June 29, 2019
‘What? Is this for real?’
I looked up and back at the pictures again. I didn’t see anything from behind the picture either. Nothing.
The cafe owner must’ve seen me as a potential customer when I came in. He approached me from the side and muttered sadly, “Do you have a type of picture in mind? Nowadays, there won’t be a house without a portrait of some guard. There are especially a lot of beautiful paintings of Sir Jean Gawain.”
The owner handed me a painting of an elegantly smiling man wearing a guardsmen uniform. I had actually seen the uniform in person when I was about to be skinned on the mountain. His uniform was worn draped over his shoulders.
“Sir Gawain is the most popular, but Sir Reed and Sir Bliss have a considerable big fan base too. Of course, I haven’t forgotten the formidable Sir Yael. I have many customers who buy the four of them as a set. If you want to buy the set, you may purchase them with an additional discount.
“Oh yeah… um…”
“Yes? I suppose you have someone in mind? Please let me know so I can find a portrait for you.”
“Well, um. Do you sell any paintings of His Majesty…?” At my question, the owner’s expression immediately froze.
“What did you say, Miss? Did you mean His Majesty’s pictures?”
“Yes? No, if you don’t have any…”
“Are you joking with me? Were you sent by the hardware store? Tell me your identity!” The owner’s attitude completely changed. Is this the same guy who tried to sell me stuff? I was puzzled and shook my head.
“No, I…”
“All right, get out of here!”
I was kicked out without a word.
“What, what was that?”
Well that was weird. I mulled over it as I went back to my place.
Madam Rurin was out until the night. When she returned, I caught her up on what happened. She burst out into laughter as soon as I finished my story.
“Oh my god, so you went into a shop that you saw for the first time and asked them if they had a picture of the Emperor?”
“I don’t understand… What’s wrong with asking for that?”
“Oh my god Dana, I didn’t know that you had absolutely no idea about it. You drew His Majesty without knowing.” Madame Rurin laughed for a long time after that. “Dana, not everyone is willing to paint His Majesty’s portrait.”
“Really? Why?”
“I’m not a lawyer, but if you want a reason, it could damage His Majesty’s authority.”
“So…” Having originally been born in a democratic country, I couldn’t follow her reasoning.
“Most people never have the chance to see His Majesty. What if somebody paints someone else and claimed it was His Majesty’s portrait? His image may be damaged. Anyone can paint him, but his appearance may not be portrayed properly.”
“Ah…”
This was a world where there was no way to convey someone’s appearance except for pictures. It was also possible for someone else to deliberately be portrayed as the Emperor. Paintings can also be funny or weird. Such a painting may impair the dignity of the Emperor.
“Or you could fall into the hands of those who are hostile to His Majesty and become a target of assassination. Worst case scenario, you could be accused of claiming a portrait of someone else is His Majesty in order to plan a rebellion.”
“…That much?”
“It happened before, so they made a law to forbid it now.”
I thought it was too harsh of a method. I gently nodded my head at the end of Madam Rurin’s speech.
“But I’ve been painting him…” It wasn’t just in Gundal either. Ever since I arrived at Madam Rurin’s house, I painted day and night. The servants also saw me painting His Majesty everyday but nobody said anything.
There was also that portrait in my bookcase so I assumed it was okay. Are you telling me all of this was illegal?
“Yes, you did. That could earn you a death penalty, Dana!” Madame Rurin said with a smile. I turned blue as a blueberry.
“…Lia-…Liar…”
“Oh? You don’t think so? Treason and contempt against the Royal Family gets you executed.” She widened her eyes as she explained. I was starting to get scared, I’m not gonna lie. If we go over the law, I will be executed. I don’t think I’d even stand a chance.
I clutched my neck. “My life will be over.”
“I guess that’s true.”
“I wanted to keep painting His Majesty…”
My plan to continue painting him until my last breath collapsed before they even started. Why did I even come to the capital? I slowly sighed and bowed my head.
