A Thousand Gold.

Chapter 6: A Thousand Gold.

Kein's POV

It's been weeks after that and I got myself three new paintings to sell. I smiled as I waited for the canvases to dry out.

"Yeah, this is nice," I told myself as I wondered if I should buy some more canvases later. I sat outside on a bench outside the garden alone as the wind blew cold air, my body relaxing.

Oh right. Remember that old man Baron Hills? I might pay him a visit to sell all these three.

These three have been medium works but it could still be worth a lot. I've poured my heart and soul into making them.

I've painted a river, a lake, and Baron Hill's portrait.

I came prepared this time. Surely the old man would be surprised and would want the last painting more, after all, it's him standing so regal and bold.

I don't do this for anyone. I might even give it as thanks to him. I'm so lucky I got a noble to buy the paintings for me. Maybe I can even earn some commissions if he spreads the word to his friends about it.

Right, but where does he even live?

I took out the card from when we met and read it, "Baron Edmund Hills. Lindeshire, Monrolls street, Hills Estate, Lane 4."

I'm still not familiar with the area around here but this week is perfect! Aunt Harem would be busy with some tea party in another noble's house so I could sneak out and no one would bother to look for me!

The maids usually ignore me anyways, just like the other servants.

"Time to get busy then."

.-.-.-.-.-.

The weekday came and I was back in the city after some hour of walking on my own.

The stalls were busy as ever and the pretty lady who gave me the free fruit recognized me and waved me over.

"Oh, the little charmer! What are you in for today?" (The pretty lady) asked as she organized some baskets for her shop. Not going to lie, the designs of her basket are really pretty.

"I'm um... I'm looking for this place." I told her and gave her the card.

Well, she seems nice enough and maybe she would know how to get there? Her eyes widened in surprise, "T-This is- Are you acquainted with the Baron?"

I nod surprised that the locals know about Baron Hills, "I sold him my paintings. I'm actually going there to maybe sell my other new ones." I told her as pointed at the other canvases behind my back.

She smiles, "For a Baron to take interest in such you might be quite talented! All I know is you have to rent a carriage ride there. Not too far from here, you can see some carriage parked out there seeking customers. For the Baron's place might be a long way so I'm guessing it'll take about 1 gold coin for the travel fee." (Pretty Lady) said as she handed me back the card.

I took it happily and bowed, "Thank you again, pretty lady!"

The pretty lady blushes and covers her mouth. "It's nothing really, and please call me Veronica."

"Thank you, Veronica!"

"Oh my, you're very most welcome." (Veronica)

Aw, Veronica is really my type.

Too bad due to the age difference I can't really expect anything. I hope she's the best though and maybe next time I'll bring her some flowers as thanks or um... just buy some more baskets so her business can get booming.

Or... I could just paint her.

I waved goodbye and found the place she was talking about. Horses bound in carriages were parked in a line. I walked up into one of the Coachman as he looked up and down at me.

"Excuse me, can you take me here?" I took out the card and gave it to him. He takes it and nods.

"1 gold, little girl." (Coachman)

I smiled as I gave him the coin and he opened the carriage door for me. I really should give a proper thanks to Veronica as well, "Thanks."

I sat down on the comfy cushion of the seat and looked out the window, resting my arm there as I stared into the scenery.

It was only about two hours until I finally saw a large estate in the distance. Wow, this guy even though he's just a Baron they got it good, it's bigger than Aunt Haren's house that's for sure.

"We're here." (Coachman) opened the door for me and I got out dragging the three canvases carefully.

The Coachman left as the horse trotted away into the distance.

I was left standing outside the gate as I awkwardly looked around for any doorbells. Right, this is a magical world there can't be any doorbell here.

"Hello, is anyone home?"

I peeked through the gates and funny enough a Butler came by and looked at me curiously, "And who are you supposed to miss...?" he turns to be politely and the moment that he did I noticed-

How physically attractive he is. He had dark hair, glasses, he's very tall, and he had muscles.

Hey, heteros get yourself this hunk who's willing to do your fantasies because he's a hot Butler. Ah, I almost drifted off to hetero land but I'm gay so I came back in less than a second.

