66 – Cypress Mosaic

With ​every ​word ​Margaret ​spoke in her ​pitying ​tone, ​the ​muscles ​in Lorenz’s face grew ​rigid.

The ​news that Lucas ​had started painting ​again.

Elian ​Bellotti, ​who ​had ​been ​excited to deliver ​that ​news ​to him.

Lorenz recalled ​the conversation he had ​with Elian ​in the ​study after ​Joshua had ​left. ​No, ​it hadn’t been ​a conversation. ​Swallowed by a strange, ​violent emotion he had ​never felt before and ​a rage ​with ​no clear target, he had done ​nothing but drive Elian ​into ​a ​corner.

The ​profile ​of Elian’s face, ​looking as ​if ​he might burst ​into ​tears at any moment.

He had ​answered that ​he ​wasn’t crying, but ​his ​expression ​had ​clearly ​been one ​of ​deep heartbreak.

Only ​now did Lorenz understand the reason.

What would ​have happened if ​Joshua hadn’t appeared ​at that exact moment?

Elian ​would have ​called him as ​planned ​and told him ​the news about ​Lucas. If ​he ​had [visit our site]heard ​that ​voice unauthorized copyover ​the ​phone, seeking ​him ​out ​in a state ​of ​joy and ​excitement…

Lorenz’s ​eyelids ​blinked ​slowly as he looked down at the floral arrangement. With every blink, the emotions swirling in his eyes gradually subsided. They hadn’t vanished; they were concealed. Hidden behind a dark curtain that covered everything that was useless to think about.

His sharp Adam’s apple bobbed once as he swallowed hard, and his voice soon regained a facade of composure. It was inevitable.

“Please finish up, Margaret. I’ll get ready and come down.”

As expected, the negotiations with Adriana went smoothly. It wasn’t because she conceded everything. On the contrary, she clearly stated the points she could absolutely not compromise on first. It was a style of negotiation Lorenz preferred, as it eliminated unnecessary psychological warfare.

The expectations each side had for the other through the union of the two families were clear. Neither side made unreasonable demands beyond that, and both kept their boundaries. Thus, there was no reason for their opinions to clash.

“I believe we’ve more or less finalized everything within the scope of what Mr. Lockhart and I can decide,” Adriana said, setting the documents down beside her.

“It seems so. Thank you for your hard work.”

At Lorenz’s greeting, she reacted as if she had heard a funny joke.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Because you spoke to me as if a boss were encouraging a subordinate.”

“Ah… it seems it has become a habit. My apologies.”

“No. I wasn’t offended. I know there was no malice behind it.”

Her tone was cheerful as usual, but fatigue seeped through her voice, perhaps due to the tension that had lasted for over two hours.

Lorenz’s headache was also worsening.

During the consultation, he had to gradually move toward the edge of the sofa to distance himself from the vase. Noticing this, Margaret naturally approached and moved the vase further away. Despite this, the edge of the headache piercing his brain grew sharper, and accordingly, his sense of smell became hypersensitive.

Before they knew it, the sunset was spreading outside the living room window. Through the slightly open window, Lorenz could detect a change in the scent.

“Margaret, is it raining outside?”

“Yes, Master Lorenz. It’s just a light drizzle.”

“……”

Margaret had clearly said that Elian had gone out for a bike ride. Lorenz wondered [Read on Read BL Novels]why he Read on Read BL Novelshadn’t returned home yet despite the rain. He almost asked, but he pressed his temples deeper and clamped his lips [visit our site]shut. He regretted not giving the order to guard him sooner.

“Will it be difficult to greet your younger brother?”

At Adriana’s question, Lorenz looked across at her.

“He is improving bit by bit, but they say it would still be too much for him to deal with strangers.”

“Is that Elian’s opinion?”

“…Yes.”

“Come to think of it, where is Mr. Elian? You mentioned he lives and works here at the mansion. We aren’t strangers, so if it’s alright, I’d like to say hello.”

“I wonder… Margaret, did you say he went out for a bike ride?”

Despite remembering what she had told him, he pretended not to know and asked Margaret.

“That is correct. He makes sure to go to Central Park with his bicycle at least once a day.”

“I see… That’s a shame. I wanted to greet him.”

Shrugging with an expression of genuine disappointment, Adriana gathered her bag and stood up. Lorenz followed her. Before leaving the living room, Adriana thanked Margaret for her hospitality.

“You are most welcome. Please visit us again anytime, Miss Wesley.”

It was gentle and polite, but it was a generic greeting that could be given to any guest visiting the mansion. Margaret made no mention of the marriage between Lorenz and Adriana, nor of Adriana as Lorenz’s prospective fiancée. It felt somewhat lacking for a greeting toward someone about to marry Lorenz.

