Chapter 70

That day, I was taken to the Redgard family's house. It's better to get things over with quickly, they said.

"What should I do? What should I do? I'm getting nervous."

"Huh? Don't worry, there's no need to be so nervous. The guest is the son of the Ouskaia territory's lord. He's a good guy."

"That's why I'm nervous."

"Is that how it works? ...Well, just try to relax. He likes your paintings, so it'll be fine. It'll be fine."

It's not fine at all. I'm nervous. After all, the fact that someone likes my paintings is... that's... amazing.

Especially if they like my paintings without knowing me, just by looking at them, that's really amazing... Is it okay?

"...By the way, this is the first request from outside, if we exclude the one from Celia."

"Uh-huh..."

With Celia, it was a trade, so it wasn't that difficult or nerve-wracking. I was so focused on painting Celia that I didn't have time to be nervous.

But this time, it's different. They want my paintings, and I have to set a price. Oh no... I can't do it, I'm getting nervous.

"You haven't changed, even after becoming a spirit..."

"Shut up."

"Hahaha. Maybe it's good that you're still you. Yeah. Maybe it's better to just say, 'I'm nervous,' honestly."

I thought it was just a matter of thinking about it...

While I was nervous, the phoenix flew me to the Redgard family's house.

Then, I was led to the garden. It was indeed a refreshing and cool day, perfect for having tea in the garden.

...While I was thinking about this, I was already brought to a stranger in the Redgard family, who was having tea.

"Sapphire, this is the painter we talked about earlier."

Fey said, pointing me out to the stranger.

"I am Kujira. Nice to meet you."

Since I couldn't think of anything else to say, I just bowed. ...No, what else could I say?

"You must be Tougo! I've heard a lot about you!"

However, the person who approached me with a smile, took my hand, and shook it, then introduced themselves.

"I am Sapphire Cura Ouskaia, the eldest son of the Ouskaia territory. I am on good terms with the Redgard family."

...As Fey said, he is a 'good person.' Yes, a good person. He somewhat resembles Fey's older brother, with his gentle demeanor and solid, dignified presence.

"I just saw your paintings a moment ago. Starting with the unicorn and pegasus at the entrance, the forest painting in the living room, the Redgard family portraits, and the painting of a 'mochi' in Fey's room. Yes, the 'mochi'... What is it? Fey said it's a 'dream painting,' but is it an abstract painting?"

...It's hard to explain.

After I explained a bit about the 'mochi,' Sapphire seemed to realize that Fey's interpretation was off. He laughed heartily. Yes, I couldn't help but laugh a little too.

With the atmosphere becoming a bit more relaxed, Sapphire smiled and said,

"Your paintings, including the 'mochi,' are all soft and warm. I thought the person who painted them would be like that, and it seems I was right."

What should I do? I can tell I'm being praised, but I don't know how to react. What's the correct response?

"Thank you..."

So, I just said thank you. My teacher said that if you're in trouble, saying thank you usually works.

"Hehe. That's why I wanted to meet you. I asked Fey to bring you here, and I'm sorry for the trouble."

"No, it's... an honor to meet you."

It was a bit awkward, but I think I said what I needed to. Yes... explaining the 'mochi' was easier than this. Yes.

Then, I showed a few of the paintings I brought to Sapphire.

"Sapphire, I don't think a painting of a daytime forest would suit your house. The wallpaper is sky blue, right? At least in your room and the living room."

"You have a good memory, Rose. Yes, you're right. This color might stand out a bit."

...I thought he resembled Fey's older brother, and it seems they are indeed good friends. They are about the same age, have a similar atmosphere, and it makes sense.

"Hmm... Then, can I have this painting?"

"Yes, please."

The painting Sapphire chose was of horses in a night forest. Under a faint, pale blue moonlight, the horses, unable to sleep, were playing in a spring. I tried to make the painting overall blue, thinking it would match the sky blue wallpaper. Probably.

"Then, I have one more request."

"Yes?"

Sapphire carefully put away the painting of the night forest horses and then said to me,

"Besides this, I would like to commission one more painting."

Here it comes.

I knew there was a commission, but I still got nervous when it was brought up.

...While I was nervous, listening to Sapphire, he smiled happily and said, a bit embarrassed,

"A painting of an angel. ...To bless my child who is about to be born, I want a soft and warm painting of an angel."

