In Sickness And In Health (Yandere M. Genius x F. Reader x Yandere M. Prince)

Chapter 30: The Past In The Present

Painting with Verona was unexpectedly pleasant. Of course, before, she had formed a connection with her rapidly, but it was a different kind of joy spending time with her. She had a sweet disposition and was not shy to show what she loved. In particular, they were seated outside at one of the many gardens. She reveled at the flowers, taking the time to observe each and every one of them. Only when she found the perfect one for her did she begin setting up her canvas. They had been painting for an hour already, but it wasn't nearly enough for the younger girl.

"I don't think I'm any good at this," the copper-haired woman chuckled nervously, staring at the child-like painting she had created, "but I guess it's relieving that I'm not the only one."

(Y/n) blushed. She realized her painting was pathetic, too, but had been trying to cover up all the mistakes she made. Unfortunately, any time she put the brush on the canvas, more than one mistake was created. Through and through, they were amateurs, but perhaps that was why there was an element of tranquility in it. They weren't trying to make anything perfect. On the contrary, they were learning through their errors and becoming better one step at a time. No one expected them to create something mindshattering. The lack of pressure was another added benefit to the activity.

"I can't imagine ever becoming a master at this," she admitted, placing her brush down in defeat, "How do people do it?"

"Well, I've heard most practice day after day painting the same thing to see their progress. But some are simply naturals at it from their very first stroke. I fear we may not have the aptitude for either."

"You can say that again."

Verona snickered at the girl's tone. She was somewhat of a perfectionist. In that regard, she was like a few people she knew; however, because of the coincidence between the younger girl and her mother, she could only draw comparisons between the two. Humming, she even pondered how the two would have gotten along if the latter were still living. A bit of somber envy set in her when she realized they would have become great friends.

"If it would make you feel any better," the woman started, tucking the girl's hair behind her ear, "the most perfect woman I ever knew would never be able to do this. My mother would try again and again to paint, but she never could. It was her deepest shame."

"If so, she must have led a nice life."

"I think she did. She died a bit younger than she should have and left us all scrambling for the next person to ascend the throne, but at least she left a stable country behind her."

"I guess that's something to be proud of. I don't know much about her, but I heard she was a good person."

"Goodness gracious! Who told you that? It must have been Mica."

As the woman chuckled at the very thought of her own mother being a "good person", the younger girl was unable to understand. It was her understanding that most mothers were good people, with the exception of very few she had ever met. The thought of the Lindre flower flashed through her head, in particular. She had nothing to relate the feeling to, except, perhaps, for the mother of her best friend. Still, no matter how much she did for her, it wasn't the same as having a blood-related mother. Something was still lacking, she felt.

"My mother was a good ruler, (Y/n), but she was not a good person. It's hard to be both, and harder to be a good mother to top it off."

"Did she hit you?" the younger girl questioned somewhat aggressively.

"Never."

"Did she starve you?"

"Hard to do that when there's gardens all around the palace."