Years of love have been forgot, In the hatred of a minute.
~Edgar Allan Poe, The Complete Stories and Poems
That night as Amara fled the study of her brother. She ran straight into her mothers arms weeping telling her all that befell her in her brothers study which in reality morning had befell her. Her dumbness of thinking that Canary was after Agustin.
How they were flirty (her imagination) and talking in Lyikarian,how Canary would not come back to Grania and would stay in Lyikar and there help the crown prince duke. So her mother who seemed to despise her own daughter from the moment she as born webbed a plan as some vicious spider full of venom at her own daughter.
One that would ruin all of Canary's plans to go back to Lyikar permanently. No one knew her plans, not even Amara, who she had made these plans to help her get her own way. What was it that had made Alexia this way towards her own daughter? She would reap what she sowed as told by her mother but Alexia did not believe this and thought she was a upright and righteous mother.
She was not and her actions showed more and more. Before the dinner she had harmed Canary more than words. The first ever and it seemed her anger and impatience was brought on by her youngest and favorite child Amara. She took her frustration out on Canary. That day when Canary and Agustin had had their talk in the garden was the day Canary's eerie silence had begun.
Alexia had scolded and put down Canary and if it wasn't enough she had struck the girl. Leaving fear in both of their eyes. Alexia fear of what she had done and Canary fear of what more Alexia could do. She had struck Canary in the face leaving a scratch on her face. This was reason Agustin had not seen Canary until dinner and when he had seen her she was still silent.
So while Agustin was looking to talk to Canaru she was looking to stay away from him. Which all ended when the two of the decided to become friends. Which would soon began th torments of Canary. The crown prince and Agustin had left much earlier than the Whitewoods with them following long afterward to their estate in the capital for the debutant ball that would be happening in the royal palace.
Alexia had suddenly came into Canary's room looking around at her Lyikaria dresses. "You shall wear your hair down and a Lyikarain dress for the debutant ball". She said leaving afterwards not even giving Canary a chance to ask what this was about.
So they braided her hair leaving most of it down the maids murmuring to themselves about how huge her hair was. How much it was. Canary still did not utter a word and a dress she wouldn't dare to put on (but would wear in lyikar) for the first time she wore gold. A gold Lyikarian dress that was a flowy as it was beautiful. It seemed to move like th very wind was under it.
The maids stared in awe as Canary and her handmaiden that she had kept since her birth Genna fixed the dress. Whispering and talking quickly in Lyikarian the maids didn't understand them but they didn't care they were too busy in awe at the dress that Canary was wearing.
Lyikarian fashion was different than Granian fashion. Whereas Grania liked things stitched and in place Lyikar loved flowy and elegant fashion. A elegant plain others would call Lyikarian fashion. Not many jewels were in the gown and suits of lyikarian attire. Embroidered gold was in most of the attires.
What they seemed to lack in jewels they made it up with their embroidery. The embroidery looked like jewelry itself like crushed jewels on the attire. Whereas Grania had gems everywhere sown into the garments.
"Is that embroidered gold". One of the maids asked hesitant. Genna and Canary looked at each other and then the maid. She nodded. "Do they not have embroidered clothes here". Canary asked. "In gold"! The maid asked. "Yes, gold threads". Canary said, stepping down from the podium she was on.
"That's what was used to make my dress gold threads". The maids shook their heads no. "I think that's something only in Lyikar". "Hmm". Canary said another business plan coming into her head. Genna smiled knowing what this thought was and began to help her with her make up.
She spent the rest of the day zoned out from thinking of the golden thread she could help Agustin and the crown prince with. Even the journey over to the capitol she was lost in thought. Eddison and Thomas knew to leave her alone when she was lost in thought like this sooner or later she would come to them and tell them her thoughts.
