CHAPTER 5 #3
The temper of the Lord of Florence was truly unpredictable.
Though her face showed thin anger, Hedy still followed him down into the basement, always worried that a head might suddenly roll down the stairs.
The heavy sack made dull thudding sounds as it bumped along, almost like a pile of bones.
When it was finally laid out on the long table and opened, it turned out to be a complete set of human bones.
Hedy covered her face and sighed deeply.
Geniuses and madmen are often only separated by a thin line.
Even modern people would probably call 911 if they saw something like this.
When Da Vinci had dug up the coffin in the graveyard, he had already sketched out the structure of the bones, and now he was using his memory to reconstruct them.
Once he got busy, he became so focused that he couldn’t even hear Hedy speaking to him.
The human body had more than 200 bones, and the skull, torso, and limb bones were all carefully and intricately matched.
Hedy sat next to the table, watching as the servant lit the candles and poured wine before leaving. After a long time, she finally turned her gaze back to Da Vinci, who was piecing together the human body like a puzzle.
"You... really don’t believe in the divine, do you?"
In this era, nearly everyone was a fervent believer.
There were no impressionists, no abstract artists—only endless paintings honoring gods.
They believed that humans were born with original sin, that life was for atonement and suffering, and some even inflicted self-flagellation as penance.
Only through such suffering could one ascend to heaven after death.
But Da Vinci, he was different.
"Me?" Da Vinci was examining a rib, still wearing the gloves Hedy had given him.
"Probably," he chuckled. "Compared to those miracles like resurrection or divine birth, I care more about things like this."
The flow of blood, the function of the heart, the transformation of minerals, the structure of machinery.
Perhaps these things were the real miracles of the world.
So she spent the entire afternoon watching him piece together bones, even putting on gloves herself.
Compared to the flashy trinkets at the gatherings, the leather masks and glasses in the shop, it seemed that assembling human bones became rather fascinating.
By the time she snapped out of her thoughts, they were already starting to position the poor woman's thighs and calves.
—This was definitely not a good obsession.
Hedy had been distracted for quite a while, and Da Vinci’s progress wasn’t going very smoothly either—he couldn’t quite figure out the origin or destination of some of the broken bones. They seemed indistinguishable from the leftovers of bones gnawed by dogs.
"By the way," she instinctively started a conversation, "Madame Medici’s body is still so healthy. It's truly a miracle."
How strong must a woman be to give birth to nine children without stopping?
Da Vinci, comparing two different finger bones to the candlelight, casually replied, "She and Mr. Lorenzo have always been very good friends."
But weren’t they a married couple?
Hedy hummed softly and continued adjusting the tibia.
She suddenly began to recall—had those cosmetic surgeons, with no experience, ever pulled and liposuctioned her skin just like herself today, learning from the first time and getting better with practice?
"Back then, when Mr. Lorenzo first became the lord, he was still quite young," Da Vinci said, also bored, sharing some old stories with the outsider.
"And with several other families lurking around, the Medici couldn’t fully establish themselves.
They were always at risk of losing power and wealth. "
"...So?" Hedy thought of a typical move, "Political marriage?"
"Yes."
Clarice Orsini was from a foreign land, and her family had a strong military force.
The Medici family, on the other hand, was a banking family, with vast wealth.
When the two families came together, it was a powerful alliance that further strengthened Florence.
"What do you think Lorenzo is like?"
Hedy paused for a moment.
Her first thought was whether Da Vinci was sent to extract information.
Next, she considered the confidentiality of the situation.
—However, the servants knew the place was almost like a morgue, and the upper class wouldn’t deign to come down here. It was essentially a semi-closed, secret space.
She stayed silent for a while before finally choosing to voice her thoughts.
"A politician."
No different from those American politicians centuries later.
Deep, calculating, hiding his emotions, and liking to observe and control others.
Da Vinci suddenly laughed.
"You're thinking exactly what I am."
He looked up, playing with a bone like it was a bagpipe.
"Since he came into power, Florence’s festivals have grown grander every year, with more and more revelry and performances, one after another," Da Vinci added, as he placed the last few bones, feeling something was slightly off. "The people have grown more and more reverent and fearful."
Popular, benevolent, and generous.
But after the bloody mass, he was equally ruthless, as fitting as could be.
He truly was a born politician.
Hedy thought for a moment before speaking again. "So, what do you think I’m like, Mr. Leonardo?"
Da Vinci paused, then, under the candlelight, looked at her.
His pale blue eyes were clear and transparent, and his long, dark brows set him apart from the women in the city.
If one only judged by appearance, she would certainly be considered beautiful.
"You..." He thought for a while before setting down what he was holding.
"You seem more like someone wearing a mask."
Tolerant, obedient, gentle, and appearing easy to control.
But hiding all your true emotions and thoughts.
Hedy hadn’t expected him to say that.
She had long been used to protecting herself this way.
