Chapter 213: Art and Allies

Lann was not a great connoisseur of art, but thanks to the education he received during his time as earl and the influence of Queen Calanthe, he had developed a certain skill in appreciating it.

"A very wonderful work." Lann sincerely praised Iris's painting.

Iris lowered her head. "I'm not sure my painting is suitable as a diplomatic gift. I'm afraid Cintra might be discredited."

Lann immediately reassured her: "Please don't say that. Your artistic attainments are far beyond your imagination."

There is actually an easter egg in The Witcher game that references Iris' painting skills.

During the auction for the main quest [Open Sesame!], many real-world artworks from Lann's previous life were paid homage to, including a painting called 'Starry Night Over the Pontar', which is a landscape painted by Van Rogh. This was a homage to Van Gogh's 'Starry Night Over the Rhône'.

And that Van Rogh was none other than Iris.

In other words, Iris's painting skills are at the level of Van Gogh.

But Iris herself never knew that, she had always only been painting as a hobby, and had never sold a single painting before her death.

Lann was becoming more and more satisfied with the painting.

On the other hand, Iris was quite pleased. What could make an artist happier than seeing someone appreciate her work?

"It will take about one to two days for the surface to dry, and about a month for the whole painting to dry."

Lann frowned slightly when he heard this and said helplessly: "It's a beautiful piece of work, and well worth the wait. Although it looks like Queen Meve will have to wait a bit to see it."

But Iris chuckled. "If it were an ordinary painting, I would prefer to let it dry naturally, but being a work with a political purpose, it may be better to speed up the process."

Before Lann could react, Iris's body suddenly ignited with a brilliant emerald flame that quickly engulfed the painting, but in an instant it disappeared.

Iris gestured for Lann to touch the painting.

It was dry.

"You always know how to surprise me, Miss Iris."

The lovely Iris responded with a bow. "Not as much as you surprise me, Knight Lann."

Behind Lann, Kolgrim took a sip of wine and asked Letho: "What are they doing?"

Letho didn't even turn his head. "Just watch."

After a while, Levin, who was standing at the door, heard someone calling him from inside.

"Levin!"

Levin knocked on the door twice and pushed it open, waiting for the order. "Here I am, my lord!"

"Go deliver a courtesy note to Queen Meve. I will visit her during dinner."

Normally, that task would fall to House, but Lann had sent him to Hagge Castle with the 'temporary group of butlers', as he was the only one with experience in such matters.

As it happens, Lann also intends to train him to become someone capable of handling important matters. This was a real opportunity for Levin to be trained.

"Understood, sir!" Levin replied firmly, pushing back Milva, who was poking her head out to peek inside, before quickly exiting.

...

Queen Meve at that time had taken off her armor and was wearing a long blue robe with gold embroidery, accompanied by a necklace with a huge ruby.

Lann noticed that Queen Meve had sun-gold hair, much brighter than his own blonde hair, which was paler in tone due to witcher mutations.

But he also noticed something else: among that radiant gold, he could see silver strands. It was clear that the queen had carried many worries for the sake of her kingdom, which made her experience all the more admirable and sadder at the same time.

"I always thought the rumors about you in the North were exaggerated." Lann said evenly. "But now that I see you in person, I know they were an understatement."

"Have a seat, Lann." Meve replied with a slight smile. "Can I call you that?"

After seeing Lann enter the room, Queen Meve smiled faintly. "I don't know if Calanthe has told you that we are actually distant cousins."

Lann bowed his head slightly in a gesture of respect. "I have studied aristocratic genealogy, so naturally I am aware of it."

His answer caused the queen to let out a light laugh. "You are too polite. But I must admit that our kinship is quite remote. I have family ties with Foltest and Demavend as well, but I don't even know how I should address them according to tradition. Connections between noble families are always complicated, especially in royalty."

Lann nodded, not sure how to continue the conversation.

Fortunately, Queen Meve seemed to be just making an observation, or perhaps she wanted to express her gratitude towards the young man who had helped her so much. She had no intention of delving further into the subject.

Suddenly, the queen noticed the frame of a painting that Lann had brought with him.

"Is it a gift?"

Lann nodded and held up Iris's painting.

Queen Meve could not hide her surprise, followed by an expression of astonishment.

"This kind of color and composition, as well as this strong personal style, I have never felt it in the works of other artists today... This is a new master."

Curious, she approached to examine it more closely and immediately noticed something strange. "But the content and perspective of this painting... Is this master hidden in your knightly order? Besides, the time seems impossible. How is it possible that this painting is already finished, and the colors are dry?"

Lann smiled mysteriously, and did not comment on Queen Meve's question. He just said: "My painter knew I was coming to visit Her Majesty and decided to create this piece especially for you. He used some special techniques. I hope you like it."

Queen Meve was not keen on paintings, at most she looked at them for novelty. But the main thing about gifts is the intention inside, and the information revealed in Lann's words still interested her.

Instead of calling a servant to take the painting, Meve personally approached to receive it.

"I want to thank you, Lann." Queen Meve suddenly sighed. "Not because of this painting, but because of your timely support."

"Because of the long journey and the harassment of Nilfgaard, I was unable to bring too many knights with me. I thought the hinterland of the North would be smooth sailing, but I didn't expect these monsters to suddenly appear."

"These warriors should gain their own glory and destiny on the battlefield. It is really not worth it for them to die because of these monsters."

She sighed as she caressed the wine glass in her hands. Like a warrior queen, she deeply mourned the loss of her soldiers.

"No one would have thought that such a situation would occur." This topic aroused Lann's interest. "I started from Cintra, passed through Temeria and Redania, and did not encounter any monsters along the way. Instead, I found that they gradually increased after leaving Novigrad in Redania."

"Maybe we should consult the sorcerers, or..."

Meve suddenly looked into Lann's unique lion eyes with great interest.

If it were any other young knight, he might be embarrassed by such a gaze.

"I heard you had golden hair and blue eyes, but these eyes of yours... So you really have become a witcher."

Lann nodded. This kind of thing can't be concealed at all, and he doesn't even want to hide it, so much so that it seems a bit like deliberately promoting it. Sometimes, that identity gave him unexpected advantages.

"May I ask why you did this? Is it true what the rumors say?"

Why?

To survive. If Jerome hadn't subjected him to the mutations, he would probably be dead.

Lann took a moment before answering, his expression firm. "For my deceased aunt, for my princess who is still alive, and for my country in war."

Queen Meve looked at him in admiration, smiling as only an elder would at his younger relative. "If Calanthe could see what you've accomplished, she'd be so proud of you."

"Servant, bring wine for Earl Lannister!"

Meve and Lann clinked their glasses and drank.

"We seem to have talked a lot, but you haven't told me your purpose so far, Lann." Meve said with a serene expression after emptying her glass of wine. "Unless you've just come to bring me a painting and to greet a distant relative whose lineage you barely remember."

Lann put his glass down on the table, adopting a more formal posture. "I'm sorry to intrude, but I came to ask for your support."

"The situation of the United Kingdom of Lyria and Rivia is in a very similar situation to that of Cintra. Others in the North may still look down on Nilfgaard, but we, who have fought directly against them, should not make that mistake."

"I have not visited most of the kings attending the meeting, and I cannot influence them. That is why I would like to ask you to say a few words for me, to help rebuild the northern gate, which is Cintra."

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