Painting 2

Chattering filled the hall, women admiring priceless artwork while men were already pricing and arguing within themselves.

Soon an announcement was made for everyone to take their seat. Gladys sat with Rosabel along with other noble young Women.

Nero, Antone and his brother Theon sat at the front with other elites while Celeste sat behind with Humphrey.

The noise soon died down when a tall man with broad shoulders and long beard wearing a long hat climbed the stairs and stood on the podium where he would begin the bidding.

"Noblemen and women I hereby welcome you all to this auction set by our wonderful Mr Maynard."

Nero saluted the man standing on the podium and he saluted back with a smile that was hidden behind his beard.

"It is an honour to have you here with us your Grace."

The man on the podium bowed in respect to the king, Theon. Theon nodded with a brief smile and the man continued, welcoming guests with high standing ranks which couldn't be overlooked.

"In order not to waste everyone's time, we'll quickly dive in to the event of the day...Monroe."

The man on the podium gestured to the man he called to bring up the first painting which was covered.

The painting was carefully placed on a supporter with three legs so everyone could view it without stress. The cloth was taken away, revealing an amiable piece of art.

Few gasped at the beauty it held.

"This is a surrealistic painting of the mixture of three different things, it talks about how the combination of nature could form anything. If you look closely you'll find a woman's face."

And what he said was true because they could clearly see a beautiful woman's face, it was like magic to everyone. How nature transformed into the face of a young woman.

"For those interested in this piece of art designed by our famous Mr Maynard, it goes by the sum of fifty gold coins, fifty anyone? Fifty..."

A hand went up high with his placard showing number fifty on it and another followed, showing a higher number.

"Great, sixty gold coins, sixty? Any other interested buyer?" The bearded man spoke in a hurried tone.

"Wonderful, seventy and five gold coins, any other? Seventy and five, will ya give me seventy and five?"

The other buyers with less numbers brought their placards down, leaving the one with digits seventy and five.

"SOLD, for seventy and five gold coins to the man in black coat."

The auctioneer's hammer went down, banging it loudly to seal the price. The painting was taken away and another was brought up.

The prices kept increasing and some decreasing as more paintings were brought up, many lost while some won with higher prices.

It was entertaining, many artworks got sold.

"This is the long lost villa called Greenwich where his highness, our king and his prestigious siblings originated from, it was founded by their long lost great great grandfather who lived for many generations past. He was the most powerful wizard to ever exist who went by the name 'LEANDER' meaning lion-man, why the villa was given the name 'GREENWICH' was due to the greenery all round the place and the residing of witches."

Everyone grew excited and more eager to waste their money on the artwork because it was related to the king and his siblings.

It was not a new topic to them about the existence of witches and wizards, they already knew about them and they accepted them long ago and worked hand in hand with them unto his very day.

Many placards where raised and this gladdened the auctioneer and made his eyes glimmer.

"Yes, a hundred shillings, two and a hundred...two and fifty over there, yes, there's three and a hundred.."

The pace at which the auctioneer spoke was fast, letting buyers make up his or her mind speedily.

"SOLD for four and a hundred shillings."

Many gasped at the amount the buyer spent over the piece of art.

It was none other than the king, Theon, who bought the painting for himself, a smirk graced his lips when he heard chattering and surprised gasps.

"Thank you brother." Nero thanked his brother.

"That piece of art is too precious to be sold to some random buyer who doesn't know its worth." Theon told him and Nero nodded in agreement.

The noises died down when another portrait was brought up. When the cloth was taken away, Theon's eyes went wide in bewilderment, he quickly shifted his attention to his brother who sat beside him with a bright smile and he winked at him.

Theon's lips parted slightly and he returned his gaze to the painting. Humphrey couldn't tear his gaze off the painting, it had so much value.

"Don't even dare brother."

Celeste warned when he saw Humphrey was about to lift up his placard. But someone did that without even waiting for the auctioneer to describe the artwork and lay out the price.

"Already a buyer! Tremendous!"

