Page 338 of DATE
Yet love has always been given too many definitions, remaining fragile and extravagant all the same.
"As for marriage," she held his hand, their palms once again pressed together, "five hundred years later, it has become easier to fall apart."
Divorce was difficult in this era, while in the future, breakups and reunions were no longer uncommon.
People impatiently came together, only to hurriedly part ways in an embarrassing fashion.
"So promises are always illusory and distant."
Leonardo watched her profile under the starry night, suddenly taking a deep breath.
"I will love you forever."
"What?" She didn’t hear him clearly and turned her head to look at him.
"I will love you forever," he gazed into her eyes, his voice firm and unwavering.
"Till death do us part."
——
He escorted her back to the bedroom door. They exchanged brief goodnights, preparing to part ways.
Hedy suddenly remembered something and called out to him again: "Leonardo—"
"What?" Leonardo turned to look at her, realizing he hadn't given her a goodnight kiss. He smiled and leaned down to kiss her lips. "Sweet dreams, Hedy."
"That's not all—" Hedy finally remembered why she'd gone through all this trouble and gestured for him to come in and continue the conversation.
The maid nearby intentionally stepped away but was also called back: "Bring the paper and pen. I need to talk to Mr. Da Vinci."
One of the things on her mind was the birth of the radio.
The reason she planned to confess her background and explain the many twists and turns of the story was partly for love, but also so she could move forward more smoothly with the development in this area.
Hedy was skilled at analysis and design, but when it came to hands-on work, Leonardo was definitely the more powerful one.
"…Electricity?" Leonardo didn't expect her to want to discuss this in the middle of the night. He reached up and pointed to the sky. "Like lightning in the clouds?"
"Yes, and no." Hedy initially wanted to draw a diagram, but after a few strokes, she realized he couldn't understand the symbols—light bulbs, trams, utility poles…
"Leonardo, there is something called electricity." She spoke seriously, trying to explain as simply as she could.
"This 'electricity' can become a means of communication."
"Why?" Leonardo frowned. "Do you think the lightning in the sky is the gods conveying a message?"
"That is the electricity of nature... but humans can create something similar."
Hedy lowered her head and drew a horse and a small envelope.
"In this era, we communicate by horse and messenger, right?"
"The speed of sound and light is faster than a horse, but they can't transmit information over long distances."
"But electricity, as long as the conductor is stable enough, can travel across thousands of miles, allowing information to be transmitted effectively." She reached out and took his hand, her eyes full of pleading. "I want to create it with you."
Hedy began explaining to him just how versatile this remarkable force was in modern society—
