Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.
~Oscar Wilde
In the month of June on a particularly sunny day filled with sunshine and the singing of birds a child was born. With black hair as black as the night and light brown eyes that almost seemed golden.
She rarely seemed to cry…but she also rarely seemed to laugh or smile. Perhaps she felt too that she was not wanted. Which was the case for the marquis and marchioness Whitewood. Who only wanted one child due to succession rights. "Good thing the child is a girl". Thomas Whitewood said staring down at the chubby brown skinned babe.
"Have you a name for her"? The doctor asked. When asked Thomas looked at Aleria who didn't have an answer herself. And so the child went nameless for a year. However due to her looks she was favored by most of the family of Whitewood due to her having all of the traits of Whitewood. Never has there been a child in such a long time that had both of the traits of the Whitewood family.
Black hair and light brown eyes that almost looked golden. They either had the black hair or light brown eyes. But never both. This was no exception to the oldest child of Thomas and Aleria. Eddison had neither black hair nor light brown eyes. He had the traits of the Longwood family which was his mother's family.
He had brown hair and dark brown eyes. Which led some in the family to murmur about whether they should choose another heir to inherit the Marquis title. But if everything was based on looks then the King wouldn't be king would he?
So although the child was favored by other family members she was not favored by her parents. Especially her mother. Her father didn't show favoritism for anyone, not even Eddison, for Thomas was a cold man. Upon hearing that the child had not a name Eldreana Longwood who was Algeria's mother sent a letter and a couple of days later she arrived to the warm weather of Whitehill castle that was surrounded by water,trees, and hills.
Whitehill castle was on a tall hill surrounded by white trees overseeing the ocean. Whitehill was quiet as always whenever Eldreana visit. But today it wasn't so quiet. Maybe because of her sudden arrival or the mood that Eldreana was in.
She was greeted by both Thomas and Aleria. Who had cheerful fake smiles on her face. Algeria's was a smile of nervousness. And Thomas well Eldreana never did like the smile of Thomas, a smile that hid ulterior motives…or something sinister. "Welcome mother". Aleria said, hugging Eldreana. Eldreana smiled as politely as she could. But how could she with this situation? "Mother". Thomas said giving Eldreana a hug also. She hugged him back and then they just stood there with this awkward silence. Staring at each other wondering what was next. "And my grandchildren"? Eldreana said, raising her eyebrow. "Oh yes Eddy is at his lessons right now". Aleria answered with a hug smile. "Hmm". Eldreana said. Then there was another silence. This time with Eldrean tilting her head to the side. "And my granddaughter"? She asked. "Oh um she's in her room-". "I shall take you there". Aleria said, looking back at Thomas who ushered them forward with his hands. "I shall leave you two to bond". Thomas said, walking away with his butler.
"The child is one now is she not"? Eldreana asked as they walked down the golden and white halls of Whitehill castle. "Yes". Aleria said stupidly proud. "So why aren't you referring to the child by its name". They both stopped in the long hall staring at each other. Aleria trying to read Eldreana's mood and scared and nervous herself of what her mother would say next. "I-I dont know what you mean"? "You don't know what I mean"? Eldreana said, taking another step towards her.
"Throughout all of our letters and even now you haven't been referring to my grandchild as child-". "Never by her name". "Why is that?". "I haven't had time". Aleria said almost stuttering. "Haven't had time or is it simply neglect"? Eldreana said, crossing her arms. Aleria didn't answer and somewhat hung her head down giving Eldreana the answer to the question that she already knew the answer to. "Thought so". She said and they continued on their walk to the child's room in cold silence. Upon reaching the room a maid was walking out smiling and giggling as if she had just seen her newborn child while the actual mother Aleria's face grew dim.
The maid bowed to the two women and they said hello to her also. They entered into the room and Eldreana looked around in awe. Not in awe that the room was beautiful and extravagant. But at the blatant favoritism. The colors of house Whitewood were gold and white. Even the tree that lined and filled the land of Marquis Whitewood was white trees. Whitehill was decorated with white and gold and Eddison's room was more gold than it was white. But in the child's room it was yellow and pink. Fitting for a noble little girl yes…But for a whitewood no.
