Lorenz didn’t like having someone attend to him when dressing. The space connecting from the bathroom to the dressing room was an extremely private area for him. It was also a base where he cleaned his body and put on his clothes one by one, preparing his battle formation before stepping into a world teeming with enemies. He didn’t want anyone disturbing that time.
Also, it was because of the smell.
Right after washing, his sense of smell would become more sensitive. Because he easily became unpleasant at even trivial smells, he had been accustomed to preparing to go out on his own since childhood.
After a brief knock, when Lorenz responded, Margaret entered the dressing room. She always caught the timing when Lorenz had almost finished dressing with uncanny precision.
“Your suit selection is excellent.”
Margaret’s expression was pleased as she looked at the jacket still hanging on the hanger.
Lorenz agreed as well.
He raised his shirt collar and put on his tie, asking.
“What is Lucas doing?”
“He seems to be reading a book in his room with the weekend caregiver.”
Lucas’s overall daily life was handled by a live-in childcare worker who was entirely responsible. There was a separate caregiver who came to the mansion only on weekends, the full-time caregiver’s day off, to look after the child. The child was growing up being handled by various people. Just as Lorenz had.
The childcare workers and tutors who had been interacting with him from before could enter Lucas’s room. The child didn’t reject even them.
However, he didn’t try to express himself through conversation or even writing. Therefore, there were limits to language-related lessons. The same was true for exercise classes like swimming or tennis that were conducted outside.
“He likes reading and learning. He’s very clever. You don’t need to worry too much. It’s gradual, but he’s definitely getting better.”
Lorenz looked at Margaret through the mirror and nodded.
His hands tying the knot in his tie slowed down a bit.
“Come to think of it, Mr. Bellotti… it’s his day off too.”
“Yes. He said he’s going to Brooklyn this week.”
“…Is he sleeping over?”
“It seems he plans to spend the weekend and come back.”
Margaret, who had been watching the grown Lorenz with pleased eyes, asked with a puzzled expression.
“Do you happen to have a message for him?”
“No. Nothing like that in particular.”
Lorenz in the mirror avoided her gaze. And while pulling the end of the tie long from within the knot, he added.
“Lucas will be waiting for him.”
“He’s become quite attached to him. But Mr. Bellotti explained well that he’ll return Sunday evening, so it should be fine.”
Spending 30 minutes in Lucas’s room every day.
Elian had earnestly pleaded after leaving Lucas’s room last night that it absolutely must not be skipped even on weekends. He could have mentioned then that he was planning to go home. It wasn’t even a big secret. Lorenz’s face in the mirror hardened.
“Today will be an important meeting. Lady Evelyn will announce you as the official successor, Lorenz.”
Margaret’s voice was slightly excited. It was a very rare occurrence.
She was talking about the Lockhart family meeting that Lorenz would attend today.
Margaret had a considerably careful and thorough personality. She wasn’t the type to speak lightly about important matters like successor selection. There was good reason for her to say this much.
Lorenz was a prepared successor. The media didn’t dispute the fact that Lorenz would become the successor and take the position of head of the Lockhart Group. Even the most hostile media were the same. There was no competitor for him. His announcement as successor was, so to speak, only a matter of time.
“It would be troublesome if it doesn’t happen. That’s the only reason I’ve lived until now.”
While checking his appearance in the mirror, Lorenz adjusted the knot of his tie. And with a bitter smile, he continued.
“It’s regrettable that Father can’t see me become the official successor.”
The person he hated most while also wanting recognition from the most.
Perhaps because he hated most, he wanted recognition the most.
The day when I, whom you doubted, turned away from, and disapproved of at every moment, finally take away the entire name of Lockhart from you.
“He would be proud.”
At Margaret’s words, Lorenz sneered.
Would he really?
Wouldn’t he think that I’ve merely accomplished a task that should have been achieved, that this is just the beginning?
Margaret’s blue-gray eyes shone warmly as she handed the jacket to Lorenz, who had straightened his tie.
“Although it won’t be announced to the media until next spring, we should hold an unofficial celebration party during this winter’s social season. By that time, quite a bit of time will have passed since the Master’s passing, so holding a party won’t be a problem.”
Margaret being proud. That alone was enough for now.
Lorenz, who had been putting his arms through the jacket sleeves, suddenly thought of Elian’s face and hesitated.
After being announced as successor today, he’ll also hear about it from someone in the household within a few days. Then I should be able to hear at least a word of congratulations, right?
Because he’s someone who showers all the blessings in the world even when Lucas just picks a few cards.
■
Pocantico Hills, about 30 miles from downtown Manhattan.
The area had only nature, to the point where it was hard to believe it was just an hour’s distance from the mansion. Beyond the car window, dense forests and hills continued in winding curves. Occasionally, the grounds of old grand mansions came into view. Ornate wrought iron gates decorated with antique sculptures, the outlines of buildings visible in the distance behind forests or lawns spread beyond the fences.
It was an area that many wealthy people had preferred since the past because they could enjoy leisurely country life on spacious grounds while maintaining excellent accessibility to Manhattan.
“Lord Lorenz, we’ll arrive in 5 minutes.”
Letting the chauffeur’s words flow by, Lorenz rubbed his temples in circles with his fingertips.
Recently, an excellent condition had been maintained for several weeks. The intake of suppressants or painkillers had noticeably decreased. Even if there were symptoms, it was only to the extent of mild headaches. But severe headaches had started again. This damn disease—nothing had been discovered about the causes of symptom reduction or amplification, and of course, no treatment method either.
Even if he had enough money to buy all of New York, all he could do about the disease was block others’ pheromones with strong suppressants and live on painkillers.
Moreover, one more thing.
He always felt down when coming to this area.
“Come to think of it, it’s been quite a while since you went to the villa.”
“The villa?”
“I’m talking about the country house in Tarrytown.”
“Ah.”
Lorenz, who withdrew his hand that had no effect even when rubbed, crossed his arms and cast a meaningless gaze out the car window.
That villa was the reason his mood sank when stopping by here.
“But you used to stop by once or twice a year before.”
“I haven’t had time recently.”
“That’s right. You’ve been too busy. I’m worried you’ll damage your health.”
Concern appeared on the chauffeur’s face as he glanced at Lorenz’s face, suffering from a headache, through the rearview mirror.
Lorenz fell into deep thought for a brief moment while casting a meaningless gaze at the monotonous scenery outside the car window.
The Tarrytown villa.
An English manor house building built on a low hill overlooking the Hudson River.
Dense forest spread out in the back, a wide meadow in front, a walking path leading to the river, and a wooden cabin just for Lorenz. That place was already Lorenz’s property, inherited from his mother.
He had avoided visiting for a while because of memories difficult to shake off, but…
Someday it would be good to go there with Elian and Lucas. It seems like a decent idea.
The heavy gate decorated with the Lockhart family crest began to appear in view. It was a wrought iron gate ordered from a craftsman in Paris in the early 19th century and imported directly. The gate, recognizing Lorenz’s vehicle, opened its mouth, and the vehicle entered the driveway.
With a headache as if pressing an awl and turning it forcefully and haphazardly, Lorenz ground his molars and squeezed his eyes shut. His trembling fingertips fumbled searching for a pill bottle. Omega relatives would also attend the family meeting. It seemed he should take not only painkillers but also more suppressants sufficiently. He couldn’t ruin an important day.
