Chapter Sixteen

Emeren looks down at his charcoal-stained fingers in satisfaction. He quickly wipes them off on his overalls before picking up the ripped paper. On the paper, is a detailed inscription of his surroundings. He picks up every detail; from the rats on the streets to the piles of human fecal matter.

Emeren has been gifted with a good photographic memory and even better artistic skills. It doesn't matter if it's oils, pencils, ink, or paint. The young man is amazing. He is even called the artist by the locals.

The young man has also been gifted with fantastic looks. Some of the elders would say that he looks like his father in his younger days. Women his age will gaze onto him and swoon. But he was never interested in being with anyone.

But then Maria came.

She is the middle child of his father's childhood friend, Mariaisabella. It is never mentioned, but the woman is talented beyond recognition. Her fine details with music, literature, and even the arts are profound.

When they first met, Emeren thought that she would be rude. But her manners and pure heart make her a lovely woman. She does not discriminate. And because of that, Emeren felt something for her.

Emeren picks up the paper and rushes back to the farmhouse. Mariaisabelle is staying over today. So he knew to leave the home as soon as she came. The young man knows about his father's affair with the fair lady. But he does not care, so long as his father is happy.

As he walks down the road, he turns to see a short man on a horse. Emery can only describe him as an oaf. His face is painted with an upset expression. But before Emery can ask, the horse and the man zoom past him.

The artist ignores it and continues his journey. Emeren left the farmhouse about an hour ago, the sounds of his father's copulation can be heard. Emeren shivers in disgust before quickly storming into his room.

Six minutes go by, and the noise finally stops. A few seconds later, he hears a knock on his door. He allows the person to come in, and he smiles when it is the fair lady.

Over time, both Emeren and Mariaisabelle formed a bond. It was Emeren that helped Emerenziano and Mariaisabelle to become romantically involved. So now, she is going to help Emeren be with her younger sister.

"How is my father, Mariaisabella?" The artist asks cheekily. Mariaisabelle responds by poking her tongue out. She sits next to him and smiles at the young boy.

"Are you ready to pursue my sister, Emeren?" Mariaisabelle asks. The boy eagerly says yes. making the fair lady laugh. She leans down in front of him and places an assertive hand on his knee.

"My mother calls her 'little rose' because she is fragile. I need to know that you will protect her at all costs. Do you promise?" Mariaisabelle's warning is made clear when she painfully squeezes the artist's knee.

Emeren nods his head. His answer makes the fair lady smile. She lets go of his knee and, with an approving nod, she leaves. The young boy lies back onto his bed to think. But a few minutes later, he hears very suggestive noises again.

Disgusted by the sounds, the boy immediately storms out of the farmhouse. Poor Emeren, he shouldn't have to hear such sounds from his father and the fair lady.

He then begins his journey to the house. When he gets there, he notices Maria sitting on a chair tuning her violin. When the young rose notices him, she excitedly waves him over. His expression softens when he sees her excited expression.

"Emeren, what brings you to my home?" Maria asks. Her doe-like eyes stare into his very being. This makes the artist slightly nervous. He doesn't want her to reject him. But it is better to tell her how he feels.

"I can because I have something to tell you," Emeren takes a deep breath before he confesses.

"Maria, you are smart, kind, and adequate. Every time I see you, my eyes can't stop gazing at your beauty. Your talent is beyond someone like me. I am a farmer that cannot read and write. But you've made me enjoy the talents that I have,

I adore you, Maria. And I want to be with you," Emeren's confession with a tearful Maria. Scared, Emeren kneels down and tries comforting the little rose. It takes her a minute, but she replies,

"I like you too, Emeren. I have feelings for you that I've never felt before," Maria's admission makes Emeren feel gleeful then confused. Why is the beautiful girl crying? His answer comes when she continues.

"But I know that I'm ugly. I have been cursed with these marks on my face. You will find a beautiful woman will take you away from me," Maria finishes with a sob. Emeren hugs the woman and places a kiss on her forehead.

They stay like this for what feels forever before she hears Emeren speak.

"If you be with me, then I'll be the happiest man alive. Please, give me a chance," Emeren pleads. Maria doesn't reply, but the man relaxes when he feels her nod.

They should stop hugging, but neither of them wants to stop.

Not when everything feels so right.