Welcome to the Rose Mansion - Chapter 118
Jacqueline’s patron, who arrived too late, flew into a rage.
—You’ve done something foolish, Jacqueline! You were destined to rise much higher! You were not meant to end your life as merely someone’s wife!
—Please don’t say that, sir. I’m happy.
—You’ll regret this, Jacqueline. I’m certain you will!
—I won’t regret it. This was my choice. I love him. I’ve found something more precious than fame as a prima donna. Please, bless us, sir.
—You’ve been blinded by love, completely blinded… If this is your decision, then I shall never see you again.
When the patron she had followed like a father left, Jacqueline’s heart sank. But she never doubted that, beyond that sadness, happiness awaited her.
The wedding preparations proceeded at an oddly swift pace. Any lingering doubts or strange unease vanished like morning dew in the whirlwind of activity.
At last, the wedding day arrived. The Otis family had a peculiar tradition where the bride and groom entered together.
Through the long veil over her face, Rick Otis was visibly trembling with anxiety.
—People are watching. They’re mocking me. The moment I reach the end of that aisle, everything will be over. Ah, is this song we hear truly our funeral dirge? It’s so unbearably sorrowful.
—Rick, why are you trembling? The people are here to celebrate us. The song we hear is a joyful anthem, a blessing for our future. The moment we reach the end of that aisle, there will be a new beginning.
Rick Otis turned to look at Jacqueline. She was startled. The black eyes of the man she loved enough to give up her dreams were filled with guilt and sorrow.
—Ah, I am a sinner, Jacqueline. I’m a wretched sinner trying to walk this sacred path with a body stained by sin.
—Why would you say such things, Rick? On this joyous day.
—My Jacqueline. Soon, you’ll come to despise me. But please remember this: I love you. This is not something forced upon me by him, but my true, unwavering feelings.
It wasn’t until after the wedding, when she became the true lady of Otis, that Jacqueline finally understood why Rick had been so anxious, what he meant by “sin,” and who he was.
As soon as the reception ended, the guests were unceremoniously driven out of Bertrand. The gates of Bertrand were solemnly locked, and the mansion welcomed its new lady.
Amidst the overpowering scent of roses and the eerily grinning servants, Jacqueline sat in a daze.
—I’m sorry, Jacqueline. I’m so sorry. But in return, you can have anything you desire within Bertrand’s walls. I’ll give you new dresses, precious jewels, and wealth beyond what even a queen could possess.
The man she loved more than life itself buried his face in her lap and wept. Jacqueline gently stroked his ashen hair as she gathered her thoughts.
She came to understand the strange events in Bertrand and the tragedies that the Otis family had endured for generations. She also realized that she too had now become part of that tragedy.
But as I mentioned before, Jacqueline Swann, who had always raced alongside Lady Luck, still had some foolish innocence left.
Jacqueline dared to believe that she could change Bertrand.
She cupped her beloved husband’s face in her hands.
—Let’s change Bertrand together.
—That’s impossible. We’ll never escape his grasp.
—Don’t be afraid of him, Rick. Our fear only makes him stronger. As the master of Otis, you must take rightful control. Throw open the gates of Bertrand. Let people come and go as they please. Drive him back into the shadows!
Jacqueline didn’t know much about Rogéros. And that was why she had the audacity to confront him directly.
—Rogéros, I won’t stand by and watch your overreach any longer. I’m not afraid of you. I will drive you out and change Bertrand.
At her bold declaration, Rogéros smiled. With a tone of genuine amusement, he replied,
—By all means, do as you wish, Madam Otis.
That day, Jacqueline took action without hesitation.
She opened Bertrand to the outside world. She invited people in. She stood at the center of society, receiving praise and admiration.
During that time, their first child, Alan, was born. He was a lovely boy who inherited the best traits of both Jacqueline and Rick. Jacqueline broke Otis’s long-standing tradition of hiding the heir and proudly introduced Alan to society.
Bertrand was at peace. Several new human servants were hired. After Alan, the couple had adorable twins. The Otis family was happy.
Everything seemed to be going well. Everything was getting better.
Until one ordinary spring day, when the scent of roses grew strong around the twins.
