Ch#49
Of course, the price of the portraits was also different from Portrait Street.
“If I paint it, a single portrait is 300 ringtons, a two-person portrait is 450 ringtons. If my apprentices do it, it’s 200 and 300 ringtons respectively.”
Daisy gasped at the price explanation, but Linia immediately dragged her brother toward the model’s chair.
But upon realizing Laslo’s appearance wasn’t particularly neat, she began nagging him.
“Brother, really try a little. Get a haircut, shave, and buy some nice clothes to wear!”
“If you don’t want to, forget it. I won’t mind.”
“Ah, come on!”
Linia smacked Laslo’s forearm while firmly holding onto her brother.
Laslo clearly looked reluctant, but since he understood Linia’s feelings, he stood beside her without complaint.
*Spoils of war*
*Duchess*
“I’ll start painting now. It’s best not to move too much, but light conversation or turning your head occasionally is fine.”
As the painter picked up the pastels and began sweeping over the paper like possessed, Laslo and Linia awkwardly stiffened and endured the boring time.
In the meantime, Edel and Daisy posed in front of an apprentice painter.
Daisy was awkward like Linia or Laslo, but Edel, who had sat for portraits several times, naturally helped ease Daisy’s tension.
Truly written by Lemon Frog
“All done!”
Chatting with Daisy while sipping the drinks provided by the studio, the 30 minutes passed surprisingly quickly.
The apprentice’s portrait was far better than the cheap ones on Portrait Street.
However, he tilted his head as if something was lacking, then said to Edel.
“It’s a shame for such a pretty face to waste away as a maid. How about trying your hand at singing? If you do, I’ll paint a portrait for your theater troupe for free.”
But Edel just smiled and shook her head.
- 2 -
There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. He’d demand payment in some other form.
It was an unexpected remark.
Edel felt her heart thump and pressed her palm firmly near her collarbone as she bowed to Laslo.
“I have no such plans. I’m satisfied with my current life.”
“Aw, don’t say that. If singing’s not your thing, try acting. With a face like that, just standing there would sell tickets.”
“Thank you so much for thinking that highly of me, Count.”
“Thanks to you, I’ve formed a connection with House Celestine. I should be the one thanking you.”
Just as Edel grew uneasy sensing the persistent persuasion, Laslo suddenly wedged himself between her and the apprentice—more precisely, right in front of the apprentice.
He grinned.
“If you’re done, paint one more of this one.”
His face looked thuggish at a glance, but oddly, Edel found him very kind.
“Pardon? Who do you mean?”
She didn’t refuse further and willingly stepped before the painter.
“Marco! Since we’re here, get a portrait done with your daughter!”
Thinking of Barbara made her smile far more naturally than before.
Marco, who had been gazing fondly at his daughter, startled as if leaping up.
“M-me, how could I possibly...!”
Laslo had been passing near Portrait Street for Linia’s sake. There were many snack vendors around the crowded bridge.
“What’s the big deal—making excuses? Hanging a portrait with your daughter in your room would be nice.”
“Mm, delicious! No matter how good the food gets, I can never forget these.”
Having received an unexpected gift, Marco repeatedly bowed to Laslo in gratitude.
Daisy, moved as well, blushed at her eyes and shyly linked arms with her father.
The two looked awkward posing before the painter but were heartwarmingly affectionate.
Linia periodically craved commoner street snacks.
Things like sparrow skewers, stir-fried pork intestines, cheap meat pies and candies, drinks with odd flavors, or pastries smelling of flour.
Such a warm father and daughter. Enviable.
“Must be etched in my blood from childhood. Doesn’t it tempt you, brother?”
Edel envied Daisy so much, seeing a father’s love she’d never known right before her eyes.
Laslo tossed some roasted peanuts into his mouth instead of answering.
As Edel watched them, Laslo, who had been quietly gazing in the same direction, called the studio owner painter again.
Just as Linia said, he too sometimes felt that the foods from his commoner days suited him best.
The cook’s dishes were of course delicious, but a corner of his mind wondered, *‘Do I really deserve to eat this?’*
“Have your apprentice paint one more portrait of this woman.”
That was why, whenever Linia wanted to *‘eat’ on commoner streets, he pretended to indulge her whims but quite enjoyed it himself.
Edel was the one startled by those words.
“But, brother.”
“What?”
“Pardon? My portrait, again?”
“This is the first time I’m asking...”
“The Celestine Marchioness Dowager is very curious about how you’re doing. We’ll meet someday, but wouldn’t it be good to send a portrait ahead of time?”
Laslo glanced at Linia, who was blowing on a freshly made meat pie. Wondering what she was dragging out again.
.