“Of course, it’s forbidden. How do you think we haven’t gotten in trouble yet?”
“…huh?” I jumped at her coy remark.
Her smile reached her eyes as she opened her mouth. “There is a way.”
“A way?” I glared suspiciously at her who beamed at me.
“In fact, where in the Empire can a woman get close to the Emperor?”
I enthusiastically nodded in understanding.
“Although there isn’t a way for someone to see His Majesty everyday, the people who have seen him have created salons. There are big salons, small salons, and those of varying sizes.”
Apparently, the salons are on invite basis only and must be kept strictly confidential from the outside.
“In the salon, you can buy or sell anything in a careful manner. You wouldn’t have to worry about anything at all, Dana.”
“Really? Why?”
“You will come into my salon, of course.” Madam Rurin smiled. I understood everything about the situation now.
With her great love and interest in art, Madam Rurin’s hobby of spending money is focused on that. Even if you want to spend money, it’s hard to find a place that suits your taste enough to buy from. The paintings in Madam Rurin’s house fits her tastes. How happy I was to have found a place to spend on portraits. I’m going to have so much fun shopping.
‘Well, wouldn’t it be nice to become one of the palace maids…?’
In the first place, my plan was to get in with Madam Rurin, make friends from her connections, and become a palace maid through that networking. However, in such a situation, it might be difficult to do so.
‘Well, let’s think about it.’
Anyway, the most important thing for me now is to paint the Emperor with him as a live model. Either way, I wouldn’t stop until I achieve my ultimate goal.
“But before an artist can paint, they would need to see their subject many times right?”
“Right, you think so?” Madam Rurin puffed out her chest proudly. “First of all, we start by capturing his face with a quick sketch.” Madame Rurin took out a card from her purse and threw it on the couch. It was a luxurious invitation with an engraved pattern on it.
“This is an invitation to a ball in the Imperial Palace. It’s not just any regular ball, but a ball to show the peace and prosperity of the Empire so it will be massive. I’m going to introduce you to my salon members and those from other salons too.”
“Im-Imperial Palace…”
“Yes, is there any problem with that?”
It’s good but I just need more time to prepare myself. It’s like when you hear the delivery man knocking on your door after you just bought something online. I like it because it’s good.
“Well, I’m not ready…”
“Not ready? Don’t you want to visit the Imperial Palace and see His Majesty yourself?” Madam Rurin haven’t realized how serious the problem was.
I stuttered out a confession to her, “I don’t know the word… social etiquette? It might be something like that…”
In Gundal, I was busy eating and earning my food, I had no chance to learn such a thing. There are many problems to be expected such as causing damage to Madam Rurin’s reputation or making a fool of myself. I had to practice to death the last time I had to get ready for an important occasion. Then there was the ball at the Imperial Palace where many nobles will be attending. I don’t even know how to dance.
“Ah, so you were worried about that. As His Majesty matured, I have always obediently followed him and his laws, but not this time. His Majesty will be too busy enjoying the party anyways. You don’t have to worry about making a fool out of yourself and I can also teach you the basics, so don’t worry.”
“Really… is that it?”
“It’s a ball I have designed. I know I’m right.”
An exclamation mark appeared in my head.
“What is your job Madam Rurin?” The former Emperor used to plan the balls in the Imperial Palace. Madam Rurin wasn’t just a rich woman.
“I am just a person who loves art and dreams of developing the art world. I was also the etiquette teacher for His Majesty’s late grandmother and have been hired by the palace to teach their children and the brides they took in.”
If she taught the Imperial Princesses, isn’t she a great person? I saw Madam Rurin in a brand new light. If I think about it, the fact that she was involved with the Emperor’s upbringing already makes her a huge person. If it wasn’t for that, I would have lived my life full of misery. I guess I was lucky to have met her.
