Kid of late, but I didn't have time to post it here sooner. Short drabble inspired by an old post of Bryan on tumblr, written for the Royal Family Week - Day 3: Portrait. Enjoy it, and if you find any mistakes, please let me know :D
It was an honor for Huejing to do a painting of the Prince and his partner. He was flattered and more than satisfied, he couldn't be more glad when he was hired. That painting was going to be the apex of his entire career so far, an acknowledgment of his talent, result from years of practice and hard work, a work for a member of the royal family.
He was truly and absolutely honored for receiving the task, and a little surprised of how easy it seemed to be. His models were a beautiful and elegant couple, and they didn't have many demands, just a plain and simple portrait, that should have been finished and delivered by now.
The problem was Lady Mai.
Apparently the portrait was going to remain on her possession, so she would have the final word on the painting. She had returned it already three times, still unsatisfied with the results and Huejing was already losing his mind after so many corrections. He didn't know what else he could do.
He had just sent the painting to her again, and the anxiety was nearly killing him, while he waited for the messenger with her answer, hopefully positive. He walked around in circles trying to calm himself down.
She couldn't say no this time, he told himself, he had completely followed her instructions, she couldn't say no this time, she couldn't s-
He stopped abruptly, interrupted by the sound of someone coming in. The package on the messenger's hand could only mean that, yes, she said no.
He hurried to the man and took the note written by Lady Mai herself, already knowing what it said. The same message from the previous declines.
'More black.'