Guild painter Petreau has pined for the hand of his master’s daughter for the last six years. After all this time, a masterpiece centered on her is finished. The girl even likes it. But how will he finagle his cantankerous mentor into letting him wed the girl he loves? -- Deathshead419
It was a portrait of adoration. The face on the canvas almost glowed with joy. Her hair was resplendant, and her clothes were lovingly rendered to look their best. Most importantly, it was not lustful in the slightest. Because it was meant to be viewed by her father.
Who was the most cantankerous, crotchety, argumentative, and bitter old sot who had ever held a paintbrush.
"Another attempt, eh?" said Leogratha, putting on his glasses so he could squint at the canvas. He was years overdue for a new prescription, but he was too stubborn to get a new set made. "Good likeness. I note you spent time on her hands to show off. Knitting. Extravagant."
"You told me to do something extravagant for my masterpiece. Note the knitting needles." Petreau indicated them with the handle of his current paintbrush. "I spent hours on the reflections."
"Lots of work on light and shape," Leogratha admitted. "She looks very happy with the artist. Too happy." The squint turned venom towards Petreau. "You want her, don't you?"
Best to be honest about it. "I want her and she wants me, sir. The only thing missing is your permission."
"Insisting on that, are you?"
"Both of us, sir."
Leogratha grumbled, "Never wanted Sythathi to marry a painter. No kind of life for m' wife, cleaning up after me. Reminding me to eat. Making sure I don't drink paint-water every day."
"She had the option to leave, and did not," argued Petreau. "Synthathi knows what she's in for, sir. She wants it... and me."
"You'll both regret it," grumbled Leogratha. It was as close to permission as he could manage. "I'll send some patrons your way. You do decent enough work for some of 'em."
High praise from the man with the most grudging opinion in the world.
[Photo by David Clode on Unsplash]
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