Welcome to the Rose Mansion - Chapter 128
As it neared six o’clock, Richelle and the group returned to the kitchen.
“Um, well… we can only protect one person.”
“Only one of you can go in.”
These words came as they were checking the key for the fourth-floor passage. The twins hung their heads apologetically.
“Sorry, we’re not strong enough.”
“He’s just too powerful for us.”
“…I see.”
Alan furrowed his brow in thought, then turned to Richelle.
“Then you should go.”
“Me?”
“You’re certain you can protect one person, right?” Alan asked, directing his question to the twins.
They jumped up in response.
“We can!”
“We won’t let anything happen!”
“Good.”
Alan placed a gentle hand on Richelle’s shoulder.
“You’ll go to the fourth floor and find out what Rogéros is hiding. Since only an ‘outsider’ can uncover his real name, it’s best if you’re the one to see the truth.”
Richelle nodded firmly in understanding.
“I will. Leave it to me.”
“Thank you. In the meantime, I’ll distract him.”
“Distract him? What are you planning?”
“I’ll cause some chaos—something I’m good at. After all, with what happened to my mother, I have a pretty good reason.”
Alan glanced sideways, eyeing a large grandfather clock standing proudly in the room. The minute hand was hovering near twelve.
Alan’s hand on Richelle’s shoulder tightened slightly.
“Remember, if something feels off in there, don’t hesitate. Leave immediately.”
“…Alright. You too, Alan. Don’t do anything reckless.”
“Yes. Let’s meet safely again.”
After a brief hesitation, Alan gave Richelle a light hug, then pulled away as quickly as if he’d touched something hot.
“Well, I’d better go now.”
Clearing his throat awkwardly, Alan turned and walked away. Richelle watched his retreating figure without saying a word.
The twins, who had quietly sidled up beside her, began whispering to each other.
“Alan is shy.”
“Alan was always shy.”
“What do you mean, shy?”
She asked, but the twins simply spread their arms wide with innocent smiles.
“Teacher, let’s go.”
“Let’s get ready.”
Just then, bong, bong, bong, the grandfather clock rang.
It was the sound signaling their departure.
***
As expected, the key marked with red paint fit perfectly into the door leading to the fourth floor.
When Richelle inserted the key and turned it, the previously immovable door slid open, revealing the darkness within.
“It’s so dark…”
Even when she brought the oil lamp closer, the dense darkness refused to retreat, almost as if it were alive.
“We’ll go first.”
“Follow us, Teacher.”
“You don’t need the lamp.”
“Your hands are full—leave it behind.”
Richelle complied, letting go of the lamp as the twins each took one of her hands and led her into the darkness.
The dampness of the air wrapped around her body like a thick fog. It was unpleasant, but not frightening.
‘It looks like we’ll have to walk quite a bit to reach the fourth floor.’
Her foot touched the first step of a solid stone staircase. She cautiously lifted her leg.
One step.
Two steps.
Three steps.
And… four steps.
Suddenly, the darkness lifted.
A soft light poured down unexpectedly from above. Squinting at the sudden brightness, Richelle carefully opened her eyes.
Before her stood a door, covered in rose vines.
“This is the place that exists but doesn’t.”
“His space, which no one is permitted to enter.”
The twins’ grip on her hands tightened. Their voices were tense with nervousness.
Richelle glanced around, feeling dazed. The room was painted in dark red hues.
The only thing in this not-too-large, not-too-small space was the massive door directly ahead.
She looked back. Behind her was a square void of darkness, presumably the darkness they had just passed through.
“So, this is the fourth floor?”
“Yes.”
“It’s a space covered by his power.”
“My goodness…”
Four steps were all it took to travel from the basement to the fourth floor. It was nothing short of magic.
Still, Richelle quickly regained her composure. She had known Rogéros possessed great power, and now wasn’t the time to be overwhelmed.
Once she was calm again, the twins released her hands.
“We’ll wait here.”
“We’ll protect you.”
“Just open that door and go inside.”
“Hope you find what you’re looking for.”
With that, they gave her a firm push toward the door.
As Richelle stumbled backward from the unexpected force, something caught her eye in her peripheral vision.
The twins’ fingertips were crumbling, turning black.
