“Kiyara! Kiyara!” Five-year-old Kovan came tearing around the corner and nearly slammed into the little girl he’d been looking for.
“That’s not how you play!” Kiyara Flowers protested, her lower lip pushing out and soft blue eyes widening in a little pout.
Kovan was too happy to care that he was breaking the rules of hide and seek, grabbing both her little hands in his and holding them to his breast. “Mother says we’re going to get married!” He declared, joy shining from every corner of his little body.
Already wide blue eyes grew even wider, and then Kiyara followed suit, face shining with her smile. “Married? We’re going to be together forever?!” It wasn’t entirely a question, but Kovan nodded enthusiastically anyways.
He took one of the flowers from his hair and took her chubby little hand, clumsily fashioning a ring around one of her fingers by tying it into a little loop. “You’re going to be my bride, and we’ll be together forever.” He said, quite seriously, before half-stifling a little giggle and kissing her on the cheek.
“Kovan!” A voice said sharply. The little boy turned around to look up at his mother. She looked distressed and breathless, cheeks flushed and jade green eyes worried.
“What’s the matter, mother?” He asked innocently, still holding one of Kiyara’s hands.
“Come along, dear.” She said, grabbing his hand and pulling the little boy away from Kiyara.
“But why?” He asked, confused but not concerned.
“We’re leaving.” She said, tugging on his hand a little more firmly. “Come now. I have something to talk to you about.”
“Okay.” He said, but he turned to Kiyara before they left. “Wait for me! I’ll be back in a moment, and then we can be together.” His jade green eyes sparkled. His mother just more firmly grasped his hand, grit her teeth, and dragged him away.
Kiyara waved at him almost breathlessly, still smiling ear to ear. “Okay!” She told him. “I’m waiting!” They were going to be married.
She sat there in the hallway, looking down at the little flower ring he’d left her on her finger, and sat there waiting. She sat there waiting until the sun began to set, ignoring the people coming and going, though there seemed to be much more hustle and bustle than usual.
Her father came down the hallway, and crouched down in front of her, worry in his eyes. “What are you doing here, my child?” He asked her, even more gently than usual.
Kiyara just looked up at him and smiled, “I’m waiting.” She told him. “Kovan is coming back and we’re going to get married.”
“Oh, my darling.” He said, sadly. He tried to pick her up, as he told her, “He’s not coming back. The Vyrwels are going back home, and they are never coming back here.”
The chestnut-haired girl frowned at him, and pushed his arms away from her. “Nooo.” She said, emphatically, “He said he was coming back. He always does what he says he’s going to do.” She scrunched up her face as if she was going to cry, but didn’t.
Lord Redwyne sighed and tried to pick her up again, but she told him again, “I’m waiting,” and pushed him away, so after a long moment sitting there with her, he finally stood and walked away to go fetch her some supper, since it did not seem she was going to come to supper herself.
Marilla walked by and saw her and pertly asked, “What are you doing?”
“I’m waiting.” Kiyara said again with a huff, as if frustrated she had to explain it again.
“You’re waiting for that boy, aren’t you? Papa says he’s going home and he’s never coming back.” The older girl said with almost a snide laugh.
“Go away.” Kiyara demanded. “We’re getting married.”
“Married?!” Marilla said, actually laughing now. “He wouldn’t marry you! He’s probably leaving because he found out you’re a bastard. I bet he thought you’re disgusting, and marrying you would be disgusting.”
“You’re lying! Go away.” The little girl said, starting to cry. “He’s coming back.” She said through tears, grabbing for the ring on her finger to show her sister, but as she did so, the clumsy knot gave way and the flower fell to the ground. That set her off crying even harder, as Marilla flounced away laughing, and that was how her father found her when he returned a few minutes later. He picked her up and let her sob on his shoulder, knowing there was not much else to be done.