Welcome to the Rose Mansion - Chapter 1 - Prologue

Welcome to the Rose Mansion.

This letter has been written to assist you in leading a safe and peaceful life in the manor for the coming year. Please make an effort to fully acquaint yourself with the following rules at your earliest convenience, and adhere to them as a matter of utmost priority under any circumstances.

Bear in mind that you will bear full responsibility for any consequences resulting from the violation of these rules.

1. As you would have verified in the contract, regardless of the nature of your duties, the term period is one year. Once you have signed the contract, it is impossible to terminate or alter it midway.

Moreover, during this one-year period, leaving the mansion’s premises is strictly prohibited. This constitutes an absolute promise, foundational to all rules. As mentioned earlier, this letter is designed to aid you. Allow us at least the minimum opportunity to ensure your protection.

2. Despite what the structure might suggest, this mansion has only three floors; a fourth floor does not exist. Should you find stairs leading up from the third floor, consider them merely decorative.

If anyone speaks to you of a fourth floor, respond with, “I must now go to make flowers blossom upon unadorned branches,” and leave the vicinity immediately. All problems will vanish, and the naughty child will be punished.

3. As you have been informed, individual bedrooms are provided for all employees of the mansion, and entry into another’s bedroom for reasons other than work-related (such as cleaning) is strictly forbidden.

If someone—no matter how close they may claim to be to you—expresses a desire to be invited into your bedroom, refuse them immediately and firmly. Then, without taking your eyes off them, return to your bedroom and open and shut the door three times. This will ensure no further coercion to invite them in.

Remember, no one in the mansion requires permission to enter for work-related reasons.

4. Starting at sunset, ensure that all tasks are completed, then return to your bedroom by midnight. The door must be locked. Do not leave your room until the sun rises again.

You might occasionally hear strange sounds outside your door, but under no circumstances should you open it or respond. From midnight until sunrise, it is their time. Remember, you will be fully accountable for any incidents that occur as a result of violating this provision.

Should an unavoidable situation arise that necessitates leaving your room after midnight, seek out light. If possible, return to your room with the light. Forget everything you may see or hear during this time.

5. Meals will be delivered to a designated location at set times, three times a day. You will be informed of the place and time on your first day of work.

Do not deviate from the designated place and time. Also, consumption of food within the mansion outside of mealtimes is prohibited. It is highly sensitive to the scent of food.

Take special note: do not bring in any external food into the mansion. It wouldn’t be very pleasant to encounter if it were to find someone coming in with that smell. It likes meat dishes, and meat is always scarce.

6. The kitchen is a space solely for the chef. His authority within is absolute, and no one may contravene it. Under no circumstances should you enter the kitchen.

7. You will find roses decorated throughout the mansion. Therefore, it is not strange for the scent of roses to permeate the mansion.
Do not find it odd if the scent of roses emanates from the employees, either. Of course, it would be better if it did not, but they do not do so by choice.

Maybe.

8. For our new members, Bertrand provides a map of the mansion. As indicated on the map, there are a total of five gardens within the mansion. You are free to explore them, but do not approach the fifth garden surrounded by a red brick wall.

It is currently under construction. Therefore, do not be alarmed by any noises that might come from inside.

9. Do not touch the roses carelessly. Also, do not keep roses in your bedroom. While the mansion is filled with roses, your assigned bedroom is an exception. If you find roses in your bedroom, please follow the instructions below.

If the rose is more white than red, it is still safe. Immediately wrap the rose in a white cloth without anyone noticing, quietly take it outside the mansion entrance, burn it with your back to the mansion, and return to your bedroom without being detected. This must be emphasized again—you must not be caught by anyone during this process.

If the rose is more red than white, leave it beside your bed. We can no longer assist you. If forced to give one piece of advice, remember rule number 4. If lucky, you might not be lost to us.

10. Pay no heed to the eldest of the Otis family. If he speaks or makes requests of you, ignore him completely. Everything for the eldest is managed by his tutor.

11. Since the mansion does not frequently welcome new servants, the long-standing servants always wish to tease the new members of their family.

If you find yourself alone with someone who speaks strangely or acts inexplicably, act as if you have seen and heard nothing, and leave the area immediately. Curiosity is not a good thing to have in this mansion.

12. Please doubt everything you see, even this letter.

13. Always greet others with a smile. Do not ignore greetings extended to you. They consider this basic etiquette, something to be expected. Please do not offend them.

The only way to safely complete your contract period is to act as if you do not hear when you hear, do not see when you see, and to serve diligently and obediently without question or curiosity.

Lastly, if you have fully understood the contents of this letter, please burn it as soon as possible. Fire is the surest way to turn everything to nothing. Do not transcribe or keep the contents of the letter elsewhere. You have only one day to avoid detection.

This letter, in principle, does not exist. Never speak of this letter to anyone. Also, speaking carelessly about things experienced within the mansion is strictly forbidden. This must be emphasized once more—it is a very reckless action.

We sincerely hope you have a safe and enjoyable year. Let’s have fun together.

(Please disregard rule number 12 as it was a mistake by the writer.)