Chapter Eighteen

Scarred, scrutinized, and scorned. This was Maria's upbringing for most of her life. Unlike her sisters, that all resemble their beautiful mother, Maria had been cursed with hideous looks.

Maria, like her sisters and mother, has soft pale skin, golden locks, and blue eyes. However, she has patches of marred skin on her face. These patches have been with the young girl since birth. They do not hurt, but soft fur would grow from it.

It was said that Stronzo Cattivo refused to hold her for the majority of her infancy. Even though it was a rumor, what was true was the verbal abuse she would receive from him.

Mariaisabella and her sisters would forcefully watch whenever Stronzo made remarks about her looks constantly. Mariaisabella was the only one to tell him to stop periodically. But she would receive a severe punishment.

Mariaisabella called Maria her little rose. She did this because although Maria has thorns, it didn't stop her from admiring the beautiful delicate flower.

Maria is a very talented girl. She does not only thrive in instruments, but she is fantastic in crafts. Her tutors would remark that she is sweet, bright, kind, and a lovely woman. But Stronzo never appreciated them. Rather, he saw a beast of a daughter fail to be human.

Maria has attended the seasonal ball three times. And none of those times she found a suitor. Instead, she would hear whispers about her and her upbringing.

The most ridiculous rumor was that Mariaisabella was unfaithful to her husband and had coitus with a wolf. She then gave birth to the child and named it Maria.

Crying herself to sleep was normal. No one, except her mother, would be brave enough to sound her to sleep. All Maria wanted was her father's love. She did everything that she could to make him proud.

But all Maria's father saw was her hideous insecurities.

Maria was certain that she would die in her lonesome. And when her mother showed her their new future, she didn't think much of it.

Until she met Emeren.

The man is the epitome of handsome. He has sun-kissed skin, chocolate brown eyes, rich brunet hair, and a lovely smile. Maria didn't think anything of it until her birthday.

The man has fantastic skill with a pencil, and he drew a sketch of Maria that made her look and feel beautiful. She fell for him on that same day.

Everything about him made her feel special. Maria didn't feel like a beast around Emeren, she felt human. But she didn't think that Emeren harbored the same feelings.

So when Emeren revealed his feelings for the young girl, she was surprised. She didn't believe him at first, but Emeren pleaded to be given a chance. So when she did, the young rose felt so right whenever she was with Emeren.

Happiness surrounded her as she would spend days with the artist. She would marvel at his skill and encouraged him to pursue the arts.

Maria is thankful for her mother. Without Mariaisabella, she wouldn't be this happy.

ℍ𝕖𝕣 𝕗𝕒𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕨𝕒𝕤 𝕨𝕣𝕠𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕙𝕖𝕣. 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕚𝕒 𝕚𝕤 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕒 𝕓𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕥, 𝕤𝕙𝕖 𝕚𝕤 𝕒 𝕓𝕖𝕒𝕦𝕥𝕚𝕗𝕦𝕝 𝕣𝕠𝕤𝕖.

The late sun shines through the farmer's bedroom. It causes the room to illuminate an array of reds, oranges, and yellows. On the bed lay two people. Both of them are enamored with one another. The older of the two traces his lover's mark of adorability. The heart-shaped symbol lays directly above Maria's left breast.

Emeren cannot believe how lucky he is to have Maria in his life. Thanks to her, he feels like he can do more than farming. She is his muse, and he refuses to let her go.

The young rose lays tiredly in his bed. They previously had coitus, so the young girl is resting. Her blue eyes glimmer as her eyes wander to his mark of capability. The mark is very similar to her own. She cannot help but wear a huge smile.

"I love you, my wonderful artist," Maria whispers. Emeren, in response, kisses the top of her mark. This makes Maria giggle from the sensitivity.

"I love you too, my little rose. You are everything to me. And I cannot wait to make you my wife," Emeren breaths out. Maria's vision blurs as tears of joy emerge.

As the sun continues to set and they both lie on the artist's bed, Maria knows that this is where she belongs.

The little rose belongs into her artist's arms.