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By the end of November, small markets and performances began in the surrounding villages, and the city grew more lively.
By December 8th, the countdown had begun, and people started decorating the city. Iris flags hung everywhere, and mistletoe was harvested and hung on doors to keep witches away.
Craftsmen set up scenes depicting the birth of Jesus in the square, and business at the theaters was booming.
It was rumored that Da Vinci had made a new pair of wings for the actors and arranged new aerial tricks that included somersaults in mid-air.
—So how’s that guy’s painting going?
—Is he really a painter?
The Christmas market changed its theme and style frequently, and Persian merchants brought a cart full of Chinese porcelain. The designs indeed looked exquisite and beautiful.
Hedy still hadn’t been fully relieved of surveillance and restrictions. Even the glass jars with beef soup had been confiscated, indicating that her vigilance had not been relaxed.
She sat quietly, studying Latin, appearing serene and submissive, not showing a hint of rebellion.
The Medici wouldn't allow her to leave the palace, so she didn't.
The Medici wouldn't allow her to visit Da Vinci for a chat, so she refrained.
In the Middle Ages, in a world devoid of support and concepts of human rights, there was no freedom, no equality, and certainly none of the many rights that women should have had.
The only thing to feel somewhat satisfied with, perhaps, was the meat at lunch and dinner.
And it was fresh beef, sometimes even with chicken wings or chicken breasts.
After half a month, Hedy remained as silent as ever, making no unnecessary resistance or excuses. Her health had improved a lot, and her cheeks were now much rosier.
There was no rush.
The 85 years of life she had lived before had given her the calmness of an elder. She focused on nourishing herself, restoring her health, and slowly formulating other plans.
She couldn’t be suppressed by royal power for the rest of her life, nor could she stay here forever.
On the night of Christmas Eve, people gathered in the church to join the bishop in the ceremony.
Before the midnight mass, there was a meatless supper, but the smell of bass and seafood grilling was quite delicious.
After the mass, she could rest, and then it would be Christmas.
Hedy, invited by the wife of the Medici, attended a luncheon with the noblewomen.
The pasta was covered with rich sauce, the roasted meat was tender and fragrant, and it was sprinkled with hazelnuts.
When the almond cake was brought to the table, she couldn’t help but let out a sigh of appreciation.
The noblewomen, seeing her modest and plain appearance, smiled with elegance, using metaphors to gently mock her behind their fans.
Hedy didn’t even quite catch what they were saying.
Sitting at the feast, she suddenly had a strong craving for a cup of coffee, with milk foam and a sprinkle of chocolate powder on top.
—But that would likely take several hundred years to become a reality.
On December 26th, it was St. Stephen's Day.
Relatives came to visit, and a grand ball was held at the palace.
