CHAPTER 26
When Hedy woke up, she realized that there was a man lying next to her.
She blinked, coming to a realization.
From today on, she would be a married woman.
Having slept alone for decades, now that she could truly sleep soundly beside her lover, she found it a bit surprising.
The morning light spilled across Leonardo's face, casting a faint golden glow on his long eyelashes.
She could hear his soft breathing and the curve of his proud nose.
This man, skilled in both painting and anatomy, was blessed with an excellent bone structure.
Even though the blanket concealed his fish-like waist, only his bare collarbone and neck were visible, and they looked as perfect as a marble statue created by Michelangelo.
Their breaths lightly synchronized, warmed and softened by the touch of their skin.
She paused for a moment, then curled into his embrace.
So close, she could hear his deep, steady heartbeat.
Perhaps it was due to this small movement, but the man groggily woke up.
He instinctively pulled her tighter, his voice rough, “Good morning, Hedy.”
Hedy nuzzled his cheek, then leaned up to kiss the corner of his lips, “Good morning.”
Leonardo suddenly remembered what happened last night, and his cheeks turned a little red, “I… yesterday…”
“You did well,” she laughed lightly.
“It could’ve been better…” he sighed softly, “And lasted longer.”
Hedy reached out and wrapped her arm around his neck, allowing the embrace to become more intimate and heated. She leaned in and whispered in his ear, like an alluring siren.
“You will.”
The feeling of marriage was like suddenly having a connection with another person’s soul, so strong that even with all the walls and barriers between them, they instinctively longed to sense each other’s presence.
Hedy appeared quite composed, but Leonardo still had a bit of youthful innocence about him.
Even though, at thirty-four years old, he should already have children, he was still too shy to look at Hedy when she changed her clothes.
— Or perhaps it was because if he did, the whole morning would likely be ruined.
They had exchanged wedding rings, and the inside of their ring fingers were engraved with the initials of their names. Now, walking together as a couple, they felt more at ease.
The rumors from earlier years in Florence were finally confirmed once and for all.
Many infatuated young women, unable to win Leonardo's heart, had concocted a melodramatic story based on various clues—this gentleman had been pining for Miss Medici for a long time, and his heart could not accommodate anyone else!
At the time, Leonardo had been struggling to shake off rumors and accusations of homosexuality, and when he heard this gossip, he let out a long sigh of relief.
But no one could have expected that what started as a joke would eventually become a reality.
He quietly loved her for many years and, in the end, stood by her side.
Mr. Piero, before the wedding, remained half skeptical.
— He was happy that this young man had achieved something, happy enough to drink a few more cups of beer, but this child was over thirty and still unmarried. Was there truly no issue in that area? Was there no need to try the official brothels?
In the end, the child he worried about most skyrocketed to become a prince, not only with a distinguished reputation but also married to a queen, becoming a celebrated couple.
Hedy found a moment to have a private conversation with Leonardo about it.
“I should accompany you to visit your parents alone,” she said.
“Even my mother?” he raised an eyebrow, though he didn’t let go of her hand.
“Even your mother,” Hedy said softly, trying to reassure him with a calm and steady voice.
Just as he had done for her after witnessing the bloodshed, offering her safety and taking her home.
“Leonardo, there are many things that can’t be changed,” she whispered. “Not only can you not change them, but they, when faced with choices, may not always make the right ones.”
Lack of proper education or the pressures of life often make it difficult for people to achieve the lives they truly want.
“They are independent individuals, and the choices they make are simply their own thoughts. It’s not that they don’t need you,” she tightened her grip on his hand, their fingers intertwining to share warmth. “Leonardo, what we should forgive is ourselves.”
“Will you meet them? Please?”
“...Alright,” he nodded, gazing into her eyes. “I trust you.”
Mr. Piero lived in Florence, and in recent years, he had been enjoying life quite a lot.
He had secured a rather decent notary position ten years ago, and with the rise of his son at the Doge’s Palace, his career had steadily advanced, bringing him promotions and raises. Now, he had settled in the city.
When Hedy and Leonardo arrived together, Piero’s face flushed, unsure where to place his hands. Awkward and flustered, he performed a deep bow, looking somewhat embarrassed.
