adanna said, clapping her hands together to remove the dirt from her fingers. She made her way back into the estate, her heart racing with trepidation. What could her father possibly want to discuss with her? As she approached the study, she took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She knocked on the door and waited for his permission to enter.
"Come in, Adanna," her father called out, his voice stern. She opened the door and stepped inside, taking in the familiar sight of his well-appointed study. Her father, Governor Nari, sat behind his desk and Asha and Ife sat in chairs in front of him.
"Father? Is anything the matter?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"Of course not," her father assured her, a warm smile on his face. "I simply wish to inform you and your sisters that there will be a ball held in a few days at night in honor of your late mother."
Adanna's eyes widened with delight. "That is a beautiful gesture, Father."
"I cannot wait!" Asha exclaimed, "All my friends shall attend."
Ife rolled her eyes at her sister's enthusiasm but remained silent as their father continued. "I wanted to inform you girls that I have made arrangements for Nia and Tanisi to come as well."
"Oh, that means we'll see our nieces and nephews!" Ife said, her face lighting up. "They are absolutely adorable!"
With the news shared, the sisters left the drawing room, each lost in their own thoughts. Adanna made her way to her chambers, her mind already whirling with possibilities. As she reached the window, she gazed out at the garden below, a determined look in her eye.
"I should use this opportunity to find a husband," Adanna murmured to herself, a plan forming in her mind. It was the perfect chance for Adanna to find a suitable match.
Adanna walked to her chamber's doorand called out for a maid. Within minutes, a young woman hurried into the room, ready to assist. "We have a ball to prepare for," Adanna declared, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.