"If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything".
~Mark Twain
"What"? Canary said. "What"?! And even louder came behind the two. They looked behind them to see Eddison and Thomas standing there. Who were furious at what was going on. But upon seeing the bandage on Canary's face their anger had faded away. "What happened to your face"? They said rushing over to Canary. Thomas glared at Agustin who held his hands up.
Thomas dared to touch Canary's face but upon seeing the way that Canary looked at her he withdrew his hand. "Mother did this". Canary said plain and bluntly. "Mother"! Eddison said bewildered. "Yes she also told me how father intends to keep me here in Grania marrying me off to the Wolf family"! Canary said staring at Thomas tears began to well up in her eyes.
Leaving all three of them lost for words. Agustin didn't know Canary was this bold to confront her father out in the open like this; he thought she would at least wait until they were in private. More and more Canary began to reveal herself to Agustin and every time he was taken back and in awe.
"Tell it's not true"! Canary said. "It is true". Thomas said disappointed in himself. "Why"! Eddison said equally sad at the mourning and longing that he had witnessed in his sister. For he saw that she longed to go back to Lyikar and though he loved her more than words could express he would never hold her back from Lyikar.
"I have only spent seven years with you Everleigh and have come to love you more than words can express how could I send my child to Lyikar forever". Thomas said with pain in his eyes. "How can you say you love me when you have kept me from the very thing I love". Canary choked. "I do love you"! Thomas shouted a desperate plea. "I love you with all my heart". "I shall talk to the Wolf family and cancel our agreement". Thomas said, suddenly standing up.
"And how shall you do that"! Eddison shouted. "The wolf family is favored by the king who knows if they will plead their grievances with him and even you, how may he will call you his best friend will not be able to appease the kin if they take their grievances to him"! Eddison said. Agustin sighed. "We shall find a way".
"And what way is that you taking responsibility for my Everleigh"?! Thomas roared. "Father please"! Eddison pleaded. "We are already in this mess I don't know you loved Canary so much that you fall to mothers tricks". "A simple way to this all is telling the Wolf family that you do not wish to wed Istella to the wolf boy any longer". Agustin said annoyed.
"Istella who's Istella"? Thomas said, looking around. "Canary"? Agustin said confused. "Canary?! You've given my daughter a nickname"! "Father hush"! Eddison said stopping him from going into another jealous rant. "Tell them that you do not wish to marry Istella to them anymore and offer them something else". "The new business". Eddison said, looking at Thomas.
Thomas sighed not wanting to reveal or do business with the baby noble that the Wolf family was. They had only been viscounts for so many years. A family of warriors and the of weapons and armor. Long had it been a family that appeared with weapon and craft skills like the Wolf family. Having even an academy dedicated to these type of skills.
During his travel Thomas had come across an iron mine speedily remade arrangement to claim the mine and what better to do with an iron mine than to start a business with it. Ever needed was steel needed to help build and for weapons to wield. Thomas intended to start a construction business with the iron mine and the wooden area around the area.
It was a good idea to start the business with the Wolf family who was skilled in this kind of work. So hesitantly Thomas agreed this would be the way instead of Canary marrying Stellan. Though it would be hard for him to gain the trust of Canary back who barely looked at him. Even Eddison who was disappointed in Thomas for breaking Canary's heart and trust like this. But for Thomas it was worth it. Whatever length it was Thomas would go to get Eddison and Canary's trust back.
For Eddison and Canary were dear to Thomas. He did not know what happened with Amara and how she had turned out the way she did. Many times he tried to interfere with the way Alexia was raising Amara. He was more involved with Amara than he was with any of the other children. But Amara loved being spoiled and loved the attention of others; her personality was the spitting image of her mothers.Horrible as it is cruel.
Canary and Eddison although had every bit of personality of Thomas and his older brother who dwelt in his own land seldom did he ever come to Whitehill which sadden Thomas for they were close and the chaos Alexia had caused in their younger years which hurt him to speak of drew Teion away.
Canary was the spitting image of his brother Teion and sometimes Canary looked so much like Teion and reminded Thomas so much of Teion he wondered if Canary was truly his. They had the same shade of light brown eyes that burned as a fire in the sunlight. The same laughter and deep black hair which shined even darker upon the sun hitting it.
Eddison was no different. Of his calmness came Thomas and of his kindheartedness came his brother Teion. Eddison was ever kindhearted and though he had the hair and eye color of the Longwood family his looks were those of the Whitewood family.
And so he cherished the two of them deeply. Sneaking into Canary's room while she was sleep and holding her. In those days the Whitewood family was in chaos and seldom was he able to come home. He spent not much time with Canary whom then he had whispered the name intended to her Everleigh.
Great longing fell upon Thomas when Canary was sent away to live with his in-laws. Whom he could not fight to keep due the dangers happening within house Whitewood. Threats and whispers of usurping and killing Thomas and he not too long after sent Eddison away also to Teion. He began to send both Eddison and Canary letters growing closer to them through writing his happiness regaining and his sadness fading after every letter that was sent to him from them.
Eddison came back after the dangers were over but Lyikar was the only place Canary had known and so he would only see Canary sometimes when she came to Grania. He would not rip Canary away from her home. But once she had permanently move to Grania after the deaths of his in-laws he swore he would never let Canary go again.
