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The wind howled past her ears, and her long hair flowed like rolling waves.
She didn’t have to think about politics, worry about anyone’s feelings, or consider any details.
Faster! Freer!
The horses neighed and galloped with the wind, leaping over obstacles with the agility and grace of dragons.
All the scenery blurred into the background, the mountains and fields melting into a wash of green as they sped faster, like chasing the setting sun. They dashed through streams, deepforests, and across fallen branches, as if they were knights fleeing under the sunset.
They rode across the entire mountain range, only slowly returning as the dusk deepened.
From a distance, the calls of cuckoos and starlings could be faintly heard, and the fresh scent of grass and the damp dew filled the air.
They led their horses, whispering to each other, walking for a long time before seeing the lit campsite.
“Leonardo, maybe one day, after I’ve sorted everything out…” she suddenly said. “I’ll retreat to the countryside and become a happy, free person.”
…When all the things that tied her down were taken care of, she might lay down her crown, shed her royal robes, and return to a simple, peaceful life.
“When that time comes, I’ll leave with you,” he said, holding her hand, their fingers intertwining with perfect synchronization. “There will be no hesitation.”
She looked at him, her gaze locking onto his amber eyes in the evening light.
Pure, clear, unchanged from nine years ago.
Leonardo smiled and lowered his gaze, pulling her into an embrace and kissing her forehead.
"I will love all of your dreams."
——
When Hedy woke up, it was still just dawn outside.
Her lover had already left early to check on the drying of the oil paint at the Florence Cathedral.
Hedy tugged on the long cord beside her bed, and soon a court official appeared in front of her.
Breakfast consisted of warm small hamburgers—one of the foods created by the Queen herself.
The beef patty was fried to perfection, then topped with lettuce and sauce, served with boiled milk and other small snacks.
Hedy sat up against her down pillow, still a little sleepy.
She smelled the mix of olive oil fried with beef, and lazily said, "I don't want to eat it, take it away."
The court official looked a bit worried, "Your Majesty... then what would you..."
"Just two slices of white bread," she replied.
Lately, she had lost her appetite for greasy foods.
Now, the Florence Academy had already started research on steam engines and radio designs. The first communication line had been laid from the academy to the Old Palace, and information exchange had been successfully completed—
However, since the distance wasn't very long, people only used it for simple responses at the moment.
For instance, two short beeps and one long one meant, "There has been a new major discovery, please come over to see it when the Queen has time."
At the same time, the upper and lower houses had approved the budget, starting the process of laying down radio lines.
