Welcome to the Rose Mansion - Chapter 12
Madam Otis listlessly fiddled with her teacup.
“The children you’ll be teaching are twins. A girl and a boy.”
“Ah… Twins, how adorable.”
“You don’t mean that, do you!”
A cynical twist played at the corners of Madam Otis’s mouth. Richelle felt uneasy. Did she regard twins as an ominous presence?
Richelle smiled as if to convey, ‘I’m on your side, solely passionate about the children,’ and quickly moved on to the next question.
“How old are the children?”
“Let’s see. Six years old…? Or was it eight?”
“Do you have any specific educational direction in mind?”
“I’ll leave that to your discretion.”
Madam Otis swirled her teacup. Tea splashed over the white lace shawl, but she didn’t seem particularly bothered.
“Just…”
“Yes, Madam?”
“Don’t let them catch my eye, ever.”
Ah, now she understood.
Richelle understood all too well. It was the typical attitude of a parent who finds their children bothersome and neglects them.
With this realization, her willingness to continue the conversation vanished. Asking more wouldn’t yield any significant insights.
It’s better to learn other details from the children’s nanny. Richelle set down her teacup and saucer and clasped her hands neatly.
“I understand, Madam. May I meet the children now?”
Seemingly sensing Richelle’s intention not to broach the topic of the children again, a light returned to Madam Otis’s eyes. She smiled broadly and said,
“Meet them tomorrow. Whether you meet them today or tomorrow makes no difference, and you must be very tired.”
“Madam, I appreciate your concern, but…”
“I’ll show you to your room. Rest a bit, and then we’ll have dinner together. Josephine!”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Please escort Miss Howard to her room.”
Before Richelle could even object, things moved swiftly. Soon, she found herself outside the drawing room, accompanied by the head maid.
The head maid bowed slightly towards Richelle.
“I am Josephine Andri, the head maid of this mansion. You can call me Josephine.”
“Thank you, Josephine.”
Richelle quickly bowed in return. The courteous demeanor from the lady of the house to the head maid and the butler was both surprising and relieving for Richelle, who had braced herself for the usual cold treatment given to tutors.
“Your bedroom is prepared next to the children’s room on the third floor. We’ve arranged everything you’ll need, so you shouldn’t find anything lacking.”
Richelle ascended the stairs, listening to Josephine’s explanation. When she inadvertently looked down at the stair railing, she shuddered slightly. The top of the railing was adorned with thinly cut blue gemstones.
Carefully, Richelle followed Josephine, mindful not to damage anything in this mansion, which was akin to a work of art. The third floor, surprisingly, had a stately walnut color.
Josephine led Richelle to a door at the end of the corridor, then sighed as she patted her waist.
“I seem to have forgotten to bring the key to your room. I’ll fetch it right now.”
“It’s alright, you can bring it later.”
“No, the key is very important, and keeping the door locked is crucial. Please wait just a moment.”
Without giving Richelle a chance to insist, Josephine disappeared down the corridor. Left alone in front of the door, Richelle rubbed her neck and looked around.
Next to Richelle’s room was a pair of double wooden doors with rose vine carvings, presumably the children’s room.
She heard faint thumping sounds from inside. Were the children playing?
Richelle half-hoped the door would open so she could greet them, but no such opportunity arose. She eventually turned away.
At the end of the corridor was a huge family portrait, covering an entire wall. A beautiful lady sat on a chair, with a sharp-looking man standing behind her, and a young boy clung innocently to the lady’s lap. The painting portrayed a seemingly harmonious family.
Richelle stroked her chin, examining the painting closely.
“This doesn’t seem to be the current Otis family…”
“It’s a portrait of the first Earl of Otis.”
The voice was soft and melodious, almost like a song.
As if mesmerized, Richelle turned around. Standing in the sunlight filtering through the clear windows was a striking man.
