Page 427 of DATE
The widow of the Medici family had always been calm and composed, visiting every month to place a bouquet of fresh flowers on the resting man’s grave.
Her children had become the pope and cardinals of Rome, and were now leading the spread of Protestantism to faraway places.
Leonardo stood at the grave for a long time, finally speaking softly after a pause.
"The Ministry of Defense is now quite advanced," he said, looking at the surname on the tombstone as if gazing at an old friend. "Even if France and Spain come together, our forces can respond and defend swiftly."
"We already have wireless communication, and more and more allies—Portugal, Hungary, England..."
He spoke at length about the old matters of the House of Lords, occasionally smiling, just as he had when discussing strategies with the lords in the study.
"By the way," Leonardo gazed at the Medici inscription for a long time before speaking again. "She is happy now."
"I will take care of and protect her, until old age."
"Just as I promised you."
The old ministers stepped forward one by one to lay flowers and pay their respects, some gently touching the tombstone and speaking softly to him.
Hedy waited until the very end, before approaching with a bouquet of white chrysanthemums in her hands.
She hadn't come here in a long time.
"Lorenzo," she paused, repeating, "Lorenzo de' Medici."
"I am your successor, and once your alchemist."
"If you remember me, perhaps you also remember the policies and grand ambitions I once spoke of."
Her palm rested on the cold tombstone, as if trying to transmit some warmth.
"I've done it."
"Lorenzo, Italy is now completely unified, and no one in Europe dares to challenge its power."
"We have fleets as tall as skyscrapers, unrivaled cannons, and many universities are being built. This place has become the center of wisdom and art."
Hedy paused, and the group behind her remained silent.
"Lorenzo, I have not betrayed this surname."
"People will forever remember the Medici, and the red and white irises of Florence."
Her voice trembled slightly, and her palm pressed harder against the stone.
"I should have noticed your illness earlier... I'm truly sorry."
"If it weren’t for my mistake, perhaps you could witness all of this now."
From a distance, Raphael suddenly shivered and instinctively raised his hand.
What was this?
He glanced around and realized that white ice crystals were falling with the gusts of wind.
Leonardo was also taken aback, reaching out to catch the tiny, almost invisible snowflakes.
Hedy lifted her head and murmured, "It's snowing..."
