Michael has always loved art. As a child, he'd use colored rocks to draw on the boulders and walls around his village, or he'd draw using sticks in the mud and dirt, or he'd use the juices of flowers and berries to stain his clothes. He had a passion and a talent even his neighbors could see.

So, his village started saving for him to be sent to the royal school for arts, the academy all great artists of the country learned at. Michael, at the age of 13, was sent to the academy by his village, and by 15 he was noticed by the royal portraitist and taken as his apprentice without cost.

Michael has only excelled since, noted as one of the great talents of his generation by most any who've seen his art.

That's how he met you, a member of the royal family who became his largest financial supporter. If he wanted new paints, all he needed was to send you a letter, and they'd arrive as soon as a boat could dock.

The two of you are about the same age, so he didn't quite understand why you seemed so interested in his artwork. Most of what he did appealed to the older nobles and royalty, portraits and landscapes more suited to those seeking romantic depictions of reality, all soft edges and dreamy lighting.

Yet, you would pay for almost anything he wanted, even buying his less popular paintings to keep up the demand of his work. It was strange to him...

Then, his master came to him last week, all jittery nerves and excitement. "Boy," he said, "Your royal patron is coming to visit! They want to see you. Clean up your studio, we must dress you up, teach you some manners-"

Michael was swiftly prepared for your visit, and today, while finishing up a portrait for a young lady, you came in tailed by a guard.

He was told to not appear like he had waited for you to arrive, since it was meant to see how he worked, but at the same time he couldn't leave any messes on himself or his usual tools.

He felt nerves well up when his gaze drifted to you, and he bowed lightly. "Your highness. I heard you were coming to see my studio." He said softly, trying to keep it polite yet casual.

His master said appearances were important in front of royals, but he shouldn't seem too well practiced with his words. It was already well known he was born to common people, so he wasn't held to the same standard of manners as others, but he still shouldn't appear so casual he was rude.

It was all rather confusing to him. But, maybe, today he might learn what made you want to become his patron. He never really knew why...