Welcome to the Rose Mansion - Chapter 144
I forced myself to speak as casually as possible.
「 You said Bertrand was boring. Wouldn’t a wager like this add a bit of interest to your long life? Limits are what bring tension to life, and that tension provides continuous stimulation, easing the monotony. 」
I framed it as though I was looking out for him, but ultimately, it was a plea to let go of Otis one day.
For a being that far surpassed human understanding, there was no such thing as an ‘end’ as humans see it. At this rate, he would remain in place forever, holding Otis in his grasp.
But if there was something to nudge him, something that might make him feel even a little weariness with this existence…
Maybe then, Otis could finally be free. I was hoping for that slim chance.
Would he accept it willingly, or would he grow angry and lose all patience with me?
At that moment, I waited for Rose’s decision, trembling with fear. Though it was only a brief silence, to me, it felt like an eternity.
Then, suddenly, a faint laugh escaped Rose’s lips.
< You would waste a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity on some vague hope for the future? >
His face twisted, as if he was smiling, crying, or perhaps sneering.
< What exactly is it about Otis that makes it so lovable in your eyes? >
I couldn’t respond. In the meantime, Rose quickly suppressed his agitation. He turned away with a light, almost casual motion.
< Very well. I accept the wager. I was thinking Bertrand could use some changes anyway. Humans are too weak. At this rate, Otis will die out quickly. >
「 …… 」
< Things are going to get busy. After all, to turn this beautiful Bertrand into a grand puppet theater just for Otis, there is much to be done. >
Rose slowly walked away.
That day was the last time I received ‘special treatment’ from him.
From the next day on, I became just ‘Otis’ to Rose.
* * *
[ Rose kept his promise. He provided me with a few rules, and I supplemented them.
That’s how the ‘Rules of Bertrand’ you are familiar with was completed.
While revising and refining the rules, I managed to insert hints about the wager. Rose must have noticed, but thankfully, he turned a blind eye.
Bertrand was thus brought to order. The roses no longer rampaged freely, and during the day, they began to act like ‘humans’. Bertrand slowly started accepting new staff.
Each new hire at Bertrand received a letter containing the ‘Rules of Bertrand.’ Many outsiders passed by me.
But no one who made it through their contract, nor anyone who came close to the wager, ever appeared.
In the meantime, Rose took on the identity of ‘Rogeros Walter’ and acted as the tutor for the Otis firstborn. I followed Rose’s orders, went out to society, found a husband, had a child, and bore an heir.
In exchange for accepting the wager, Rose imposed a few conditions on me. First, I was not to pass down the story of the past to my descendants. Second, the heir and the head of the family must not conspire together.
Because of the second condition, the head’s body would gradually decay as the heir grew. I was no exception. As my child grew, I found myself inching closer to death.
Thus, I can no longer see my child. The child is currently under Rose’s care. My husband is handling the necessary external affairs as per Rose’s orders. I feel nothing but remorse for him.
Right now, I am in the head’s room on the fourth floor. The room that once belonged to Neil Otis. Trapped in this room, where no one but Rose can enter, I am quietly dying alone.
I can no longer eat, and I can barely move in bed. Even my fingers have become difficult to move, so this letter will be the last thing I can do with my own body.
I will slowly rot away like this until I die on the day my child comes of age.
I do not regret giving up the chance to escape from Bertrand. If Otis can one day be freed from Rose, that will be enough for me.
So, this is the truth behind the tragedy that befell Bertrand.
Pathetic and laughable, isn’t it? Perhaps the judgment that it was a disaster of our own making is correct.
But should the blame fall on the descendants as well? Those poor children were just unlucky to have been born into Otis.
So, to you, brave and wise enough to have come this far, please help Otis. Save the children of Otis.
Now you know the answer to the riddle. Go and tell him. Tell him it’s over. Ask him to finally let go of his anger toward Otis.
I hope that my decision has helped you, the future Otis…
And ‘Rose’…
May it have made a difference. ]
* * *
The letter ended there.
Richelle closed the diary.
