Your friendship is like a beautiful flower that has bloomed in my heart
~ Author Unknown
"That was disappointing to say the least". Thomas said their father said dragging Canary by her arm so Agustin or anyone else wouldn't catch up with them. "My arm". Canary said but her voice was drowned out by the sound of the crowd. Women and men yelling how the duke could do something like that. To choose Canary Whitewood of all people. How he could take the opportunity from Stellan Wolf. Canary glanced through the crowds of chaos around her looking for Agustin and when she had found him he was getting scolded by the crown prince and some other man who was a lot older than him.
By chance Agustin had looked up and met eye contact with Canary. He smiled and waved at her getting even more of a scolding from the crown prince and the other man that was beside him. "And Stellanz'. Their mother shouted at their father. "Who cares about Stellan now he lost"! "Lost"! Thomas shouted. "And lost to known other than that brute of a duke"! "What shall I say to the emperor now"?
Throughout all of this the emotions of everyone was this. Thomas was angry, Canary was left confused and seen, Stellan was left upset to say the least not only had he lost he saw the way Canary and Agustin had made eye contact, and no one could tell what Agustin was thinking. "Embarrassing"! Their father kept repeating and yelling over and over. Even in the carriage he was doing this. Only Canary and Amara thought this was funny. The rest of the family was uncomfortable.
"I wish to not hear a word about this"! "Tomorrow at the races I'm pretty, everyone will be coming up to us asking questions! It's as if Abarca did this on purpose to cause chaos in our family"! Thomas yelled. Even though Thomas himself said this he still didn't let it go himself. Talking about it all day. At dinner, before he went to bed. Everyone was exhausted not even from being at the tournament all day but from Thomas complaining and being upset. So upset that Alexria had to order him some calming tea and Thomas didn't even like tea.
"I've never seen father be so mad". Amara said, fluffing the pillow on the bed. Canary giggled laying down next to Amara. "What do you think is going through the duke's mind"? Canary asked. "Maybe he likes you". Amara said in a hopeful and sweet voice. "Or perhaps pity me". Amara shook her hand and caressed Canary's cheek. "No, don't think like that pity what Canary you are a beautiful, smart, and sweet girl". "If father decides to go through with the proposal you know what father will do he will make me spy on him". Canary said worriedly. "So don't listen to him". Amara said.
"We have already prayed concerning this my sister let God do the work". Canary nodded and they both went to sleep. The next day everyone was getting ready for the summer activities that would be happening today. From horse races, to boat rides, etc. Everyone would be there its why everyone had come down to their countryside houses. Canary and Amara had decided to wear dresses that looked the same. Only Amara's was a green dress and Canary's was pink. They both wore these big sun hats and wore their hair down. The maid said she was doing Canary's hair but she was simply playing in it. Saying she would be done in a minute. Canary didn't mind she liked when her hair was played in it was soothing. The door opened with their mother coming in looking soddy. Her eyes looking down on everyone but Amara. She placed her eyes on Canary and her hair seething within. "You're wearing your hair down". Her mother said in this low tone indicating that she wasn't too pleased to see that Canary's hair was down.
"Yes". Canary said shortly. "I thought I told you you look unkept with your hair down like that". She said, "Amara's hair is down also". Canary said. Alexia looked over to Amara trying to find a way to counter Canary's debate. She couldn't and huffed away to Amara's side. Complementing Amara on how she looked. Running her hand down her hair. She despised Canary's hair not just because of the fact it was that raven color but the fact that it wasn't on Amara's head.
Canary didn't mind the words of her mother. She learned a long time ago that when her mother didn't see her affected by the thorny words she said it simply made her mother go away. Maybe Alexria wasn't only jealous of the fact Canary had the visuals Amara didn't but the fact that Amara's and Canary's sister bond was strong and growing even more stronger as they aged. As soon as Canary had come back to the family after her parents death Amara and Canary quickly bonded. Alexria was okay with this at first seeing that Canary was insecure and standing off from the family.
This stopped Canary and Amara's bond from growing even closer. But something had changed recently. Was it because Amara had debuted or the fact they could both be getting married this year had grown them closer? Contrary to what Alexria had thought it was simple communication that had brought the girls together. She seethed in her jealousy as Amara and Canary walked hand and hand to the carriage and even when they were in the carriage they were holding hands. They exited and walked around the summer festivals holding hands. Smiling and looking at everything.
