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But Hedy slept soundly through the night, only waking when the morning light poured in at six o'clock.
She yawned and slowly opened her eyes.
As her awareness returned, she noticed a faint scent of fig tree near her collar, clearly not one of the fragrances she usually wore.
Hedy rubbed her eyes, sat up a little straighter, and then yawned again, saying, “Good morning, Leonardo—did you sleep well last night?”
He was still a bit drowsy but sat straight and proper as always.
“Sorry, I think I ended up leaning on you last night,” she chuckled. “You can relax now, please don’t be upset.”
Hedy understood his discomfort with physical contact and was being very considerate.
Leonardo instinctively shook his head. “It’s fine, just… not used to it.”
The night had been chilly, and he had carefully draped a soft blanket over them both. Looking at the moon, he had unintentionally fallen asleep.
The feeling of leaning against her… was very warm.
It seemed he had even had a good dream.
——
The Duke's daughter is a thirteen-year-old girl. She has rosy cheeks, long, smooth, and shiny hair, and is an elegant yet lively young lady.
Before Da Vinci's arrival, she had already generously purchased many paintings and added several sculptures to her home, all of which she had personally selected.
The Duke and Duchess pampered this child; not only did they provide her with the best education, but they also allowed her toride horses and hunt like a man, raising her to be both healthy and knowledgeable.
In this era, the best career choices for men were either the clergy or the military, while women were expected to learn various domestic skills in preparation for marriage, such as spinning, sewing, or cooking and brewing.
In the distant East, women were bound with small feet, which were considered beautiful, while in Venice, near the Duchy of Ferrara, women also wore high platform shoes more than twenty centimeters tall, under the guise of avoiding dirt.
These practices imposed invisible restrictions on women’s mobility, forcing them to stay at home and engage in labor without participating in many external affairs.
In the Middle Ages, when the status of women was gradually declining, Isabella, a cheerful, independent, and confident young girl, was truly a bright spot in the darkness.
On the first day of Hedy's arrival, Isabella warmly presented her with several gifts. This young lady generously shared her private bath with her and instructed her maid to bring a basket of dew-covered rose petals.
She loved art, was passionate about science, and also supported the idea of women participating more in secular matters.
In just a few days, Hedy taught her some small facts from On the Four Elements and how to take care of her body, earning the Duke and Duchess's warm welcome.
“You are so kind and wise,” the Duchess gently said, “The Duchy of Ferrara will always welcome your arrival.”
This sentence was like a signal that this modest city-state would provide her with personal protection and support.
Hedy, surprised yet sincere, thanked them and then helped both the Duke and Duchess with their health checks.
One of them had mild diabetes, which could be improved with dietary control. The other suffered from insomnia and frequentdreams, but moderate walks and a warm glass of milk before bed seemed to help.
Their second purpose for visiting was to invite Da Vinci to paint a portrait of Miss Isabella. While he had previously gained fame for his impressive war machine designs, he had also created many outstanding works of art.
Da Vinci was relaxed and friendly in front of the young lady, and his efficiency in sketching was quite good. Isabella sat by the window, occasionally glancing at the artist behind the wooden panel, curiously asking him various questions. She asked everything from the materials used for oil painting, to whether his brushes were made from pig bristles, and even which Bible story he liked best.
"By the way," the young lady blinked and said, "Are you the lover of Miss Medici?"
The artist almost let his pencil slip off the board.