Lorenz remembered vividly how Margaret had offered welcoming greetings, regardless of her own feelings, whenever his father’s marriage partners visited this mansion.

He found it slightly puzzling, but it wasn’t a critical issue. Since her attitude was sufficiently polite and courteous, Adriana didn’t seem offended at all.

“I’ll see Miss Wesley out myself.”

The two continued their conversation as they headed toward the elevator.

“My parents will likely agree to most of the terms. Since they are in the middle of a campaign, they consider the timing of the public announcement to be the most important factor. They want it announced before the election if possible.”

“I imagine so. I understand.”

Nodding, Lorenz emphasized his own position once more.

“Choose a time that is convenient for the Wesley household for the announcement. I don’t mind. As long as the engagement ceremony is held within this year and the wedding is finalized before next spring arrives—those are the only two things that must be strictly implemented.”

The ultimate goal. He maintained an indifferent attitude, as if nothing else mattered.

Stopping in front of the elevator, Adriana turned to Lorenz and tilted her head.

“You really haven’t asked me anything about myself.”

“What do you mean?”

“Even if it is an arranged marriage, I’m still your marriage partner. You haven’t shown any curiosity about my favorite restaurants, my hobbies, where I usually spend my summer vacations, or how much dating experience I have…”

Lorenz replied dryly with an expressionless face.

“As I recall, you were the same in that you asked nothing about me, Miss Wesley.”

Adriana laughed and nodded.

“That’s true. That’s why I like you, Mr. [visit our site]Lockhart. stolen contentIf I have to marry someone in this manner, you seem like the most rational partner.”

I agree.

He knew she would say that. The reason he liked her more than other blind date candidates was partly because of her credentials, but the influence of her personality couldn’t be ignored either.

However, he couldn’t say it. Because of the headache piercing through his brain, he couldn’t give any response.

“Is your headache severe by any chance?”

“……”

“Your expression hasn’t been great for a while. My father suffers from chronic migraines.”

“Ah… I’ve been a bit stressed. It’s not that severe. Let’s go.”

It was just as the two were about to enter the elevator.

At the end of the hallway, someone quietly opened the back door leading to the garden and stepped inside. Lorenz and Adriana’s gazes naturally shifted in that direction.

Holding a plastic bag in one hand, Elian was entering stolen contentthe unauthorized copybuilding with the Read on Read BL Novelscrimson-stained sky behind him.

“Ah…”

Elian, who had been about to walk away after closing the door, paused upon discovering the two people standing before him.

“Mr. Elian!”

Adriana called out happily.

“Hello… Miss Wesley.”

Unlike her, Elian looked bewildered, having encountered an unexpected person in an unexpected place. He seemed to have no inkling as to why Adriana was here.

“I was just feeling disappointed that I had to leave without seeing you, Mr. Elian. We’ve run right into each other.”

“I’m on my way back from riding my bike in Central Park.”

“Yes, I heard. That you ride every day.”

“Ah… I’m trying to.”

Even while dealing with Adriana, who seemed delighted as if they were old friends, Elian’s expression remained one of confusion. It was understandable. During his stay at this mansion, he must not have seen a single guest visit. Especially not a guest whom Lorenz Lockhart personally escorted.

“I heard it’s raining. Was it okay to ride your bike?”

“It’s nothing. Just a drizzle.”

“It looks like you got a bit wet.”

Adriana’s gaze shifted toward Elian’s shoulder. He wasn’t drenched, but there were stains where raindrops had fallen.

Elian brushed them off and said, “This much is fine.”

Lorenz, who had been observing the conversation from a step back, was also staring at Elian.

From the moment Elian opened the door and entered the hallway, Lorenz’s gaze had not left him for a single second.

Perhaps because he had ridden without a helmet, his hair was naturally swept back, revealing his face more clearly than usual. Flushed, rosy cheeks; a long, white, slender neck stretching between the collar of his shirt. Blonde hair that looked sweet enough to melt, the well-shaped ears revealed beneath it, and his lips… wherever Lorenz’s gaze brushed, tiny glass-like raindrops were perched. A single droplet, sparkling with a subtle luster, slid down Elian’s cheek and plopped off the tip of his slender chin.

In an instant, Lorenz’s eyes narrowed. His bright green pupils deepened in color.

Perhaps feeling the heat of the gaze scanning his entire body, Elian fumbled and gripped the collar of his shirt. It was the same reaction as last time when he had tightly closed his bathrobe.

At that defensive attitude, Lorenz frowned slightly.

He’s treating me exactly like a creep.

His twisted lips tasted something bitter. As his sensitivity to smell increased, he felt a sudden urge to smoke a cigarette, a habit he had quit long ago.