"The loneliest moment in someone's life is when they are watching their whole world fall apart, and all they can do is stare blankly."
~F. Scott Fitzgerald
-D-day of Grace's death (Oblita)-
Of dresses and suits that day started off. Agustin had left off on the deal with Sealed lips but what was supposed to end left a sour taste in that mouth of the unknown author. For too long the novels of Grania had been quiet.
What was supposed to be started out the deeds of the novels now continuing as fame for the author of sealed lips. Her readers requested more and long it was that Sealed Lips had released a paper. The next hot thing was taken away and Sealed Lips was left both angry and with a sour taste in her mouth. Agustin had handled her like a dirty commoner. And she sought to get back at him.
Among the many traits of Agustin his trait or downfall was looking down on other people. Especially those that were commoners. Sealed lips and a habit of thinking that since she was somewhat famous because of her papers that she was above or on the same level as a noble. This would soon prove both Agustin and Sealed Lips' downfall.
Busy ever was the Whitewood household for the welcoming ball. As one would think Alexia was getting Amara ready and Letitia was helping Canary getting ready. She wore a purple draped and flowy dress. It had embroidered gold and pearls on the dress. The theme of the ball was Lyikarian fashion but truly the only ones who would be wearing authentic Lyikarian would be Canary, Shayan, and Numa.
Her jewelry was gold and she had accents of gold in his makeup. "Shall we put your hair up". Letitia asked. "Is there a way to cover the scar"? Canary asked. "I have something". Leitita said. She left momentarily and came back with a box and inside of the box was a gold necklace she placed it on Canary's neck showing her that the necklace would cover her scar. "How's that"? Leitita smiled.
Canary smiled excitedly and the maids began to put her hair up. The maids seemed equally as excited as canary and Letitia like it was themselves getting ready for the ball . "She should get a painting done". Letitia said, smiling at Canary. "You look absolutely beautiful". Letitia said. "Thank you". Canary said shyly. The rest of the family wore the house colors of white and gold and though they tried to dress in Lyikarian fashion it still looked like Grania fashion. "They tried their best". Limus said the only other one who was truly in Lyikariam fashion.
They arrived at the ball of bustling people. Laughter and chattering. Canary had never seen a ball this welcoming before she dumbed it all down to Shayan for Shayan was rumored to be quite handsome which Canary agreed. Shayan was quite handsome. She had always thought so since they were children and he had grown into quite a fine man.
All heads began to turn to look at them. They began to whisper and stare mainly at Canary who thought they were either talking about the burn scars or the fact that her and Agustin had broken off their engagement. But upon hearing one of them that wasn't the case in fact they were complimenting Canary on her looks. She became bashful and hung her head down as she walked past them.
Once past them she lifted her head up and made eye contact with Agustin who was staring her down. He seemed to set his eyes on her like a wolf did his prey following her as she stood in her place with her family. They stood across from each other and Agustin's eyes stayed planted on her. Canary kept staring away and staring back at Agustin whose eyes never diverted from Canary. A mixture of thinking she was beautiful, wanting to stand next to her, and at the same time he was angry with her.
He balled his fist up and unballed them and took a step towards her. "Welcoming King Decimis, Queen Ilaka, Crown prince Shimon, Crown princess Tearina, Prince Alan, and Princess Declica Declan". The servant announced. Agustin took and step back into place with a big huff. "From the Lyikar kingdom Crown prince Shayan Tsosie and Chamberlain Numa Nez". In walked the Declan's and Shayan and Numa.
Shayan and Numa stood taller than the Declan's which made some people murmur saying that Shayan and Numa should have come in at a later time that they made the Grania royals look small. Shayan smiled at Canary as she walked past with Numa giving her a little wave. Canary smiled and gave them a wave back. When they had walked past Agustin, eyes were planted back on Canary. He began to make her uncomfortable and so she moved backwards behind Ede and Eamon who were taller than her.
Ede and Eamon sensed she was uncomfortable but they didn't know from what or who so they covered her up blocking her from others' sights. Grania music began to play with everyone dancing but Canary stayed behind watching everyone as they danced and laughed. She looked around and placed her eyes on Shayan and Numa who were talking (To her guess about the dancing it was very different from Lyikar dancing). They chuckled here and there and went back to staring at the crowd.
In walked Elric Wolf and his household. Standing to the back of the household was Stellan Wolf who since the rumors of him saying those things about Canary stayed out of the limelight. Everyone whispered upon seeing him but Stellan did not pay them any attention at all until he saw Canary. His eyes grew wide for a moment and then settled. And as if for some chance the Wolf family stood next to them. Elric and Thomas said their greetings and it went back silent. And by some chance also Stellan stood right next to Canary. They did not greet each other nor did they look at each other; they remained silent.
