32 – Cypress Mosaic

Lorenz ​did ​not ​like ​having someone attend ​to ​him ​while ​he ​dressed. The space leading ​from ​the bathroom to ​the dressing room ​was ​a ​strictly ​private ​domain ​for him. It ​was ​a ​base where he ​could cleanse his body ​and put ​on his ​clothes piece ​by piece, ​steeling ​himself ​before stepping out ​into a ​world teeming with enemies. ​He did not want ​anyone to disturb that ​time.

It was ​also ​because of the scents.

Immediately after bathing, ​his sense of smell ​tended ​to ​become ​even ​more acute. Because ​he was ​easily ​irritated by even ​the ​slightest odors, he had been ​accustomed to ​preparing ​for outings on ​his ​own ​since ​he ​was a ​child.

After ​a short ​knock and Lorenz’s response, Margaret entered the ​dressing room. She ​always had an ​uncanny knack for timing ​her entry ​for when Lorenz ​was ​nearly finished dressing.

“Your ​choice of suit ​is excellent.”

Margaret ​looked ​at the ​jacket ​still hanging ​on ​the rack ​with ​a ​satisfied expression.

Lorenz agreed.

As ​he ​popped his ​shirt ​collar ​and ​looped his tie around his neck, he asked, “What is Lucas doing?”

“I believe he is reading a book in his room with the weekend caregiver.”

Lucas’s general daily routine was handled by a childcare provider who resided at the mansion. There was a separate provider who came to the mansion only on weekends, which were the resident provider’s days off. The child was growing up under the care of various people. Just as Lorenz had.

The childcare providers and tutors they had dealt with previously were allowed access to Lucas’s room. The child did not reject them.

However, he did not attempt to express himself through writing, let alone conversation. Because of this, there were limits to his language lessons. The same applied to physical education classes held outside, such as swimming or tennis.

“He tends to enjoy reading and learning. He is very intelligent. You needn’t worry too much. He is improving, albeit slowly but surely.”

Lorenz nodded, looking at Margaret through the mirror.

His movements slowed slightly as he tied the knot of his tie.

“Come to think of it, Mr. Belloti… must be on holiday as well.”

“Yes. He mentioned he would be visiting Brooklyn this week.”

“…Is he staying overnight?”

“It seemed he planned to spend the weekend there.”

Margaret, who had been watching the grown Lorenz with satisfaction, asked with a puzzled expression, “Do you perhaps have a message for him?”

“No. It’s nothing in particular.”

In the mirror, Lorenz avoided her gaze. He pulled the end of the tie long through the knot and added, “Lucas will be waiting for him.”

“He has grown quite fond of him in the meantime. [unauthorized copy]But Mr. Belloti explained well that he would return on [stolen content]Sunday evening, so it should be fine.”

Spend thirty minutes in Lucas’s room every day.

Elian had emphasized this point urgently last night after leaving Lucas’s room, insisting that it must never be skipped, even on weekends. While saying that, he could have mentioned his plan to visit home. It wasn’t exactly a great secret. Lorenz’s face hardened in the mirror.

“Today will be an important gathering. Lady Evelyn will likely announce you as the official successor, Master Lorenz.”

Margaret’s voice was slightly excited. This was a very rare occurrence.

She was speaking about the Lockhart family kinship meeting that Lorenz was attending today.

Margaret had a very cautious and thorough personality. She was not the type of person to speak lightly about a matter as critical as the selection of a successor. There was a reason she was speaking this way.

Lorenz was the prepared successor. Even the press did not disagree with the fact that Lorenz would become the successor and take the helm of the Lockhart Group. This was true even for the most hostile media outlets. He had no competitors. His announcement as the successor was merely a matter of time.

“It would be problematic visit our siteif it [visit our site]didn’t happen. That is visit our sitethe only reason I’ve lived until now.”

Checking his reflection in the mirror, Lorenz adjusted the knot of his tie. Then, with a bitter smile, he continued, “It’s a pity that Father won’t be able to see me become the official successor.”

