Raphael Bernard's Final Art Piece

Lutetia France, 1484 AD

It's a lovely sunny day in Lutetia, France, most commonly known as Paris. There was a middle-aged painter. Raphael's dream is to become a famous painter, but he has no self-confidence.

Uhm sir, would you like to buy a painting

"I can't pay rent and can't feed myself. Maybe I should switch jobs." said Raphael.

"Why do people not want to buy my paintings? I make way better painting's than everyone else." said Raphael.

"Who are you?" asked Raphael with sudden fear. "I am Leo Dubois. I am a messenger sent from king Leonard". Which he politely handed Raphael the letter. Raphael was then calmed down but still suspicious about the guy who just gave him the letter.

Dear Raphael Bernard,
I have been taking an interest in one of your paintings. I would like to buy one of your paintings for my palace. I would love for you to become my painters and sell to me and only me. I will pay you more than you could ever wish. Please come to the castle located in the center of town to accept the job.
To Your Regards,
King Leonard"

"Hello, Mr. Bernard, I'm so glad that you could make it," said King Leonard. At this point, Raphael was sweating profusely because of all the excitement and nervousness he has been having for the past few days or so.

"So, I guess you are here to be my painter, correct," said King Leonard. In which Raphael replied, "Yes, sir."

"Wonderful, you will live here rent-free, Unlimited food, and you will be paid well," quoted the king. "All you have to is sell paintings to me and ONLY me. If you sell to anyone else, I will keep your family hostage."

Raphael was very confused on why his family was going to be held captive, but he was even more nervous on his first try, in painting for the king. He thought the king was going to be a nice, and polite one that wouldn't kill his family and him for just selling art to other people.

"Here's your painting, sir," stated Raphael as soon as he finished the painting. His hands were so sweaty, and he was highly stressed." This art is very approvable. Still, there are sweat marks on this part of the painting. Still, I will let it slide this time. Overall, I will accept it," said the king, but remember, I will kill you and your family if you sell art to low-key people.

"Here is the money as I promised," in which the king grabs a handful of his gold coins, and in which Raphael sticks his hands out and politely takes the gold coins with minimal hesitation. The king also took luxurious foods from the last feast he had a day ago. Otherwise, the food was still fresh.

Raphael was so amazed that he did pretty well for his first day of work, working for the king. He was astonished that the king gave him a handful of coins instead of 3 simple silver coins, as well as luxurious food, like turkey, mashed potatoes, beer, and wine.

Raphael has become more and more trusted by the king and got precious stuff from the king. Soon Raphael became highly greedy and thought of ways to get more money. Raphael had an idea, a horrible one. He was thinking about selling his art to outsiders.

"What would I do if I got caught?" I don't want my family to die. I don't want to die either, in which he thought of doing it as privately as possible.

This is a tough decision, but if I succeed, I will be living a luxurious life.

"Who is this man? said Raphael. "I am Hugo Thomas. I am a messenger sent from the local baker." He handed Raphael a letter.

The letter stated:
Dear Raphael Bernard
I have wanted to buy a painting from you for a while. I would love you to make me your most delicate painting and bring it to the local bakery.

Regards,
The baker

"Ok, the local baker wants to buy my painting. All I have to do is paint the painting and sneak out," said Raphael

The King sees Raphael sneaking out with the painting and enters the bakery. He decides to send knights to get Raphael and his parents. His parents were taken down to the dungeon.

The king told Raphael, " Your parents are being kept in a cell, and if you want to see them again, then you can't sell any more paintings to other people, and if you do sell one more time, then I will kill one of them."

Raphael was embarrassed and disappointed that his plan had failed.

"Ok, I screwed up. I can't afford to make any more mistakes, or the king will kill my family," stated Raphael

I should stick to painting for the king, or else something could go very wrong

Raphael continues to paint for the king and only the king until he's starting to get greedy and starts selling again.

"what should I do? Should I sell my paintings as the more dangerous way or keep painting for the king as the safer way," said Raphael.