"My name is Kein Rosenguard and I'm an artist. Baron Hills invited me for tea and oh here's his card if you don't believe me." I gave him my card through the metal bars.

He accepts it and appraises the card carefully as he tips his glasses and bows while smiling, "Miss Rosenguard, we are delighted to have you. Please, come inside. The Baron has been anxious for your visit."

Wow okay, he's also a gentleman.

Can someone grab this hunk already because I swear I saw roses behind him and romantic guitar music played at the back of my mind.

"Thank you, um your name?"

Bet you 20 Gold his name is Sebastian.

"Please, you may call me Alfred." He opened the gate as I laughed at the back of my mind before coming inside the property.

DAMN IT!

IT'S BATMAN'S BUTLER! I WAS SO CLOSE TOO!

"Ah yeah uh thanks, Alfred." Great now I can't help but compare this handsome Alfred and the old man British Alfred of Batman.

"It's my pleasure, Miss Rosenguard. Allow me to carry that for you." (Alfred) takes my heavy canvases carefully. Honestly, I'm pretty thankful for that.

"So where is Baron Hills anyways?" I asked as we both walked towards the estate. Alfred opened the door for me and I went inside.

"I believe Master Hills is having his usual tea in his study. Would you like me to accompany you, Miss Rosenguard?" (Alfred)

I nod, "Yeah, after all, it's my first time being here and it'll be embarrassing I got lost and ended up knocking on someone changing. It happens in anime."

Alfred nods but I feel his position confused by my words but hey I'm from another world and my slangs will be forever permanent in my mouth also you can't disagree with me on the anime part.

It's practically culture now that there's a 99.9% chance you'll walk in on someone changing and then get called a pervert and then suddenly boom that person suddenly becomes a part of your harem. Hell no, I don't want that.

"I see... Right this way." (Alfred)

He led me the way as we got deeper into the mansion where there were other antiques, fancy vases, paintings, portraits, and red carpets. Something you would expect from a home of a rich person. Yikes, I wanna take half of these not gonna lie if I sell them the money will last me for a while.

We walked through a few minutes before Alfred stopped at a lion-crusted door. He knocks three times, "Master Hills, you have a visitor."

"Let them in." (Baron Hills)

Alfred opens the door for me, handing my canvases carefully like a gentleman. "Thanks, Alfred."

He just bows somehow handsomely with flowers behind, "You're welcome, Miss Kein." He smiles devilishly, almost turning me straight.

Well almost- then I bent back to wet spaghetti. We both went in as Alfred stood by the corner waiting for further orders.

"Oh! The girl from before." (Baron Hills) notices me as he looks up from his papers.

"Hello, Sir Baron Hills." I waved. Yeah, I haven't learned all this manners so I hope he doesn't mind.

"Your work has simply been astounding! Ah- would you like some refreshments? I could have Alfred get it for us." He looked at me expectantly as I sat down comfortably on his couch.

"Do you have coffee?" I ask.

His eyes widened, "Why of course we do. It's actually one of my favorite drinks. I see you have an expensive and mature taste."

Ah, no way- is it expensive in this world?! "I mean if it's expensive then maybe just water-"

"Nonsense, you are my guest! And you are treated as such. Now, Alfred, please go get us some coffee." (Baron Hills) orders Alred who was standing by the side.

Alfred bows as he smiles at the Baron, "Gladly, Master Hills. Excuse me for a moment."

Alfred moves from his corner and leaves, closing the door quietly as a slow pass of silence moves between us as the baron looked at me with expectation, "I see you brought new works."

Ah right. I came here to sell my things fuck almost forgot. The whole hot Butler thing got me into a loop of a certain anime cause hell is it me or maybe he looks like Sebastian but different eye colors?

But his name is Alfred. Well, he does have that whole attractive accent going on, it's husky and deep. Ooo I wonder if he's also obsessed with cats?

I shook my head clearing the nostalgic and definitely good anime on my head. "Yes sir. I have new ones, let me show you the first one."

