"The moment I saw her, a part of me walked out of my body and wrapped itself around her. And there it still remains."
~Arundhati Roy, The Ministry of Utmost Happiness
"I do not wish to go". Canary said, handing the letter back to Eddison. "Why? It's a good thing to get out of the house". Eddison said, pulling at her arm. "Do you know I have not seen Agustin since those two days after he proposed". Canary said. "Now I am seeing him with a crown prince of another kingdom". Canary said. Eddison sighed.
"I know maybe have a talk with him". Eddison said. "Me have a talk with uk shouldn't you be telling yourself that"? Canary snapped. Eddison nodded. "Good one but we have communicated through letters". Canary stared at Eddison with this dumbfounded expression to which he looked away guilty as charged.
"What is his name anyways"? Canary asked. "Who"? Eddison asked. "The foreign crown prince". "Ah Shayan Tsosie". Eddison answered. "Huh I knew someone named Shayan in Lyikar". "Could it be him"? Eddison asked. Canary shook her head no. "No, unfortunately Shayan was a popular name for boys in Lyikar". Eddison nodded. "Tearina will be there". Canary paused for a moment to think and then finally sighed. "Fine-". "Yes"! Eddison said, hugging her. "Only because Tearina is there". She said, pushing him off her.
"I heard his eyes are bright brown like yours". Letitia said helping Canary get ready. She put braids in Canary's hair that fell down her back laying on top of her curly Afro hair. "Blue looks so pretty on you". She said admiring Canary. "You're dressing me up as though I am seeing a suitor". Canary said, staring at herself in the mirror. "I could've worn a Granian style dress". Letitia shook her head.
"He's royalty from another kingdom you have to dress to impress now come along". Letitia said, dragging her out of the room. "She looks like a creature from the sea, why so flowy"? Thaddeus asked, staring at Canary. "Most Lyikarian dresses are flowy like this" Letitia said, rolling her eyes.
"I think you look perfect sister, let us be going now". Eddison said, putting Canary's hand on his arm. "Do tell us how it goes". Letitia said, walking them out the door.
"You seem to be gaining your weight back" Eddison said, staring at Canary's cheeks that were now back to their somewhat chubby state. Canary smiled and touched her cheek. "I know my arms are fuller now too". She said happily. "I'm happy that you're happy". Eddison said, opening the door for Canary. "Thank you". She said getting in.
They arrived at the palace being greeted by Shimon's servant and being led into a part of the palace that Eddison had never seen before. It was the guest part of the palace. Both Eddison and Canary were delightfully surprised, for it was just as if not more extravagant than the main palace. Garden of different flowers here and there passing by a greenhouse. "That place holds exotic plants". The servant said, noticing their curiosity.
"Some of our foreign guests seem to grow homesick so a lady king built a greenhouse hoping to ease some of that homesickness we change out the flowers every time a new foreigner comes".
"So you would have plants from Lyikar in there then". Canary said excitedly. The servant nodded with a smile and led them inside the palace.
There seemed to be more servants in the guest palace than it did the main Palace. The servant led them down this huge hall and up a long flight of stairs before finally stopping at a huge black door. He knocked twice and waited for someone on the other side to answer. The door opened to Numa whose eyes darted back and forth between Canary and Eddison. "You must be the Whitewoods". He said with a very thick accent.
"Yes". Eddison answered. "I am Eddison Whitewood and this is my sister Canary Whitewood". Numa nodded and opened the door and thanked the servant who left. "You are the last to arrive". Numa said letting them in.
"I do apologize-". "You aren't late just the last to arrive". Numa chuckled. "No need to grow worried. They enter red with Agustin,Tearina, and Shimon already sitting down. Canary and Tearina waved hi to each other excitedly with Canary rushing to sit down and hug Tearina.
Eddison nodded at Agustin and Shimon and followed behind Canary and sat down next to her. Eddison scanned the room looking for Shayan who was nowhere to be seen. Numa, who was watching the siblings, sensed this. "My liege had to relieve himself; he shall be back soon". Numa said. "Ah okay". Eddison said.
"I am Numa Nez". Numa said, holding his hand out. Eddison smiled and shook his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you". Numa looked at Canary and then at Agustin who was talking to Shimon. "It is rumored that these two are engaged". Numa said, pointing between the two of them. The room went quiet with everyone staring at Canary and Agustin.
"Trouble in paradise already? You two haven't talked since Lady Whitewood walked into the room". Neither one of them answered or tried to refute what Numa was saying. Agustin just nodded like he was a pecking bird. Which annoyed all four of them. "Never mind then I shall drop that topic" Numa said.
"I heard the Whitewood family have the most beautiful eyes". Numa said, staring at Canary. "Ah thank you". Canary said. "My liege had those golden brown eyes also". Numa smiled. "He does"? Eddison said both him and Canary exchanged confused looks between each other. "Yes he does". Numa said. Two knocks went at the door causing them all to jump but Numa.
"That must be him". Numa said, staring at the door as it opened. They all stared at the door as it opened. Eager to see what would come out the other side, even Tearina,Agustin, and Shimon who had already seen Shayan. He came out the other side with a bright huge and friendly smile.
"Shayan"! Canary screamed and stood up. "Canary". Shayan rushed over and hugged her. "How"! Canary said, hugging him tightly. "They-they know each other"? Shimon stammered. Numa nodded.
"Childhood friend although they haven't seen each other in a long time my liege was most excited to see her again". Numa said, staring at them. "How did you become crown prince"! Canary said, slapping Shayan's arm. "Ah long story". Shayan chuckled.
Numa fake cleared his throat. "My liege not everyone here speaks Lyikarian it would be rude to talk in a different language". "Oh I'm sorry". Shayan said, looking around. "Your brother"? Shayan said, looking at Eddison. Canary nodded.
"Hello". Eddison said standing up. "Do not bow". Shayan said, stopping him from doing so. "You are my best friend brother". He said taking Eddison's hand and shaking it instead. "Uh shall we get out of this stuffy room"? Shayan said, looking around.