Welcome to the Rose Mansion - Chapter 127
The Place That Exists, Yet Doesn’t
Richelle was at a loss for words. It was surprising that the twins had figured out they were planning to go to the fourth floor.
Their certainty that she would die if she did was even more shocking.
‘Do they mean Rogéros won’t tolerate anyone stepping onto the fourth floor?’
Or was there something she hadn’t yet understood?
Richelle knelt down to meet the twins at eye level and asked carefully.
“When you say I’ll die, what do you mean by that…?”
“Don’t talk around it. Explain it clearly,” Alan interrupted impatiently, his sharp tone making the twins shrink back.
“The fourth floor is his domain,” one twin said.
“Only those he permits can enter,” the other added.
“Of course, but why are you so sure that means death…?” Alan’s frustration grew.
“Calm down, Alan,” Richelle said, raising a hand to stop him.
She spoke softly, trying to coax a clearer explanation.
“Does that mean if Rogéros doesn’t allow it, you can’t enter the fourth floor at all?”
“No.”
“That’s not it.”
The twins shook their heads vigorously.
“If you go in without his permission, you’ll face his wrath.”
“His wrath will turn into a curse that clings to you.”
A flicker of fear passed over the twins’ faces.
“The curse leads to oblivion.”
“Little by little, you’ll disappear.”
In other words, if someone who wasn’t allowed entered the fourth floor, they would be cursed by Rogéros, and that curse would slowly cause them to vanish—leading to death.
Richelle frowned slightly.
“But Jacqueline seemed to go in and out of the fourth floor without any problems…”
“Mother had his permission. She wasn’t in any danger.”
“But you and Alan don’t have his permission.”
Alan and Richelle exchanged glances.
Given how Rogéros had allowed them to roam the mansion so far, it seemed as though he wanted something from them. It even appeared as if he was waiting for them to enter the fourth floor.
But that was only speculation. Perhaps he was just enjoying watching them struggle.
In the end, nothing was certain. And they couldn’t risk their lives on uncertainty.
As the two hesitated, the twins stepped closer.
“But you still want to go, right?”
“We’ll help you.”
Alan’s expression hardened. He glanced briefly in the direction of the mansion, then crossed his arms, looking back at the twins.
“What do you mean by ‘help’?”
“If we go to the fourth floor with you.”
“We can take his wrath instead.”
The twins’ voices were calm, making it clear they were speaking the truth. Alan looked to Richelle for her thoughts.
Richelle asked the question that was most important, yet the one she least wanted to ask.
“And if you take his wrath, what will happen to you?”
The twins looked up at Richelle. A faint blush crept across their once pale cheeks.
“We liked you, Teacher.”
“You’ve always been so kind.”
“So very kind.”
“Always warm.”
Their voices, soft and affectionate, came in unison like a song.
“We’re okay now.”
“Mother is gone, so we can leave too.”
“But before we go, we want to repay you, Teacher.”
“If we can, we’ll be so happy.”
The twins, who had been smiling brightly, glanced shyly at Alan.
“And… Alan.”
“We’re sorry.”
“We want you to be happy.”
“We really hope you’ll be happy.”
They didn’t explain what they were apologizing for.
Alan stared at them for a long moment. In the end, he said nothing and turned away.
The twins fidgeted before hesitantly tugging at the hem of Richelle’s dress, just as they always did.
Richelle instinctively embraced them, as she always had. The twins closed their eyes softly.
“It’s warm.”
“Thank you for always hugging us.”
“Teacher, you should be happy too.”
“Very, very happy.”
They were saying farewell.
Her throat tightened, and she could feel the sting of tears welling up.
Richelle hugged the twins even tighter, bowing her head.
“Yes, I will.”
A faint scent of roses rose from the twins.
Even in this moment, the undeniable scent of roses.
“Thank you.”
Richelle realized.
This scent, she would never be able to forget.
Perhaps, for the rest of her life.
