The bad-tempered muse

Chapter 1: The Auction

Chapter 1: The Auction

"Last but not the least, the 'Épines de roses'!", enthusiastically introduced by the auction host.

The people--the bidders-- downstage clap instantaneously after the painting was trollied on the stage; they are ecstatic about getting the painting.

It was a (48x60 in) big landscape canvas framed painting.

The painting was the star of the night; perhaps, will be the biggest purchase of the night.

The painting before the 'Épines de roses' that was auctioned in the same auction house was sold to Mr. Cruz-- one of the wealthiest bachelor businessmen in the city-- and he sold the painting in an international auction house 3 folds the original price.

They can only imagine how much they can sell this another piece.

Of course, some people just really want the painting.

The rest are profit oriented businessmen.

"Before we begin let this host entertain you with a short backstory."

The hall that was filled with whispers and gossips went in complete silence.

The host smiles as he walks closer to the painting.

"As we all know, this painting was painted by the mysterious painter 'Le peintre du roi' whose name started to be known barely 2 years ago."

The host seemed to be efficient at his job-- at hosting-- considering how attentive the people downstage were listening to him.

Martin who was at the furthest left corner crossing his legs, head resting on the back of his hand as his arm lazily rests on his arm seat; he looks serene-- like dead silent-- that without his good looks, people won't notice him being there at all.

There are few socialites who take a glimpse at him every now and then, but he ignored them.

Beside him was his best friend Anthony.

"It seemed to me that the painting has a very dark story.", creeped out, Anthony commented.

Anthony can't understand how wealthy people are.

How can someone be eager to buy such a disturbing picture?

It gives a shiver down his spine just by looking at it.

Being in the furthest back, nearly in the dark spot, doesn't help either.

Martin shrugs and softly replied to Anthony saying, "That's why people like it.".

Anthony also just shrugs his shoulders because Martin, this friend of his, also belongs in the same category; he sometimes forgets.

"If some of you can already tell, yes, 'Épines de roses' translates to 'thorns of roses'; the thorny rose vines used as a torturing material; and the crawling man with a thorny collar on his neck was a slave; his bare body was covered with bloody stripes and was beaten black and blue like he was an abused animal..."

"The man punishing him-- the man who was looking high and mighty with his silky red robe-- who was standing on a tumbrel but instead of horses, it was pulled by two other naked and bruised men.-- was a noble-born soldier. He made the man crawl naked in public while he continuously whipped him using that rose vines.", whispered Martin so only his friend Anthony heard him.

"How did you know that?"

"Book,"

Which book was it? That book must be full of gut-wrenching stuffs.