"Believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see."
~Edgar Allan Poe
"I have nothing to go off of". Shayan said, slumping down in the chair of his room. "She could've at least gave us some sort of clue to warn Lady Whitewood on why she shouldn't marry Duke Abarca". Numa said pouring a cup of water for him and Shayan.
"Imagine going up to your best friend after years of not seeing each other and saying hey don't marry this guy I've only just met". Shayan took a huge gulp of water and sat there lost in deep thought about what had just happened. It left a sour taste in his mouth. What could Agustin Abarca have possibly done for a women like Ilaka Declan to tell him to not let Canary and Agustin marry.
There simply had to be a bigger reason other than Canary being a gentle woman. Yes Canary was gentle but she wasn't a pushover or at least the Canary in his childhood wasn't a pushover. Which made Shayan begin to think more about how a person can change over the years and he wondered was Canary truly the strong but gentle girl he grew up with?
Or was she now just simply a gentle girl? Did the strength fade away with the unforgiving and cruel Grania? Shayan did not know. He did not know how to pursue this situation. He would soon be leaving but he could not leave Canary the way he was.
"Write a letter to the Whitewoods and Marquis Longwood requesting that I come visit". Shayan said after much thought. Numa nodded and began to write a letter. "What will you say to Lady Whitewood"? Numa said also concerned. Shayan shrugged. "While we wait for the reply me and you shall be ears in the walls". Shayan said.
Indeed Shayan and Numa became ears in the wall. Of many rumors and scandals they could not fathom came to them. Including the one mentioning Canary was not Thomas Whitewood's daughter but the daughter of Thaddeus Whitewood. But Agustin was not mentioned at all in these rumors. Until the last day when a reply finally came, did Numa listen upon a rumor mentioning that Agustin was planning on ruining Canary's reputation. For reasons the snickering maids did not say.
Most of these rumors (especially the one of who was Canary's father was) Numa and Shayan did not believe due to how outrageous they were. "What shall we do"? Numa said, reading the letter over Shayan's shoulder. "As crazy as the rumor is, I shall bring it up to Canary". Shayan said, sighing. "Canary will not believe it of course". Shayan said, burning the letter in a fire.
He poured himself a glass of liquor and stared back at Numa seeing if he wanted any of it. Numa shook his head with a grimace on his face and Shayan soon realized why he rejected the offer. "This liquor tastes like cat piss". Shayan said, spitting it out. Numa nodded with a chuckle. "They have bad liquor here". Numa said.
"I can't even have a glass of good liquor to calm my nerves". Shayan said. "Duke Abarca pardon me if I am speaking out of line; he does seem like the type of man to do that". Numa said, pouring the liquor. "He does doesn't he that wolf in sheep's clothing". Shayan said. "If he has any secrets we will be sure to find them". Numa said. "It's how we took down the previous prime minister and it's how we will take down Duke Abarca". Numa said.
"For nothing is secret that shall not be made manifest". Numa began. "Neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad". Shayan ended.
The day they came to the Longwood manor Thomas and Lumus were standing at the front door waiting for them. Numa and Shayan stepped out of the carriage staring around at everything in awe. Not awe at how beautiful they did not think it was beautiful in fact it looked like every other house in Grania. Of plain white and black marble,brick mansions. Shayan and Numa began to understand Canary's feelings for wanting to go back to Lyikar.
For everything in Grania as judgmental as the kingdom was it was plain and boring. "Everything looks the same, the garden will probably be the same also". Numa said, starting around as they walked towards Lumus and Thomas.
"It's an honor to meet you, your highness and-". "Numa Nez". Numa said, holding out his hand. Thomas shook it with a bright smile on his face. He went to bow for Shayan who shook his head and also held out his hand for Thomas to shake.
Thomas shook it happily. "I've heard that you and Canary were childhood friends". Thomas said, making small conversation. "Ah yes we were". Shayan said. "Canary is out in the garden". "I will forearm you though my brother and nephews talk a lot". Thomas warned.
