Page 389 of DATE
When this news spread, it sent shockwaves across Europe, leaving England, France, Norway, and Hungary in utter disbelief!
They knew that the Italians had secret methods capable of destroying high walls and ancient fortresses, but they had no idea they also possessed such a terrifying fleet.
Venice, originally a refuge for immigrants fleeing the Huns under King Attila, had now come to the end of its old fate, completely surrendering to the banner of the Italian Empire.
Corsica had already submitted after Genoa's fall, and several nearby islands had also switched flags due to the downfall of Naples.
Now, the Venetian Republic had been completely replaced, and the entire Apennine Peninsula belonged to the Italian Empire!
It bordered the Adriatic Sea to the east, the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west, and the Alps to the north, its shape resembling the queen's boot.
Interestingly, Italy's national holiday was June 2nd.
On June 2nd, 1488, Italy finally completed its unification, and under the blazing sun, the same flag was raised across the country.
When Hedy appeared at the celebration wearing her crown, Florence was already deep in revelry.
From this day on, they would no longer pay a single extra cent in customs fees for dealings with Venice. The entire island would now be governed by the same laws and regulations!
Niccolo could barely find his voice as he read the proclamation, while Raphael and Michelangelo worked together to hang the large map of Italy, shaped like the queen's boot, in the queen’s office.
As the prince rode through the city on horseback, countless bouquets were thrown at him, almost burying him under the weight of their admiration.
The people shouted the names of the queen and the prince, their fervor so intense that it felt like it might tear the rooftops off the city.
In this world, only Leonardo da Vinci could have built such miraculous warships that could effortlessly seize Venice!
The Medici family had already taken the helm of both religious and imperial power, and all of Europe was now in awe of them!
The celebration lasted for ten days, and by the end, the square was packed with pigeons and sparrows, clucking as they fought for the olives and grains dropped by the people.
Hedy, leaning against the cradle, dozed off, her black hair cascading over her shoulder like a flowing waterfall.
The man quietly entered the room and carefully draped a blanket over her.
Hedy sleepily sat up, her eyes still half-closed, and whispered, "Leonardo? Where did you go just now?"
Leonardo gently rocked the cradle, watching the two children sleep peacefully like angels.
"I just went out to see Niccolo," he said, reaching out to pull Hedy into his embrace, bending down to kiss her forehead. "He told me the runaway governor has been caught."
At the mention of the governor, Hedy couldn't help but laugh.
"I've noticed," he observed, watching her smile, "you seem very sensitive to the word 'governor'—and you always laugh when you hear it."
"Yes," Hedy covered her mouth and yawned, "After all, it's 'doge.'"
In Italian, the word for "dog" is 'cane,' and the plural of governor is 'doges.' Sometimes, when she read too quickly, she couldn't help but imagine a pack of wild dogs running freely, each one wearing the hat of the Doge of Venice.
The door was suddenly knocked twice, and Dechio's voice came through, "Your Majesty, I’m afraid you need to change and go out."
"Isn't today a rest day?" Hedy gestured for him to come in. "Come in, you can tell me directly what’s going on."
Dechio, now the official chief secretary, had become more influential under Hedy’s guidance. More and more women were becoming involved in court and parliamentary affairs, and long-haired figures were starting to appear in universities.
"The situation is this." He held up a file, his voice barely containing his excitement. "Mr. Columbus has returned with his fleet—they're waiting for you in the conference hall."
"What?" Both Hedy and Leonardo asked simultaneously. "Say that again?"
