‘I am formally reprimanding you and docking a full week’s pay.My son’s blood will not be shed again, no matterwhois responsible.’The older man glances at his child.‘He already knows the consequences of what would happen should he be the one to damage himself.’
Julian stares blindly ahead.
Soldier stare,Lachlan knows it well.
‘That being said,’ Alistair remarks, tapping the inset glass screen to life, and it rises fluidly to float in the air, no visible wires, ‘I am genuinely impressed by the tungsten innovation.Clara has kept me fully apprised of the improvements.This minor blip notwithstanding, you will proceed as you were.Julian, you are hereby confined to your room for one week as punishment for your remarkably well-constructed attempt to see your bodyguard dismissed for indirectly harming you.If you speak to me like that again,’ the older man warns, focus on the glass display, ‘I will have Lachlan drag Jessamine in here and strike her while you watch.’
Julian visibly pales.‘Yes, sir.’
‘There is much I accept about you, my son.I consider myself a generous man in terms of what I allow.You know what I could implement until your twenty-first.The technology has advanced greatly.’He sighs, shaking his head.‘Lachlan is here for your protection.I know you will fight me every step of the way, but please remember there are limits to what I will tolerate.Poor manners are utterly unacceptable.Is that understood?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Very well.Any requests while I’m here?’
‘No, sir.’
‘Good.I’ll see you next quarter.’Julian leaves and Lachlan moves to go with him, but the old man quietly calls him back.
Julian is already gone.
Lachlan stands before the desk.
‘Take a seat.’It’s not a request, so Lachlan sits.Alistair looks over steepled fingers, light brown eyes gleaming with interest.‘What do you make of him?’
Lachlan doesn’t hesitate to answer.‘Your son is incredibly intelligent, sir.’
‘I’m well aware.Tell me whatyoumake of him.This is off record and beyond reproach, I assure you.’
‘He seems to me,’ Lachlan answers, a little slower, ‘to be very frustrated and rebellious, perhaps under-stimulated.’
‘Under-stimulated?’Alistair echoes curiously.‘How so?’
Treading carefully, Lachlan says, ‘I wouldn’t presume to tell you anything about your son that you don’t already know—’
‘Beyond reproach, Lachlan.I want your insight.Your opinion.’
‘Then, in my opinion, he’s bored, lonely and isolated.When he sneaks out, he’s going to find friends, people, experiences, not danger.’He left out the part aboutpimple-tachefrom his report file.‘Having been present for some of his schooling, it’s a superb education, but he’s already very smart and it’s not enough, in my opinion, to stimulate his mind.’
‘What might you suggest?’
Lachlan already knows any suggestion for freedom, for Jules to have friends, to be allowedoutof the Estate will be shot down.‘I feel that he’d benefit from field training.’
Alistair cocks his head like a confused dog.‘Field training?’
‘Within the Estate grounds, of course.Most children in his sphere are given some degree of martial arts training, but the reason I suggest field training is that it might make him less…’Cooped up.Imprisoned.Miserable.‘Stifled.’
Seemingly amused, Alistair sits back in his chair.‘Explain.’
‘Structured physical drills outdoors,’ Lachlan answers evenly.‘Obstacle work, controlled sparring, stamina runs, supervised climbing, basic fieldcraft.Nothing dangerous.Just enough to burn off energy, build confidence and give him a sense of movement and space within safe boundaries.’
‘To what end?’
‘To stabilise him,’ Lachlan replies.‘Regular outdoor exercise improves mood regulation and gives him a controlled way to burn off excess energy before it turns into defiance.It teaches discipline, builds confidence, and gives him a sense of momentum instead of confinement.Physically it would strengthen him.Mentally it would calm him.’
‘You don’t think you’d be making your own job that much harder if my son can scale walls?’
‘I’m good at my job, sir.’
