Chapter 28 – Just Use It

Sasha hesitated at his offer to find her a hotel, but eventually nodded. Now that things had turned out this way, it seemed best to create an entirely new painting for the Baron. Moreover, the bustling scenery of the most advanced city in the world inspired Sasha with new ideas. She wanted to start drawing the scenes that came to mind right away.

“Raoul.”

When Robert turned, Raoul stammered as if he were malfunctioning.

“Um… so, which… hotel do you mean? Should I check if there are any vacant rooms at Hotel d’Ecran?”

“What? No, that’s just for rich people. There’s no need for such a luxury hotel. I really just need a space to paint for four days.”

Sasha quickly interjected, waving her hands in refusal. She felt awkward asking for favors, but this was too much. Renting the most expensive hotel in Laurent? Maybe Robert and his friend were much wealthier than she’d thought, and she shrank a little.

“If there’s a hotel on the outskirts or anywhere with a reasonable daily rate, could you look into that? Sorry for the trouble. And I promise I’ll pay you back for the room once I return to Manolie.”

Sasha emphasized that her promise to repay was not an empty one. She seemed worried he might not get his money back. She explained she had a bank account with quite a bit of money and, with her grandmother’s help, could repay the hotel bill when she got home.

“You don’t have to worry about that.”

Raoul, now troubled, looked to Robert for agreement. Robert, standing with an unreadable expression, uncrossed his arms and spoke.

“Just do as she wants. Cheap hotel, whatever.”

“Not Hotel d’Ecran?”

Raoul asked, surprised, but Robert didn’t reply. He turned away, as if he didn’t want to repeat himself.

* * *

“The two young ladies have gone up to their room. They liked the big window and wide bed.”

The bellboy who had carried Sasha and Eloise’s luggage up to the third floor came running to Raoul with his report. The small, old hotel, a block away from Sainte-Marie Street, wasn’t very luxurious, but it had all the essentials.

Raoul tipped the bellboy and looked around the lobby. His employer, Duke Guienne, was sitting on a sofa in the first-floor café, reading the newspaper. The guests passing by glanced at him—his presence was too striking for such a modest place. At least it wasn’t a hotel frequented by society figures; no one was likely to recognize him or spread rumors.

The manager, who had been glancing over, quietly approached and offered champagne, but Robert declined. Raoul approached the man who made others nervous even in their own business, and reported that Sasha had safely entered her room.

“I paid ten days in advance, just in case. If she stays longer, she can contact me.”

“Good. Well done. Let’s go.”

Robert folded his newspaper and handed it to the manager, who had been lurking nearby.

“She’s an odd young lady, isn’t she? Wanting to paint the place where she was dragged by her hair.”

Raoul muttered to himself. Before arranging the hotel, he’d asked Sasha what scene she wanted to paint, and she replied she wanted to paint the fountain on Sainte-Marie Street. So he found a hotel where she could see the fountain from the window.

“If she wants to paint that fountain, Hotel d’Ecran would be best. Why not let her stay there? Is it because you don’t want your identity revealed?”

Raoul asked, puzzled. Robert tilted his chin. That wasn’t exactly it. He didn’t mind if Sasha found out he was Duke Guienne. Rather, he wanted to prove to himself that he didn’t consider Sasha Vinoche special enough to go that far.

* * *

The hotel Robert’s friend found for Sasha was excellent. Of course, it couldn’t compare to Hotel d’Ecran where she’d stayed before, but she liked this small, charming room. The pink wallpaper and curtains suited her taste perfectly. Most important was the large window, through which she could see the fountain on Sainte-Marie Street—even if it was far and small, it was enough.

That night, Sasha, who had drifted off looking forward to tomorrow, woke to Eloise’s faint sobs.

“I’m sorry, Sasha. I thought I was fine, but when night comes, I get scared and can’t sleep.”

Eloise hugged her pillow and cried like a child.

“Actually, my uncle hit me when he was drunk. He said it was because I behaved badly, so no one helped me. That dress—I didn’t give it to Rose, she took it by force.”

Sasha crawled over to Eloise and hugged her, comforting her. She felt ashamed and sorry for being so excited about painting, not realizing her friend was scared. When Eloise finally calmed down, she sniffled and pleaded.

“Don’t tell my parents, Sasha, please? If they knew what happened at my uncle’s house, my mother might collapse.”

“I promise. If you want, I won’t tell anyone, Eloise.”

Sasha hooked her pinky with Eloise’s and promised. The rustling sheets and pale moonlight of Laurent became witnesses to their vow. After Eloise settled down, Sasha cautiously suggested,

“Eloise, if you’re okay with it, why not go back to Manolie first? I have enough money for one train ticket.”

“What about you?”

Eloise was tempted but couldn’t easily agree.

“I’ll get money from the bank, or ask the Baron when I deliver my painting, or borrow from Damien. It’s not a problem.”

Sasha spoke lightly to reassure Eloise. Eloise hesitated, then finally nodded. She felt bad for Sasha, but didn’t want to stay in the city even one more day.

* * *

The next morning, after taking Eloise to the station, Sasha grabbed the bellboy loitering in the lobby.

“Is there a Royal General Bank nearby? I need to get some money to buy what I need.”

“If you mean the shiny bank, it’s across from the stock exchange on Montpierre Street.”

“Could you draw me a map to the exchange? Please.”

She needed money to buy paints and canvas. Sasha had never gone to the bank alone without Grandma Rollo, but she was the account holder and figured the staff would help her withdraw what she needed. Just then, the hotel manager quietly approached and called her.

“Miss Sasha Vinoche?”

“Yes, I’m Sasha Vinoche.”

The manager quickly cleared his throat and spoke.

“The gentleman who came with you yesterday returned and left these for you.”

He had the bellboys bring up canvases of various sizes, paints, and all sorts of tools for painting.

“If you’re going to paint in your room, shall we carry these upstairs for you?”

The manager’s overly polite attitude made Sasha hesitate. Was it alright to accept all this? She hadn’t expected to owe Robert so much—just finding the hotel and paying for the room was already enough.

“If you refuse, he said to give you this note as well.”

As if he’d expected it, the manager pulled a note from inside his jacket. It was a short memo written on a café napkin from the hotel’s first floor.

[You won’t be able to walk to the nearest art supply store, Sasha. So just use these.]

Sasha was puzzled as she read the note.

“How can I not walk to the art store?”

“That’s easy. You’ll run there on all fours.”

The manager said confidently.

“All fours?”

Sasha involuntarily smiled. She pictured Robert crawling rapidly across the street without changing expression. Honestly, that image suited him. Maybe her feelings were embellishing it.

“He means a car, Miss. Cars have four wheels.”

The bellboy belatedly explained the real meaning of ‘all fours.’ Realizing her mistake, Sasha blushed and nodded.

“Could you help me carry these upstairs? Please.”

“Of course, Miss. That’s my job.”

The bellboy cheerfully accepted and carried the supplies up. After several trips up and down the stairs, Sasha had her own small studio set up in her room.