"The horse races are starting"! Amara yelled back to her mother. It was only the three of them for now. Relina was at home sick, and their father and brother would come later after finishing up business. Amara and Canary ran to the area where the races were being held. Their eyes lit up as the huge horses and men walked to their starting areas. Everyone was lively and laughing. Wondering who would win this year's race. "We should hurry and find a seat". Canary said excitedly. "This is the first I've seen you so excitedly". A man's voice said behind the three. They turned around to see Agustin, Shimon, The crown princess whose name was Tearina her hair was black as night and so were her eyes. It was unreal Canary had never seen eyes such a dark brown before. Tearina smiled at the three women her rosy cheeks were as a flower had kissed her. So were her lips, her skin was this peachy pale color.
She was elegant draped in different color blues and silver. Her black hair was down and some was put up intertwined with braids and curls. Amara and Canary looked at their own clothes; they wore short sleeves and dresses that were fit for the summer. Tearina wore this extravagant dress. Though the sleeves were long the fabric was thin so it was okay for the summer. "Do you mind if we sit together"? Agustin asked. "We mind-". "Yes"! Amara interrupted their mother.
"My fiancee should be here soon himself the more company the better"! Amara said joyfully. "Great". The crown prince said. "I am Tearina Longoak". She courtesy at the girls who courtesy back and introduced themselves to her. They soon found their seats which was the front row of the stands. Better to see the horses race. Agustin and Canary, someone who sat next to each other with Alexria sitting between Amara and Canary. For the first time in forever Alexria intertwined her arms between Canary. Protective of her from Agustin.
Canary didn't know whether she felt happy about this or uncomfortable from the sudden affection her mother was showing her. "Who are you rooting for". Agustin asked. "Shadowknight". Canary said. "Ah the friesian". Agustin smiled. "A very good horse mine own is a Murgese, his name is Zaikic". "Zaikic"? Canary said, confused. "Ah in our language it is called sky as far as the sky runs, so does Zaikic. He loves to run". Canary smiled. "The olden language of Qiaiar in the new language sky is pronounced a little similar. Zaiqiu is sky in the new language". They both chuckled.
"Yes I know some of the new language of Qiaiar you should learn some of the olden language that way we can communicate". "And what purpose would she have for that"? Alexia interrupted. There was a silence before Agustin spoke. "Considering the fact that I have presented Canary with the flower crown sooner or later Lord Whitewood will have to answer my proposal". "Oh you were serious about that". Alexia said with a worried expression. "Serious as a war Lady Whitewood". Agustin smirked. "Wouldn't want the emperor to get involved would we? You know he takes these matters very seriously".
"Ha"! Alexia scoffed. "You do know Stellan Wolf has spoken for her". "Not to my knowledge or anyone else's knowledge has he spoken to her with those bundles of flowers he laid on her lap"? "Yes I have". Stellan's voice came from behind them, leading everyone in the row including those around looked at him. "My Lady". He said bowing at Canary and the others. "Could I sit with you"?
"Behind sure". Agustin answered for Canary. "There's no room in this row". He grinned a mischievous grin. "Then I shall sit behind Lady Canary". Stellan said and stumbled his way through others in the row. He sat down directly behind Canary gaining the looks of others he had just stumbled through. "So which horse will you be rooting for today Lady Canary"? "Oh Shadowknight". Canary. "Ah the black horse huh I shall be rooting for evergreen he shall be sure to win". Canary nodded.
"Do you like horses"? Stellan asked. "I like animals in general". Canary said with a smile just thinking about the different animals. "In Qiaiar they have a lot of animals that roam around. Sometimes my grandparents also gave me a lot of pets, some are still in Qiaiar to this day being cared for". "Qiaiar huh". Stellan said. "I heard you were raised there". "Your father is here". Alexria said, standing up and waving to him. "Stellan, why don't you come talk with us". "I would like that". Stellan said smugly, staring at Agustin thinking he had the upper hand. They both walked away meeting Thomas with Stellan's father.
