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Marriage would give her a legitimate and reasonable identity, along with the protection of a male figure and his family for her property.
Hedy shook her head, dismissing the idea.
No, that wouldn’t do.
Lost in her thoughts, she walked into a small tavern.
The black market traders didn’t just deal in swords and jewels; they sold all sorts of oddities. Some of the local women even went to him to buy strange-colored stones, claiming they would bring good luck and keep illness and misfortune away.
“Hello…” She adjusted her clothes and sat next to him, speaking softly, “I’d like to buy back my ring.”
The old man was drinking malt liquor. Upon hearing her voice, he realized it was her and immediately adopted an impatientattitude, quickly waving his hand to shoo her away. “No! Go away! I’ve never heard of any ring!”
Hedy froze for a moment, trying to respond, “Could I offer a bit more money? Please don’t be in such a hurry—”
“I really don’t know anything about any ring! Women shouldn’t come to places like this!” The old man even shrank back a bit, shouting as if trying to shoo away a fly. “Go on, go on!”
What’s going on with him?
Hedy had been prepared to be extorted and had brought quite a few gold coins with her. Now, she truly felt a sense of emptiness.
She had originally exchanged the cash for her safety, but now, hearing that the ring was gone, she couldn’t help but feel regretful.
After all… it was one of the few remaining connections to her past life.
Easter was quickly approaching.
Since the sixth century, people had been parading and celebrating at the church gates, dressed in various antique-style robes and costumes. Not only would many Persian merchants flood into town to do business, but gypsies would also emerge, offering fortune-telling and selling strange and unusual items.
Additionally, people would gather to boil eggs and dye them red, symbolizing the mythical swan’s blood tears. Children would often receive many toys and rewards, spending the whole day happily playing in the noisy crowds.
The grandest public event was the Easter exploding cart.
In front of the church, a cart filled with fireworks and firecrackers was set up in a pyramid shape. The bishop would press a lever to release mechanical doves into the fireworks, igniting the entire cart, which would spin and explode with a loud roar. If the doves hit the cart and the fireworks exploded completely, it was considered a good omen, signaling a year of abundance and good fortune for Florence.
Thanks to the Medici family's recent penchant for grand celebrations and festivals, more trade and gatherings had taken place, with people from nearby city-states coming to join in the festivities.
When Hedy followed Da Vinci to the square to see the spectacle, she saw strongmen lifting orange trees in strength contests, with many people cheering them on. Many nobles in the palace had their own special viewing platforms, sitting elegantly with their fans in hand. Meanwhile, chefs and maids, after finishing their work, joined the crowds to enjoy the show. The whole square was as lively as a carnival.
There were so many instruments playing together, and various languages filled the air in a chaotic, indistinct blend of sounds.
Hedy stood beside Da Vinci, watching the festivities with interest, almost tempted to buy a crystal ball to take home.
Turning her head, she noticed that Da Vinci wasn’t indulging in the fun or laughter, but instead, he was holding his notebook, quickly writing and sketching something.
"Mr. Da Vinci?"
"It’s Leonardo."
"Leonardo—what are you doing?"
He leaned slightly to the side so she could see better.
Da Vinci had a habit of always carrying a notebook with him. The small notebook was usually attached to his belt, and when it was filled, he would immediately replace it with a new one.
Although Hedy had always been curious, she had never seen this before.
She leaned over and glanced at his sketchbook, realizing that he was drawing a quick sketch.