By the windows with sunshine pouring in sat a maid in a rocking chair humming and rocking the child back and forth. The child was smiling and playing with the maids hair and the maid was playing with the child's curly afro hair also. It was the only time the child would smile as the maids would whisper around the castle to each other. Eldreana walked up to the maid and the child. Her steps light as to not startled them both. "Can the child speak". Eldreana asked knowing that the child was one.
The maid nodded. "Yes she knows my name and simple words like hi or bye". The maid answered looking proud as if the child was hers. Eldreana smiled. "And what is your name child"? "I am Genna". The maid answered. "Genna, may I hold her please"? Eldreana asked. "Oh she is your granddaughter my lady you do not have to ask". Genna said, rushing to hand the child over to Eldreana. "Yes but it seems the child is quite fond of you and you are quite fond of her as well". Genna smiled, taking pieces of her hair away from the child. She flinched causing Eldreana to worry if the child had pulled her hair causing her pain. "I shall be going on my way then my lady..Madam". Genna said rushing out of the room. It wasn't until Eldreana had thought on why Genna was so scared until she looked at Aleria who was eyeing the child with a look she couldn't quite make out. "Were you glaring at that child just now"? Eldreana asked. Aleria jumped with guiltiness. "You were"? Eldreana asked again. Aleria didn't even have to answer for Eldreana to know it was her. "You dare be jealous and glare at the maid over a child you've neglected"?! She hissed. "My grandchild at that you dare to neglect how dare you"! "Mother-". "No excuses she's the one taking care of your child that you haven't seemed fit to even give a name to the child and you dare to glare at that maid-"!
Eldreana wouldv'e have a few more words for Aleria if it wasn't for the child fussing. "Ohhh grandma is sorry child". Eldreana said, bouncing the babe and moving around the room. She began to sing a song in a different language causing the babe to calm down. She stared at Eldreana for a while and touched her lips and began to laugh. The maids in the room looked to each other in shock because not even Genna could get the child to laugh. She could only get her smile.
Eldreana giggled herself and looked out the window at a pair fo Canary birds sitting on the trees singing their own little tunes and looked back at the child who was waiting for her to sing again. She obliged to the child's bright eyes. "Do you like music my sweet little Canary". Eldreana said kissing her fingers. "Yes you do". She stared at the child as she babbled at her seemingly to respond to what Eldreana said. "Canary huh-". Eldreana looked at the golden birds outside of the window and looked back at the child's eyes that turned golden when the sunlight hit them.
"Yes that shall be your name-". "Canary". "What"? Aleria protested. "Canary Whitewood". Eldreana answered. "That shall be her name and I shall be taking her". "You can't do that"! Aleria shouted. "Why can't I you don't want her where is your husband? I shall have a talk with him". Eldreana said storming out of the room with the child on her hip. Leaving Aleria and the maids running after her.
"I shall be taking her with me". Eldrean said coming into Thomas's office. "I beg your pardon"? He asked. "The pardon's begged". Eldreana answered. "Canary and her maid Genna I would like to take both of them seeing as you two do not want the child". "And what makes you think i do not want my child"! Thomas roared standing up from his seat. "You haven't even named the child"! Eldreana roared back. "Who is this Canary I know not a Canary"? Thomas asked, looking around the room. "This is Canary". Eldreana said, holding Canary up. "Let her take her". Aleria interrupted. "But Genna you cannot take-". "What"?! "Thomas yelled.
"This is our child, not some pet. What do you mean "take her, Aleria"? "It is what I have said my lord let my mother take her we barely have enough time to see Eddison let my mother take her". Thomas sat down in his chair with a huge sigh and held his head. "But Genna you cannot". Aleria said turning to her mother. "And why not"? "Because she is a servant of house Whitewood-". "Are you sure it is not because you are jealous the maid will bond more with your child than you do"? Eldreana said. She turned to Thomas asking again. "Will you let me take Genna also"? "Thomas"? Aleria protested.
"Thomas"! Aleria yelled. "Whats the point of making a fuss over a maid when you're allowing your mother to take Canary"! Thomas yelled. "You're allowing her to take our daughter also"! Aleria yelled. "What now you're calling her Canary". Aleria scoffed. "Yes I am which we should've been came up with a name rather than letting someone else raise the child"! "This is all great and everything you two seemingly to solve whatever issue you are having but I am leaving". Eldreana said. "I shall be taking Genna and Canary with me as previously said and we shall be heading back home". Thomas stood up suddenly stammering at words to say to Eldreana.