"Here we have a gorgeous lake." I pointed to the first canvas and presented it to him. It was a well-known lake back on earth, so his eyes were really amazed because he probably has never seen anything like it... "The inspiration came from a dream I had. A lake with a castle in the middle of it."

He stands up from his desk inspecting the canvas as he clasps his hands face in delight, "Fascinating! The colors! The emerald waters! It's as if I'm really there!" (Baron Hills)

My heart felt really happy that he's already liking the first one. "The second one is a river not too far from my home that I used as reference to bring you this piece."

It's the same river where the maids threw me in there for fun. Despite all that I really enjoyed the scenery you won't get anywhere. "I feel as if it's indeed a place where you can leisurely be in. Oh! What about the last one, I see that it's been cloaked well."

Well, the second one might not have any effect on him but surely a portrait of himself is bound to make me rich!

"Oh, this?" I spoke, tone a little playful. "Please, Baron Hills as thanks for suddenly taking interest in my paintings and even becoming my first client- you can lift the cloak yourself."

Baron Hills' brows were raised as he walked up to the third and final canvas. His hands grabbed the cloak and dramatically took it off, revealing a mirror image of himself but the aura of the painting was just so regal, eye captivating, and it was just so him.

The portrait of him standing, clothes were modified to make him look like a fine, wise gentleman indeed. "T-This is..." (Baron Hills)

Just from the tone of his voice, he's definitely sold. I got him right where I wanted him. "One of my finest works yet, Sir Baron Hills."

Baron Hill's hands carefully travel through the canvas, as if inspecting it some more, not believing a mere child like me can make something so- "It's beautiful." (Baron Hills)

His eyes agape as he mouths, "How much do you want for all of them?"

I scratch my back, didn't really think this through. "I don't know actually... maybe the same price as before?"

He strokes his beard and looks at me honestly, "For this kind of work, it would have cost thousands of gold. It's just an art so... lavishing that my heart has set its desires that I must have it." (Baron Hills) chuckles. "What a talent you have, little one. You rarely see these kinds of works anymore. Just by one gaze, it's like I'm being clouded by materialistic desires."

I nod, understanding what he means. My works have that effect on people.

While sure, it has touched many emotionally in some good ways. Some works that I made, it made them obsessed about the painting.

That's one of the reasons why I don't paint anymore and instead decided on teaching kids at a public university back in Japan.

This will be only a temporary solution to my financial problem. I'll find work soon enough once I grow older in this world and actually- you know despite being in this world for weeks now.

I hardly know anything because I've been busy worrying about my kid back on earth. Maybe it's time to visit a local library or something and learn more about this... world.

"Well, you did say this work would have cost thousands of gold. So... I mean if you don't mind? Just give me a 1,000 gold?" I told him as I awkwardly thought of how much money that is for a ten-year-old it's a lot.

Then again I'm already an adult inside a little girl's body. I do wonder how much currency would be if it got turned into dollars.

Baron Hills moves slowly, his footsteps precise as he moves to his desk and opens the drawer. "I'll give you a better deal." He tells me casually smiling. "A thousand gold and a [Storage Ring]."

"Wait like your cool ring that stores things?!"

"Precisely. After all, I have seen you carry those canvases of yours. It must be a pain and risk trying not to get them damaged so I hope this will help." (Baron Hills) takes a small box out of the drawer and places it above the desk.

I scratch my back curious when he opens the box and shows me the ring. It was colored gold, having a plain design. "So what exactly are these [Storage Ring] and how come they can store so much stuff in them?" I ask.

Baron Hills looks at me, "You are not taught what these simple things are?"

I shook my head. No, because I'm a lesbian professor who died and suddenly pops up in another world with no God to guide me but that's too specific. "Both of my parents are dead and no one was willing to teach me anything," I answered.

Baron Hills' eyes softened when he looked at me next, full with sympathy. "These rings are [Magic Tools] that help people store things more efficiently. It's enchanted and can only be forged by blacksmiths blessed by the god of space."

"That sounds so amazing," I commented as I eyed the ring more observantly. Who knew such a small ring had a lot of space. "Can it store living things?"

