Page 318 of DATE
When Dechio reported that Hedy had disappeared from her bedroom, Leonardo thought she was just joking.
However, as people searched the entire room and castle, their expressions shifted from calm to anxious and tense, and his mind went blank for a long time.
— Where could she have gone?
— What could have happened to her?
It was already nightfall when Hedy disappeared, and by the time Leonardo took his mercenaries to seal the harbor and gates, it was close to midnight.
He instructed Niccolo and his other trusted men to interrogate everyone related to the case and immediately begin searching the streets and neighborhoods.
— His bride had vanished, as if she had evaporated into thin air, disappearing without a trace.
The brown-eyed general had never flinched even when facing tens of thousands of cavalry, but now, gripping his sword, his fingers trembled.
Countless possibilities started to form in his mind, and he uncontrollably began to prepare for the worst.
No—if something really happened to her, he would rather die in this night.
By the time dawn approached, they had searched every house, cellar, and alleyway in the whole of Genoa, yet there was no sign of her.
Leonardo had never ridden so fast.
He went back and forth between the castle and the city, constantly asking if she had returned.
No—there wasn’t even the faintest trace.
A drunken beggar claimed to have seen a beauty being taken away, but tracing that led only to a prostitute offering a smile for sale.
His heart sank deeper with each passing moment, and even every breath felt like it was tearing him apart.
Hedy...
He had never believed in God, but now he desperately prayed.
Please, don’t let anything happen to her. I will find you.
When the first rays of sunlight rose from the horizon, the people, exhausted, finally began to return.
The wedding decorations that filled the castle now looked pale and ironic. The chefs, who had been busy preparing meals, awkwardly stopped and took a rest.
Machiavelli even led men to open every chest and ventilation shaft in the castle. At that moment, he pressed his forehead and remained silent for a long while.
Atalante's face was ashen as he paced back and forth in front of the fireplace.
“She was definitely kidnapped—who did this? The Medici? The Sforza? The Borgia?”
Leonardo had already packed his things and, with his sword in hand, walked out.
“Atalante, you’re in charge of all the finances, trade, and taxes in the territory.”
“Niccolo, you’ll temporarily handle all of her political duties. Luris, you’re in charge of the army.”
“You’re going to find her?” Niccolo suddenly looked up. “Where will you search? Are you going to run around the world in circles?”
“The Medici and the Sforza men couldn’t have done this.” Leonardo walked swiftly, allowing them to follow behind him. “I’m taking a gunpowder unit and going to Rome right now.”
“Rome?” Luris took a deep breath and called out to him. “You need a good horse.”
