Page 184 of DATE
This life wasn't so bad at all.
Since Milan was now under the rule of the Sforza family, rather than the Medici, and given that they weren’t aware of her arrival, the surveillance and eyes everywhere had lessened significantly.
Hedy spent some time helping Dechio adjust to her regular "performance-watching" outings, and then she started taking her new maidservants on trips to explore more business opportunities, as well as gather more information.
Da Vinci always came back late, sometimes even in the middle of the night, clearly absorbed in his work on the Milan Cathedral. He had once again designed a lift more suited for working at great heights and personally took her to see it.
Though the cathedral still had no doors or ceiling, the grandeur of the place made one want to stand and stare for hours.
Countless white spires rose beside the cathedral like snow-capped pines, and stone bridges intertwined at the top, as if leading to heaven itself. Statues of saints, demons, and commoners stood above, bathed in the soft orange morning light, like detached beings filled with compassion.
It felt strange to enter without needing to buy a ticket.
As they walked through the square, Hedy instinctively glanced back at the nearby road.
Da Vinci noticed this and stopped, asking, “What are you looking at?”
It used to be here.
She turned back at the same angle and saw a sky-blue tram.
The ice cream stand was not far off, and there were people selling pigeon feed and balloons.
But now, everything had changed—everything and everyone was no longer the same.
“Nothing,” she said, looking ahead again, and continued walking alongside him.
The massive altar was illuminated by the brilliant stained glass windows to the north, and a red lamp hung at a height of several dozen meters, casting its light upon the legendary relics.
It was said that one of the three holy nails that had been used to crucify Jesus was carefully preserved on this high platform.
"I’ve created a sufficiently stable lift, so the bishop can take it out during mass—only three days a year," Da Vinci explained in a lower tone, pointing out the unfinished mural beside them. "Which one looks better, this one or my painting?"
Hedy smiled as she looked at him, responding with a teasing question, "Sir, when did you start painting?"
Da Vinci flashed a knowing smile. "Tomorrow, tomorrow I will certainly paint."
She followed him as they examined the murals and sacred images, constantly comparing them to her memories.
The gilded crucifixion scene of Jesus had not yet been hung, and the massive organ with thousands of pipes didn’t exist yet. The stained-glass windows displayed countless scenes of the saints, while craftsmen were carefully completing the reinforcement work.
"That area is off-limits," he said, pointing to a side room. "There are places where only the cardinal can enter."
"It’s fine. I’ve already explored it the last time I came," Hedy replied with a knowing smile.
She had originally wanted to ask him more about the final design of the dome, but stopped herself.
He might create an even more perfect piece.
When going out on her own, Hedy had gradually started hearing valuable information at gatherings and taverns.
For instance, the women here still held a higher social status and were treated with more respect. It seemed that this had always been the case—wherever economies grew more prosperous, ideas and cultures became more open and advanced. Thedecaying dogmas and restrictions lost their power, and the status of women gradually improved.
People from all over drank beer, discussing political and military rumors. Some even told crude jokes, provoking laughter from the cooks and serving girls.
The young black-haired beauty leisurely enjoyed her caramelized apple while listening to an interesting piece of old gossip.
The previous Sforza lord, the father of the current young ruler, had a particular penchant. He not only had many mistresses but also enjoyed seducing the wives of his friends.
