Portrait of An Arrogant Master - Chapter 43
“Feel free to look around. There are artists painting nearby. Today, just get a feel for the atmosphere and join in from next time.”
“Alright.”
With that, he turned towards the rotunda under the dome. Ladies in bright dresses were enjoying their time there.
On the other side, artists had set up their spots. Some were working on easels, while others walked around with drawing boards, sketching. Most were creating landscape scenes centered around people.
Although they were working, they chatted comfortably, creating a relaxed atmosphere.
‘So, you can paint like this too.’
To Macy, who was used to painting alone, this scene was a refreshing surprise.
She had heard from Yannick that social activities were important for artists. They often invited each other to their homes, rented underground taverns for parties, and even hired models for nude croquis sessions. These gatherings also involved drinking, dancing, and intimate interactions.
So Yannick had deemed it too dangerous for women. This was one of the reasons Macy had been confined to painting in a back room.
As she wandered among them, a man approached her.
“Are you a servant of one of the young ladies attending the picnic?”
“No, I’m an artist here to paint the picnic scenes. Nice to meet you.”
“You paint?”
“Yes.”
He didn’t seem inclined to return her greeting. Instead, he looked displeased and asked again. Around them, other artists began to take notice of Macy.
“You look quite young. This isn’t child’s play.”
“There’s also Kieran, who’s around her age.”
“At least he’s a boy. The Baron must be joking.”
“I thought he might have brought a nude model for us.”
“That would have been more fitting.”
Their words were mixed with disdain as they looked her up and down. Their gazes felt sharp and unwelcoming.
It was clear that the artists here didn’t warm to her presence. Was it because she was young, or because she was a woman?
What did age or gender have to do with painting…?
“Well, I’ll be on my way then…”
Macy moved to another spot. She wasn’t here to make friends but to earn money. She decided to focus on her goal and ignore the rude comments.
As she wandered, thinking about what to draw, she stumbled over something.
“Ouch!”
Startled, she stepped back and realized she had tripped over someone lying in the flower bed.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t see you there! Are you okay?”
“Because of you, it ran away!”
“What?”
A boy with ashen hair covered in leaves emerged from the bushes. His face was so small it seemed he could disappear. His long eyelashes made him look almost like a girl.
He was holding paper and conte crayons.
“Are you an artist?”
“Yes! Why?”
A little while ago, other artists had mentioned a young artist around her age. Was this him? What was his name again? She pondered for a moment and then remembered.
“Oh, Kieran! You must be Kieran! What were you drawing?”
“That’s none of your business. But how do you know my name?”
“I overheard the other artists talking about—”
“There it is!”
Kieran abruptly stopped their conversation and sprinted towards a tall tree. A squirrel was nibbling on an acorn on a branch. Kieran’s gray eyes gleamed as he deftly sketched, capturing the intricate details of the squirrel’s sunflower-seed-like eyes and bushy tail.
“Wow, it’s so cute! Are you drawing the squirrel?”
“Why are you spying?!”
As Macy admired his drawing, Kieran quickly hid his sketch, glaring at her.
“I just saw it because it was right there. But I noticed the other artists are drawing people in landscapes, and you’re drawing animals?”
“They’re all idiots!”
“Excuse me?”
He paused his drawing and looked at her with weary eyes.
“Sure, it’s true that drawing the attendees of the picnic increases your chances of being chosen because Baron Shearton often gifts the paintings to the nobles who attend. But those other artists don’t get it. They think just cramming people into the picture will make it good, regardless of the quality or intention behind it!”
Indeed, attendees would likely appreciate receiving a painting with their likeness. That explained why, despite the freedom in choosing their subjects, all the other artists were focusing on people.
“Are you here to draw too?”
Kieran nodded as if he understood Macy’s presence but then eyed her suspiciously.
“Yes.”
“How old are you?”
“I’m an adult.”
“I mean, how old exactly?”
“….I just turned eighteen this year.”
“Still a kid.”
Kieran clicked his tongue disapprovingly, even though he didn’t seem much older himself. His face was youthful, and he was slightly shorter than Macy. She thought they were around the same age, but maybe he was older.
“Are you planning to include people in your drawings?”
“I think I have to, right?”
Even though participating as an artist would provide a decent wage, Macy aimed to be chosen by the Baron to complete a painting. She needed to earn more than just living expenses to repay her debt to Eren and eventually get her own place.
“Everyone here is a fool. If the painting is good, it shouldn’t matter what you include in it. Yannick Horton doesn’t include people in his landscapes either.”
“You know Yannick Horton?”
“Is there anyone who makes a living with a brush in Laden who doesn’t know Yannick Horton?”
Macy realized belatedly how foolish her question was. Yannick Horton was the most famous painter in Laden.