The air felt heavy between them. It was awkward neither dared to look at each other so Stellan began to talk to ease the tension. "How have you been"? Stellan asked. "How-"? "How have I been"? Canary said in disbelief. "Hmm I don't know? Wondering who will marry me since I've got burns on my body". Canary said sarcastically. Stellan cleared his throat at Canary saying this and he went back quiet. Canary growing impatient at this silence and the fact that Stellan wouldn't say anything about the matter spoke up instead. "Here I was wondering if you were about and how you were healing just to find about you had been talking about me". "And now you have nothing to say"? Canary said. Stellan's eyes darted around before finally placing them on Canary. "I am sorry". Stellan said. "Could you allow me some time"? "Some time to explain"? Stellan said. "Some time to say thank you and sorry"? Canary chuckled. "Yes exactly that". Stellan said in all seriousness. Canary finally looked back at Stellan. She could tell he was sincere and against her judgment to always only let someone fool you once she decided to give Stellan a moment of her time to explain himself. He held out his hand and she took it letting him guide her out to the terrace. Leaving everyone bewildered Agustin in rage more than anything.
All eyes watched them as they went to the terrace including Shayan and Numa. Numa patted Shayan's chest pointing at the two. Watching them like hawks as they went out to the terrace. "Let us go see what is going on". Shayan said standing up. They stood up and quickly walked to the terrace. They knocked on the door twice before opening it, startling both Canary and Stellan. "Just checking in on you two". Shayan said smiling. "Ah come in, you're welcome to hear I know you are friends of Canary". Stellan said. Shayan and Numa nodded walking onto the terrace with their arms crossed and huge smiles on their faces.
"What I am going to say both concerns Canary and you two". Stellan said. "The King and my father are planning a war". Stellan said. "I had to find a way not to marry Canary and the only way to do this is by saying some unsightly words instead of thanking you for saving my life". Stellan said. "What my father and the king are planning to do will rip the whole kingdom apart and I didn't want Canary involved nor the longwoods and the whitewoods". Stellan said. "I am sorry that it has gotten to this point and I am sorry I could not apologise in person or thank you for saving me". Stellan said. "I hope you forgive me". Stellan said, bowing his head in shame.
Canary shook her head and lifted his head. "It is alright". Canary said, holding her hand up. "Though I can understand where you are coming from, why didn't you just talk to me"? Canary asked. "My lady I fear among every house even those who have sworn their allegiance to the king have a snake in their midst". Stellan said. "I could not come to you and if putting our friendship or future marriage on the line meant protecting you from threats of the king I would do it all over again". Stellan said. "You were going to marry him too"? Shayan said suddenly.
Canary motioned her hand to calm down Shayan. "What do you mean protect me? What is going on"? Canary asked. "A war"? Stellan said. "A war that's what's going on". "I don't know what's going on for sure". Stellan said. "My father keeps me and my mother out of those conversations only telling my older brother Remy". Stellan said. "But the other day I overheard him and my brother and someone else I couldn't see but what they were talking about was fire on the kingdom. I dumbed it all down to a war happening". Stellan said. They all exchanged glances of worry and dread to come.
"We will be long gone before that happens". Shayan said. "Back to Lyikar now sooner than later". Shayan said. "Yes but-". Stellan began but before he could finish his sentence a loud noise of gasps and clamor came from inside the ballroom. They all looked at each other before rushing inside and all around was white floating papers of some kind. "Confetti"? Canary said smiling. "All this for a foreign prince"? Shayan and Numa said, raising an eyebrow. Canary held up her hand to catch the confetti but when it fell in her hand it wasn't confetti at all but a drawing with lips and fingers over it. Shayan,Numa, and Stellan looked over her shoulder to look at the drawing. "Sealed ips"? Stellan said, looking up at his father. "Stellan"! Elric said, calling him over. Stellan ran over to him leaving the three of them wondering what this meant. "Its just a drawing"? Canary said looking around at everyone else who had the same expression. "Agustin"! Shimon was heard yelling and running towards Agustin.
But even Agustin was confused about what was going on. "I had no part in this". Shayan overheard him saying. "What's going on"? Numa said looking around franticly. "I don't know". Shayan said. "Where is this coming from"?! Decimis roared from his throne. Everyone began staring up at the cieling trying to figure out where the small papers where coming from. Upon looking up att hat very moment a woman had fell from the balcony and all was quiet and still staring at the women who fell on the floor with a big splat sound.
She began coughing up blood and staring around franticly and scared her eyes fell on Canary who was just a few feet away from her. Canary eyes grew large and Shayan covered them as the women took her last breath and the screaming commenced.