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She composed herself and wrote another note on the paper.
It was absolutely essential… not to promote it recklessly.
She had to hide it in plain sight, allowing people to seek it out on their own.
Hedy had always had a clear understanding of human nature—
People were often fanatical, irrational, and easily incited.
Whether she was doing good or evil, the ultimate outcome might not align with her original intent.
This was also why the Bible was followed by so many believers.
In many ways, there was little difference between God and the people.
Even when the goal and actions were aimed at saving thousands from disaster, one might end up being stoned to death in the end.
She sighed softly and was suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Hedy, the grapevines are growing well," Da Vinci asked, "Another farmer came asking for medicine today. Are we still not giving any?"
"Don't give it. Wait a few more months," Hedy replied without hesitation. "We'll talk after confirming the toxicity."
Da Vinci opened the door and walked in, carrying a stack of books.
"You've been in the lab for three months now—you should get out and catch some sunlight occasionally." He placed the reference materials beside her and pulled out a chessboard from the book. "How about a break?"
Hedy snapped out of her thoughts and realized it was a chessboard.
"Sure," she smiled. "But no letting me win."
Clearly, the game hadn't yet evolved to include "castling" in this era, and pawns could only move one square at a time at the start.
She didn't reveal her ignorance of some rules but silently observed Leonardo's moves.
The queen wasn’t omnipotent, and it seemed there wasn’t the rule where a pawn could promote to a queen once it reached the opposite end of the board.
... This seemed like a curious historical moment.
If it weren’t for the many outstanding female politicians who later made their mark in European history, it’s likely the chessboard wouldn’t show any respect for women.
Some things... had to be earned through effort.
"Checkmate." She placed her knight on a black square, instinctively calling out.
Her opponent looked somewhat confused.
Wait... how do you say this in Italian?
"Scacco-matto?" Da Vinci, using his bishop, captured her pawn and easily solved the stalemate. "The problem’s solved."
Hedy furrowed her brow, thinking about the next move, when she suddenly heard a rustling sound.
She froze for two seconds, and when she looked up, her eyes locked with a pair of tiny eyes by the leg of the table—
A mouse!
It was a mouse!!
