Long ago, there was a land bordered by the sea, inhabited by people in the hundreds. The people were unique and diverse, but they all had one thing in common. They were cheerful.
Amongst the hundreds in this kingdom was a girl beloved by all.

She was addressed as the painter.
The painter was a lovely girl with hands so talented she was unrivalled under the heavens. Her paintings were vibrant and beautiful. They put those who looked upon them in a delightful mood and for the people of the kingdom who always had smiles on their faces, this was a remarkable feat.

Over the years the painter gained fame, fortune and good name, but these achievements did not go to her head.

Eventually, she became known by all who lived in the kingdom and even farther.

Alas, her true name was forgotten by the people, and she became solely addressed as the painter.

There came a day, like any other, when an exhibition to display the treasured paintings took place. It was held in the grand hall located in the centre of the city.

On this day, the hall was filled to the brim. People from every corner had come to admire the most lovely paintings.

Amongst these people was a foreign man wearing a hat and dressed in strange clothes. However, no one cared.
They were more interested in the paintings hanging on the walls.

This man was a foreigner from the northern kingdom. A few days away.
He had a hand on his belt and placed the other on his chin. Like many others, his gaze was fixated on the paintings.
Though, unlike others whose eyes were filled with admiration, affirmation, and awe. The man had eyes filled with these, but also puzzlement.

Seemingly noticing something, the man walked from one painting to the other.

Starting from the oldest at the entrance of the hall to the newest at the end of the hall.

Like this, he looked at every painting, all forty-nine of them. His scrutinizing gaze peering at every corner of the works of art and leaving no detail unnoticed.

Time passed, and the people had started to leave for their homes. The foreign man remained as one of the few remaining in the hall.

He was gazing at an exquisite painting of the view of the wide ocean when the sun was going behind the horizon.

This, was the forty-ninth painting.

Not long after, he withdrew his gaze. His expression was like a person who had made a discovery.

Towards his left was a door that had been left slightly ajar. From behind this door came the faintest sounds of noisy cans.

Instantly, he walked towards this door and entered the room. There, he saw a maiden even lovelier than a painting.

“Excuse me.” The foreign man said as he removed his hat.

“Are you the painter?” He queried.

“Yes, I am. How can I help you?” The painter dropped her paintbrush and asked with a smile.

“Y-yes. I come here with a question.” He was a little...