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The lord silently took the glass filled with wine, took a sip, and set it down.
After all, it wasn't as good as the aged wine from the oak barrels.
"She's been ill recently," Lorenzo said faintly. "She's resting in the palace."
"That's a pity," Sforza shrugged, then began to talk about a charming brunette woman he'd recently taken a liking to.
Lorenzo stayed in Milan for seven days, and Dechio came to report back truthfully.
Hedy was living well in Milan, becoming healthier and more relaxed.
She would go out for morning prayers or attend a play and browse through antique markets.
She had her own little courtyard and kept a few white ducks.
Guards, arranged secretly in the vicinity, took shifts. A few days ago, they had chased away a thief who tried to climb over the wall.
"Is autumn in Ferrara beautiful?"
The lord looked toward the east, paused for a moment, and then climbed into the carriage back to Florence.
"Take care of her."
Dechio had actually vaguely sensed something, and hesitated to quietly ask beside the carriage, "What if she has a lover?"
Should I tell you?
The lord lowered his head and smiled, not answering her question, and waved his hand.
The carriage gradually disappeared from the maid's view, kicking up several oak leaves.
The first thing Hedy did after returning was check if there were any signs of intrusion in the courtyard.
Before leaving, she had secretly made several arrangements without Dechio knowing, even pinning a strand of hair to her notebook, tilted at a sixty-degree angle facing north.
No one had entered her study or any other part of the house.
She sighed in relief and began to solve the issue of coloring with the litmus solution.
It was originally a lichen plant, an organic substance that could decay and spoil.
On the way back, they had gradually figured out the best way to filter it and had even made several filters.
But this liquid had to be strong enough to color well, leaving a clear mark on the canvas and wall, and it had to last a long time.
If she had to repeatedly squeeze and let it sit before every painting session, it would be a huge waste of time.
Da Vinci poured her a glass of wine, his expression slightly curious.
"Why not try adding it directly to the egg tempera?"
Hedy stared at the glass of wine for a moment, then suddenly cheered.
"I’ve got it!"
She stretched out her arms and gave him a big hug before running to the wine cellar.
She found a large bottle of freshly brewed wine and began setting up the equipment for distillation.
