Heartless, Howl x Reader

Chapter One - Arraignment

My heart jumped out my chest as a gush of wind pushed me aside, the sound of loud horses, carriage wheels and a rider yelling something at me. It's only 10am and I almost got run over by a carriage. I tightened my grip on my basket that was full or cloth bags of various flash fruits, and I crossed the cobbled road to the market, the sound of my leather boots becoming faster as reached a stall.

"Morning Henry!" I exclaimed happily, Henry was a market seller, specifically who me and dad sold our crops to. My dad worked hard on his farm all day, in the mornings i would help him with the crops animals and doing various trips throughout town. I would anything i could to help him, he's a good man, kind and always cheerful. However after lunch my mother insisted that i work at her boutique, "so I can see what it's like to become a young lady." Mother is all about manners and whats proper, whats ladylike and is always looking for rich men that she could arrange me with.

"Morning Rosaline, I'm glad you showed up, I'm gonna need a lot of stock for tomorrows festival, and you and your father have the best produce in the whole town!" Henry said cheerfully, i said it wasn't a problem as. Gave him the basket and he paid me in full. I helped him display the fruit and other produce that were laying around in crates, even after he said he wouldn't need m help. "Typical Rosaline, always wanting to help out even when you turn her away."

I said goodbye to Henry and entered back into the busy streets, i was running through everyone when I saw my older sister outside a flower shop. "Hey Madeline!" I said out of breath. "Rosaline you can't keep running around like a wild goose, you know mother doesn't like it, if she sees you-." Madeline said lowering her voice as i cut her off before running again, "I know but it gets me places quicker." I was wearing a white long sleeved, shoulder less shirt, and a dark blue loose skirt that went just above my knee, a bit provocative as my mother would say but I can't run in a long dress. I also had a brown leather waistband that was in the style of a corset on, that also had a small satchel attached to it.

Once i got back to the farm i helped Father out with feeding the horses, I snuck Charlie and extra carrot as he was mine, a tall, black horse with a free spirit, "Good boy.". I later checked on the crops, i cleaned up the few cows we owned in our field, i fed the chickens and i found myself sat on the wall of the stone bridge, above the thin river that ran through the farm, my sketchbook rested on my lap and pencil in hand while i ate a small loaf of bread.

"Hey kiddo." "Hey papa." He sat next to and suddenly became every interested in the moss growing on the stone wall. "Rosaline." he began, "I already know what you're going to say." I sighed, putting down my pencil and book. "Your mother doesn't like it when you're late, you know avoiding her won't do you any good." Father placed his hand on my own as a breeze whirled around us, I looked up at him and he had an almost sorry look in his eyes.

"Try to talk to her, I know you say you're nothing like her and that may be true, but just try for me you might find you have some things in common."

I looked down and thought for a moment. "I'll try papa." I gave him a small kiss on his cheek and got up off the wall. I packed my things and threw the rest of my bread to the ducks that gathered below the bridge. "And dont worry about me Rosie, I'll still be able to do all the work myself." I gave my father a small smile before adjusting my bag on my shoulder, before waving goodbye and heading out the farm and back to the town. I looked at the clock in the towns square and realised if I didn't pick up my pace is would be late. I began to run just so I'd get there on time.

I ran to the back of the shop and ran inside to the backroom where most of our employees spent their time. I shut the door and caught my breath, my back hitting the door. "Rosaline why are you so out of breath my dear?" My mother said turning towards me as she gave the girl next to her the red dress she was holding. "I ran." I said between breaths adjusting my bag. "Rosaline ive told you many times before not to be running around town, a lady should always walk gracefully." she said walking over to me. "And what if I'm in a rush?" I said raising my eyebrows slightly. "Then brisk fully" she said with a harsher tone, "And don't use that tone with me young lady, wipe that dirt off your face before you start your work." My mother left to the front room where are shop was to tend to costumers. I heard the other girls in the room giggle and whisper to each other as I suddenly became anxious.