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On the third day, they packed their belongings and set off for the Duchy of Ferrara with a few servants in tow.
By the time they arrived on the first of September, the weather had cooled considerably.
The olive trees were heavy with fruit, and the oaks and maples stood tall and green.
Together, they traveled by carriage, both of them deep in thought, though about entirely different things.
Hedy had her head pressed against the window, eagerly watching the various plants that appeared along the roadside.
She was hoping to find the lichen she had read about—a small cluster of red berries hanging from the top, with deep green or blackish leaves, likely not very conspicuous.
Leonardo leaned against the other side, feeling uneasy and restless.
He wasn’t sure if his judgment was correct, as taking the initiative in this way didn’t seem very friendly or loyal.
Moreover, he found himself with many questions he wanted to ask her, like how she achieved that blending of colors, or how she handled light in her works.
But every time he thought about asking, he hesitated, fearing she might find him noisy or bothersome.
Would the question be childish?
Had she ever answered similar questions before?
Leonardo anxiously revised the question in his mind several times, but after a long while, he just leaned back against the carriage without saying anything.
Maybe it was better not to ask.
This slightly awkward feeling was something he hadn’t experienced before.
In the past, even when asking about the preparation of copper sulfate blue, he could discuss the details with her endlessly, without ever feeling like he was interrupting.
That carefree, unrestrained feeling seemed to have disappeared, and now even the simplest things seemed to trigger his anxious thoughts.
He wanted to see her every day, to laugh with her for hours over small things.
But sitting beside her now, he wasn’t sure where to put his hands and feet.
—If only Botticelli were here.
He would know exactly what to do.
Hedy hadn’t taken her eyes off the scenery outside for nearly two hours, and Leonardo even began to wonder if she knew something he didn’t, silently protesting against him.
I really do feel like a fool right now.
Leonardo sighed, then cleared his throat nervously and called out, "Hedy?"
"Hmm?" Hedy finally sat back down, rubbing her stiff neck. "Would you like some sandwiches?"
Leonardo instinctively nodded but quickly shifted the topic. "I have something I need to confess to you."
"What's that?"
He hesitated for a moment, then explained the situation regarding the visit from the Medici family.
Once he finished explaining, his head stayed lowered, too nervous to meet her eyes.
But she couldn’t help but laugh.
