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Lorenzo's expression shifted slightly, his tone deepening as he replied, “You don’t know?”
“And it’s the red color only used by nobility,” Da Vinci said, astonished. “Is it the new trend from the French royal family?”
Lorenzo studied him with a complex gaze for a moment before responding, “It is indeed well-designed.”
With a subtle motion of his finger, the attendant bowed and took the ring away.
“You truly have talent. You will become an exceptional painter,” Lorenzo said as he stood up. “Come live in my palace. I can be your long-term patron.”
This wasn’t an unusual offer.
Florence’s hottest young painter, Botticelli, had grown up in the Medici family and was now being funded to run his own independent workshop.
The Medici family owned over a dozen gardens and villas, with assets scattered throughout Tuscany. Even the nearby villas housed many sculptors and artists.
They often hosted grand balls and knight tournaments, where the painters would find the perfect angles to record these events for posterity, allowing the world to admire them.
Da Vinci, however, didn’t seem very interested in this. He thought for a moment, then politely declined, “Thank you for your kindness, but I prefer the life of the common people.”
“Your father has already agreed to be our notary,” Lorenzo replied calmly. “If you come to me, you can not only seeMichelangelo’s manuscripts and Angelico’s originals but also paint without restrictions.”
—Angelico!
When Da Vinci heard his father being mentioned, his expression softened slightly. Every benefit Lorenzo offered felt like pure gold, making it harder for him to resist.
Suddenly, Da Vinci thought of the young maid at his house and let out a long sigh.
“Speaking of which, do you have any servants?” Lorenzo asked, taking a sip of the wine poured by his attendant. “How many? If you don’t have many, you can bring them along.”
“I only have one maid,” Da Vinci said after composing himself, hesitating before speaking again. “I’m sorry, sir, but I might need to think about it a little more.”
Lorenzo seemed to have anticipated this response. He raised an eyebrow and said, “Would you like to see Giotto’s works up close?”
—Giotto!
The Giotto from two hundred years ago!
The young man froze, unable to speak for a moment.
Even though the events of April still weighed heavily on his mind, the image of the severed head still fresh, he couldn’t resist the temptation of that name.
Seeing his paintings would bring him up close to the perspective techniques, showing him the intricacies of how figures were drawn.
It was Giotto who had given the Virgin and Child their souls, who had painted angelic expressions on infants.
“…Alright, I agree,” he finally said.
Even though it might mean living with that Botticelli guy, it seemed he couldn’t resist the offer.
“The Medici family welcomes you,” Lorenzo said with a smile, lowering his gaze. “Bring your maid tomorrow.”
“If she behaves well, the Doge’s Palace will extend the same courtesy to her.”
——
"Are you going to their palace?"
Hedy didn’t expect the change to come so quickly. Her first instinct was to check if her gold coins were still hidden properly, whether anyone had dug them up and taken them.
