Go! Go! Go! Go For It, Prince Lee!

HOKUSAI

(( Cover illustration by flameeliwood.bsky.social ))

A truly historic event was set to occur at Starliana Castle.

Absolutely no expence was spared to make this one of the dynasty's finest moments. The top designers amplified the grandeur of the palace with banners, lanterns, and decorations. Even from miles away in the dark of night; it was a splendid sight. Gourmet food was prepared by the land's best chefs. Even the royal band composed sensational new melodies for the occasion.

Everyone worked together; nobles from all over the realm and beyond were coming to partake in this once in a lifetime experience. Even those without invitations made their way to the capital without delay. Anybody who was anybody wouldn't want to miss this.

For Queen Janine, though, she was restless in waiting during the event that evening. Her eyes keenly scanned the crowd of affluent aristocrats; searching for someone, or rather a pair of someone's. She worried terribly as she failed to see either of them during the agonizingly long guest greeting earlier on.

Right there, she spotted them shuffling through the dense mob!

The monarch practically leaped from her throne. Without sparing so much as a word to her fleet of guards, she raced to meet them. By the time they noticed she was gone, it was too late to even attempt to stop her. She already crossed the whole room in order to meet with the two most important people she wanted to see attend the event.

"There you are, Lee! And Captain Elliot! I'm so happy you both made it." Unbelievably elated, she clapped her hands together beside her cheek to accentuate her cheer.

Transparently exasperated, her dear successor wiped his brow with the back of his hand. "It took longer than we expected. Those cocoa traders were a hard nut to crack."

Elliot nodded to confirm that truth. "We arrived home just in time to clean up, change, and get here." Ever the fastidious one; he then noticed his sword scabbard was slightly askew, so he adjusted it by tightening the band around his waist.

"Just what I expected from you both." She winked. "It's not every day, or even every dynasty you get to see an exhibition of oil paintings from the west by the contemporary Italian masters."

They both recalled the conversation about the occasion they had with her before their departure. Starliana was selected as the last leg of a collaboration between the Italian city-state governers to show off their country's achievements in art to the rest of the world.

Pulling a printed program for the event she had in a pocket in the chest of her kimono, Janine quickly perused the expected expositions.

"I've only heard of some of these names in passing, so it'll be great to see their work in person." She stared hard at the playbill, only to click her tongue in frustration. "Tsk, dear me, my Latin is so rusty, but I would say I'm definitely looking forward to seeing Le Onardo, Ra-feel, Mii Calangelo, and Boaty- Body- mmm- Booty-chily, my goodness."

It must've been exasperating to be a master of three separate languages, and this wasn't one of them. Over her struggles, Lee was tapping his chin, distracted in attempting to recall a distant memory.

"A long time ago when I was studying with Miss Paige, she took her caravan to trade oils in that region. We stopped at this huge chapel in the Vatican City. I remember they had all this amazing art in the halls, and an enormous mural on the ceiling. Do you think I'll see any of those pictures?"

Looking over the pamphlet again, she perked up when she saw a relevant passage.

"If I'm reading this right, it says here they borrowed a ceiling panel from a famous cathedral for an extra special exhibit. If it's the same one, you just might, Sweetie."