“Participating in events outside the Imperial Palace is also an important part of the art world. Of course, your skills are the most important, but it’s awareness … and the artist’s popularity is also an important factor. “
I nodded and clutched my hands together. I don’t have to worry about accumulating personal connections or social awareness. I’ve got the necessary connection to become a maid. Now, there’s nothing stopping me.
“I’ll let you know about the ceremony at the Imperial Palace tomorrow morning.”
Except for etiquette.
I looked at myself in the mirror and felt pleased. When I was staying in Gundal, I didn’t have any decorations, accessories, or dresses. However, the situation was different now. Madam Rurin invested money in dressing me up as well as my painting materials.
“Evaluating people just by their looks is frowned upon, but it’s important to keep an assortment of dresses. Because you’re young, you’ll have a chance to show off your skills to others. If someone doesn’t want to listen to you after evaluating your appearance, then they’re done.”
Sounds right. So people care about clothes and hair in this world too.
“I don’t want you to feel defeated if someone dismisses you without looking at your talent. Our reputation will be tarnished if that happened.” Madam Rurin smiled at the mirror and put a pin on my soft brown hair. It was a magnificent flower made with a thin silver plate and jewels. I who was decorated in jewels and a pretty dress won’t likely be ignored. I had a beautiful appearance.
Madame Rurin nodded in satisfaction and took a step back. “Great, you look very good. Almost artistic! If I was a man, I would be attracted to you as I would your ability.”
“Thank you.” Madam Rurin’s praise was terrible
She replied, “Well, shall we go? I have to hurry to get to the ballroom.”
The ball was held at noon, which broke my preconceived notions that all balls were at night. The weather was also sunny today. I was a sheep commemorating my first Imperial ball.
In the Imperial Palace, it was forbidden to ride a horse or carriage aside from the Emperor. We had to walk from the entrance all the way to the courtroom the ball was held in.
On our way there, I spotted something in the distance. It was transparent, shiny and silver-like, but it wasn’t a building. With my head down, I glanced up at Madam Rurin to see she was walking with a smile. I didn’t see the building for the ballroom but when we finally arrived, I was completely floored by what I saw.
June 29, 2019
‘What? Is this for real?’
I looked up and back at the pictures again. I didn’t see anything from behind the picture either. Nothing.
The cafe owner must’ve seen me as a potential customer when I came in. He approached me from the side and muttered sadly, “Do you have a type of picture in mind? Nowadays, there won’t be a house without a portrait of some guard. There are especially a lot of beautiful paintings of Sir Jean Gawain.”
The owner handed me a painting of an elegantly smiling man wearing a guardsmen uniform. I had actually seen the uniform in person when I was about to be skinned on the mountain. His uniform was worn draped over his shoulders.
“Sir Gawain is the most popular, but Sir Reed and Sir Bliss have a considerable big fan base too. Of course, I haven’t forgotten the formidable Sir Yael. I have many customers who buy the four of them as a set. If you want to buy the set, you may purchase them with an additional discount.
“Oh yeah… um…”
“Yes? I suppose you have someone in mind? Please let me know so I can find a portrait for you.”
“Well, um. Do you sell any paintings of His Majesty…?” At my question, the owner’s expression immediately froze.
“What did you say, Miss? Did you mean His Majesty’s pictures?”
“Yes? No, if you don’t have any…”
“Are you joking with me? Were you sent by the hardware store? Tell me your identity!” The owner’s attitude completely changed. Is this the same guy who tried to sell me stuff? I was puzzled and shook my head.
“No, I…”
“All right, get out of here!”
I was kicked out without a word.
“What, what was that?”
Well that was weird. I mulled over it as I went back to my place.
Madam Rurin was out until the night. When she returned, I caught her up on what happened. She burst out into laughter as soon as I finished my story.
“Oh my god, so you went into a shop that you saw for the first time and asked them if they had a picture of the Emperor?”
“I don’t understand… What’s wrong with asking for that?”
“Oh my god Dana, I didn’t know that you had absolutely no idea about it. You drew His Majesty without knowing.” Madame Rurin laughed for a long time after that. “Dana, not everyone is willing to paint His Majesty’s portrait.”
