Page 322 of DATE
"I've been thinking about you too," Hedy said gently, planting a kiss on him. "I knew you would find me."
"That boy said you were about to die," Leo held back tears, nearly wanting to hold her until their bones merged. "I almost went mad… I didn't know I loved you this much…"
"If you really left this world, I wouldn't be able to breathe another second, Hedy…"
Her eyes reddened, trying to hold back her tears. "Leonardo, you made it, didn't you?"
"Everything's over, let's go home."
"Home…" He held her tightly again, his body trembling slightly. "Marry me, Hedy, marry me."
"I will always be by your side, and no one will ever do such a thing again..."
Hedy reached out and gently stroked his back, lowering her gaze as she smiled. "Didn't we already have an engagement?"
And it was even personally confirmed by the bishop.
It was only when she thought of Lorenzo that she suddenly remembered something.
"There’s a spy in Florence. It’s Cosimo who has been doing these things—Leonardo, we need to go back to Florence."
"Cosimo? Lorenzo's bodyguard?" Leonardo furrowed his brow, but still held her close. "Wasn't it the Borgias who kidnapped you?"
"Our guards at the castle have been very strict, and we’ve already investigated their backgrounds, haven’t we?" Hedy sat up, looking into his eyes. "But the only person who knows our wedding date and could send reinforcements and attendants is him—it's Cosimo who has been doing these things."
He secretly planted his pawns in Genoa, using their trust in the Medici family to his advantage.
"But Cosimo is right by Lorenzo's side now—" Leonardo's expression turned wary. "And he has easy access to the lady ofthe house and the children."
"We need to hurry and get there." Hedy said urgently. "With the changes happening here in Rome, he might make a move against Lorenzo."
"Alright, I'll give the coachman instructions—"
Before he could finish, a whistle suddenly came from the distance.
Leonardo lifted his head, a look of surprise on his face.
This was the secret signal he had arranged with the internal officials—three rising notes followed by a descending one, repeated twice.
He raised his finger and blew the whistle, repeating the signal again.
The distant whistle grew louder and clearer as it drew closer.
A young rider on a fine steed leaped out of the bushes, his riding skill impeccable, like that of a seasoned knight.
"—Machiavelli?!" Hedy exclaimed in surprise. "You came with them?"
"My God, it's the Lord! You really were found by them," Niccolo sighed in relief, raising the reins to have his white horse keep pace with the carriage. "I'm here to escort you."
"Escort us?" Leonardo furrowed his brow. "Didn't I tell you to stay in Genoa and handle the affairs?"
"Don't you know what's going on?" Niccolo raised his eyebrows. "We've come with the army."
"An army?" Hedy's eyebrows twitched. "Which country has gone to war?"
"My lord, you should ask which countries have gone to war," Niccolo said, gripping the saddle. "Now, with us, four lords and the Roman Church have declared war, and Rome has united with several city-states in fierce resistance—Luris has already taken the army to the eastern front."
The two people in the carriage were stunned for a few seconds.
