Page 409 of DATE
From intelligence sharing, map exploration, scientific research cooperation, to a shared stance on France and Spain, every tense and setting shifted seamlessly, and the writing was even more "British" than the British themselves.
At first, Henry VII tried to involve himself in the matter, but after five days of reading, he felt a migraine coming on and decided to hand everything over to his poor subordinates. He took his guards and went to find the queen for tea.
He still had many things to think through and couldn’t afford to spend all his time on that stack of parchment.
"You’ve finally arrived?" Hedy smiled as she stood up, and the prince beside her put down the sugar spoon, greeting him with a smile.
"Maybe I was a bit slow to react," Henry VII said leisurely, "and I must have embarrassed you."
"I used to hear British merchants say that their king is constantly handling state affairs, doing everything himself from dawn to dusk," Hedy gestured for him to sit beside her, as Dechio, standing behind her, brought over freshly brewed tea.
"Now it seems that this isn’t such a good thing," Henry VII sighed, raising his tea cup. "We have certainly felt the sincerity of the Italian Empire—"
Seven hundred sixty-four pages of sincerity, which nearly blinded him from the reading.
"But there are some things I would like to consult with you about privately." His gaze darkened as he glanced at Leonardo beside him, as if confirming.
"He is trustworthy," Hedy said calmly. "Please, feel free to speak."
"I want to ask…" Henry VII took a deep breath, struggling against his inner indecision. "How did you gain your freedom?"
This was the question he had always wanted to understand.
This freedom wasn’t about having private time—it was about how to exercise and expand his power.
The parliament, the nobility, the finances, the military, and the interference and threats from various countries—they all trapped his actions and choices like a quagmire, leaving him nearly immobile.
Becoming the supreme ruler was a lonely affair, for it meant the number of people he could consult or seek help from would only decrease.
His father had already passed, and his mother had no relevant experience either.
Yet, every decision, every careful consideration, ultimately rested solely on his shoulders.
Henry VII had originally believed that after escaping his exile in France and ascending the throne, he would lead a completely new life—one that was more dignified and offered more choices.
But after four years, the situation hadn’t turned out as optimistically as he had hoped.
"This is definitely something worth discussing," Hedy smiled.
She needed to teach this young man—only if the King of England was wise and discerning enough would England be a true asset to Italy.
"The first thing you need to learn is called checks and balances."
The parliament was increasingly out of control, wasn’t it?
They wanted to interfere with nearly all of the king's powers, restricting his ability to influence finances, the military, even trying to change the number of his personal guard repeatedly.
"Checks and balances..." Henry frowned. "The chips I have are just too few."
Leonardo took a sip of tea, gazing at him with a nostalgic smile.
"Your weakness lies in your mercy."
——
Dealing with smart people was a pleasure.
When Henry VII heard those words, he paused for only a few seconds before softly replying, "I understand."