But Alexia and Amara liked to bother Canary when she was in this state. But today neither of them bothered them. Which seemed to mark something devious. The ride was all but quiet up until they had arrived at the royal palace. White and splendid in all of its ways. Of black and gold marble the royal palace was. It seemed much grander illuminated under the moonlight with the specks of gold shining upon its pearl pillars.
All eyes were upon the Whitewoods and they stepped out in their gold and white attire looking to see Amara and Canary who never seemed to come to the events. Rumor it was that she was coming and that this year would be the year that she would get married. Canary was blind to it all; she did not know of any rumors and thought the subtle glances and whispers were people talking about Amara.
They entered into the dark halls of the royal palace Evendeen was it called. Everything seemed dark with black marble and gold specks everywhere. It was lit up with golden lamps. Some awed wondering how the royal family had created these things but to those who knew the dark history of Evendeen and the blood that had been shed here nothing was amazing to them.
Canary being one of the people that weren't amazed as her father no matter how close he was with the king. They entered into the ballroom the only place in the palace that seemed to have color with the butler announcing their name as they walked in they bowed to the king and all of them left but Thomas who was talking and laughing with the king.
All Shimon( was sitting on the right side of his father ) could do was painfully smile and wonder when Agustin would get here. And soon he came not too long after the Whitewoods. Dressed in green and silver. Many were confused on why he was wearing green and silver when the colors of house Abarca were green and gold. Perhaps too many houses were wearing gold.
Who knows. He greeted the royal family with the king staring down at him as if he was some type of scum and then politely smiled at Agustin. "Duke Abarca have you been introduced to the Wolf family"? The king said pointing at the Wolf family that was beside Thomas. "No your Highness I do not think I have". Agustin replied.
"Elric Wolf is a viscount his son Stellan wolf shall be helping you on your task with the Lyikarian since my son will be busy with his pregnant wife". "I beg you pardon your highness I do not need help-". Agustin said bewildered and worried about this sudden change. What did the king have planned? What was going on and what was he up to? "If I think you need the help I will give you help". The king said annoyed. "However you and Stellan wish to talk that is up to you". The king said huffing back into his throne.
"You are dismissed". The king said finally. Agustin tried hard to not ball his hands up with frustration and Shimon could see this so he hurriedly got up and walked after Agustin who bowed as he quickly left. Canary seeing this wished to chase after him but was held back by Alexia who then removed her from the ballroom into a private room where a woman and a man who looked to be her age.
He had reddish brown hair and freckles that seemed to fit his brown skin. He looked like he didn't want to be here. And the woman seemed all too happy as did Alexia. Canary looked behind her at the blocked door by a man so tall and huge she wondered whether he was truly human or not. "What's the meaning of this"? Canary stammered.
"This is the man you will be marrying". Alexia smiled.
"I beg your pardon". Canary said freaking out. "Marrying who does father know about this". "He will soon know". Alexia said stinking her venous fangs into Canary even more she dragged her to the couch where the man was standing and made her sit down followed by the boy. "Canary this is Stellan wolf". Alexia said introducing her.
"Lord Wolf, this is my daughter Canary Whitewood". Alexia grinned. "How do you do". Stellan said barely staring at Canary. Ringing sounds were going off in Canary's head. What was going on? Why was she here? Her getting married surely father didn't agree to this. He knew she was going to Lyikar.
"We've heard about the ruby mine and how it would help with the mission that the king has given Stellan". The woman said. "Ruby mine-"? Canary cracked. "Yes ruby mine I see this as a very good offer with Canary finally getting married and us getting into good graces with the king once more". The woman said.
"With who's ruby mine"? Canary said. "Seeing I am the only person here with a ruby mine and I have not given anyone permission to use it who's ruby mine will we be using to hold this supposed marriage"! Canary hissed. The woman looked at Alexia confused on what was going on.
Then Canary had perceived that this was Lady Wolf Stellan's mother. While she was doing all the talking Stellan sat quietly only looking at Canary when she denied use of her mine. Stellan was taken back by Canary's boldness. She looked at someone innocent and timid. Someone who would be scared and not able to say a word but here she was almost yelling at the top of her lungs.
