70 – Cypress Mosaic

Lorenz ​chose ​a ​thin ​charcoal-colored turtleneck top ​and ​dark ​navy ​wool ​pants. Unlike his usual ​obsessive ​suits, this relatively ​relaxed attire was ​chosen ​with ​outdoor ​activities ​in ​mind.

After draping a ​wax-coated ​Barbour ​jacket over the ​back of the sofa, ​he approached ​the bedroom ​window. Looking ​out, the ​Manhattan ​sky ​was at the ​peak of ​autumn—a deep, transparent blue ​of unfathomable depth. It ​reminded him of someone’s ​eyes.

“I heard ​the ​temperature will rise to 28 degrees ​this afternoon.”

Margaret’s voice drifted ​from ​behind ​him. ​Having ​gathered the necessary ​items from ​Lorenz’s ​dressing room, she ​emerged ​with a Boston bag and ​set it ​down ​on one side ​of ​the ​sofa.

Lorenz ​glanced ​up at ​the ​sky once ​more.

“That’s a relief. It’s been quite cold ​lately.”

“However, just because ​the weather feels ​warm does not mean ​you should ​overexert yourself.”

Leaving the ​window, ​Lorenz frowned and ​walked toward the ​sofa.

“Margaret, how ​old ​do you ​think ​I am?”

“Have ​you ​already forgotten ​that ​you ​collapsed not long ​ago?”

“That ​was because ​of ​the ​Pheromones.”

It ​was a memory he didn’t particularly wish to revisit.

Spending a long time in a single space with multiple Omegas could cause one’s levels to spike from daily Pheromones alone, but it was rare to experience such violent symptoms as fainting on the spot. Those were symptoms caused by Sexual Pheromones.

It was something he dealt with whenever the private investigator brought people in, but repeated experience did not dilute the horror of it in the slightest.

“You must take good care of not only yourself, Master Lorenz, but also Lucas.”

Margaret continued her cautions.

“Even if the sky is clear and the temperature is high, it is stolen contentlate visit our siteautumn. Please dress him warmly [stolen content]and ensure he doesn’t play for too long.”

This outing included the childcare provider. Elian Bellotti was coming along as well. Everyone accompanying him was a greater expert than Lorenz. Ignoring Margaret’s words, Lorenz remained immersed in thoughts of that day. A sudden crease formed between his fair, straight brows.

“Margaret.”

“Yes, Master Lorenz.”

“That day…”

“Pardon?”

“The day I collapsed.”

The loyal butler waited for Lorenz’s next words. However, the young Lockhart could not easily continue. It was unlike him.

“No, it’s nothing. Forget it.”

Lorenz shook his head as if trying to shake off idle thoughts. That day, Read on Read BL Novelsdid Elian perhaps come to this room to see me? Was he worried about me? He couldn’t ask [unauthorized copy]such questions. Even if he had been, what great meaning would it hold?

Clearing the curiosity from his mind, Lorenz looked for his scanner one last time before leaving the room.

PRL ⎯ 20. A perfect number. There should be no major issues with outdoor activities for the day. Feeling satisfied, he tucked the scanner into the Boston bag.

“The autumn leaves in Tarrytown should be quite a sight.”

Margaret sounded more excited than Lorenz.

“They’ve probably already peaked.”

“Instead, it’s the season when ladybugs are easy to spot. Beetles as well.”

“Perhaps.”

“In the past, Master Lorenz used to be preoccupied with flipping over fallen leaves whenever you visited Tarrytown around this time.”

Lorenz, who had paused while putting on the Barbour jacket Margaret handed him, tilted his head.

“Hmm… did I?”

He continued as he slid his other arm into the jacket.

“When I think of my childhood, I only remember being forced toward perfection, to the point where even the time I spent in the restroom was controlled.”

It wasn’t that he truly didn’t remember. Recognizing Lorenz’s stubbornness in refusing to recall a period riddled with scars, Margaret simply smiled bitterly.

“I am truly glad, Master Lorenz.”

“Indeed. Not long ago, he was a child who couldn’t take a single step out of his room. Now, he can go as far as Tarrytown.”

“It’s not just that Lucas has come out of his room; it’s a good thing for you as well, Master Lorenz.”

“For me?”

Lorenz asked back in a puzzled tone while straightening his jacket.

“Spending time with family like this and engaging in outdoor activities is certainly a good thing for you too.”

However, Lorenz shrugged as if he were merely being dragged along.

“It is the expert’s opinion. I must cooperate to improve the child’s condition.”

He picked up the Boston bag. The owner himself failed to notice the signs of anticipation seeping into his fingertips and the corners of his lips.

Lucas had come down to the underground parking lot and was waiting before Lorenz. Holding Elian’s hand and clutching a rabbit doll, the child was dressed for the outdoors, much like Lorenz.

His sparkling eyes, flushed cheeks, and a smile that wouldn’t leave his lips clearly revealed the child’s anticipation. At that unfiltered, honest expression, a small laugh escaped Lorenz.