“Really? Why?”
“I’m not a lawyer, but if you want a reason, it could damage His Majesty’s authority.”
“So…” Having originally been born in a democratic country, I couldn’t follow her reasoning.
“Most people never have the chance to see His Majesty. What if somebody paints someone else and claimed it was His Majesty’s portrait? His image may be damaged. Anyone can paint him, but his appearance may not be portrayed properly.”
“Ah…”
This was a world where there was no way to convey someone’s appearance except for pictures. It was also possible for someone else to deliberately be portrayed as the Emperor. Paintings can also be funny or weird. Such a painting may impair the dignity of the Emperor.
“Or you could fall into the hands of those who are hostile to His Majesty and become a target of assassination. Worst case scenario, you could be accused of claiming a portrait of someone else is His Majesty in order to plan a rebellion.”
“…That much?”
“It happened before, so they made a law to forbid it now.”
I thought it was too harsh of a method. I gently nodded my head at the end of Madam Rurin’s speech.
“But I’ve been painting him…” It wasn’t just in Gundal either. Ever since I arrived at Madam Rurin’s house, I painted day and night. The servants also saw me painting His Majesty everyday but nobody said anything.
There was also that portrait in my bookcase so I assumed it was okay. Are you telling me all of this was illegal?
“Yes, you did. That could earn you a death penalty, Dana!” Madame Rurin said with a smile. I turned blue as a blueberry.
“…Lia-…Liar…”
“Oh? You don’t think so? Treason and contempt against the Royal Family gets you executed.” She widened her eyes as she explained. I was starting to get scared, I’m not gonna lie. If we go over the law, I will be executed. I don’t think I’d even stand a chance.
I clutched my neck. “My life will be over.”
“I guess that’s true.”
“I wanted to keep painting His Majesty…”
My plan to continue painting him until my last breath collapsed before they even started. Why did I even come to the capital? I slowly sighed and bowed my head.
“Of course, it’s forbidden. How do you think we haven’t gotten in trouble yet?”
“…huh?” I jumped at her coy remark.
Her smile reached her eyes as she opened her mouth. “There is a way.”
“A way?” I glared suspiciously at her who beamed at me.
“In fact, where in the Empire can a woman get close to the Emperor?”
I enthusiastically nodded in understanding.
“Although there isn’t a way for someone to see His Majesty everyday, the people who have seen him have created salons. There are big salons, small salons, and those of varying sizes.”
Apparently, the salons are on invite basis only and must be kept strictly confidential from the outside.
“In the salon, you can buy or sell anything in a careful manner. You wouldn’t have to worry about anything at all, Dana.”
“Really? Why?”
“You will come into my salon, of course.” Madam Rurin smiled. I understood everything about the situation now.
With her great love and interest in art, Madam Rurin’s hobby of spending money is focused on that. Even if you want to spend money, it’s hard to find a place that suits your taste enough to buy from. The paintings in Madam Rurin’s house fits her tastes. How happy I was to have found a place to spend on portraits. I’m going to have so much fun shopping.
‘Well, wouldn’t it be nice to become one of the palace maids…?’
In the first place, my plan was to get in with Madam Rurin, make friends from her connections, and become a palace maid through that networking. However, in such a situation, it might be difficult to do so.
‘Well, let’s think about it.’
Anyway, the most important thing for me now is to paint the Emperor with him as a live model. Either way, I wouldn’t stop until I achieve my ultimate goal.
“But before an artist can paint, they would need to see their subject many times right?”
“Right, you think so?” Madam Rurin puffed out her chest proudly. “First of all, we start by capturing his face with a quick sketch.” Madame Rurin took out a card from her purse and threw it on the couch. It was a luxurious invitation with an engraved pattern on it.
“This is an invitation to a ball in the Imperial Palace. It’s not just any regular ball, but a ball to show the peace and prosperity of the Empire so it will be massive. I’m going to introduce you to my salon members and those from other salons too.”
