Welcome to the Rose Mansion - Chapter 159
Goodbye, Rose Mansion
[ To Meg, my dearest friend in the world,
This will likely be the last letter I write from Bertrand.
No, I suppose I can’t really call it the last letter either, as I have no intention of ever sending it to you.
Perhaps someone might see it as meaningless, writing a letter that will never be sent. But sometimes, there are stories that only make sense when they’re written down, and that’s exactly the kind of story I’m about to tell.
So perhaps, this isn’t a letter to you, Meg, but one to myself. If that’s the case, then this letter will serve its purpose well.
Meg, I never told you, but over the past few months at Bertrand, I’ve experienced many strange things.
Through them, I formed unforgettable bonds, said goodbye, and finally came to face myself truly.
And… I met someone I want to walk the path ahead with.
Will you listen? It will be a long story. ]
* * *
As soon as Richelle and Alan exited the Fifth Garden, the brick wall closed behind them without hesitation.
Alan’s gaze lingered on the brick wall, searching for any gaps. Then he suddenly spoke.
“We managed to secure his cooperation.”
“It’s a relief, isn’t it?”
When Richelle agreed, a faint wrinkle formed between Alan’s brows.
“I expected it, but he really is a terrible person. I hate to admit it, but I think I understand why Rose loathes Neil Otis so much.”
“We have no choice but to trust him now. Just like Neil Otis said, he’s the only one who can carry the fire all the way to where Rose’s roses is.”
“I know.”
Despite his words, the crease between Alan’s brows didn’t relax. Richelle glanced at him, concerned.
“Do you still find it hard to trust him?”
“No, I trust you.”
Alan ran a hand through his hair, the sunlight scattering across his golden strands.
“Even if I don’t trust him, I can trust the plan you’ve made.”
He looked away awkwardly, his gaze drifting into the distance. Richelle’s eyes widened, and she let out a soft laugh.
“Thank you.”
“Hmm…”
“And thank you for getting angry on my behalf earlier. Even though I had to stop you, it felt quite satisfying.”
“Hrm…”
Alan’s cheeks turned a faint shade of pink, and Richelle, catching on, moved ahead as if she hadn’t noticed.
“Now, shall we go over the plan again? Tomorrow morning at six, I’ll go directly to Rose.”
“While I head to the Fifth Garden to release Neil Otis.”
“I’ll keep Rose’s attention as long as possible until Neil Otis manages to slip into ‘Rose’s Room.’”
Richelle strolled forward, then turned with a sharp gaze, like a strict teacher, to Alan.
“Just in case, Alan, you mustn’t follow Neil Otis to the fourth floor. Remember the warning? Anyone unpermitted who steps onto the fourth floor is cursed to disappear. Neil Otis can endure it because his body regenerates, but…”
“You think I’m a kid? Don’t worry. I remember perfectly well… disappearing…”
Alan’s eyes drifted to a pair of roses growing close together on the left-hand rose-covered wall.
He stopped walking, his gaze suddenly clouded, as if staring at a misted sky.
“…to disappear…”
Richelle stood beside him silently, waiting for him to conquer the sudden surge of grief that struck him like a disaster.
After a few moments, Alan started moving again.
“…Once Neil Otis has gone, I’ll prepare to escape. We don’t know how the mansion will react once Rose’s influence is gone, so we need to leave as soon as possible. Make sure to have your things packed and give me the bag in advance.”
“Yes, I will.”
As they mentally reviewed their plan step by step, the two walked out of the maze. The cloudy sky stretched above the lush green garden.
A breeze stirred, and the rich scent of roses swelled and washed over them like waves. Immersed in this familiar feeling, Alan gazed quietly at the white mansion.
“It’s really… almost over.”
His voice was woven with complex emotions. From a step behind, Richelle looked at Alan Otis.
She remembered him as he once was, lying on the grass like a discarded doll, gazing up at the mansion.
Back then, he was a boy wrapped in relentless despair, dreaming of death. But now, he was someone who longed for life and dreamed of freedom.
Though it had seemed they were endlessly circling the same path, in truth, much had changed. And undoubtedly, more would change. They would continue moving in a good direction.
She had a feeling that this was true.
* * *
Richelle opened her eyes.
Morning sunlight seeped into her room. She rose, tidied the bed, washed her face, and changed into clothes she had prepared in advance. She styled her hair in its usual half-up, half-down fashion.
With everything prepared, she stood in front of the mirror. The woman staring back had flowing sunset-colored hair and large, sparkling green eyes.
There was no need to force a smile or contort her expression. Richelle offered a gentle, natural smile to her reflection before stepping out of her room.
She walked past a familiar door, one she used to approach without a second thought. There were no children inside anymore, no one to run out to greet her with a joyful smile.
Her steady steps echoed in the corridor. Though alone, no servants stopped her as they once might have.
With nothing hindering her, Richelle came to a halt in front of a certain door. She raised her hand and knocked. The door opened.
“Good morning, Richelle.”
Dark as the deep night, his hair seemed to carry all the shadows in the world.
Red eyes, glowing vividly even in the darkness, looked straight at her.
“Have you made your decision?”
A quiet smile tugged at his lips, accentuating the tear-shaped mole beneath his left eye.
He was as breathtakingly beautiful as he’d been when they first met, a man who could captivate someone in an instant.
But the friendly, mild-mannered tutor with the warm, polite greetings no longer existed here.
Richelle stood at a measured distance from him.
“Hello, Rose.”
It was a distance they would never fully bridge, not even until the very end.
“A little early, but… would you care to join me for tea?”
