Welcome to the Rose Mansion - Chapter 152
「 Die? That nasty devil? Hah. If only it were that easy. He’s no ordinary rose. Burning the roses would only make him lose his current form and fall into a long recovery period. Unfortunately… 」
Of course, just knowing there was a way to drive him out was a relief. However, it wasn’t as simple as it sounded.
Neil’s expression darkened for a moment, and he waved his hand dismissively.
「 I know that the fire is in the Fifth Garden… but I have no idea how to approach his roses. Nor how to handle such a dangerous fire. Has the world abandoned me? Where has justice hidden itself? 」
His last expression that I remember was that of him clutching his chest, crying out in despair.
Later, when I tiptoed around the topic and subtly asked Rose about it on a rare occasion when he seemed to be in a good mood, he told me he had assigned Neil Otis as the gardener of the Fifth Garden.
Afterward, I couldn’t stop thinking about the way to break the contract. Where could Rose’s roses be? How would I handle this ‘special fire’? Would it even be possible to divert his attention long enough to burn the roses?
With my decaying body, I had plenty of time to ponder, and in the end, I arrived at a tentative answer.
Through the faint link between us, as I glimpsed fragments of Rose’s past in dreams, I sometimes received his memories.
I don’t know how things might be in your era, but the Rose I met seemed a little unskilled at controlling his human form. After all, in the vast span of his life, the time he’s spent defined as human has been minimal.
Because of that, I managed to find a way to forcefully terminate the contract with Rose.
If you’re reading this postscript seriously, it means Rose has refused to keep his promise. In that case, consider this as the first step to breaking the contract.
The wager that Rose and I began was to ‘guess his true name’. If he has broken the promise, that’s practically an act of denying his own name.
The name ‘Rose’ is the core of his existence. It’s what allowed him to fully define himself in human form, thanks to Edgar giving him that name.
In his current state, with his foundation shaken, he will likely be unable to fully monitor his surroundings for a while. He’ll need a brief period of recovery.
So go to the Fifth Garden immediately.
Regardless of which era you live in, as long as Bertrand remains in Rose’s grip, Neil Otis should still be alive. Ask him for assistance.
As the gardener of the Fifth Garden, Neil should know how to handle the ‘special fire’. He’ll surely be able to burn Rose’s roses.
I’ve left instructions in this letter on how to access the Fifth Garden and where Rose’s roses are located.
I’m confident that the location of Rose’s roses hasn’t changed, even in your time. Having directly accessed his memories, I can guarantee it. This location holds a profound significance for him, an ideal place to store his most treasured things.
Honestly, I can’t be certain that breaking the contract is truly possible.
But if your will, courage, and spirit remain unbroken even after being betrayed by hope—
I sincerely wish you the best of luck. ]
* * *
Charlotte’s postscript was hidden at the very back of the diary.
The two pages had been lightly glued together, so Richelle hadn’t noticed it the first time. Luckily, she discovered it on the second read-through.
‘Had I missed it, Rose would have had complete control over me by now.’
Richelle glanced at Alan. Alan was flipping through the diary pages with a hardened expression.
In a blink, he reached the final page. Closing the diary, he stared into the air.
“…The Earl’s body decays as his successor matures.”
“Alan…”
“Richelle, did you… meet my father?”
After a moment’s hesitation, Richelle nodded silently.
Alan’s lips twitched slightly, as if he was trying to smile but failed.
Not knowing what else to say, Richelle asked the only question that came to mind.
“Alan, are you… alright?”
“Yes. Strangely enough.”
Alan got up and returned the diary to her, his hand momentarily stiff as he let go.
“My father has been gone from my heart for a long time now. Maybe that’s why.”
“…Don’t you want to see him?”
“It’s too late.”
He turned and stretched, almost as if he were trying to shake something off. His voice, quieter, held a lingering sadness.
“Besides, if I saw him in that state… I don’t think I’d be able to focus on what I have to do.”
“……”
“So we’ll have to face Rose in the Fifth Garden? Neil Otis is still alive, it seems. If I see his face, I might want to punch him. But maybe that wouldn’t be right, considering he’s my ancestor?”
Richelle could tell he was trying to distract himself with casual words.
It was the only way he could cope. Losing both parents in such a short time was a brutal burden for him to bear.
As she fumbled to find the right words to comfort him, Alan suddenly looked at her.
“Richelle, are you… really alright?”
“What do you mean?”
“Just…”
After a brief hesitation, Alan continued.
“Are you really okay with giving up the chance to have a wish granted?”