A rush of words suddenly surged from within her, making her want to speak, but they were subconsciously pushed back down again.
Some loneliness and old memories were better left sealed away.
She simply looked up, smiled briefly, and turned to adjust the candlelight, making it brighter.
"It’s probably time to go back."
The next morning, a nervous and eager guest arrived at the Palazzo Vecchio.
Not only did he come, but he also brought many gifts.
Lorenzo had always been generous with commoners and merchants. He not only sponsored many of the city's artists but also maintained relations with many people.
To Hedy's surprise, the one walking into the office with gifts was none other than Alejo.
"I... I would like to propose to the alchemist in your court, Miss Kiesler," he said, a blush appearing on his cheeks as he smiled.
The atmosphere in the office seemed a bit strange.
Cosimo shifted nervously.
"Why?" Lorenzo asked flatly.
"She saved my mother, and I simply don’t know how to repay her. And... she’s just too wonderful." Alejo was lost in his passionate thoughts, speaking with excitement, "Though I come from humble origins, I would treat her like the best woman in the world, never letting her suffer."
His family had businesses in Florence and Venice, and they were relatively wealthy.
If she married him, she wouldn’t have to be employed in the Palazzo Vecchio, always at the mercy of others' whims.
After marriage, if she liked, she could continue to work in the palace.
If not, she could live in their garden house by the small canals in Venice, or even stay at their estate in Milan.
Lorenzo, with an expressionless face, nodded slightly and instructed, "Send for her."
The busy alchemist was soon called into the office.
As soon as Hedy saw the familiar grocer, she instinctively greeted him, "How is your mother? Is her chest still hurting?"
"According to your instructions, she’s been much healthier than usual," Alejo replied, a sheepish expression on his face, his eyes gleaming with earnestness.
He took a step forward, his tone pleading. "Miss Hedy Kiesler, will you marry me?"
Hedy stood frozen for a few seconds. "What?"
"Please marry me," Alejo continued, taking another step closer. "You are so beautiful, kind, and graceful. You saved my mother without asking for anything in return. My whole family is so—"
Hedy took a few steps back, forcing a smile. "Thank you for your kindness, but there's no need."
Her six marriages in her past life had already given her enough lessons.
She once thought marriage was like escaping one refuge to another.
But in reality, it was just fleeing from one problem to an even bigger one.
Moreover, this proposal came out of nowhere, leaving her feeling utterly confused.
"I will give you happiness," Alejo said, his expression turning desperate as he tried to reassure her. "I just want you to be sheltered and protected, to have a place to call home. And after marriage, you can live a prosperous and comfortable life—"
Lorenzo, who had been silent, spoke slowly. "Are you implying that I’ve mistreated her at the Doge’s Palace?"
"No, no, no, I didn’t mean that."
The young man, awkward yet sincere, kept his eyes on her, seemingly still waiting for an answer.
Hedy began to seriously consider whether she had ever said anything that could have been misinterpreted as an invitation.
No, she definitely hadn’t.
"I appreciate your loyalty and kindness," she said, stepping forward and curtsying. "But I have no plans to marry. I’m happy with my work. Thank you for your care and affection."
As she spoke, Hedy lowered her gaze, avoiding eye contact, not wanting to see the hurt in his expression.
Some boundaries were very clear now.
The average age for marriage in the Middle Ages was around a teenager, but if a woman was in her twenties and still unmarried, as long as she wasn’t being scolded by her parents, it shouldn’t be too bad.
If things got difficult, she could always tie her alchemy work to herself and use doctrine to resist marriage.
—Absolutely no repeating the troubles of her past life.
Alejo didn't give up, stumbling over his words as he tried to explain himself.
Hedy only declined politely again, thanking him, and watched as he left the palace in a daze.
Lorenzo, sitting at the desk, had observed the entire exchange. He glanced briefly at the young woman who curtsied and hurried away, then returned to writing his documents.
About half an hour later, the office was filled with sound again.
"Cosimo."
"Here."
"Perhaps, in a few months, Alejo will find a more suitable position, serving the Medici family."
Such as being the steward of one of the country estates.
This matter didn’t trouble Hedy for long.
She had rejected many suitors in her past life, and it was just a repeat of old words now.
Instead of dwelling on all that, one thing seemed more worth anticipating—
Easter was approaching.
Only ten days left.
She had heard that the bishop would use mechanical pigeons to strike a cart full of fireworks, transforming the whole cart into a rotating pyramid-shaped display of fireworks, a blessing for the new year.
There would also be all kinds of delicious treats and bizarre festivals, with the whole city falling into a state of wild celebration.
She had also heard that the strongmen would lift and spin orange trees endlessly, and eggs would be painted completely red.
Hedy, deep in thought, realized she had gotten distracted from her paper.
Just then, the door was knocked a few times, and Dechio hurried over to open it.
"Hedy—" Da Vinci appeared at the door, holding two small rabbits. "Look at this!"