Kakan no Madonna

The protagonist is Leonora, the daughter of a noble family from Padua who has fallen on hard times. She is a striking figure with silver hair and emerald-green eyes, and she possesses exceptional skill in swordsmanship. One day, Leonora is compelled to marry a haughty young nobleman. On their wedding day, she uncovers his scheme to use her as a means to become the king of Italy due to her connection to an ancient Italian legend. Leonora is depicted in "Kakan no Madonna" (Madonna of the Flower Crown), a renowned painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. According to legend, whoever obtains the legendary sword "Emerald Lion" will unite and rule Italy. The secret location of the sword can be deciphered through clues in "Kakan no Madonna"—and Leonora herself. To uncover the truth behind the portrait's secrets and to conceal her identity as the Kakan no Madonna, Leonora disguises herself as a black-haired boy named Leo and embarks on a quest to find Da Vinci. Along the way, she encounters Falco, the handsome blond king of Naples, who remains unaware that she is a girl, and she becomes his servant. Upon finally meeting Da Vinci, Leonora is astonished to learn that she—the girl portrayed in Kakan no Madonna—is fated to possess the legendary Emerald Lion and thus destined to become the queen of Italy. (Source: MU)