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When Hedy and Leonardo da Vinci were gazing up at this cathedral, she suddenly remembered a phrase from Mark Twain.
“A poem in marble.”
“This cathedral was originally proposed by Milan's first duke,” Leonardo said, as he guided her past the sculptors carving the walls, his tone familiar. “He hoped that by constructing such agrand building, he could move God.”
“To pray for a place in heaven?”
“No, to pray for a male heir,” Leonardo laughed. “Unfortunately, his son was assassinated shortly after taking power.”
“Well, that's not God's fault,” Hedy shrugged. “He only asked for an heir, he never clarified that he didn’t want a short-lived one.”
The scale of this massive building posed such a challenge to the engineers that all the doorways were left empty, even the central grand door was missing.
If doors were ever to be installed on this tower-like cathedral, they would have to be made of huge bronze, which might not be something people of the current era could manage.
Leonardo da Vinci, guiding her on a walk around, couldn't help but express his sincere thoughts.
“I wonder if I’ll live to see the completion of this cathedral in my lifetime.”
Hedy paused for a moment and swallowed the words that almost escaped her throat.
She had seen it.
It wasn't until 1965 that all the bronze doors of the Milan Cathedral were finally cast.
At that time, she was in Italy shooting a movie, often posing for photos with friends there.
She quickened her pace, walking a few steps in a familiar direction.
From this spot, this angle, she could capture the blue sky and the white spires in a perfect shot.
Back then, she had been holding a blueberry-flavored ice cream, laughing with friends as they stood here, saying they would go to the arcade afterward.
At that time... she never could have imagined a day like this.
This time, everyone had come to the Sforza Castle to celebrate the little duke’s birthday.
The boy was only four years old but had already been spoiled to the point of lawlessness.
The Sforza family, despite their show of care for the brother’s orphaned child, spared no expense in fulfilling his every whim and indulging his bad temper.
Although Hedy had never met the little duke, she had overheard many whispers from the maids to the coachmen after entering the palace.
Everyone knew exactly who the real ruler was and was happy to share in his wealth.
Like the Medici, this lord had also employed numerous painters and artists, developing various celebrations and public performances.
This was a haven for theater, where almost all artisans could earn a living.
As soon as Leonardo da Vinci arrived, his smile seemed brighter than usual, and he became so busy that no one could find him for three or four days at a time.
Hedy, as his maid, found herself with more free time. Once she had prepared the meals and clothes, she would wander around nearby, occasionally browsing through little shops for fresh curiosities.
The advantage of a big city was the wide roads and clear views, where the presence of people gradually diminished.
Standing in front of a tower several dozen meters tall, one could only feel their own smallness, and many of the mundane matters of life seemed to lose their significance in an instant.
Soon, it was time for the little duke’s birthday. Crowds entered the palace, gathered together to celebrate and cheer.
