Welcome to the Rose Mansion - Chapter 143
A chance to be completely free from Otis.
My heart pounded uncontrollably. To leave Bertrand… that meant I would no longer have to witness those horrifying sights.
No more roses tearing at each other, no more blood staining the floors, no more sickening scent of roses, no more eerie laughter echoing everywhere, no more Neil Otis’s cries of hatred—everything would disappear from my life forever.
I felt as though I was floating above the ground, but there was a heavy weight that swiftly grabbed hold of my ankles.
With a trembling voice, I asked,
「 If I leave Bertrand… what will happen to Otis? 」
I am the only child of Damon Otis. If I were to escape Bertrand, would that be the end of the Otis line? Would this tragedy finally come to an end?
But Rose’s answer shattered my hopeful expectations mercilessly.
< Your father is still capable of reproduction. >
He stroked my hair and spoke in an unbelievably gentle tone.
< I have taken good care of him. I can still create a replacement for you. >
Ah, what was I even expecting?
My head felt cold, as if doused in icy water. Foolish Charlotte Otis. Rose’s rage wasn’t so trivial that he would let Otis go so easily.
I began to imagine, vaguely, what my future sibling might look like. Would they be able to survive in this mansion, just like I did?
I may not be very wise, but I’m not completely foolish either. After glimpsing Rose’s memories, I had already realized why he was lenient only with me.
Yes, I was fortunate enough to be born with similar eye and hair colors to Edgar Otis. That fact had made Rose somewhat gentler toward me. Because, to Rose, Edgar was more special than anyone.
There was no guarantee that my sibling would be born with the same traits. Rose hated Otis, so any child born without value to him would surely be neglected and left to fend for themselves, just as my father, Damon Otis, had been.
Furthermore, to produce another heir, they would need to bring a new woman into Damon Otis’s room. Another victim, like my mother, would be created. The thought alone made me shudder.
Some might say, ‘Ultimately, that is someone else’s problem, not yours. Just think of yourself and live your life.’
But I had seen Neil Otis’s cowardice, and the ruin it brought. How could I, knowing this, escape alone? Even if I did run away, I doubted I would be able to live in peace.
Meeting Rose’s red gaze, I thought calmly. What could I do with this opportunity? What could I do for the future?
Asking him to release Otis would surely be impossible. I was not valuable enough to him to quell his bottomless hatred for Otis, or his volcanic rage.
After much deliberation, I finally spoke.
「 Please establish rules for Bertrand. 」
< Rules? >
「 So that the roses cannot rampage as they please, and so that ‘humans’ can at least be minimally protected within Bertrand. 」
< …… >
「 If things continue like this, Bertrand won’t be able to sustain itself for long. That’s not what you want, is it? Please make it so that the estate can function normally on the surface, and create a safe environment for an heir to grow up. 」
Rose didn’t respond. He simply stared at me endlessly.
It wasn’t until quite a while later that he spoke.
< It’s not a difficult request. >
「 Then. 」
< But are you truly satisfied with a wish as small as that? You are. >
Since Rose’s reaction was relatively mild, I decided to take one step further.
「 If you think my wish is too modest… would you consider a wager instead, in exchange for a bigger wish? 」
< A wager, you say. >
「 A wager to guess your true name. 」
He raised an eyebrow, indicating I should continue. I swallowed hard and spoke.
「 For Bertrand to function properly, it will need staff. The estate will require a regular influx of outsiders. But, if one of those outsiders who knows nothing about Bertrand or Otis manages to guess your real name… then would you leave Bertrand and Otis for good? 」
The expression disappeared from Rose’s face.