The person he hated most, yet the person whose recognition he craved most.

Perhaps because he hated him most, he wanted his recognition most of all.

The day I, whom you doubted, ignored, and disapproved of every single moment, finally strip the entire name of Lockhart away from you.

“He would be proud of you.”

Lorenz sneered at Margaret’s words.

I wonder.

Wouldn’t he think that I’ve merely achieved a task that stolen contentwas expected of stolen contentme, visit our siteand that this is only the beginning?

As Margaret handed the jacket to Lorenz, who had straightened his tie, her blue-grey eyes shone warmly.

“The announcement to the press won’t be until next spring, but we should hold an unofficial celebration party during this winter social season. By then, enough time will have passed since the Master’s passing that holding a party won’t be seen as improper.”

The fact that Margaret was proud of him—for now, that was enough.

As he slid his arms into the sleeves of the jacket, Lorenz suddenly paused, Elian’s face crossing his mind.

Once he was announced as the successor today, Elian would likely hear about it from someone in the family within a few days. Then, perhaps he would hear at least a single word of congratulations.

Since he was a man who poured all the blessings of the world upon Lucas just for picking a few cards.

■

Pocantico Hills, about 30 miles away from the center of Manhattan.

It was hard to believe it was only an hour’s drive from the mansion; the area was nothing but nature. Beyond the car window, lush forests and rolling hills stretched out. Occasionally, the grounds of old estates came into view. Iron gates decorated with antique sculptures, and the outlines of buildings visible in the distance behind the forests or lawns stretching beyond the fences.

Because it offered excellent accessibility to Manhattan while allowing for a leisurely country life on vast estates, it had been a preferred region for the wealthy since the past.

“Master Lorenz, we will arrive in five minutes.”

Ignoring the driver’s words, Lorenz rubbed his temples in a circular motion with his fingertips.

He had maintained an excellent condition for several weeks recently. His intake of Suppressants and painkillers had noticeably decreased. Even when symptoms occurred, they were limited to mild headaches. But now, a severe headache had started again. Regarding this damn disease, nothing had been uncovered—not the cause of the symptoms’ decrease, nor the cause of their amplification, and certainly not a cure.

Even with enough money to buy all of New York, the only things one could do against the disease were to block others’ Pheromones with strong Suppressants and live on painkillers.

Moreover, there was one more thing.

Whenever he came to this area, his mood always sank.

“Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since you visited the villa.”

“The villa?”

“I mean the country house in Tarrytown.”

“Ah.”

Lorenz withdrew his hand, which had been rubbing his temples to no effect, crossed his arms, and cast a meaningless gaze out the window.

The reason his mood sank whenever he stopped here was precisely that villa.

“Still, you used to visit once or twice a year.”

“I haven’t had the leisure lately.”

“Indeed. You have been far too busy. I worry you might harm your health.”

Concern appeared on the driver’s face as he glanced at Lorenz, who was suffering from a headache, through the rearview mirror.

Lorenz fell into deep thought for a brief moment, staring blankly at the monotonous scenery outside.

The Tarrytown villa.

An English manor house built on a low hill overlooking the Hudson River.

Lush forests stretching behind it, wide meadows in front, a walking trail leading to the river, and a wooden cabin just for Lorenz. It was already his property, an inheritance from his mother.

He had avoided visiting for a while because of memories that were hard to shake…

But someday, it might be nice to go there with Elian and Lucas. It seemed like a good idea.

The heavy gates decorated with the Lockhart family crest began to come into view. It was a wrought-iron gate ordered from a Parisian craftsman and shipped directly in the early 19th century. Recognizing Lorenz’s vehicle, the gate opened, and the car entered the driveway.

As if a needle were being jammed in and twisted violently, a headache struck, and Lorenz clenched his teeth and shut his eyes tight. His trembling fingertips fumbled for the pill bottle. Omega relatives would also be attending the kinship meeting. He felt he needed to take not only painkillers but also a sufficient dose of Suppressants. He could not afford to ruin this important day.