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Da Vinci, however, did not rest. He took her to see the lift he had designed.
The two of them traveled by carriage to the fortress near the city walls, where many craftsmen were still tirelessly at work.
"With this invention of mine," Da Vinci said, "soldiers can ascend the walls at the fastest speed. It's much faster than climbing stairs!"
His amber eyes were filled with amusement as he motioned for her to come closer and take a look.
Hedy glanced at the gear mechanism beside them and then looked up at the lift.
"Does it have a name?"
"Not yet…"
"I have a suggestion," she turned to him with a serious expression. "The word 'elevator' sounds quite fitting."
The device Da Vinci had designed was clearly a large lift mechanism made up of multiple wheel axles, and it was already in use.
During their conversation, several bricks, stones, and painters, along with craftsmen, were being transported up.
Compared to the lifting devices used for building churches, this one he created was even more stable and had a higher weight-bearing capacity.
Hedy and Da Vinci walked around the city walls for a long time, eventually deciding to walk back together.
Though the weather was hot, walking in the shade was still bearable.
"I've always been curious about something. Does your name have any connection to Vinci?"
Da Vinci’s steps slowed for a moment, and he glanced at her. "Vinci is originally a place name."
"A place name? I thought it was a family suffix?"
"Leonardo di Piero da Vinci," he paused for a moment, adding with a hint of self-deprecation, "A gentleman named Piero from Vinci had a son—Leonardo."
He actually had no surname.
Hedy froze for a second, suddenly recalling something he had mentioned not long after they had first met.
Leonardo... he was actually an illegitimate child.
"Until this year, my father finally got his second son." He stopped walking, leaning against the wall as if trying to collect his emotions.
The dark brown wall dust smeared onto his robe, making the fabric, which was usually well-cared-for, now covered in a layer of black marks.
"This is… his fourth marriage."
Hedy hesitated for a moment, feeling uneasy as she stood by his side.
Da Vinci rarely spoke of his pain to her, or to anyone for that matter.
And as for his family background and parents, he almost never brought them up.
But all along, she had thought that his relationship with Pierowas relatively good.
That man had shown interest in his artwork, even offering several commendable commissions.
If not for him, they might not have received the lord's sponsorship and support.
The incessant cicada noise was overwhelming, making everything feel exhausting. Da Vinci closed his eyes, leaning against the wall as though he was finally ready to say something.