“Im-Imperial Palace…”
“Yes, is there any problem with that?”
It’s good but I just need more time to prepare myself. It’s like when you hear the delivery man knocking on your door after you just bought something online. I like it because it’s good.
“Well, I’m not ready…”
“Not ready? Don’t you want to visit the Imperial Palace and see His Majesty yourself?” Madam Rurin haven’t realized how serious the problem was.
I stuttered out a confession to her, “I don’t know the word… social etiquette? It might be something like that…”
In Gundal, I was busy eating and earning my food, I had no chance to learn such a thing. There are many problems to be expected such as causing damage to Madam Rurin’s reputation or making a fool of myself. I had to practice to death the last time I had to get ready for an important occasion. Then there was the ball at the Imperial Palace where many nobles will be attending. I don’t even know how to dance.
“Ah, so you were worried about that. As His Majesty matured, I have always obediently followed him and his laws, but not this time. His Majesty will be too busy enjoying the party anyways. You don’t have to worry about making a fool out of yourself and I can also teach you the basics, so don’t worry.”
“Really… is that it?”
“It’s a ball I have designed. I know I’m right.”
An exclamation mark appeared in my head.
“What is your job Madam Rurin?” The former Emperor used to plan the balls in the Imperial Palace. Madam Rurin wasn’t just a rich woman.
“I am just a person who loves art and dreams of developing the art world. I was also the etiquette teacher for His Majesty’s late grandmother and have been hired by the palace to teach their children and the brides they took in.”
If she taught the Imperial Princesses, isn’t she a great person? I saw Madam Rurin in a brand new light. If I think about it, the fact that she was involved with the Emperor’s upbringing already makes her a huge person. If it wasn’t for that, I would have lived my life full of misery. I guess I was lucky to have met her.
“Participating in events outside the Imperial Palace is also an important part of the art world. Of course, your skills are the most important, but it’s awareness … and the artist’s popularity is also an important factor. “
I nodded and clutched my hands together. I don’t have to worry about accumulating personal connections or social awareness. I’ve got the necessary connection to become a maid. Now, there’s nothing stopping me.
“I’ll let you know about the ceremony at the Imperial Palace tomorrow morning.”
Except for etiquette.
I looked at myself in the mirror and felt pleased. When I was staying in Gundal, I didn’t have any decorations, accessories, or dresses. However, the situation was different now. Madam Rurin invested money in dressing me up as well as my painting materials.
“Evaluating people just by their looks is frowned upon, but it’s important to keep an assortment of dresses. Because you’re young, you’ll have a chance to show off your skills to others. If someone doesn’t want to listen to you after evaluating your appearance, then they’re done.”
Sounds right. So people care about clothes and hair in this world too.
“I don’t want you to feel defeated if someone dismisses you without looking at your talent. Our reputation will be tarnished if that happened.” Madam Rurin smiled at the mirror and put a pin on my soft brown hair. It was a magnificent flower made with a thin silver plate and jewels. I who was decorated in jewels and a pretty dress won’t likely be ignored. I had a beautiful appearance.
Madame Rurin nodded in satisfaction and took a step back. “Great, you look very good. Almost artistic! If I was a man, I would be attracted to you as I would your ability.”
“Thank you.” Madam Rurin’s praise was terrible
She replied, “Well, shall we go? I have to hurry to get to the ballroom.”
The ball was held at noon, which broke my preconceived notions that all balls were at night. The weather was also sunny today. I was a sheep commemorating my first Imperial ball.
In the Imperial Palace, it was forbidden to ride a horse or carriage aside from the Emperor. We had to walk from the entrance all the way to the courtroom the ball was held in.
On our way there, I spotted something in the distance. It was transparent, shiny and silver-like, but it wasn’t a building. With my head down, I glanced up at Madam Rurin to see she was walking with a smile. I didn’t see the building for the ballroom but when we finally arrived, I was completely floored by what I saw.