Hedy only smiled, exchanged a few pleasantries with him, and explained that they were visiting after their marriage.
Piero practically wiped down the chair several times before allowing them to sit down.
Leonardo hadn’t had much contact with him in recent years, and now he felt a little out of place.
They drank a few mugs of beer together, and as the old man began to get tipsy, he started to express his true thoughts.
“Leonardo is the child I worry about the most.”
“I remember when I first saw you in his yard, I thought to myself,” old Piero slapped his knee heavily, “This child finally has someone to look after him—at least he won’t go hungry!”
Leonardo was taken aback for a moment, surprised. “You thought that?”
“Otherwise, why would I have urged you to get married? Was it just to avoid the gossip of the neighbors?” Piero slammed his fist on the table. “When you start working, you forget everything, and you’re so distracted by painting, you didn’t even pay for your paint sometimes.”
“How are you going to live your life like this? How can you get by on just a few meals and sleep now and then?”
Leonardo’s expression grew more complex. He refilled his father’s cup and murmured, “Didn’t you care about any of this when you sent me to the estate back then?”
“The estate?” The old man hiccupped, then replied, “Would your grandfather let you go hungry? If I didn’t work hard, where would the money come from to support your education?”
Hedy smiled and stood up, leaving the father and son to talk for a while longer.
By the afternoon, Leonardo came out with red eyes.
Piero was still the same—stubborn, rigid, and fond of lecturing.
But Leonardo’s understanding of his father had changed a lot.
In the end, he truly loved him.
The next day, they took a carriage to Vinci.
Leonardo's mother, Caterina, was still a farmer and didn’t even know about her son's current situation. She had hastily married a farmer and then bore several children for him. Now, she was busy and weary, her hair already turning gray.
Over the years, Leonardo would regularly send her money and goods, but he only visited her once every two or three years. He had nothing to talk about with her, and with his half-siblings, it was as if they were strangers.
The procession of the queen and prince was so grand that when they arrived, nearly everyone in Vinci came out to watch, eager to catch a glimpse of the nobles.
Caterina had no idea that these two were her son and daughter-in-law. She joined the crowd, watching the spectacle like everyone else.
When Leonardo dismounted and slowly walked toward her, the old woman froze for a moment, a look of shock and confusion crossing her face.
A young man nearby couldn’t contain his excitement and screamed, prompting more people to bow and salute, careful not to show any disrespect.
“Mother,” he said, looking at the elderly woman, “I’m back.”
Caterina couldn’t match this child to her memories.
He had grown so much, and his demeanor was completely transformed, as if he had become a different person.
The last time she saw him, three years ago, he still resembled those city painters. Now, he had become steadfast, composed, and mature—someone who seemed trustworthy.
The meeting was brief but warm enough.
The elderly woman declined all the gifts and insisted on staying in the old house, continuing to farm and raise pigs.
They had nothing much to talk about; Leonardo had no knowledge of farming, and his mother, evidently, had no interest in the coastal defense arrangements.
But as they were leaving and making their way back, Leonardo held Hedy’s hand, gazing at the scenery that was slowly fading away, and said, “I’ve forgiven her.”
And I’ve forgiven myself.
Over the years, he had carried many hidden pains.
These pains stemmed from many things, but mostly from his childhood.
His mother, who had no interest in him despite having four children, and his father, who was distant and cold, made him feel that he shouldn’t have been born into this world and wasn’t worthy of anyone’s love.
Perhaps his birth had been a mistake from the very start.
Many of the desires, pains, and obsessions from his childhood were suppressed and buried as he grew, yet they continued to erode his inner self.
But now, it seemed like he could finally let go of it all.
Hedy rested her head on his shoulder, listening to the distant sound of the horses’ hooves, and asked, “What did you come to understand?”
“When I was a child, I always thought they were invincible,” Leonardo softly stroked her long hair, his voice deep. “I always thought they were capable of taking care of me and should have given me enough love.”
But now, seeing their old, weary faces, he suddenly understood much more.
Parents, like everyone else in the world, were not without flaws. They could be weak or conflicted, their hands calloused from working for a living, and they could feel lost and helpless at times.