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"Don't rush," Atalante said with a raised voice. "She's not married yet. Even if she does marry, you can still pursue her."
"If you don’t tell her how you feel, she might just fall for someone else," the young man winked. "Do you want me to help you find a perfect love poem?"
"No—no need," Da Vinci tried to look serious. "Aren’t you learning French and the violin? You should focus on more important things."
"My old friend," the young man said with a sympathetic look, "I'm getting married next month."
"If you take any longer, you might find that while my children are getting married, you'll still be here staring at her portrait."
Da Vinci suddenly came to his senses, realizing something.
Unconsciously, that twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy had grown into a man.
Time… had passed so quickly?
"Do you remember that little timekeeping grid you gave me?" the young man said patiently. "Everyone will die eventually, and they'll forget everything and fly to heaven."
"The longer you hesitate, the less you'll love her."
Da Vinci was silent for a long time, suddenly realizing he had no argument against him.
He had always avoided facing his emotions and found it difficult to deceive himself.
The things he had once said so confidently were now contradicted by reality.
— The intense passion he had for art and science could just as easily be stirred by another person.
When she came back late, he couldn’t help but wait for her by the door, even pretending to be going out to buy a small newspaper just to pick her up.
If she sighed while eating, he couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to her.
He was so cautious and nervous, always awkward around her.
But this feeling was strange and dangerous to him, like a poisonous butterfly—something he desired but was afraid to touch.
After a long silence, the man finally spoke softly.
"Don’t tell her…"
Let me have more time to figure this out.
The young man shrugged and handed him another paintbrush.
"When you come to my wedding, remember to bring a good bottle of wine."
——
Atalante's bride is the daughter of a drug merchant from the Eastern district. The two have a great relationship and even bought a small house near Hedy's workshop.
The wedding wasn't particularly extravagant or grand, but it was filled with warmth and affection.
Hedy generously helped him acquire many jewels and silks, and on the day of the wedding, the bride looked cute and petite like a fairy.
Everyone danced and celebrated at the party, and Hedy couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic.
Atalante, who was once just a little boy, had grown to the pointof getting married... and he seemed so happy.
Over the years, Hedy had acted like a big sister, carefully guiding him. The boy was intelligent and kind, living up to her expectations.
