"The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for."
~Bob Marley
~ six days before the death of grace(oblita)~
While Thomas dwelt on these thoughts Canary was dwelling on her own thoughts. She was zoned out at the possibility of Shayan and Numa knowing about the fire or even being involved in the fire.
Did they know she was going to be there? If they did, why would they proceed with it? No, why would they do it in the first place? What business did they have with allying with the king?
She was zoned out sitting in the family room with the rest of the family. Not knowing Alexia had her eyes on her and when she would make her next move now that she had known she was marrying Agustin. "Canary". She called. Canary instantly snapped out of her zoning out and an unease came over her at the sight of her mothers eyes on her.
"Yes ma'am". Canary answered as she stood up, making everyone in the family room look at her. "Come with me". Alexia smiled. But behind that smile Canary knew what it meant and she prepared herself for worse. "Actually I just remembered I have to borrow canary for something". Letitia said, stepping in.
"What"? Alexia said, looking bewildered. "Yes we were going to discuss over dresses for the upcoming ball". Letitia said, grabbing Canary. "Let us go Canary". "Ah yes". Canary said letting Letitia lead her out of the room.
It was silent as they walked down the hallway. It wasn't until Canary had realized Letitia was holding tightly on her arm that she spoke up. "Thank you and are you okay"? Canary asked. "Ah what"? Letitia said in her dazed state of what just happened. "You're holding onto me very tightly and you look like you're about to throw up". Canary said.
"Oh yes I'm fine". Letitia said. "Besides I truly wanted to discuss dresses for the upcoming ball with you". Letitia said. "Could we go to my room I also have something I want to ask of you". Canary asked. Letitia nodded excitedly for her daughter was asking her for advice. Usually Ede and Eamon wouldn't come to her for advice but would always go to Thaddeus for advice instead.
She was genuinely happy for someone to ask her for help. Not only because it was rare for someone to ask for advice but it was her daughter asking her for advice. A bond like a mother and daughter was something beautiful and Letitia felt she was experiencing it finally.
They entered into Canary's room and she sent the servants away and took Letitia by the hand and sat her down on the bed. Canary still held Letitia's hand. Tightly it seemed that she held it and Letitia held hers even tighter.
"I have something to ask someone but I don't don't have to go about asking the question". Canary said. "Troubles won't your fiancée"? Letitia asked. Canary shook her head no. "No troubles with a friend". Canary said.
"Uhh okay what's going on"? Leitita said. "The thing that father mentioned downstairs of how crown prince Shayan and Numa were around when the fire happened". Canary said. "I am afraid to ask them concerning that situation" Letitia nodded and sighed a deep sigh.
"All you can do is just ask". Leitita said. "If someone is your friend truly they will not hurt you nor will they deny you of the truth". "What if the truth makes me lose a friend? I don't have many friends". Canary said. Letitia smiled and pushed canary's hair behind her ear with a smile. "It's hard saying to hear but sometimes being your own friend is better than having friends at all". Letitia said.
"And if you lose a friend just like how we lose someone we thought was the love our life I promise you you will friend a better and been stronger friend and love than the one before" Letitia said. Canary nodded and Letitia hugged her tightly. "It's my first time giving advice, how'd I do"? Letitia joked. "Amazing". Canary laughed.
"Now". Letitia said. "Let's find our dresses for the ball". "Will you help me write a letter also?". Canary asked. "Of course I will".
~five days before the death of Grace (Oblita)~
Canary arrived at the palace. Alone this time. She stepped out the carriage nervously and was greeted by the same servant as last time who lead her to the greenhouse of the guest palace.
There sat Numa and Shayan who were busy talking. Numa was writing something down and when Canary appeared he tucked it away which only drew more to Canary's suspicions of them being involved in the fire.
"Canary"! Shayan said happily and joyfully. But what he received from Canary was not happy and joyful. "Let us talk in Plyeres". Canary said. Canary's face showed a look of anger and sadness, one that Shayan rarely saw. And rarely did Canary ever ask to talk in Plyeres..in fact the last time she had asked to speak in Plyeres was when they were children.
"Okay". Shayan said. "Numa you too shall be in this conversation ". Canary said, looking at Numa. Numa looked at Shayan for permission for he was nervous for this sudden situation. Shayan nodded nervous himself and Canary sat down to brace herself for this conversation.
"Numa did you know about the great fire". Canary said suddenly. Both Numa and Shayan's eyes widened and they looked between each other and Canary. "Canary-". Shayan began but she held her hand up with a glare. "Numa". Canary said with a slight crack in her voice. "Did you know about the fire happening that it wasn't some act of nature". Canary said. "Canary I can explain-". Shayan said standing up.
