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She could hear his soft breathing and the curve of his proud nose.
This man, skilled in both painting and anatomy, was blessed with an excellent bone structure.
Even though the blanket concealed his fish-like waist, only his bare collarbone and neck were visible, and they looked as perfect as a marble statue created by Michelangelo.
Their breaths lightly synchronized, warmed and softened by the touch of their skin.
She paused for a moment, then curled into his embrace.
So close, she could hear his deep, steady heartbeat.
Perhaps it was due to this small movement, but the man groggily woke up.
He instinctively pulled her tighter, his voice rough, “Good morning, Hedy.”
Hedy nuzzled his cheek, then leaned up to kiss the corner of his lips, “Good morning.”
Leonardo suddenly remembered what happened last night, and his cheeks turned a little red, “I… yesterday…”
“You did well,” she laughed lightly.
“It could’ve been better…” he sighed softly, “And lasted longer.”
Hedy reached out and wrapped her arm around his neck, allowing the embrace to become more intimate and heated. She leaned in and whispered in his ear, like an alluring siren.
“You will.”
The feeling of marriage was like suddenly having a connection with another person’s soul, so strong that even with all the walls and barriers between them, they instinctively longed to sense each other’s presence.
Hedy appeared quite composed, but Leonardo still had a bit of youthful innocence about him.
Even though, at thirty-four years old, he should already have children, he was still too shy to look at Hedy when she changed her clothes.
— Or perhaps it was because if he did, the whole morning would likely be ruined.
They had exchanged wedding rings, and the inside of their ring fingers were engraved with the initials of their names. Now, walking together as a couple, they felt more at ease.
The rumors from earlier years in Florence were finally confirmed once and for all. Many infatuated young women, unable to win Leonardo's heart, had concocted a melodramatic story based on various clues—this gentleman had been pining for Miss Medici for a long time, and his heart could not accommodate anyone else!
At the time, Leonardo had been struggling to shake off rumors and accusations of homosexuality, and when he heard this gossip, he let out a long sigh of relief.
But no one could have expected that what started as a joke would eventually become a reality.
He quietly loved her for many years and, in the end, stood by her side.
Mr. Piero, before the wedding, remained half skeptical.
— He was happy that this young man had achieved something, happy enough to drink a few more cups of beer, but this child was over thirty and still unmarried. Was there truly no issue in that area? Was there no need to try the official brothels?
In the end, the child he worried about most skyrocketed to become a prince, not only with a distinguished reputation but also married to a queen, becoming a celebrated couple.
Hedy found a moment to have a private conversation with Leonardo about it.
“I should accompany you to visit your parents alone,” she said.
“Even my mother?” he raised an eyebrow, though he didn’t let go of her hand.
“Even your mother,” Hedy said softly, trying to reassure him with a calm and steady voice.
