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The young man had already spotted her, letting out a long whistle.
"Do you remember me?"
Hedy froze for a moment, then looked up at him and asked, "What is it that you want?"
"For you." The boy replied bluntly. "Come with me to Rome."
Botticelli, who had originally intended to bid them farewell, couldn’t help but laugh out loud. He rubbed his forehead and waved at Da Vinci.
Hedy controlled her emotions, responding coolly, “We’ve never met.”
The servant beside her couldn’t hold back, speaking up, “The young master has refused marriage proposals several times. He just wants to take you back with him—”
The sound of a carriage approaching from behind interrupted them, clearly the lord arriving with his men.
The boy glanced up at the carriage that hadn’t yet stopped, then swiftly dismounted and walked over to her. He leaned down and gave her a light kiss on the hand.
As he bowed, his long, slightly curled lashes caught the sunlight, turning them a pale gold.
“Do you really not remember me?” He held her hand and didn’t let go, his dark eyes staring intently into hers.
Lorenzo quickly stepped down from his carriage, and Leonardo was already by her side.
“You are—”
“Caesar Borgia,” the boy lowered his voice and said.
“We once danced a waltz together, do you remember?”
No—that boy from a few years ago...
Suddenly, Hedy understood many things.
Why the waltz had come from Rome, why someone had been searching for her.
The boy she had danced with at that banquet—was Borgia.
No, this was not possible.
Hedy took a deep breath, trying to pull her hand away.
But the boy gripped her hand tighter, not intending to let go. “I’ve been looking for you for four years.”
“Mr. Borgia,” Lorenzo’s voice turned cold. “Please mind your manners.”
“You’re not married, are you?” the boy pressed, “Isn’t it because you’re waiting for me to grow up?”
“No,” Leonardo took a deep breath, "She’s already engaged to me."
Hedy felt her cheeks flush slightly, but she dared not reveal any sign of weakness.
She exchanged a glance with Leonardo, both of them feeling more resolute.
Botticelli chose to lift Raphael, who had been leaning curiously against the window, out of the carriage.
Lorenzo gave Leonardo a meaningful look before speaking again. "There's no need for a tea party in front of the gates."
Hedy tried to pull her hand away again, but the boy’s grip tightened.
