Garden area.

"Wind and Rainbow" shop.

Countess Rudolph walked through the spacious passage with her best friend, Madame Akaris, in her arms.

The exquisite decoration of the store and the various luminous stones used for lighting reflect the jewelry of the two women.

Behind them, the young lady of the clerk kept an eye on their movements at any time, neither recklessly stepped forward to introduce the goods, but also appeared immediately when the two ladies needed them.

"Akaris, come and see if this crystal necklace is similar to the one that the Earl gave me last month?" The graceful and luxurious countess held a transparent necklace and asked her companion.

"It is very similar indeed, so, my dear countess, it seems that you are destined to return empty-handed to-day."

The lady named Akarisi was an etiquette teacher who specialized in teaching young aristocratic ladies the etiquette of high society, including but not limited to dress, posture, language, banquet communication, art appreciation, and elegant sports.

Therefore, although she does not belong to the aristocratic class, because of the particularity of her profession, she can come into contact with the upper class almost every day, and has the reputation of "a commoner who is more elegant than the nobility".

"No, Akaris."

The Countess smiled, "Although your art appreciation is better than mine, when it comes to jewelry, I think I can be your teacher in turn." ”

"What do you mean?"

"Although the crystal on this necklace is the same as mine, the silk thread used in it is better than mine, and it matches more perfectly."

"You're not going to buy an entire necklace for this thread, are you?" Akaris, who was accustomed to the luxurious life of the aristocracy, was also quite surprised.

"Why not?"

Due to her status as a countess, she could not be as free as Akaris, and the scope of her solo activities was generally limited to parts of the Garden District and the King's District, and the "Wind and Rainbow" luxury store under the name of the Pleasure Gold Chamber of Commerce was in this range. Perhaps because of this, it is often necessary to use profligacy to satisfy the regret of lack of freedom.

"Your vision is admirable, and I have to say that my background is not enough to support me in jewelry appreciation to be as high as yours." Akariss knew that the countess, who had little aesthetics, was just enjoying the feeling of spending a lot of money, but she still gave her enough face.

The clerk appeared at the Countess's side at the right time, and after complimenting the latter's beauty and vision, she took the crystal necklace and went to pack it.

"I heard that the Chamber of Commerce has brought in a veil lipstick from Nazland?"

"Yes, ma'am, it will be on the counter next week, and you will be invited to taste it then."

"It's a pity that Ms. Finia seems to be very busy lately, and I have made appointments with her several times and said that there is something urgent, otherwise I can get a trial from her." The Countess said with regret.

"The owner has been really busy with mundane things lately, and we haven't seen her come to the store for a long time...... Madame, your necklace is wrapped. ”

"Remember to notify me as soon as the lipstick is on the counter."

"Be sure to inform you first...... Please walk slowly. ”

Countess Rudolph walked out of the store with a dignified manner, but before leaving the door, she said "huh".

She stopped, took two more steps back, and looked up at the inside of the store's façade.

"I'm pretty sure the painting was fresh."

Because of the high position, the Countess pointed to the painting and said, "Take down the second painting above and I'll take a look." ”

"Okay."

……

"...... this?" When the Countess got the painting, she immediately looked surprised.

"Miss Dinah?" Akariss leaned in.

"Dinah of the White Rose Theater was later bought back by Duke Violet, I read that right."

"The painting is so realistic, no one will be mistaken."

"You still sell portraits of Miss Dinah here?" The Countess looked at the clerk.

The female clerk showed a helpless and flattering expression: "This was sent from the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce early this morning, because the display cabinet has not yet been determined, so it was placed in a high place, and the result is still Mrs. Your eyes are sharp." ”

The Countess tilted the portrait towards Akaris, and asked, "Can you tell whose work it is?" This technique is so superb that it is simply incredible, when did Thunder City have such a powerful artist? ”

"Well...... this"

Akaris, who looked at it carefully for a while, was also particularly surprised.

It is a small standard-size portrait, 15.5 inches long and 11.8 inches wide, painted on a 0.5-inch thick poplar board.

But even the best water-based paints can't paint in such detail.

Because of her professionalism, she didn't dare to touch the surface of the painting with her hands, but from the naked eye, she couldn't feel the thickness of the paint at all.

The portraits are very realistic.

It's so realistic that it's like you're seeing a real person.

There is no doubt about that.

But because it is so realistic, it is impossible to see any style of painting at all, let alone guess which artist's masterpiece is the masterpiece.

The more she looked at it, the more strange it became.

Obviously, the scenery, colors, lines, and other aspects are excellent, and the craftsmanship is extremely exquisite, but the whole painting looks like it is not artistic except for the beauty of Dinah herself.

This made Akaris, who has a high artistic appreciation, feel very uncomfortable.

Refined and elegant, yet mediocre.

……

The Countess, however, was fascinated, and the portrait of Dinah carrying the corner of her dress reminded her of the time when she had been in and out of the White Rose Theatre with the Count, when the Count was still very obsessed with herself, but unfortunately, it had only been two years......

She suddenly came to her senses and asked the clerk:

"Do you know who the artist is?"

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but the Chamber of Commerce didn't tell us."

The Countess was not angry, because it was not uncommon for painters to be reluctant to reveal their information.

It's also a game often played by high society and the art world.

A top painter who sells a painting anonymously is only to be taken by a nobleman who pays a lot of money to buy it, and finally the truth is revealed in a certain social situation, and the nobleman receives the praise of "eyes like torches", and the painter proves that he does not need to rely on fame at all.

Countess Rudolph asked again: "How can this painting be sold?" ”

"Because it's a new work, the tentative price is 8 gold langs, 74 silver shields, and 9 copper strain."

"Wrap it up." The Countess didn't blink.

"Madame, please wait a minute."

Akalis stopped her, and then said to the clerk, "As a work whose identity is not clear for the time being, this price seems to be a bit high." In addition, why is it such a strange number, and it is accurate to the copper strain? ”

Although the Countess did not like Akaris's "bargaining" very much, she was also curious about the latter question.

How can a customer who consumes in such a store have copper plants on them?

The female clerk smiled slightly: "According to the Chamber of Commerce, this price is exactly the cost of the painting, so ...... For the time being, the store is only responsible for publicity and does not earn 1 copper plant money. ”

Hearing that it was the cost price, neither Akariss nor the Countess were too suspicious.

If it's a top-notch artist, plus the best paints and drawing boards, the price is not outrageous.

And judging by this painting, the artist's skill is absolutely impeccable.

But technique is not everything in painting, if it is an unknown painter, I am afraid it is really not worth the price, but the beauty and identity of the person who painted it may make the painting more valuable.

However, the Countess couldn't wait, she felt that she had lost face for this money, not to mention that she was very satisfied with the painting, and was anxious to take it back and find someone to share.

Akaris, too, came to her senses, and blamed herself for being disturbed by a painting, and almost offended the countess, and hastened to remedy it:

"Madam, although I can't guess the author yet, judging from the painting itself, it can be regarded as creating a style, and perhaps soon, there will be another genre in the painting world."