13 – Cypress Mosaic

Elian ​was ​puzzled ​by ​the unexpected direction ​the ​conversation ​had ​taken. ​He couldn’t fathom Lorenz’s ​intentions ​in bringing this ​up.

Ashford Academy was ​a ​prestigious ​private ​school ​on ​the Upper East ​Side.

According ​to ​Elian’s research, it ​was a place where ​members of ​the Lockhart ​family had ​enrolled for ​generations. ​It ​was a foundation ​where their ​influence ran deep.

“He is ​at an age where ​he should be in ​kindergarten, but ​Lucas ​needed an adjustment period after the ​adoption. My father arranged ​for ​the ​child ​to ​be homeschooled instead ​of attending ​kindergarten. ​However, as you ​have ​seen, Mr. Belloti… in the ​current situation, ​admission ​to the elementary ​department ​is ​difficult. ​Since ​preliminary preparation ​is ​necessary to ​enter in September and handle the curriculum ​without issue, this ​state of affairs ​is quite problematic.”

His tone ​was businesslike, ​devoid of emotion.

As ​if ​he felt the ​explanation of the ​situation was ​sufficient, ​Lorenz Lockhart ​leaned ​his upper ​body ​slightly forward, ​as ​if ​getting to the ​main ​point.

“When do ​you ​think ​he ​can be cured?”

When Lorenz finished speaking, Elian couldn’t help but recall Vincent’s words.

“It’s obvious. He’s a blood-unrelated younger brother adopted late by his father, and the situation is so bad that they need a live-in counselor. He just doesn’t want his time wasted on such things.”

Lorenz Lockhart had presented a clear goal: ‘The child must be admitted to Ashford Academy.’

At the same time, he was speaking as if the child’s current state was an obstacle to achieving that goal.

Until now, Elian had met various guardians. Among them were the wealthy and the destitute; some were infinitely sacrificial toward their children, while others were harsh guardians who didn’t even realize they were abusive.

And of course, there were those who tried to manage their children simply to pass a certain benchmark. This was an authoritarian parenting style—low in emotional response and affection, but high in demands and control. Exactly like Lorenz Lockhart.

A surge of resentment rose within him at the man’s attitude toward the child, but Elian composed himself and explained as calmly as possible.

“Mr. Lockhart, first… I ask that you be cautious about using the expression ‘cure’ from now on.”

“Is there a problem?”

“It is intended to avoid viewing the child as ‘something that needs to be fixed’ and to avoid defining the current situation as a ‘disease.’ It may seem trivial to you, but children are Read on Read BL Novelsmore sensitively affected by the words and actions of the adults around them than we expect. Therefore, I would [Read on Read BL Novels]appreciate it Read on Read BL Novelsif you could avoid direct expressions that might give the impression that there is something wrong with the child.”

“Then how should I express it?”

“Let’s call it the improvement or stabilization of the situation.”

Upon hearing the answer, Lorenz shifted the direction of his crossed legs and corrected himself.

“Very well. Then when do you think this situation will improve?”

Only the word Elian had pointed out had changed; it was still the same question.

It seemed Lorenz Lockhart was not a guardian who was easy to consult with.

However, not all guardians could be ideal and cooperative. If he only preferred such guardians, he could not be called a good counselor.

“The speed of change inevitably varies depending on the child’s personality, environment, and the level of cooperation from the guardian. Therefore, it is difficult to give a definitive assurance as to when it will be possible.”

Lorenz tilted his head slightly as if he couldn’t understand, his brow furrowing.

Elian examined his face closely.

Just as he had seen in photos and videos, Lorenz Lockhart’s skin was pale. It wasn’t simply a matter of being fair or bright. It was a pale hue, as if the pigment had been stripped away from a long absence of light.

Despite that, he was far from looking frail.

He had a sturdy build, and because of his unwavering posture, there was an aspect to him that felt beyond elegant—it felt overbearing.

His lips were a dark, deep red, and his pale green eyes were filled with a sharp intelligence.

Separate from his pale skin, he did not seem to lack vitality. However, there was undeniably a cold atmosphere about him, as if he would hesitate for no one to take someone’s blood to fill his own stomach.

‘The Count Dracula of Manhattan’—it was the moment Elian understood why the press had given him that nickname.

Count Dracula tilted his head.

“Even if you haven’t obtained your official license yet, aren’t you a professional? You’ve observed the child for several days, yet you [Read on Read BL Novels]can’t even grasp [Read on Read BL Novels]the approximate timing of Read on Read BL Novelsthe cure… no, the improvement? I don’t understand.”

“Because a child is not a machine. As you know, even with physical ailments, the response rate to medication, procedures, or surgery differs from person to person. Emotional aspects are far more difficult to predict than that.”

This time, Lorenz stared intently at Elian’s face. He had no intention of hiding the fact that he was probing and evaluating his counterpart. Rather, he displayed it blatantly.

The man before him, Elian Bellotti, was indeed unrealistically beautiful. So much so that it felt strange that he spoke like any other person.

Furthermore, regardless of how impressive his credentials were, he was only twenty-five years old. Yet, it was impressive that he expressed his thoughts calmly without being intimidated in the slightest. It must be the confidence stemming from the expertise he had secured in his field.

Having finished his assessment, Lorenz presented what he wanted.

“Make it so the child can come out of his room within two weeks.”

“…Excuse me?”

“I cannot simply wait vaguely. Such an inefficient approach is not my way.”

Elian was speechless at the remark mentioning efficiency and ‘his way.’

In the meantime, Lorenz added another condition.

“Get him out of the room within two weeks, and get him speaking again within a month. How does that sound?”

“Mr. Lockhart.”

Elian called him in a stiff tone, but Lorenz continued his proposal without stopping.

“Of course, I am not trying to rush you without compensation. If you achieve the requirements, I will pay an additional bonus.”

Eventually, Elian’s face contorted. His blue eyes, resembling the sky, stars, and sea, narrowed, and his full yet delicate lips twisted.

Even with an expression like that, he has a beautiful face.

Would he still be beautiful if he got angrier, or became sarcastic, or shed tears?

That was what Lorenz was thinking.

“Mr. Lockhart.”

“Yes, Mr. Bellotti.”

“The child’s behavior is not the problem. His behavior has changed only because he feels anxiety. If the anxiety is removed, the child will change on his own. That is why I am trying not to treat the behavior itself as the problem.”

“……”

Lorenz’s expression remained blank, as if he didn’t understand a word.

Unlike at first, Elian emphasized once more in a somewhat agitated tone.

“I am saying that dragging him out of the room and forcing him to speak is not the purpose of this counseling.”

“That’s not the purpose?”

“No, it is not.”

“Then why on earth are you here?”

“To remove the cause. The cause that makes the child unable to leave his room and unable to speak.”

After chewing over the meaning of the words for a moment, Lorenz spoke.

“Then remove that cause. If you do that, my requirements will be met, will they not?”

Speaking as if it were a very simple matter, he added as he picked up a water glass.

“Actually, this is not a request. It is an order from your employer.”

Elian felt he had reached his limit. This wasn’t just a case of him being one of many guardians with different personalities.

Since entering this study, Lorenz Lockhart had not asked a single word about Lucas’s condition. What he had observed in the child during the past few days of counseling, what situation the child was in, what intervention was needed… such things were completely outside his interest.

“When do you think he can be cured?”

His interest lay solely in the result of the counseling and his own goal: Lucas’s admission to Ashford.