49 – Cypress Mosaic

Keeping ​his ​gaze ​fixed ​on the eyes ​of ​the ​man ​sitting ​before him, Lorenz spoke.

“I’ve ​given ​some thought to ​what you mentioned ​last ​time, ​Mr. ​Bellotti.”

“What ​I ​mentioned?”

“That the child ​is ​feeling ​pressure regarding his ​achievements.”

“Yes. None of the ​teachers put ​pressure on ​him regarding ​his learning ​outcomes. ​And ​yet, Lucas himself ​is excessively ​afraid of making mistakes ​or being wrong.”

“To the ​point of shedding tears ​right then ​and ​there.”

Elian had mentioned it with concern ​during their meeting—how the ​child, ​after ​obsessively ​correcting ​his answers several ​times, eventually ​succumbed ​to the pressure ​and ​wept at his desk.

“I’m thinking ​of reducing ​Lucas’s ​classes for the ​time ​being.”

The ​blue ​irises ​dilated subtly. ​A ​bright smile ​caused his cheeks to puff [Read on Read BL Novels]up. The ​expression, stolen contentrevealing joy ​without [unauthorized copy]restraint in ​front of him, was ​intriguing.

Lorenz thought ​to himself.

To show ​a ​smile like that… ​it’s not just ​Lucas whose ​expressions ​have become ​more ​varied.

Of course, ​only ​when it ​came ​to ​matters involving the ​child.

“That ​is a ​truly ​wonderful ​decision. ​It will be a great help for Lucas to move on to the next stage.”

Elian was happier than expected. Lorenz felt that if Elian had been sitting right beside him, he might have thrown his arms around his neck and showered his cheeks with kisses.

Usually, his calm demeanor made him seem more mature than his age.

Seeing him like this, he still seems like a college student.

As was always the case during their meetings, Lorenz was unaware that he was observing Elian far too intently.

“I’ll leave the decision of which subjects to reduce up to you, Mr. Bellotti.”

“Would that really be alright?”

“Why not? You know Lucas far better than I do.”

“Still, you place a high value on Lucas’s academic progress.”

He did. He certainly had.

“Now that I know the child’s innate learning ability is excellent, loosening the reins a bit now won’t be a problem. Besides, I’ve had many things to attend to lately. I think it would be helpful if you could provide some guidance, Mr. Bellotti.”

“Come to think of it, you do look a bit tired.”

Speaking in a voice laced with concern, Elian’s gaze carefully scanned various parts of Lorenz’s face. Lorenz brushed a hand over his cheek.

“Do I?”

“I heard you’ve been busy. Because of the arranged dates.”

“Ah…”

A small gasp escaped before he could stop it.

His brow furrowed, and his green eyes flickered briefly.

He felt as if his position had been exposed to his most guarded enemy.

How does he know about the dates?

But thinking about it, it was simple.

Elian resided in this house. It wasn’t strange at all for him to hear about Lorenz’s general schedule through various channels within the mansion. Furthermore, the two had to coordinate their time for thirty minutes every day. While they sometimes spoke directly, they also coordinated through Margaret. It was only natural that their schedules were shared to some extent in the process.

Nevertheless, for a moment, Lorenz felt a sense of dismay that Elian knew about his arranged dates. The embarrassment of having something that should be hidden discovered. Realizing he had instinctively tried to make an excuse, Lorenz frowned even more explicitly.

What on earth was I trying to excuse?

That it was merely a political marriage to solidify his position as heir? That it was a kind of contract he could end at any time once he officially became the successor? That he didn’t love the other person?

It was an incomprehensible impulse. None of those things needed to be explained to Elian Bellotti. Whether he went on dates or got married, why was there a reason to make excuses to him? He couldn’t understand it.

“I can’t help being busy. It’s work, after all.”

Lorenz suddenly felt a surge of thirst. Stroking his straight neck, he spoke in a somewhat unstable voice.

At the dry response, Elian looked surprised.

“Work?”

“For someone like me, marriage is just another part of business.”

Lorenz added, attempting to make it sound like a joke.

“Surely you’ve seen it in movies or dramas, Mr. Bellotti. Loveless political marriages among the wealthy.”