The auctioneer exclaimed, feeling happy. All heads turned to see who it was.

Celeste's eyes darkened in annoyance and he too raised his placard as well to compete with the lady who happened to be none other than Rosabel McClendon.

"Oh! Another buyer!"

Theon also lifted his placard when he noticed Celeste had already lifted his. More hands went up, doubling the price, including Gladys.

Soon many hands went down because of others who beat them with higher numbers.

"Twenty crowns, twenty and five, thirty crown...forty! Oh my goodness!" The bidding didn't stop and the auctioneer was amazed at the amount they where willing to spend.

"Are they serious?"

"Who would waste such amount for a mere painting of a pregnant lady?"

"The kind of course."

"Who could she be?"

Gossips filled the air and it reached Gladys ears who had her placard still lifted up.

"The woman you see there is none other than the mother to my four brothers."

This surprised the ladies when they heard what Gladys said. Rosabel was even more shocked, now she knew why Celeste couldn't tear his gaze off the painting earlier.

Slowly her hand went down in defeat and she looked back to catch a glimpse of Celeste who sat at the far end. His eyes held hers briefly before looking away.

"SOLD for fifty crowns to Duke Celeste."

A satisfied smile lit Celeste's face in triumph.

*

The auction finally came to an end with most people going back home with two or more artwork they had purchased.

Rosabel's eyes followed Celeste everywhere, she tried approaching him again but couldn't because he kept avoiding her.

"Lady Gladys"

Gladys who was chatting with another noble woman had to quit talking with her to answer Rosabel's call.

"What is it Rosabel?" She inquired in a friendly tone. Rosabel's eyes were still glued to Celeste and when Gladys followed her line of sight she nodded in understanding.

"Will it be too much to ask of you to come along with your brother to my tea party?"

Rosabel had a worried and nervous look. She looked stressed. Gladys gave her a warm smile before responding.

"Nothing is too much when it comes to you Rosabel, I'll let him know."

"Please do," Rosabel said in a pleading tone.

Gladys already knew how taken Rosabel was with Celeste, she loved him to the very core and could do anything for him.

The tea party was the next day and Gladys had been invited earlier as it was a ladies only gathering, but now Rosabel wanted a man to be part of it. How ironic.

"Rose," her mother, Henrietta called out to her which was a sign that they where leaving but Rosabel didn't want to go yet because the man she loved was still around.

She pecked Gladys on the cheek in goodbye before reluctantly going to meet her mother.

Gladys shook her head with a smile before looking away. Her eyes searched the room for someone and when she found him her heart leapt in joy and she was about to go meet him when someone spoke from behind her.

"Its getting late Gladys, who do you want to say goodbye to again?" It was Celeste who spoke.

"Someone," came her cheerful reply, she was greatly disappointed in Celeste for stopping her. She felt like yelling at him.

She could feel someone staring at her and she prayed it was him.

"Oh, the lucky man right?" Celeste teased while wriggling a brow at her playfully. But inwardly it disturbed him.

"Brother? Why are you avoiding lady Rosabel? Are you shy of her?"

A scoff escaped Celeste's lips in surprise, he felt like telling her the reason why but at the same time he didn't want to.

"Is she the lucky one?"

"GOD NO!" The way Celeste refused, shocked Gladys, she arched a brow at him questioningly as to why he was this way whenever Rosabel's name was brought up.

"Gladys," a voice like butter filled her ears like music, she wanted to shut her eyes and savor the sound of it but her brother would suspect her actions.

Her heart somersaulted and danced in joy, she turned round with an enchanting smile capable of leaving a man speechless.

Her light brown eyes met his dark purple eyes almost the color of black.

His eyes glittered with admiration at the way she glowed even though she had on simple make up. He held her eyes, not breaking contact for even a second. His heart was beating wildly, he wanted to hold her or less touch her.

"Humphrey, you've been distant lately."

Gladys complained and frowned a little but her shine was still there. Humphrey had a gentle facial expression, covering up his feelings in a skillful way.

"Been busy."