"...A child?"

"Yes. Actually, my child is due to be born soon."

Sapphire said, smiling awkwardly.

I see. A child... That must be wonderful.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you. However, my wife can't go out much since her belly has become heavy. She's bored. She loves paintings, so I thought about buying some to bring back, but I didn't expect to find such good paintings."

Looking at Sapphire's face, I thought, they must have a good relationship. With his wife and, probably, the child to be born.

"Hehe, you look happy, Sapphire. Just like when you got married."

"Yes, I am! ...You'll understand when you get married."

Fey's older brother and Sapphire are about the same age. Sapphire is married and will have a child soon. Well, everyone has their own pace.

"So, what do you think? Can you take the commission?"

...Now, this is the problem.

The commission is for a painting of an angel. A painting for the child to be born and his wife...

"Um, what kind of angel do you want?"

Angels come in various forms. An adult with bird wings on their back, a naked child with wings blowing a trumpet, or someone with more than three arms. There are many kinds.

"What kind... Hmm, I'll leave it to you."

...Ugh. I got the one I'm least good at.

That means, probably... in this world, 'angels' don't have many types.

"Do you have any preferences for the size or materials?"

"Hmm, let's see. About the size of the 'mochi' painting in Fey's room. A bit larger."

...That 'mochi' painting is quite large, even for me. I don't know why I painted it that size. It's a mystery why Fey brought it back to decorate.

"The materials should be the same as this painting. ...I don't see them often, but they are soft. These are."

The materials are watercolors. Yes, in this world, watercolor paintings seem to be rare.

"...Understood. A bit larger, watercolors. So, a painting of an angel, right?"

Well, yes. At least, it's not 'all up to you,' which is good.

"I'll take the commission."

I'm not very confident. But I feel bad about turning it down. Plus... I kind of want to challenge myself.

"Then, I'll make it match the sky blue wallpaper."

"Oh, that would be great."

...This way, I accepted my first commission from someone who liked my paintings, not me.

...Now, I'm in trouble.

"What is an angel...?"

"What!? You accepted a commission for a painting of an angel without knowing what an angel is!"

"Um... I'm not sure if the angels I know are the same as the ones in this world."

Angels in my world come in various forms.

"Well... When you say 'angel,' it's something like this. A human-like creature with wings on their back and a halo floating above their head."

It's a creature.

"Mostly, they are wary of humans. But if they like someone, they bring blessings to that person. I've never seen one. Oh, I met a spirit before I met an angel..."

Yes, I'm a spirit.

"Well... I don't have much credibility saying this, but angels are hard to meet and bring blessings, so they are considered lucky. Many families have angel wings in their crests, and they are used as motifs for celebrations. Like in accessories. They are also used as talismans."

Ah, that's the feeling. Yes, the angels in this world seem different from what I imagined.

"So, in terms of appearance, a human with wings and a halo! Usually, they are beautiful women, girls, or boys. Sometimes, they are handsome young men."

"Um, what about a baby-like one?"

"Baby? Hmm... I haven't seen paintings of such angels..."

I see. A naked child with wings blowing a trumpet is not a common angel in this world. Yes.

"Maybe you could use Celia as a model?"

"Um... She doesn't seem very angelic."

What about a seductive angel? Demons or fairies seem more like Celia.

"Then, Carnelia?"

"With her color scheme, it probably wouldn't match the sky blue wallpaper... Plus, it's better not to leave a trace of her. She's on the run with Interia from the Gioren family."

Carnelia is indeed angelic, but more like a fairy. Her color scheme is orange, which doesn't match the sky blue wallpaper.

"Then, how about drawing it purely from imagination?"

...I'll think about it.

I can draw horses, birds, dragons, unicorns, phoenixes, and pipe foxes to some extent.

So, I can draw humans purely from imagination...

"...I can't do it with humans."

I can't. Yes, it's no good. I can't imagine it.

"Is that so? I thought you could do it."

"Yes..."

I don't know why. But it seems I'm not good at drawing humans purely from imagination. 'I can't'... it's not just my mind... it's something else. Yes.

After thinking for a while, Fey said casually,

"Then, should we look for a new slave? You can draw while looking at them, right?"

...Yes.

"It's easier to buy a human than to catch an angel, right? What do you think?"

That's a good idea.