Chapter 88: The Painting (1)

A polite quiet fell in the room as people walked around with slow, measured steps, their heels clicking against the marble flooring. Their focus on the works hanging on the pristine white walls around them. That polite quiet was not reserved for one particular area of the building. The painting that hung on the center of the wall in the main south corridor drew many shocked gasps and sparked many controversial conversations.

The painting that had everyone who saw it talking, was a piece with exaggerated shadowing and lighting while within the realm of realism while the main focus of the piece was drawn with accurate proportions and stunning clarity. . .but it was that very subject that was the most shocking part for the citizens of the Velron Kingdom. The subject was none other than their second prince who had been painted with his chest bare while only wearing a thin blanket that barely covered his lower half, leaving nothing to the imagination as it clung to his shapely legs like a second skin. On the prince’s face was a lazy and seductive smile that was both relaxed and cunning.

No one had to read the name tag hanging below the piece to know who was responsible for this particular work. Almost everyone who had seen it had heard the rumors about the prince and his male lover. And this piece seemed to prove those rumors true. But it wasn’t the rumors that had left the viewers feeling scandalized, curious, and morally shocked. It was the fact that the painting was as lewd as one could get without being a pure sexualized piece. . .and it was a piece painted by a noble student while hanging with other pieces done by other students!

Aisley and her sister Aefre were mingling among the crowd as they showed their father around. Because they didn’t have a performance that day, they were currently viewing the works hanging up in the art gallery. It was just one of the many ways to find new and upcoming talents. As they were walking, nearby conversations drifted to their ears.

"It’s practically a lewd piece," scoffed a passing man who was talking to his companion.

"It is even more tempting and lewd than if he were to be drawn completely bare," the scoffing man’s companion huffed while waving her fan in agitation.

"The shadowing and realism is on another level. . . but the subject. . ." Another tisked from the other side of the room.

"It’s such a beautiful piece. Who knew the second prince would be that handsome?!" A woman told another group as she fanned her flushed face.

"The emotions portrayed are so lifelike. The artist behind it is truly talented!"

It wasn’t long before the three Ceciles came upon the piece they had been hearing so much about. Aefre inhaled sharply as a small flush creeper up her neck and face and she quickly averted her eyes. Aisley on the other hand was struck with a sense of familiarity as she gazed at the use of light and shadows and the particular brush work, but she couldn’t place where she had seen such similar work before.

"Interesting. The use of the shadows highlights the unknown and feelings of doubt the artist unconsciousnessly feels while the use of light highlights the real and unguarded feelings the artist feels toward the subject. The small, downward brush strokes that are careful and controlled while emphasizing the realism of the work. This is no doubt a piece done by Ephraim Godric," their father commented as his eyes lingered on the work with a critical eye.

Aisley felt her eyes widened as she recognized the name of the new and upcoming artist that her father wanted to sponsor. She turned back to the piece and looked at the name tag underneath.

A Charming Morning

Adrien Mallorne

* * * * *

In another part of the art gallery, Count and Countess Mallorne were walking around, having arrived early as a surprise for the boys, though they had yet to inform the three of them of that yet. The Countess had learned that Adrien had submitted a work for the gallery and wanted to take a look at it. The Count had agreed so the two of them had arrived two hours before they were supposed to.

Teressa looked at the works with a critical eye, the merchant side of her coming through every once in a while. Edward on the other hand did not understand much about art and merely looked at each piece with a casual glance.

The only thing he knew about artwork, especially paintings, was what he had seen his youngest son accomplished. He may have raised the youngest child with a strict hand while trying to urge him on the path of being a knight, but he still had someone to secretly keep an eye on him. So Edward knew instantly when Adrien started selling the paintings gathering dust in his closet under a pseudonym.

The two of them navigated down the surprisingly full corridors of the gallery hall. Edward kept his ear out as he listened to those around him, concerned about some of the things he had been hearing.

Teressa placed a hand on his arm, drawing his attention back to her. "There are so many fine pieces here," she commented softly, her pale-green eyes roaming the nearest pieces with a questioning glance. "But I don’t see Adrien’s anywhere."

Edward placed a hand over top of hers. Their relationship had improved remarkably well ever since their last visit to the academy. "I’m sure we will come across it soon," he assured her.

Maybe he should let her know that Adrien had been secretly selling his artwork, though it did seem to be something that he wanted to keep hidden.

They rounded the corner and came upon three unexpected faces. Duke Ceciles and his two daughters were standing before a painting. Edward noticed how Teressa’s face paled slightly and how her hands clenched at her sides.

It was a strange reaction. Edward had been expecting her to react somewhat, but what she was showing screamed more of fear than anything else.

Edward filed it away for now and greeted Duke Ceciles. After getting the greetings out of the way, he turned to look at the piece that had held their attention. Edward’s lips twitched when he saw the name on the tag underneath the painting.

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