"What is it" Eldreana asked. "At least let Canary say goodbye to Eddison he shall be confused on where his sister is when he comes back home". "At least a day stay for a day". Thomas said. Eldreana nodded. "Well that sounds reasonable I also forgot I haven't seen my oldest grandchild yet".Eldreana said.
So Eldreana stayed that night spending the whole night with Eddison and the child who was now named Canary. Canary was a particularly chubby baby. But Eldreana loved her even more for her chubbyness and squishness. So did Eddison who kept hugging and squeezing her hand. "Will I be allowed to see her"? Eddison asked. "Yes you will, you will always be able to come visit your grandparents and sister". Eddison smiled and rested his head on Eldreana's arm playing with Canary's hand. Reminiscing and excited about the days he would spend at his grandparents house with Canary.
This would never happen and Eddison would not see Canary again until the death of their grandparents. Canary was seventeen at the passing of her grandparents Trent and Eldreana Longwood. During the time she was gone away to live with her grandparents her own parents had another child Amara was her name and just like their brother Eddison she took after their mother with their dark brown hair and brown eyes.
People were murmuring thinking that Canary was going to look like some spectacular girl because of the Whitewood traits she had inherited. Though she was pretty, her curvy and somewhat chubby figure only deemed her as that…pretty. She wasn't gorgeous as some would say….if only she had a few pounds off then she would be gorgeous another would say.
Her face was almost the exact replica of Aleria's who was deemed a beauty of her time. But because of Canary's weight she wasn't deemed that beautiful. An innocent sweet beauty is what some would call Canary. In fact Canary wasn't that huge. Her arms and legs were larger than those in the capitol. Her stomach was somewhat although it poked out a little bit but you could never tell because of the clothes she wore. Her clothes were always flowy wearing yellows,blues,and pinks. She never wore the colors of house Whitewood. Sometimes she would wear white but only on special occasions. Being gorgeous and beautiful are two different things. For Amara Canary's sister she was already deemed as beautiful at the age of fourteen. Eddison was handsome. But Canary was a gentle beauty always adding the but at the end for the account of her weight. "She is a gentle beauty but she would be gorgeous if she lost a little weight". Some whispered at her grandparents' funeral.
"Why are they talking about someone's looks at a funeral"? Amara said, holding Canary's hand. Another thing about Canary is that she took her grandfather's short trait so Amara who was much taller than Canary looked to be her older sister at the age and this must be emphasized at the age of fourteen. Aleria towered over her mother but was still scared of Eldreana and Amara towered over Canary but was scared of Canary also. Canary took after her grandmother in her poised and sometimes unreadable expressions.
When Eldreana was happy you could tell she was happy but when she was upset you would feel it. But there were often times when you couldn't read the Canary and Eldreana's expressions. This silent elegance about the two. Silent,poised,and elegant were words that often came up when asking about Canary and Eldreana. Even then at her grandparents' funeral when Canary made one of her very public appearances in society. "Just like her grandmother, very elegant and poised". They whispered.
"And her hair". Another said staring at Canary's dark long afro hair that stopped in the middle of her back. "A true Whitewood look at her hair and eyes". Some whispered. Amara looked at her own hair that rested just at her breast. The dark brown of Longwood house. A grimace showed on Aleria's face as she stared at Canary's hair. It wasn't put up, it just hung down. No hair accessories, nothing. She hated that her mother let as she would say "Let Canary run wild with her hair unkept". Even now Canary's hair was deemed unkept to Aleria because she wore her hair down. Not in any updos with hair accessories.
There was a reason for this although. Canary was raised in Lyikar. Not in Grania which were two different kingdoms. After Canary was adopted and raised by her grandparents she rarely ever came to Grania. They raised her and her uncle who was seventeen at the time of Canary's adoption in Lyikar. Which was another thing that was pointed out about Canary. Her weird accent due to speaking both Lyikarian and Grainian.
She was almost like a foreigner. Canary herself did not want to be in Grania and if it was up to her she would be sailing back to Lyikar with her uncle who offered to continue raising her. Thomas disagreed and said it was time for her to come back home. To her true home but her true home was truly in Lyikar with her uncle.