But he could see the sadness of Canary and reluctantly and with great sadness agreed to let her back to Lyikar. Thomas never fell for the tricks of Alexia no never since their younger days. And Thomas then perceived that Alexia would try to use this seemingly weak spot concerning their children against him.
Never again would his fall for the snare turning his weak into a strong spot for his children. "I shall call for a doctor take your sisters d offer the butler to have our things sent to your uncle Lumus's house". Thomas said. "And Amara and mother"? "Though Lumus is her brother she will not be allowed anywhere near Canary if Amara wants to come let her come and if she wants to stay with you mother then let her be". Thomas said getting up in haste.
"Lord Abarca, if you would be so kind as to help my children home". Agustin nodded with a smile and all of them began to leave. Go their separate ways at the garden entryway. It was a quiet walk to the carriage. None of them saying anything for a while and Canary seemingly tired from all of the chaos of today.
She soon fell asleep in the carriage. Leaving just Agustin and Eddison awake. "What was the meaning of that in the garden"? Eddison asked Agustin. "Oh about taking responsibility"? "I was serious about that". "You were"? Eddison said a little bit disturbed that his friend and sister were making plans to marry.
"Why not"? "It would be easier to meet for business if we were married". "No questioning no scandals". Eddison sighed with relief. "Canary won't marry you then". "What how do you know". "Canary will only marry for love not for any arranged marriage".
"You don't know your sister then I bet she will marry me". Agustin said arrogantly. Eddison shook his head and stared down at the sleeping Canary. "You'll soon be disappointed then Agustin". Agustin disregarded the words of Eddison thinking he didn't know how Canary truly was. Thinking that just because she was a woman of knowledge and understanding she was different then the others.
But what Agustin didn't know was that Canary craved for a love like her grandparents or maybe one similar to it. She would never agree to an arranged marriage. That if she were to marry Stellan Wolf she would then find a way out of that marriage too. Maybe Agustin thought he would be different but he wasn't.
Though was Agustin's friend Eddison did not want him marrying Canary. He feared his fiery ways would burn her sweet and kind ways. Canary was like a field of flowers. Bringing joy and calmness and Agustin was like a volcano waiting to explode. For he would burn her fields of peace and joy fullness.
He wasn't the only person who didn't want him to marry Canary. Getting side eyed by Lumus longwood at the door. "Who-"? Lumus said but before he could finish his sentence his eyes fell on Canary. The bandage on her face and he held her face examining her for any other injuries. "What happened to her"? He was looking at Eddison.
"Mother". Eddison said hardly able to get the words out. "Alexia-"? Lumus said his voice filled with pain. Eddison and Canary nodded. "Call for a doctor". "Quickly". Lumus said to a servant.
"Do you know what she cut you with"? The doctor asked Canary. "No". Canary answered softly and tiredly. The doctor sighed and put a new bandage on Canary's face with ointment. "The lady seems tired". The doctor said looking back at the three men. "We shall let her get her rest". They men agreed and stepped out of Canary's room waiting for the real truth of the matter of Canary's scar.
"I don't know what type of weapon injured the young lady's face but good thing it won't leave a scar however I would like to discuss another matter with you". Lumus nodded waiting for whatever the doctor had to say. "It seems this isn't the first injury to the girls face". The doctor said.
"What do you mean"? Lumus and Eddison said at the same time. "Who's the guardian here"? Lumus scolded and Eddison shrank back from his overbearing. "It means the lady's face has been injured before seemingly it had just completely healed leaving a faint mark to a doctors eye but to others they would not be able to see it".
"Whoever is doing this and might I add it is in the same location at the same height which means the same person has done this twice I would be wary of who hangs around the young lady". The doctor looked back at the bedroom door worried about who would be trying to cause harm to Canary. "We-we already know who is doing this thank you for your concerns doctor". Lumus said tightening his fist.
"I would suggest the lady not join the rest of the events happening". "When will she be healed then will she be out for the rest of the social season"? Agustin said nervous about the promise they had made to each other. Leaving side eyes once more from Lumus who still was trying to figure out why he was here.
"When the ton goes down to the countryside for the events she should be free to go out". The doctor said, "Until then make sure she applies this medicine everyday". Lumus nodded, handing the bottle of ointment to Genna who had been standing there in silence and worry.
Lumus dismissed Eddison and Agustin and sat by Canary's bed for most of the night. Wondering if he had came to the ball would anything be different. For he swore to his parents he would watch over Canary once they had gone. A poor job it was that he was doing he thought. If it wasn't for the main businesses in Lyikar he would move back to Grania. But he couldn't leave them alone there. The business in Grania was handled by other people of the family but Lyikar was where the new main businesses of the family were.
Lumus couldn't leave them no not in their baby phase. They were started when he was a boy and grew more and more as he aged. When his parents died he assumed the Marquis title and continued with the businesses. A fight was it ever was with Thomas and Alexia to take Canary back. Every year he would come and take Canary for the social scene and beg Thomas to send her back to Lyikar with him. He would deny him every year but this year was different and Canary would be coming back with him.
But the bright light which seemed to shine in Canary had seemed to be dimmed by Alexia. And now all Lumus could do was blame himself for not fighting hard enough to bring his child that wasn't his back to her home. Alexia would not hear the last of it from Lumus. He stroked the black hair of Canary and sat back and sighed. Wondering what had gone on in that house and what Canary had endured from someone she called mother.
He would take her back to Lyikar under any means necessary this time.