Solemnity
In the rose garden blue blossoms weave walls and a ceiling. The lasting roots create a carpet. Beneath the sweeping archway of the underpass Kaito inspects a blossom. A deep line carves his forehead and his lips are tightly pursed.
"Lord Kaito!" a shrill shriek screams. "Lord Kaito!"
He glances up, politely amused. "I'm here,"
The servant races over before tearing the scroll open that promptly tumbles and trails over the ground. "Ahem! Lord Kaito, your presence has been, er, demanded by your, um… by your humble mother. She insists that you be there, hmm, oh, I do believe that this says yesterday,"
Kaito laughs and returns to tending to the flowers. "I'm sure she can amuse herself. Tell her that I'll be there for dinner,"
"No! You shall leave now,"
He jolts upright, eyes ahead and widened slightly. A sound, undistinguishable and strangled, comes from his open mouth. He regains his senses swiftly enough, clears his throat and approaches warily.
"How pleasant to see you, Haku," he murmurs softly. "What brings you to the home of my family?"
She smiles, eyes fluttering from place to place. "Your mother wishes to speak to you and I must hold my own tongue until she's done with you. Therefore, I intend to take you to her,"
Kaito sighs. "I'm doing this only to please you. I hope you understand that,"
A faint dissatisfaction stirs in the depths of her gaze. She nods curtly. With brisk steps she leads the way, glancing back now and then. He captures her gaze at every stray glance and she swiftly turns ahead once more.
After a short while he speaks. "Why are you here, Haku?"
"My brother is an amicable suitor. For his advances to be so easily cast aside-" she shakes her head. "No. No, I shall not utter a further word to you, boy. I have no doubt that you would only worsen matters."
He falls into a thoughtful, contemplative silence. His eyes drift until half closed and he murmurs to himself until they reach the grand white veranda. There, Haku urges him forward and quickly turns away.
"Thank you,"
He looks at the tall doors of white and glass. His mother is seated within, her hands busied by something. Her eyes are fixated on her task. She knows he's there. He can feel her impatience seeping out from the walls.
He turns the handle and steps in with great reluctance. "Mother, you were seeking me?"
"Yes," she responds curtly. The murmur of her hand sewing is the only sound between breathes. "Kaito, do you recall the girl you spoke to last?"
He nods. "Yes, Miss Haku showed me the way. She wished to speak with you,"
His mother almost glanced up. "No, Kaito. Haku is not a woman, not by any stretch of the imagination. Neither is that fool, Meiko,"
He stiffens. "Which woman do you speak of?"
She scoffs. "My son, her name is Merli. Do you recall Merli? She seeks you, wishing for your presence. The poor girl is out of her mind. If she were to seek someone from this home it should be your brother,"
Kaito's shoulders slump with relief. "I trust that she was given to your belief,"
She pauses. "She was not,"
The great weight of truth collapses atop his shoulders. His legs tremble as the colour fades slowly from his face. It takes a moment to find his tongue.
His mother interjects. "Your father insists that an interview should be made. I am loath to agree. You shall be prepared this coming Monday morning. Your interview shall take place on the veranda and you shall be courteous, my son,"
Author's Note: I do enjoy writing about people suffering from time to time. I find it so enrapturing. People react strangely to different moments and statements and even to other reactions. That is why I suppose I'm not so sure that this is such a simplistic tale after all. Bother. I never seem to be able to stay on track…