The canary is like a man's soul. It sees bars around it, but instead of despairing, it sings.
~Nikes kazantzakis
There sat a chubby dark browned skinned girl. Her long black Afro curly hair swaying in the wind pushing through it. She sat on a grassy hill, her knees up to her chest. Humming a song of old, holding her hand devoid of any rings up against the sun.
She rubbed her fingers up against one another. Humming and running her fingers against the sun's rays. Her eyes an amber brown shined golden in the sunlight. She flinched from them being to long in the suns.
She rubbed them and sighed at her empty ring finger. "Carny"! A girl's voice yelled. This was her beautiful sister Amara Whitewood. "Canary". Amara said, running out of breath. "Come on father is calling us".
She lifted up Canary by her arm and she went without a fuss or a fight. Canary Whitewood was the middle child of the three children of the Whitewood family. She had inherited her fathers plain looks and her older brother and younger sister had taken after their mother.
The marquee and the marchioness didn't particularly want anymore children after their son (one heir no fighting) but Canary came. And with her came a simple name Canary after a golden songbird. Her sister got the Amara meaning grace or eternal. Her brother Nolan means champion. Canary in Latin being Island of dogs.
Canary was plain and chubby she . Her brother and sister were shrouded in the colors of house Whitewood. Of white and gold. While Canary wore blues and pinks. Perfect for her shy and quiet personality.
"Do we know what the meeting is about"? Canary asked her sister. "It's time for us to get married. My little sister father has finally found a match for his daughters". She answered.
Canary nodded neither excited nor displeased ; she simply accepted it. She knew her marriage would mark no love for her. She saved the displeasure for her future who would soon compare her and Amara once they had all met.
The Whitewood family ask lord over the southern hills. A region filled with meadows and field that bred food for the empire. The Whitewood castle stood on a hill below it was the sea and the docks where ships would come to go to Emperors port which was the capital of the empire.
Whitewood realm was the first stop to go there. The Whitewood castle was built with stone and painted white and that faded away due to salty sea water. The Whitewood castle surrounded by White trees, iconic to the family name of Whitewood.
Its tall towers topped with golden tiles that had faded into a sort of brown color. The halls decked with white and black marble. Littered with portraits of old marquees and marchionesses.
Canary and Amara walked halls which were cold to Canary and warm to Amara. The clicking of their shoes Amara holding Canary's hand leading the way to their fathers office. When they had arrived at his office. Amara knocked twice. "Come in". A cold voice sounded behind the black grand door.
They walked in to their father sitting at his desk with their mother standing behind him. Nolan was sitting on the couch with his wife. She was a sweet woman named Relina. She waved at them as they sat down. Only Canary waved back Amara just simply gave her a smile.
"To make matters short". Her father announced. "This year is Amara debutante. It is also the emperor and empress anniversary so a lot of people will be coming to the capital". He flipped a page on his desk not giving the girls a glance.
"So that means suitors for marriage". It was quiet for a while. A heavy quietness which crawled upon Canary's skin. Her debutante was two years ago. All her friends had gotten married and moved away from the south. Some were still in the south but they were busy with their own family's.
Her father cleared his throat and finally looked up at the girls. "Hopefully there will be two marriages this year". Her father said glancing over at Canary who simply looked down on the ground.
"We will try to not disappoint you father"! Amara said cheerfully. Canary clenched her hands together. Embarrassed by the fact she knew this year only Amara would be getting married. Relina held her hands shaking her head at Canary's putting down of herself.
After a one sided conversation between her parents and siblings. They were all dismissed. Canary walked behind her family with Relina by her side. They walked silently neither one saying anything to the other about them being shut out of the conversation.
When Relina debuted she was much like Amara very beautiful and many suitors were attracted to her. Out of all of them she chose Nolan who was quite sought after as well.
She was sometimes shrouded in gold too but most of the time just like Canary she wore blues and pinks. Mostly because blue was the color of her house. House Twine who was from the north of the empire.
Gold was simply too much of a loud color for Relina and so instead of wearing white and gold like the rest of the Whitewoods she wore blue and gold. With the blue mostly showing.
She held Canary's hand smiling and rubbing her small swollen stomach. Love in her eyes staring at Nolan's back. Canary admired this and squeezed her hand in comfort. "Some day my dear sister you will feel the same". Relina said.
Canary nodded in silence. They continued to walk even when the family dispersed. It was only Canary,Relina, and Nolan left of the family. Canary didn't perceive when she made it to Relina's and Nolan's quarters somehow she did.
She sat there quietly drawing one of the many drawings that she did in her quiet time while Nolan and Relina chatted away.
Nolan and Canary were the closest out of the siblings and when Relina came along it formed a strong bond between the three. So most of the time Canary was with Relina or with Nolan in his study.
"I'm not naming our child Nolan". Relina giggled. "What Nolan the second sounds nice". "Wait". Canary said. "Are you sure you're well enough to make the trip to the capitol". Canary asked.
"I should be im only a few months along in the pregnancy". Relina said, rubbing her stomach. "I heard Shimon and Agustin will be here by the time we get to the capitol". Nolan nodded "and so they will".