Welcome to the Rose Mansion - Chapter 13
“The history of the Otis family is actually much longer than that…”
The man extended his long legs, emerging gracefully from the light. The warm sunlight, unable to penetrate his hair that was as dark as the night, merely brushed past him in vain.
“It’s commonly accepted that Neil Otis, who revived the Otis family, is considered the first head of the household. He was the one who bought Bertrand from the Sylvester Earldom and made it the heart of the Otis family.”
Standing at a respectful distance from Richelle, the man slightly curled his lips. The small mole under his left eye became more pronounced with his smile.
“You are Miss Howard, the tutor for Young Lady Penny and Young Lord Nero, correct?”
The man slightly bowed, bringing his pale face closer to Richelle, who involuntarily shrank back. Up close, his smooth brow, straight nose, and elegantly curved eyes appeared even more perfectly chiseled.
‘…With such a face, one might not regret dedicating their life to him.’
Richelle thought blankly. Preferring handsome potatoes over handsome men, this was the first time she empathized with her friends who were completely taken by attractive men. The man’s beauty was that impressive.
Lost in thought for 4 seconds, realizing her own principle in 3 seconds, and sharpening her wariness against the ideally handsome man for another 3 seconds.
After spending a total of 10 seconds, Richelle finally managed to regain her professional smile.
“You know about me?”
She asked naturally while her mind raced. Who was he, recognizing her like this? Judging by his attire, he’s not an ordinary servant, and by his looks, he’s not the eldest son of the Otis family, either.
Before Richelle could reach a conclusion, the man extended his hand first. The simple gesture was dignified and elegant enough to be a lesson in gentlemanliness.
“I am Rogéros Walter, the tutor for Alan, the eldest son of the Otis family. I’m sorry for startling you.”
Ah, a tutor!
Realizing the answer to her question brought a sense of relief. Richelle willingly exchanged handshakes.
“Pleased to meet you, Mister Walter. I look forward to working with you.”
“Likewise.”
Rogéros Walter was a man who seemed to have an amicable nature. After just a few words of greeting, he felt like an old friend, easy to talk to. He winked playfully as he spoke.
“Did you know? The entire mansion has been eagerly awaiting your arrival.”
“I did hear it was difficult to find a tutor.”
“Yes. Especially for the Young Lord. We needed to find someone good as soon as possible. It’s truly fortunate that you have come.”
Richelle wondered why he emphasized only the young lord, given that she was tasked with two children, but she soon forgot her curiosity with Rogéros’s next words.
“But the one who was most eagerly awaiting your arrival was probably me.”
“You, Mister Walter?”
“Embarrassingly enough, I’m quite lonely by nature. Bertrand is a magnificent place, but there’s no one with whom I can comfortably converse.”
He sighed softly, his breath seemingly tickling her ear.
Richelle stretched her lips into a tight smile and rubbed her earlobe, at which Rogéros took one step back.
“By any chance, have my words made you uncomfortable, Miss Howard?”
“No!”
Richelle hastily denied, then realized she had overreacted. Rogéros covered his mouth with a fist and laughed quietly. It was a laugh devoid of mockery, filled only with cheerfulness.
“It was really regrettable to send off your predecessor. But thanks to that, we got to meet someone as wonderful as you. It seems there’s no such thing as a purely bad situation in the world.”
“I’m glad you think highly of me…”
To have just met and already be considered a ‘good person’. To be said that it’s fortunate to meet her. Somehow, he reminded her of the male lead in the common romance novels her friend Meg used to read.
But the biggest problem was that she didn’t find his favorable attitude unpleasant.
‘Have I always been weak for handsome men? Was my lack of interest all this time due to ridiculously high standards…?’
She felt strangely unfamiliar with herself for letting her guard down so quickly.
