Chapter 36

I thought my chin would explode on the floor:

"Am I in paradise?"

I was overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with colors, frames, movement, talent... I had never been to an exhibition like that before. There weren't only Gentileschi paintings. There were literally paintings on every inch of every wall. I could see art everywhere I looked and it was almost too much. I thought that if Ephraim killed me right then and there, it wouldn't be that bad.

"Arora, do you see what I see?

-Yes, dad! It's amazing."

Arora didn't seem convinced but she did try her best to get excited, looking all around her to find a painting that she liked. I had no idea where to start and just started pointing in every direction:

"Look! That painting is gorgeous! Oh, look over here! That one is even better! Wow! Did you see the movement on this one? Oh! And that one! She looks so strong!"

Arora looked everywhere I pointed, patiently nodding along:

"I see, dad!"

Ephraim just stood next to us, his arms crossed, a grin on his face. He was waiting for me to finally move from the entrance without saying a word. After a few minutes he did lift his eyebrows:

"Are we going to stay here all day?"

I shot Ephraim a cold gaze:

"Don't ruin the moment."

Wanting to get away from him, I finally walked towards one of the towering walls. I tried looking at the paintings one after the other in order but that soon stopped and I started dragging Arora from one painting to another. She listened to everything I was saying with great focus and would repeat my words to herself. There weren't a lot of people behaving like us. Some of them did go to the paintings they liked to discuss them or the price but most people just sat and chatted in the center of the gigantic rooms. After my excitement finally calmed down, I started feeling their gazes on my back. I turned around just to see where the gazes were coming from but what I noticed next was that quite a lot of them were staring at Arora. The latter had noticed as well and started fidgeting. I could see that she had a hard time staying focused and that brought tears to her eyes. I knew how bad stares could feel and I bent down in front of Arora:

"Did you notice the people staring at you?"

Both Arora and Eulisses were surprised by my direct question. Eulisses even tried taping my shoulder to make me stop talking but I pushed him away. I thought about what I would have wanted to hear back when it happened to me:

"I think they are staring because they confused you with a painting.

-Why would they?

-Why wouldn't they? You are as gorgeous as any painting here. Of course they would stare. Let them."

Arora opened her eyes wide, her cheeks turning red.

"You are gorgeous, Arora.

-No... I'm not.

-What? Of course you are! I am sure that Gentileschi would have loved to paint you. And I would have immediately bought that painting.

-Really?

-Why would I lie?"

I thought Arora would cry but she quickly turned away, trying to keep it in:

"Look, dad. There is a painting there."

I smiled and followed her lead. Arora stopped caring about the stares around her and we continued looking around. I would have continued all day long if Eulisses didn't tap my shoulder:

"Mister Sliske, I think the young princess needs a beverage. It is rather warm here.

-Oh... I'm sorry. You must be tired."

Arora quickly shook her head:

"No! I'm fine!"

Eulisses shook his head:

"Pardon me but I have to insist.

-Of course, we should rest for a bit."

Ephraim, who had followed us silently until then, gestured towards Eulisses to take care of Arora:

"Take the child somewhere calm. I will take care of my wife.

-I don't need to be taken care of.

-I know, darling. But we should take a quick break and start doing our duties. We should go to greet our acquaintances. We have already waited more than enough."

Ephraim pointed at a group of five men that were staring at us:

"Why should I go see them? I don't even know them.

-Don't you? I thought they were your best friends. I was surprised that you didn't go to greet them as soon as you entered."

I pinched my lips. I really needed to stop talking:

"Haha... I was joking of course. Look at you having no humor.

-My wife really is funny. Now if you are done with jokes, let's go over there.

-Wait! Maybe we should just stay here a bit more."

If I went there, Ephraim would immediately realize that I wasn't the real Sliske. Not that he wasn't already suspicious. I had to stay far away from everyone. I had no idea how to interact with the people of this world, even less with Sliske's acquaintances.

"Don't be shy, wife. I will stay by your side.

-But... That's what makes me shy. Who would go see their friends with their husband by their side?"

Ephraim smiled:

"So I am your husband now?"

I rolled my eyes:

"On paper. You know what I mean.

-And why would that be a problem?

-Well... You know.

-I don't. Come on."

He didn't give me time to argue and dragged me to the group. They immediately bowed when they saw me and I imitated them. That seemed to be my first mistake. Well done, me. I couldn't even hold out for one second. Everyone started staring at me, confused. I suddenly realized that Ephraim didn't greet them and pretended that I was looking at my shoes.

"Greetings, Mister Dupree. It is an honor to be in the presence of the Duke."

Ephraim smiled for some reason:

"Mister Dupree? Is that what you told them to call you?

-Yes. And?

-I thought you wanted to divorce me. But isn't using my name actually the opposite?"

I froze. I completely forgot which one was Ephraim's Sir name.

"It just sounds better than my name.

-Because it's mine?"

I decided to ignore him and focused back on the strangers:

"Are you enjoying yourselves?"

Their frowns deepened for some reason. How did the original Sliske talk to them? Why were they looking so surprised? I knew that this would be bad.

"This gathering is truly delightful. Have you put your mind to which painting you are going to buy, Mister Dupree?

-Can I buy any picture?"

I was so surprised that I almost screamed. I couldn't help my eyes shining, imagining myself going home with the whole mansion. I completely forgot that people bought paintings in such places back in the day. I was starting to be very grateful to have woken up in this rich body. My question seemed to surprise them:

"Don't you usually buy at such events?

-Well, yes! Of course I do... Yes. I just forgot. I was so taken by the exposition that I completely forgot about buying anything."

One of the men bent closer towards my ear:

"Are you okay, Mister Dupree? You seem a bit different today."

Ephraim crossed his arms on his chest with a smirk:

"I was thinking the exact same thing. My wife really is behaving differently today. I thought that I was imagining things but if even your friends say it, then you really are different, darling."

I quickly needed to find a way out but just as I was thinking that, I noticed a familiar face.