Although Sforza Castle had a new renovation plan, a lack of funds meant that the plans for the castle interior and gardens were never truly carried out. Instead, warehouses, shops, and private buildings quickly sprang up on the land cleared by the demolition of the outer walls—some of them using materials taken from the original walls.
Arranged in a horseshoe shape, or rather in concentric circles centered on the planned circular building within the castle, these shops soon flourished.
"How about this one?"
Caroline placed a lapis lazuli necklace around Georgiana's neck.
It was also lapis lazuli. Some lapis lazuli had been ground by Leonardo da Vinci and used on the Last Supper mural, remaining brilliantly vivid even after several centuries.
"I don't think it suits her. It doesn't complement her eyes."
As Polina spoke, she changed into another evening gown with the help of the seamstress. This was already her third outfit.
At the rate they were dressing, Georgiana was worried they would either miss dinner or arrive after the guests had starved to death.
"I think it's quite nice. What do you think?" Caroline smiled at Georgiana's reflection in the mirror.
"I think it's nice too." Georgiana smiled back at Caroline's reflection.
"Let me see." Wearing lace underwear, Polina walked over to Georgiana.
Even though they were both women, Georgiana was dazzled by Polina's presence. Polina adjusted the necklace at her throat.
"It is quite nice... Why do you like such cheap gemstones?" Polina asked.
In fact, the price of diamonds in Europe had fallen by seventy-five percent because of the diamond mines discovered in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Catherine the Great was the largest buyer of Brazilian diamonds.
Beginning in 1703, the gold Portugal imported from Minas Gerais in a single year exceeded the total gold output of