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"Yes," she said, her tone filled with frustration, "I am already engaged to Mr. Leonardo. I already have someone I love. Please don’t put us in a difficult position."
Since the boy was a distant visitor, certain truths, half-truths, and misconceptions didn’t need to be fully clarified. She didn’t appreciate this forceful, no-room-for-negotiation approach to communication, and there was no way she would marry a boy she had never met in Rome.
"Is that so?" The boy smiled, looking at Leonardo. "Do you love her, as I do?"
"We have loved each other for a long time," Leonardo said, frowning. "Please let go of her."
"Kiss her," Caesar demanded, his eyes locked on Leonardo. "Now."
The young man’s expression faltered, just for a second, but it was enough for everyone present to notice.
"Then it’s fake," Caesar sneered. "Given my status, I can have you imprisoned for violating the church’s doctrines."
"Mr. Borgia," Lorenzo said flatly, "This is my diocese."
"And," he stepped forward and gently removed the boy’s hand, signaling Da Vinci to take Hedy further away, "As head of the Medici family, I must once again warn you: mind your place."
"Hedy," the boy’s tone suddenly softened, as if they had always been close. "Come with me."
He took a step closer, his voice becoming more intense. "We’re equals, we belong together, don’t we?"
"I’ve been looking for you... for four years."
"Do you remember that dance from that night?"
Hedy tightened her grip on Leonardo’s hand, looking directly at him. "You might have some misunderstanding about me."
She had never believed in love at first sight, and she certainly couldn’t accept such a fervent and extreme kind of love.
"I’ve always just seen you as a boy."
She stressed the words, not intending to leave any room for doubt.
"And with your age, you could still be my son."
Caesar froze for a moment, a vulnerable, hurt expression flashing across his face.
Lorenzo could see that this was just another of Caesar’s tactics to garner sympathy. He silently signaled to Leonardo to take Hedy and leave.
“The French are preparing to attack,” Caesar said quietly. “If the church also offers sufficient support…”
“This country will be caught between enemies, unable to stand firm,” Lorenzo replied, his voice flat.
"By the way," Caesar paused for a moment, then flashed a charming smile. "The Sforza from Milan is also waiting for the approval of the Roman church."
"Do you think they will consider helping?" he asked, his tone casual but laden with meaning.
——
The situation at hand was undeniably complicated.
The young Borgia was taken to the nearest Old Palace for a brief rest, but his two servants remained close to Hedy, clearly with no intention of leaving.
Hedy didn’t unpack her luggage; instead, she decided to return to the palace and discuss matters with the others first.
The servants and Cosimo were blocked at the main gate, but there was no need to escape through a window. There were simply too many unexpected events occurring right now. Even if they were to tackle them one by one, it was clear none of them were simple.
First, there was the Pope’s illegitimate son—young Mr. Borgia.