“So you’re saying you accept your own marriage as work?”

It wasn’t a look of contempt. Elian seemed genuinely surprised. His face, revealing emotion away from his usual composure, looked somewhat naive. He seemed to pity the wealthy who perceived marriage as a contract and didn’t even feel dissatisfied about it.

“There’s no need to feel so sorry for me. In fact, I want that kind of marriage myself.”

“You want it? That can’t be.”

“Fortunately, this kind of life suits my aptitude.”

He had never fallen deeply for someone or experienced the power of love. Therefore, his view on marriage had remained steadfast and unshaken until now.

Then why did an unsettling feeling keep interfering in the face of his marriage to Adriana? Even though she was clearly the optimal partner.

“Is that perhaps why you didn’t choose a card today?”

At the unexpected question, Lorenz’s thick eyebrows twitched.

“…What do you mean by that?”

“You avoided choosing a card. I wondered if you wanted to hide your actual feelings about marriage…”

Lorenz cut him off with a short laugh. The green gaze, piercing deep, was sharp.

“Is this a professional habit of yours?”

“……”

“Trying to read the other person’s psychology.”

“I am simply concerned.”

Lorenz stared blankly at Elian.

“I appreciate the concern, but taking care of Lucas is enough. If you’re going to counsel me as well, I’ll have to pay you more. Wouldn’t that be right?”

“I apologize if I offended you.”

“No, I wasn’t offended. I think I need a drink. Excuse me for a moment.”

Lorenz stood up and approached the small bar set up on the trolley, as if fleeing from something.

Among the various types of alcohol, he chose cognac. With his back turned to Elian, he spoke lightly, as if in passing.

“Since you’re still young, Mr. Bellotti, marriage must be a distant thought for you.”

“For now, my goal is to become a certified counselor.”

“Did you say you had to complete several thousand hours?”

“Yes. I’ve achieved about a third of that now.”

“Then it will take a few more years.”

His movements were neat as he fumbled through the various liquor bottles, picked one, and poured the amber liquid into a snifter designed to trap the aroma.

“It will probably take about two more years.”

Elian’s answer satisfied Lorenz. Two years—that wasn’t bad. This diligent and rigid model student was not the type to postpone the realization of his dreams for love or romance. Therefore, far from marriage, he probably wouldn’t even pay attention to a proper relationship for the next two years.

Lorenz was satisfied and relieved by that. A contented smile even played on his lips.

Gently swirling his wrist once or twice with the glass, Lorenz turned around. The smile that had lingered on his lips had long since vanished. Standing there, he looked at Elian sitting on the sofa and brought the glass to his lips.

“Then, do you have any experience with dating?”

Elian frowned slightly.

“Weren’t we avoiding personal questions?”

“That may have been the case in the beginning, but we see each other every day. This is also a form of human interaction; we can exchange a bit of information.”

“Exchange information?”

“You also had the information that I was going on arranged dates, didn’t you?”

While waiting for the answer, Lorenz felt a sense of craving. Though there was no change in his outward expression, he found himself repeatedly drinking the strong liquor in his hand.

It was difficult to imagine Elian in a normal relationship with someone. His beauty was excessive. A man like that mingling with an ordinary human and whispering words of love? It felt as awkward as a combination of a god and a human—even profane.

But he must be popular. It wouldn’t be surprising if he had worshippers beyond mere popularity. Passionate advances from both men and women must pour in.

Elian, who had lowered his gaze slightly, only gave a short, enigmatic smile.

“I’ll be leaving now.”

“Are you avoiding the answer?”

In an attempt to stop Elian from getting up, a stiff voice leaked out unconsciously.

Elian stood and stared at Lorenz. Lorenz, standing with his arms crossed behind the sofa, willingly accepted that gaze.

“If I asked if there were any famous people among those you’ve met so far, Mr. Lockhart, would you answer?”

“……”

“I am the same. If it were simply a social question, I would have answered, but it’s not pleasant that you’re asking out of curiosity. Well then, please rest.”

Lorenz could only watch Elian’s back as he left the study.

The grip on the glass in Lorenz’s hand tightened.

To him, such a reaction could only be interpreted as meaning that Elian had experience with dating.