Baron Hills shook his head and laughed, "No. Thankfully, or else kidnapping would've been much easier to do."

Yikes. Dark much? But yeah I see the reason. So only non-living things or dead things. "Amazing! So does the ring need mana to work or?"

"It does but not to worry. It only needs a little and that enough would set the ring to work for months." (Baron Hills) explained as he closed the box and handed it over to me. "Use it wisely."

I laugh, "I don't think I could use this in a horrible way."

"Good. Now- your payment for those three as well." (Baron Hills) takes out a pouch from a different drawer and plops it over his desk making a cha-ching sound.

Or maybe it was just my brain making that cha-ching sound because well... MONEY. "A thousand gold." (Baron Hills)

"Thank you, Baron Hills, you're really well off to be easily giving me this many gold coins..."

To my surprise, he just laughs and eyes me amusingly. "Young one, gold is easily earned with my status. Money is simply a huge puddle I have and that no matter how much I buy it's still as if it's an untouched puddle."

"Money is made every day." He continues. "But your work is one of a kind and cannot be imitated. Money is one thing but art is another."

I want him as my relative now. He's so wise in the ways of art. From the way his mansion kept all those antiques in the hallways, it's been neatly taken care of, clean, and as if treated like treasures.

*Knock- Knock-*

The knock on the door snapped me from my thoughts as Alfred came inside with a tray in hand and I could smell the coffee from over here.

"Your refreshments, Master Hills." (Alfred) walks over to me and gives me my coffee. "Your coffee, Miss Kein. I hope you enjoy it."

I nod in thanks while taking the drink out of his hands, "Thank you, Alfred."

"And your earl grey, Master Hills." (Alfred) says as he gives Baron Hills his drink and smiles.

"Thank you, Alfred. Now please, can you carefully carry the two canvases and put them up in the art room? While the third one will be here in my study. We'll put it above the fireplace for my guests to see." (Baron Hills)

Okay, damn now I'm scared to even think about people with high status seeing my work and complimenting it. Yikes, if that'll ever happen.

I took a sip of my coffee and relaxed into its fragrant ground scent. I wish I could take Alfred home with me as my personal coffee maker because holy shit he's good at making coffee.

Me and the Baron talked some more as I began to enjoy his company. He doesn't mind or even question why I talked so otherworldly- it's a miracle.

People back at Aunt Haren's house told me to either speak gracefully like a graceful woman or not talk at all.

"I have to go. It was a nice time with you, Baron Hills." I told him as I took the ring out of the box and wore it. I stored the gold into it and smiled at the thought of how much money a thousand gold will last me with.

My face changed into worry remembering that I had to go back home!

I don't even know if it's worth calling it a home.

What if someone finds out about the ring back home and takes it away from me? I frown. "Is the ring not to your liking?" (Baron Hills) must've noticed me making a sad face.

"No, I'm just afraid people back home will take this away from me the second they see it." I answered him a little nervously.

He nods in understanding. "Not a very friendly home?"

"The worst." I told him.

"Well let's see, how about we make the design a little further... simple and not flashy." (Baron Hills) "May I have the ring for a moment."

I followed his instructions and gave him the ring back. He takes it in his hands and suddenly the gold exterior was now a silver one. "You changed the ring to silver! Now they won't take interest in it or even question why I have a gold ring with me."

"Glad I could help." (Baron Hills) smiles as he gives it back to me and I happily wear it again. "Alfred will give you a carriage ride back into the city. You will rarely see any rental carriages here in my estate after all it's a little far away."

"Thanks a lot so much! Seriously, you're like the most generous grandpa I've ever met!" I told him.

He laughs like Santa Claus, "Enough flattery for the day. I wish you a safe trip home. Well then, Alfred?"

"Yes, Master Hills." (Alfred)

After that I followed Alfred to a fancy carriage I saw before and I quickly got in. Before I knew it I was already back home before Aunt Haren could whack me with a stick next. No one even noticed that I was gone!

Hah! Now that I've got a thousand gold with me I can do whatever I want by the time I move out of this place!