AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It does,” Nicole agreed. Her gaze lingered on the canvas, tracing the contours of painted hills with a reverence reserved for sacred things. “Each artist has their language, and if we listen closely, we can hear their stories.”
“Stories that often remain untold,” he added thoughtfully. He felt the pull of his own concealed narrative, tightly wound within the pseudonym Peter Thompson.
“True,” she nodded. “But sometimes, it’s the mystery that captivates us.”
“Are you drawn to any particular story today?” Theodore inquired, wishing everyone in their land didn’t automatically recognize him as royalty.
“Actually, yes,” Nicole confessed. “This collection speaks of resilience, of beauty found in the depths of struggle. Quite touching.”
“Resilience is a powerful theme,” he commented, his words carefully measured. “It resonates with a quiet strength that many aspire to possess.”
“Exactly,” she beamed. “And to think, the artist who captures such emotion remains an enigma—Peter Thompson, isn’t it?” She glanced at him.
“Ah, yes, Thompson,” Theodore replied smoothly, the name feeling foreign on his tongue. “A rather reclusive character, I hear.”
“Reclusive, perhaps, but his work... it’s as if he understands the very essence of existence,” Nicole said, her admiration for the mysterious artist evident.
“Perhaps one day he’ll step out from the shadows,” Theodore suggested wistfully, allowing himself a moment to dream of a world where titles didn’t define him. It was the reason he painted with a pseudonym. He didn’t want people to buy his work simply because he was a prince.
“Perhaps,” Nicole echoed.
They continued their walk, side by side, their conversation weaving between the philosophical and the mundane, each sentence adding another layer to their burgeoning connection. And though Theodore spoke with ease, his mind was a tumultuous sea, churning with the clash of duty and desire.
As they approached the end of the exhibit, Theodore’s mind raced as he tried to come up with a way to see her again.
“Would you ever consider attending a royal ball?”
Her laughter was tinged with apprehension. “I’m afraid that’s not quite my thing. The spotlight has a way of distorting the true picture.”
“Understandable,” he conceded, a shadow of disappointment crossing his features.
“There’s an artist I’m trying hard to find so I can display his work here in my gallery. Peter Thompson has a way of capturing the essence of a moment,” Nicole mused, her voice hushed with reverence. “It’s as if he sees through to the soul of his subjects.”
“Absolutely,” Theodore replied. “He paints with an honesty that is very rare in this world.”
Nicole turned toward him, her eyes seeking his with genuine curiosity. “And what about you, Your Highness? Do you find yourself moved by his work?”
“Very much so,” he confessed, the truth coming easily despite the identity he cloaked himself in. “His pieces resonate with something deep within me. A kindred spirit, perhaps.”
Their gazes locked, and for a heartbeat, the world seemed to shrink until it was just the two of them.
“Artistic souls are often drawn to one another,” Nicole said softly.
“Are you suggesting we share an artistic soul?” Theodore teased, enjoying the light dance of flirtation.
“Perhaps,” she countered with a playful tilt of her head. “Or maybe it’s simply the recognition of passion in another.”
“Passion can be a powerful thing,” he agreed.
“Indeed, it can lead us down unexpected paths.” She moved closer to him, and his heart beat faster. They weren’t quite touching, but he could feel the warmth radiating from her body.
“Paths we might be wise to explore,” he murmured.
Nicole smiled. “With the right guide, I imagine those paths could be quite enlightening.”
“Then let us hope we find such guides,” Theodore said, feeling the pull of duty warring with the desire to remain lost in this intimate world.
“Let us hope,” Nicole echoed, her gaze lingering before drifting back to the paintings.