Shayan chuckled. "I can keep up a conversation". Shayan. They walked out into the garden walking in between walls of flowers and shrubs. Thomas kept trying to find things to keep the conversation going. Shayan could sense his nervousness as did Numa. He wanted to tell Thomas that he didn't have to continue on with a conversation if he just wanted to walk in silence but from the excitement of Thomas so Shayan just let him be.
"Here we are". Thomas said, showing them where Canary was. She was sitting in the middle of the garden which didn't even seem like it was a garden. It was a huge tree with a table and chairs under it. Thaddeus and his sons were there and so was Agustin who Shayan and Numa weren't so happy to see.
They gave each other these looks before proceeding to walk over to them. "Good evening". Shayan said with the best smile he could put on for this situation. Thaddeus and his sons stood up with huge grins on their faces giving a slight bow. "Oh stand up I really don't like bowing I'd prefer a handshake". Shayan said holding his hand out. They all shook hands with Numa and Shayan with the exception of Agustin and Canary.
Canary got a hug from both of them and Agustin gave and got an awkward nod. "Your brother"? Numa asked. "Ah Eddison has headed back home to be with his wife and child the events of the great fire stopped him from being with them". Canary answered.
"Numa seems a little bummed". Shayan chuckled. "Made a new best friend"? "I cannot deny that I quite enjoyed the company of young master Whitewood". Numa said. "Not many men our age act our age". Numa muttered. "And what age is that, might I ask"? Agustin asked.
There was a slight silence with Numa and Agustin exchanging stares. "Mature…like a man". Numa said. "I've seen some behavior here in Grania that was how do you say-". "Childlike"? Shayan answered. "Yes childlike". Numa smiled.
"How old are you two"? Thaddeus asked. "Twenty four a year older than Canary". Shayan answered. "And lord Abarca, how old are you"? Thaddeus asked. "Twenty six". Agustin said. They all nodded and again there was this slight silence.
"May I borrow Canary for a moment". Shayan said. He was mostly looking at Agustin. "Sure thing". Thaddeus said. "Numa". Shayan said signaling for him to come along.
Canary stood off and they went afar off so no one would hear their conversation. Numa stood guard as Shayan talked to Canary who was confused on the whole discreetness of this situation. "We shall talk in Plyeres". Shayan said. "Um okay"? Canary said concerned.
"I will be leaving soon". Shayan said. "As our last conversation in the greenhouse I do not think you should marry Duke Abarca for some concerning news has come my way". Shayan said. "Concernign news from who"? Canary asked. "This might be a hard thing to hear but the queen of all people to warn someone of someone else has told me to stop you from marrying Duke Abarca". Shayan and Canary both read each others faces and could hardly hold their laughter.
"I know but I believe her warning". Shayan said. "I am not one to gossip especially with the thing that me and Numa have heard in the walls of the palace one of them being about you". Shayan said. "What about me"? Canary asked. "It was the most absurd rumor ever about how Marquis Whitewood isn't your father and his brother is". Shayan said frowning up.
"Although I could believe it after seeing how you two look so much alike". "Right Numa"? Shayan said, peeking over at him. Numa nodded along with Canary. "I know right, eerie look alike". Canary said. "Although what did the queen say"? Canary asked. "She said Duke Abarca would ruin you and for other reasons she can not say". Shayan said.
"And from the things that her maids were gossiping I fear the worst". "What were the maids saying"? Canary asked. "That there is a plan in motion to ruin your reputation". "What"? Canary said, shocked and half believing it.
"Canary, I believe them" Shayan said. "Believe them you don't even know them". Canary said. "These are the same people who are enemies of Agustin and Shimon". Canary said. "Canary, sometimes an enemy knows you better than those closest to you". Shayan said. "Numa reads people better than me and if Numa says he's put off by Duke Abarca then I will also be put off". Shayan. "Just think of the words that I have told you". "I don't want you to be upset".
Canary sighed. As wild as the words of Shayan were she could believe it from a third person. For not long ago Eddison told her the same words warning her not to go through with the marriage.