Chapter 253 - So Business Together (2)
Princess Lyland's idea isn't bad at all.
The first phase will be finding interested noblewon. Then, the second step will be selling the paintings at the highest price.
Her highness organised a tea party to advertise the paintings. Her friends were astonished by the one in her lodgings, so much that they started making questions about the painter.
They wanted to know him, to have him paint for them too...
Ah, it would have been so profitable. Too bad that my Duke is too busy for this. He already has his hands full with painting for ... I an, administering his fief, taking care of his wife, and saving the Empire.
?Is he handso?? one of the girls asks, all of a sudden.
?Is it relevant?? I mutter. Isn't what matters the way he draws and paints? What does this one want from him, now?
?Oh, soone that paints like this can't be ugly,? another one replies. What kind of logic is this? How are the two things related?
?You're so lucky, your grace, to have so many outstanding n around you...?
I know, even though they're the sa person.
?I bet the painter is handso. What other reason would her grace have to hide him from us??
I tilt my head, caught red-handed.
I'm not hiding him because he's handso, but just because I want to sell for a higher price. So mystery will do the trick.
?I haven't paid attention to it,? I reveal.
The girls giggle as if what I said makes perfect sense.
?Of course, with soone like his grace, the Duke, next to you... Who would ever look at so random painter??
Oh, I love to look at him while he's painting. He's like a different person. But it's not ti to think about this and start drooling at so mories...
Not to ntion that the Princess might figure it out if I act strange. Or worse, she could think that I have an illegal relationship with so invented painter.
It would be fun if she told that to Alexander, but I can't ruin the surprise yet.
?Well, I only know him as a business partner,? I lie. ?And I promised I would introduce his artworks to so refined noble ladies... I hope you won't mind if I invite you to take a look at the other pieces I brought with .?
?Are there others??
?Yes, there are. I can sell them to you in the artist's na. What do you think, ladies??
They look at each other, widening their eyes in excitent.
I know, right? The Palace doesn't give many sources of entertainnt. In such a rigid, cold place, young ladies don't have much to do.
?What do you think to organise an auction?? I inquire.
They crook their mouths, considering my proposition with so detachnt. I already know what they're going to say next.
?Bidding is sothing n do,? one of them complains. ?I haven't ever heard of ladies auctioning for anything. Not even so jewel...?
?And we don't have any chance at winning against so gentlen, your grace.?
?Oh,? I chuckle. ?That would be the case if n were allowed in the auction.?
?They won't be??
?Correct,? I confirm. ?It will be a won-only event. This way, you'll be able to bid without worries.?
?I don't have money on my own,? a young girl from the back says. ?I'm not sure my husband will let handle so on my own.?
It's the life of a Palace noble: they don't have a fief to manage. Hence, their wives don't need to share so of the administrative burdens.
?He bought you all you needed till now, right? You can use jewels or dresses in exchange,? I reassure her. I'm not very interested in anything that can't be sold, but it's better to have more people at the event to boost the overall inco. ?When you arrive, there will be soone assessing what you bring with you, and you'll be given so notes that can be used as they were money for the duration of the auction. If you don't buy anything, your things will be given back to you.?
?Oh, it feels so complicated.?
These won have so basic education, but none of them has been trained to understand money.
I feel like I'm doing them a favour by thinking about all of this.
?You can do this or ask your husband for so pocket money. How much you want to spend depends only on you,? I continue.
I think I'll need to explain how bidding works. At this rate, I'll spend way more energies on this rather than on the actual work. I haven't predicted it.
?Consider in,? the Princess says. She nods with strength, and she smiles when our eyes et. ?It seems very enjoyable!?
?Thank you, your highness,? I reply, bowing my head by a few degrees.
Since the Princess agreed, the rest of the ladies do not have any other choice. At most, they'll co and stay silent without spending money. But they will co.
?You can also invite your friends,? I remind them. ?The more, the better.? And the higher the price.
?I will prepare one of my halls for it,? the Princess continues. ?We can found a won-only club there...?
The ladies widen their eyes even more. At this rate, their eyeballs will fall down if they move their head too quickly.
?A club??
Since it's the Princess talking, they can't just brush it off as sothing weird or unconventional. They can only nod their heads and comnt about how wonderful her ideas are.
But I can tell from their eyes: they do feel excited about it. Their dull lives have passed by watching their husbands and brothers have all kinds of fun while they have to stay ho and play refined. They never were allowed to act with freedom. For so of them, even an opinion was forbidden. A place where a man can't enter is exactly what they need.
I'm starting to understand why the first Lady of Kyre insisted on that rule for her office. She had enough freedom and courage to start it, for the sake of the won that would co after.
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