When he was like this, he was truly just a child of that age.

“Lucas came to my room and waited starting thirty minutes ago. I think he really wants to go.”

A more distinct smile than usual lingered on the face [stolen content]of stolen contentElian, who was holding the child’s hand.

As if to prove Elian’s words were true, the child hopped up and down a couple of times on the spot. It was one of the most active expressions of intent Lucas had ever shown. Lorenz and Elian looked at each other and let out low laughs.

The childcare provider and other employees seemed to be finishing their preparations for departure.

Before getting into the car, Lorenz glanced at Elian’s attire.

Jeans, an ivory knit, and a wool half-coat with large out-pockets. While it seemed he had considered the weather to some extent, it wasn’t a dress that provided sufficient warmth.

“Have you ever been to Tarrytown around this time of year?”

“No. I haven’t been in New York for very long.”

I thought so, Lorenz muttered to himself, his gaze lingering on the nape of Elian’s neck, which lacked even a single muffler. The exposed white neck was long and slender, making him seem as though he would be even more susceptible to the cold.

“Even if it’s still autumn, the weather is not something to be ignored. It’s different from Manhattan.”

“Yes. That’s why I dressed warmly.”

Elian replied confidently, patting the hem of his coat.

“These are clothes I used to wear often around this time in Chicago.”

It didn’t seem like that would be enough, but Lorenz didn’t want to appear as if he cared too much.

“Then let’s get in.”

Lorenz moved first toward the prepared vehicle.

Elian, who was about to follow him while holding Lucas’s hand, hesitated as he realized which direction Lorenz was heading.

“Uh… are we taking that car?”

“It’s a coupe-style vehicle without separate doors for the rear seats, so it might be a bit inconvenient to get in and out, but the ride quality isn’t bad.”

It was that car.

The Rolls-Royce Wraith.

The reason Elian had come to this place, the Lockhart estate.

The moment he thought about boarding that car, he felt as if every pore in his body were tightening. Quietly biting his dry lips, he approached the vehicle.

A booster seat for Lucas was already installed in the back. The child, sitting on the seat while hugging his rabbit doll, looked somewhat nervous. Elian, sitting beside him, took the child’s hand and met his eyes.

“Lucas, remember what we promised?”

The child’s brown eyes, which had been looking around anxiously, turned toward Elian.

“If you feel uncomfortable at any time, just give the signal. Then we’ll come back home.”

At the unchanging smile that had always been by his side, the child’s anxiety gradually subsided. Lucas also made eye contact with Lorenz, who was looking back at him from the driver’s seat.

From Lorenz to Elian, and from Elian to Lorenz. The child’s Read on Read BL Novelsgaze shifted back and forth several times. It seemed like a movement to confirm multiple times that both of stolen contentthem were definitely there. With each repetition, the large brown eyes gradually found stability.

“Can we leave now?”

After checking the parking lot exit, which stood open toward the bright light, the child nodded to Elian.

The car began to move. The moment they broke through the parking lot exit, Lucas took a sharp breath, as if diving into water. It was the moment the child had voluntarily headed toward the outside world for the first time in months.

■

For a while, Lucas observed the view outside the window while gripping Elian’s hand tightly. The strong pressure in the small hand conveyed the child’s tension. Nevertheless, curiosity and hope sparkled in the eyes looking out at the world. That put Elian at ease.

Every now and then, the child turned his head to meet Elian’s eyes. He also checked the profile of Lorenz in the driver’s seat. It was as if he were maintaining his stability by confirming they were there.

By the time they had completely left Manhattan and were passing through Bronxville, Lucas had fallen asleep. The strength in the fingers gripping Elian’s hand slowly faded. As Lorenz glanced back while waiting at a signal, his eyes softened for a brief moment.

“I heard he tossed and turned last night. He must have been tired.”

“I’m glad.”

“If you say ‘glad’…”

“Falling asleep can also mean he’s let go of his tension and feels comfortable. I see it as a sign that Lucas can feel at ease at least inside this car.”

“I see.”

A brief silence filled the interior.

The car drove straight north toward Sprague Ridge Park. Low hills and quiet residential areas unfolded outside the window.

After confirming that Lucas was fast asleep with regular breaths, Elian carefully turned his eyes to examine the interior of the car.

The outskirts of Wisconsin. The Rolls-Royce Wraith of the Lockhart family that he had witnessed in front of North River Biomedical. As he became conscious of the fact that he was riding in that very car, light goosebumps broke out across his body.

“How is it, now that you’re actually riding in it?”

“…Pardon?”

Elian swallowed hard at Lorenz’s question, which felt as if he had read his mind.

“Weren’t you interested in this car?”

“I was?”

“You said you had no interest in such things, yet you mentioned this car once before. So, I thought you might want to try riding in it.”

“Ah…”

So, is that why he specifically chose this car for today’s outing? Because he thought I was interested?

Since the other man had brought it up first, it was a good opportunity to naturally ask about the car. Elian looked around the interior, decorated with calm colors and luxurious finishes.