"No your highness I shall explain". Numa said. "Yes". Numa said. "I knew about the fire". "It wasn't some act of nature that caused the fire either this your father Marquis Whitewood also thinks but for now he has no evidence to prove otherwise". Canary's face could turn bright red with anger and blue with sadness but instead her eyes burned with tears that she held back just from anger and sadness. She balled her fist up and unballed them thinking surely Numa must have an explanation.
"Why"? Canary asked. "I was not involved with the fire". Numa said. "But I had to pretend to be involved with the fire". Numa answered. "What? what do you mean"? Canary said. "A couple of weeks before the fire happened we received a letter all the way from Grania asking for an alliance and trading opportunity with Grania from King Decimis". "As you know King Decimis has already ordered Duke Abarca and crown prince Shimon to do this, it became suspicious to king Seneca so he ordered me to come to Grania and see what was going on".
Numa cleared his throat. "When I arrived to Grania they did not send for I was here for days and when they finally sent for me I disguised myself for if anything would happen they wouldn't know what I looked like for I didn't have many guards with me in Grania".
"When I came to King Decimis viscount Wolf was also there and the conversation was not the conversation I was expecting considering they wanted to open a trade, it's Lyikar and create an alliance no..". Numa said, taking a drink of water. "What they began to say was far worse than what I imagined to set the whole countryside on fire". Canary gasped and held her mouth.
She was horrified upon hearing this. Someone so close to her father and also being the king planning something so devious and disturbing of killing his own citizens. A million tights ran through Canary's head but she had yet to hear what was next.
"King Decimis asked for my hand in helping setting the countryside on fire whatever rumor he heard about Shayan was upmost disturbing". Numa said. "In Grania the rumors about Shayan being some bloodthirsty prince who would enjoy invoking himself in any blood bath is what King Decimis told me". "He had a soldier in the room who I could tell was not for protection and so I played the part of being some blood thirty prince to stop whatever plan or threats King Decimis had for me". Numa said.
"I told king Decimis that I would think on the plan no matter how much and I'm very sorry for saying this no matter how much it would be joyful to see the Whitewoods die". Numa stared nervously at Shayan who was standing there with annoyance on his face. "So I sent a letter back to the king as soon as I left asking for help with this situation who knew they would set the countryside on fire two days later". Numa said sadly.
"I remembered prince Shayan telling about you and his friendship and when your name was mentioned I sent another letter but his highness was on a mission and could not come until four months later". Numa said. "You were still in recovery".
"Canary". Shayan said, seeing her expression. "Just give me a moment to process this". Canary said. There was a moment of silence as Canary processed everything that Numa had just said to her. "There had to be something to stop it". Canary said naively. Shayan sighed almost with annoyance. "Canary my dear friend do not be so naive". "For we both know there was nothing we could have done to stop that fire and even if there was we both know Grania's views on foreigners". Shayan said.
Canary nodded. "I know". She said almost whispering for her voice failed. "I am deeply sorry that this has happened to you and I am sorry I couldn't come any sooner". Shayan said. "For the fire in the countryside is just the beginning of things to come". "And this is why we are leaving soon I will not involve myself or my people in what's going on in Grania".
"What do you mean what else is the king planning"! Canary said terrified. "I do not know but King Decimis has had soldiers and strange people coming in and out of his palace". Shayan sighed. "All things are pointing towards a war in my opinion". Numa said. Shayan nodded.
"I'm not to fond of wars or battles especially after our situation with making you crown prince". Numa said. Numa and Shayan looked at Canary. They both wanted to say something but feared what Canary's reply or reaction would be. "What is it"? She asked. "Whatever it is you can say it I can take it for I fear I just heard the worse news of my life already".
Numa cleared his throat and poured Canary a glass of water. Seeming trying to coax her or ready her for what he was going to say next. "You should not marry Agustin for you put your whole family in danger". "What"? Shayan nodded. "It is true King Decimis has secretly deemed house Whitewoods enemies of him since you are about to marry Duke Abarca". Shayan said.
"You should truly not marry him". Numa said. "It is out of my place since I do not know you well but the king has already tried once to kill you and your family and now with you marrying Duke Abarca he doesn't have to hide it". Numa said. "I also worry about the things I have heard about the Duke". "What about the Agustin"? Canary said.
"The rumors about him trying to ruin your reputation grows even stronger with him contacting a person or thing called the sealed lips". Numa said. "If the rumors are growing ever stronger then I must investigate this". Canary said. Shayan nodded. "We will try to help you the best we can before we leave".