Princess Lyland's idea isn't bad at all.

The first phase will be finding interested noblewomen. Then, the second step will be selling the paintings at the highest price.

Her highness organised a tea party to advertise the paintings. Her friends were astonished by the one in her lodgings, so much that they started making questions about the painter.

They wanted to know him, to have him paint for them too...

Ah, it would have been so profitable. Too bad that my Duke is too busy for this. He already has his hands full with painting for me... I mean, administering his fief, taking care of his wife, and saving the Empire.

«Is he handsome?» one of the girls asks, all of a sudden.

«Is it relevant?» I mutter. Isn't what matters the way he draws and paints? What does this one want from him, now?

«Oh, someone that paints like this can't be ugly,» another one replies. What kind of logic is this? How are the two things related?

«You're so lucky, your grace, to have so many outstanding men around you...»

I know, even though they're the same person.

«I bet the painter is handsome. What other reason would her grace have to hide him from us?»

I tilt my head, caught red-handed.

I'm not hiding him because he's handsome, but just because I want to sell for a higher price. Some mystery will do the trick.

«I haven't paid attention to it,» I reveal.

The girls giggle as if what I said makes perfect sense.

«Of course, with someone like his grace, the Duke, next to you... Who would ever look at some random painter?»

Oh, I love to look at him while he's painting. He's like a different person. But it's not time to think about this and start drooling at some memories...

Not to mention that the Princess might figure it out if I act strange. Or worse, she could think that I have an illegal relationship with some invented painter.

It would be fun if she told that to Alexander, but I can't ruin the surprise yet.

«Well, I only know him as a business partner,» I lie. «And I promised I would introduce his artworks to some refined noble ladies... I hope you won't mind if I invite you to take a look at the other pieces I brought with me.»

«Are there others?»

«Yes, there are. I can sell them to you in the artist's name. What do you think, ladies?»

They look at each other, widening their eyes in excitement.

I know, right? The Palace doesn't give many sources of entertainment. In such a rigid, cold place, young ladies don't have much to do.

«What do you think to organise an auction?» I inquire.

They crook their mouths, considering my proposition with some detachment. I already know what they're going to say next.

«Bidding is something men do,» one of them complains. «I haven't ever heard of ladies auctioning for anything. Not even some jewel...»

«And we don't have any chance at winning against some gentlemen, your grace.»

«Oh,» I chuckle. «That would be the case if men were allowed in the auction.»

«They won't be?»

«Correct,» I confirm. «It will be a women-only event. This way, you'll be able to bid without worries.»

«I don't have money on my own,» a young girl from the back says. «I'm not sure my husband will let me handle some on my own.»

It's the life of a Palace noble: they don't have a fief to manage. Hence, their wives don't need to share some of the administrative burdens.

«He bought you all you needed till now, right? You can use jewels or dresses in exchange,» I reassure her. I'm not very interested in anything that can't be sold, but it's better to have more people at the event to boost the overall income. «When you arrive, there will be someone assessing what you bring with you, and you'll be given some notes that can be used as they were money for the duration of the auction. If you don't buy anything, your things will be given back to you.»

«Oh, it feels so complicated.»

These women have some basic education, but none of them has been trained to understand money.

I feel like I'm doing them a favour by thinking about all of this.

«You can do this or ask your husband for some pocket money. How much you want to spend depends only on you,» I continue.

I think I'll need to explain how bidding works. At this rate, I'll spend way more energies on this rather than on the actual work. I haven't predicted it.

«Consider me in,» the Princess says. She nods with strength, and she smiles when our eyes meet. «It seems very enjoyable!»

«Thank you, your highness,» I reply, bowing my head by a few degrees.

Since the Princess agreed, the rest of the ladies do not have any other choice. At most, they'll come and stay silent without spending money. But they will come.

«You can also invite your friends,» I remind them. «The more, the better.» And the higher the price.

«I will prepare one of my halls for it,» the Princess continues. «We can found a women-only club there...»

The ladies widen their eyes even more. At this rate, their eyeballs will fall down if they move their head too quickly.

«A club?»

Since it's the Princess talking, they can't just brush it off as something weird or unconventional. They can only nod their heads and comment about how wonderful her ideas are.

But I can tell from their eyes: they do feel excited about it. Their dull lives have passed by watching their husbands and brothers have all kinds of fun while they have to stay home and play refined. They never were allowed to act with freedom. For some of them, even an opinion was forbidden. A place where a man can't enter is exactly what they need.

I'm starting to understand why the first Lady of Kyre insisted on that rule for her office. She had enough freedom and courage to start it, for the sake of the women that would come after.