"So what should we paint?" one of the ladies asked, her voice filled with apprehension.
The suggestions came quickly, each lady offering an idea that reflected her own strengths and hopes.
"A beautiful landscape of the imperial gardens," a lady suggested, her eyes wide with hope. "It's a classic and elegant gift, and it would show our respect for the palace."
"Too simple," Lady Victoria scoffed. "We need something that will make us stand out. We should paint a grand historical scene, something from the Emperor's ancestors to honor his lineage."
"That's too complicated. It's too easy to make a mistake," another lady countered.
"A mural of the imperial cherry blossoms, in full bloom," Lady Lyra suggested, her voice soft but firm. "It would show both beauty and our appreciation for the Emperor's reign."
The group seemed to be split between a safe, respectful landscape and Victoria's ambitious historical scene.
