Page 429 of DATE
When Leonardo entered, the queen was focused on revising the contents of a telegram. She had signed more trade agreements with China and was planning to send more students abroad.
Now, Italy was thriving, and even all the ancient monuments and books had been restored. She had become a famous art patron.
“Hedy.”
“Huh?” The beauty with light blue eyes showed an apologetic expression. “There are three more documents, Leonardo. Can you wait a bit longer?”
The man smiled quietly, starting to grind coffee beans nearby.
These magical beans from Yemen, when ground and roasted, had an indescribable fragrance. Since Columbus had brought them back, Italy had experienced a new wave of trendiness. Nobles insisted on having a couple of cups of coffee before any conversation as a sign of respect.
Once the coffee was ground and brewed, and with just a little bit left at the bottom of the cup, she finally finished her work for the moment.
“Finally done…” Hedy let out a sigh of relief, sipping the half-cup of espresso and genuinely sighing, “Your skill is truly amazing. I think for the rest of my life, I’ll only want to drink coffee that you make.”
Leonardo chuckled softly and kissed her forehead, taking her hand. "Come outside with me."
"Huh? Where to?" Hedy stood up, gesturing for Dechio to file the documents. She showed a slightly worried expression. "Is Antonia drawing cat whiskers on the statue of the goddess again? I’ve told her at least four times—"
"No," the man said with a smile as he led her downstairs, walking at a leisurely pace.
"What about Alberto? That kid looks so well-behaved but turned around and went off to steal some of Niccolò's wine..."
"Not that either." He paused for a moment, then teasingly said with a tone of amusement, "Hedy—perhaps you should think about yourself for once."
"Me?"
She stopped in front of the courtyard, suddenly realizing she was surrounded by a large shadow.
The queen instinctively looked up and noticed the enormous object in the middle of the open space.
"Leonardo—!"
"Hmm?"
"Leonardo!"
"I'm here."
Her voice rose significantly, her astonishment barely contained. "When did you make this?!"
"Do you remember the autumn hunt a week ago?" Leonardo wrapped his arms around her shoulders and said, "I actually went to do an experiment."
Her good friends were all there, wearing expressions of either relaxation or admiration.
In the center of the courtyard was a red-and-white striped hot air balloon, with irises painted on it so vividly that they seemed to come alive.
"I asked the professors, and they said it would probably take at least another twenty years to build an airplane," Leonardo said slowly, "but we could fly up and see the city. The beauty and brilliance it has now, it’s all because of you, isn’t it?"
Hedy was stunned for a few seconds before Leonardo scooped her up in his arms.
"Leonardo!"
"Let’s go, Your Majesty," he kissed her cheek, as if a knight carrying his princess to mount a dragon, and they both stood in the hot air balloon.
Above them, the hot air surged, and Niccolò, following the teacher’s signal, released the ropes.
The balloon began to rise, steadily climbing higher and higher.
