A Rose Painted Black || The Distortionist x Reader

⊱ ──.⋅Chapter 10⋅.── ⊰

"The first time that I saw you
With your eyes I fell in love
Since then I have loved you
'til the grave I will love you"

(Translated)

»»-------Sopor Aeternus-------««
-La Prima Vez

10 July

I didn't want to think that there was anything more boring than talking to the daughters of higher nobles, but I now begged to differ.

"Can't you just feel fortunate that you didn't end up poor like your mother?" Anna, the older one of the Marshall sisters spoke over her tea. At least the picnic had some tarts and mini sandwiches to keep me entertained. I don't even know how the conversation drifted here.

"My mom wasn't poor, she lived quite comfortably, actually," I clarified, holding up my head, knowing I was protecting Mama's honor.

"Living in a tiny home with like ten other siblings, and nobody to tend to you except your mother and father sounds utterly chaotic," Victoria, the one my age, said.

But mama lived through it.

"You don't actually need all those other servants, you know. You can dress yourself, who knew," I responded sarcastically.

Anna sucked in a breath. "But it's the proper way!"

"You're being obnoxious. Stop raising your voice, it's unladylike," I responded as her mother would tell her. I shifted my gaze elsewhere and before I started raising my voice.

If I were older, perhaps I'd be chatting away with the adults over wine, and if I were younger I'd be playing childish games with my siblings, but instead, I was stuck here; chatting with girls around my age who don't venture out much and it shows.

I wouldn't have gone--if given the option--since we were at the fields near the carnival, and we were so close that I could hear the cheer and music, which also meant that the carnies were nearby like Chris. Like Shirley.

But I supposed this could be enjoyable too if one didn't want to go to the fair, then they could enjoy a leisurely walk or picnic here.

"Anna," her mother called out, "have you told Miss (L/n) about the girls' college you've just graduated from?"

"I have, mother!"

"And it sounded just splendid," mama broke in.

This is what mama liked to see. She couldn't give me a proper upbringing since she wasn't "properly" upbrought herself. So she hoped that conversing with girls like these would help me. And it somewhat did, and at least I wouldn't be stuck with them forever.

"Psst."

It came from the trees. I saw nothing.

"Psst. (Y/n)."

Looking closer, I saw Flower's head peeking out from behind a tree, and Nana's head above hers.

I nearly leaped up. I looked around. Surely, I won't miss much.

"If you'll excuse me for a moment," I said as I set my small plate to the side, and leave before so much as a blink.

"Flower! Nana!" I quickly embraced them. "I'm so glad to see you both."

Nana took a big step forward and put her hands on my arms. "Woah, is that what rich people do for fun?"

"Anybody can have a picnic, Nana," Flower said.