Alexia stared at Canary in the silent confusion as if she could kill Canary. But Canary did not back down. Her eyes were as firm and fierce as her grandmothers and when Alexia saw that Canary would not back down she dismissed Lady Wolf and Stellan. "We shall talk later". She said, guiding the two out of the room.
She turned and hurried and sent a slap so hard against Canary's face that it sent her flying off the couch with a loud shriek from Canary so loud that even Lady Wolf and Stellan stopped in their tracks. "Let us continue". Lady Wolf said, pulling Stellan on. Canary sat on the floor sobbing and holding her cheek in pain. She looked back at Alexia who bent down and stared at her with no emotion in her eyes. "You even cry like them". She said, almost disgusted.
"You cannot do this father-". "What father wouldn't allow it". Alexia said mocking her. "The truth of the matter is is that father did allow it". Alexia chuckled. "We've heard of your plans to help that Abarca boy and the crown prince with the task that the king has given them". "Did you really think we would let you do that"? "Did you really think I was going to let you take Agustin away from Amara"?
"What are you saying"?! Canary said trying to stand up but Alexia pushed her back down. "If you shall help with this task you shall help someone that is on the kings said". Alexia hissed. "Rarely does your father listen to me but when I brought up that we would never see his sweet Everleigh and that you would be giving help to the crown prince why he just had to go along with me". Alexia chuckled.
Canary began to stand up with Alexia standing up with her. "And what makes you think that I have to follow this"'! Canary shouted. "You live under our house our rules you are under your father". "So this is why you've been trying to stop me from leaving"? "For my mine"?
Canary was as tall as she was short seething with the confidence and poise as her grandmother. Alexia had forgotten who had raised Canary the same person who had raised her and taught her never to back down when something wasn't right. Indeed it wasn't right Canary's eyes were as sharp as her mother and Alexia could see the wheels turning in her head. "I shall tell uncle Lumus that I will not take my inheritance". Canary hissed. "You guys will never touch my grandfathers mine". "Ever"!
Alexia let out this bloodcurdling scream grabbing Canay as she might take the very life of her and striking her again. Canary felt a sharp pain and then warmth running down her face. She did not know what her mother had struck her with only it left a long cut on her face.
Canary held her cheek and looked at her hands that had red all over them. "It-"! Alexia growled. "Is not up to you whether you will give the mine not or we will find a way to get the mine whether you hand it to us or not"! "Let go of me". Canary said as calm and cold as she had ever been. Leaving Alexia stunned at Canary's coldness her bright brown eyes pierced through Alexia and now it wasn't her mother she had been staring at but Thomas.
She let go of Canary and Canary walked up to the huge man who seemed to not want to move to let Canary go. But Canary was not moved by this huge man and him trying to intimidate her. She stared right back up at him as he stared down at her. "You will let me leave". Canary said. "Or I shall scream and let the whole palace know that my mother has attacked me and some man has held me captive this can also be considered kidnapping". She said looking over at her mother.
The man moved out of the way letting Canary leave down the dark halls of Evendeen painting the floors of the blood from her cheek. The servants passing by could not help but look at the sight. Canary was more anger than she was sad. Her father had betrayed her and her mother who she didn't expect much from had also had a hand in this. She was not very close to Thomas but she never believed that he would do something like this.
Her golden dress was stained also and she looked for somewhere to sit. Not to let out a cry she had given all her tears away after moving back to Grania. But somewhere for silence where she could gather her thoughts. She walked between the pillars of the dark halls the only thing lighting them was her golden dress and golden lamps that lit the wall.
She had thought no one would see her but one did. Agustin had saw the flashing of her dress while being calmed down by Eddisom and Simon. Upon seeing her he was no longer upset about what the king had said. But what was wrong with Canary and why a path of blood followed her.