Canary watched them as they walked away talking and laughing. Something in her screamed, worried that the Wolf family would be just like her mother and father. She had noticed that Stellan didn't really care about the fact that she loved animals. Only the fact that she had been raised in Qiaiar. It was a known fact that the Wilters had business ties in Qiaiar and that they had given Canary a percent of that. She held her hands together, continuing to watch them talk and walk away.
"So you like animals huh". Agustin said, drawing her attention away from the mess that was her mother and father. "Oh yes I love them very much". Canary said. "I used to have a black cat when i came to the capitol with my grandparents. I named her Nara". Agustin saw how excited Canary was talking about this cat. Was intrigued and wanting to know more about her began to ask more question. "Where is Nara now"? "Oh". "Well when my grandparents died i took her to my parents home and well my father didn't really like animals like that so one day when i came back from my uncles home from my mother side of the family Nara was gone and I had learned from the maids that father had released the cat outside". "I never did find Nara again no matter how long i called and looked for her".
Agustin took a deep swallow at Canary's quietness and the look of reminiscing in her eyes. "Well I have a stable of horses. One day we shall go see them together. Maybe I'll even let you have one and you can call it Nara". Canary let out a laugh that even Amara and her fiancee Emilio had never heard. "And how shall we do that my lord". "We still have time until your father answers". Agustin said. Canary, shocked, did not respond and stared wondering what was going on in his head for him to say things like that.
"It looks like shadowknight did win afterall". Agustin said, smiling at Canary. After the horse race. They all stayed in a group with the women mostly talking and the men talking amongst themselves. "Do you think they have shaved ice"? Tearina asked. "Thye should shall we look for some"? Amara asked, leaning over to gather the men's attention. "Yes"? Emilio asked. "Lets go look for shaved ice". She said. "Shaved ice"? "Tearina"? Shimon said with a raised eyebrow. Terrine looked away whistling. "You would think someone who comes from a cold region would grow out of cold food by now". "I could never"!
"Come along". Amara said to Canary who was sort of sticking behind. "Actually is it okay okay if me and lord Abarca stay behind I would like to have a word with him we will meet you guys here". "Okay". Everyone agreed and walked away to go on their journey to look for shaved ice.
There was thai huge tree that Agustin and Canary went under. It was on some sort of hill that overlooked everything below. Canary sat down with Agustin joining her. "Everything okay"? Agustin said. But Canary couldn't read whether he had a face of worry or not. His face was simply straight his eyes staring as he saw right through her. Canary cleared her throat. "If my father comes up to you about the proposal you have to reject any and everything". Canary said. "Matter fact lets forget everything about the marriage proposal".
"I beg your pardon"> Now Canary could read the expression on Agustin's face a look of confusion on why she was doing and telling him this. "Over the past week through our letters though it might not be the same for you but I've gotten to think of you as a very dear friend, maybe one of my only friends". "I think of you as a friend too, even a marriage partner". Canary shook her head. "My father will use me as a spy if I marry you, you have to say no and forget about this". "Say it was just something as a friend".
"If I do that wont everyone in the social scene think of you as a joke". Agustin scoffed. "They already think of me as joke its been three years since my debutante". Canary sighed. "And whom shall you marry that Wolf man". Agustin stood up grabbing Canary up with him. "You don't even like him". "You don't like me like that either". Canary said, snatching her arm away from Agustin. "Better married with a friend than with a stranger". Agustin shouted after at her as he walked down the hill with her.
"Me and you were strangers a week ago". Canary said. "Ouch". She stopped and turned around. "Whatever the case may be, you cannot agree to the marriage even if you're the one who started all of this". Agustin smiled at her and crossed his arms. Again Canary could not read the expression on his face. Did he think this was funny? Was Canary a joke? Was he not believing her words? "I'm serious". "I know you're serious". Agustin said.
"Then why are you just standing there staring and smiling at me"? "Nothing, it's just both siblings are just so honest". Agustin chuckled. "I will not reject any marriage plans your father brings up to me neither will I let you marry that proud of a man". Agustin walked passed Canary leaving her speechless. "I- What"! "What do you mean what its just what I said I will be the one to marry you". Agustin said smiling at her and walking away, "Wait we told them we would meet them here"! Canary said, chasing after him.