Page 190 of DATE
Leonardo felt something strange happening within him.
He was a fully grown man, and sometimes he would inevitably have to deal with small issues in the morning.
But whether he was performing on the lyre in front of noblewomen or arguing with the lord, he could always maintain his composure and decorum, always gentle and polite like the predecessors he admired.
Yet now, when he was around Hedy, he seemed to become nervous and awkward at times.
For instance, when she just reached for the salt shaker near him, or when she handed him a glass of orange juice.
When she got close to him, he felt a secret unease and anticipation, like a little boy waiting to eat a piece of candy.
But when he left her and returned to the cathedral to participate in the designs, he became the mature and clear-headed man once more.
...Could she really be a witch?
Leonardo sighed unconsciously as he worked on a diagram ofthe forces on the lifting equipment.
Even if she were a witch, he wouldn’t betray her.
The priests gathered nearby, chatting while comparing the sizes of the gems on each other's rings.
“Leonardo—take a break?” The cardinal smiled and waved. “I heard Mr. Lorenzo is coming to Milan this month?”
Leonardo paused for a moment and asked, “When?”
“He didn’t tell you? I heard he's coming to celebrate the birthday of the lady of the castle,” the cardinal waved his hand dismissively. “He’ll probably bring a lot of gifts, but it has nothing to do with us.”
He furrowed his brow, suddenly recalling something.
Before Hedy had rushed to find him that night, she had been with Cosimo, seeing Lorenzo off.
He wasn’t sure if Lorenzo had said something inappropriate or acted rudely.
But it seemed she didn’t want to see him again.
It had been more than half a year since their last farewell, and he noticed that Hedy hadn’t written to the lord on her own initiative, though she would still reply briefly to letters from Florence.
If Lorenzo had come this time with the intention of summoning her, he might force her to return.
When this thought crossed his mind, he felt a distinct surge of anger.
This feeling was difficult to explain and analyze—it didn’t seem to be related to friendship at all.
The young man didn’t want to think too much about it, but he instinctively shook his head.
She seemed far happier now than she had been in Florence.
When they returned to their residence after leaving the church, Leonardo hesitated for a long time, eventually deciding to take her away for a while, away from him.
He didn’t want to see that expression on her face again, and he wanted her to sleep peacefully and relax every night.
“—Leaving half a month early?” Hedy skewered some roasted beaver meat, looking somewhat curious. “Why are you leaving so early?”
Leonardo lowered his head, cutting olives, and lied unconvincingly, “There might be some delays on the road, so it’s better to leave early.”
Hedy thought for a moment, then turned to Atalante, who was focused on gnawing on a drumstick. “Can you help me watch over things for a while? It might be a bit of a hassle for you.”
The boy, with half his face covered in grease, nodded and then returned to his meat with full concentration.
