Welcome to the Rose Mansion - Chapter 37 - Visit

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[To my friend Richelle, who must be having the best time of her life,

My goodness!

I can hardly believe what I’ve seen is true—for Richelle Howard to describe something as ‘truly amazing’…!

Goodness gracious, the lord of the ice castle? If such words have come from you, how handsome must the eldest son of the Otis family be? And what about his tutor?

I immediately asked Robbie about the age of the Otis family’s eldest son after reading your letter. He’s about eighteen, right?

Still not of age, but not bad at all. Quite interesting, considering he’ll soon be of age for his coming-of-age ceremony.

And a handsome tutor… To be the tutor of the Otis family’s eldest son, his family background can’t be too shabby, can it? Could you possibly tell me his name? I’ll verify it for sure.

You’re probably grimacing while reading this, wondering what on earth I’m talking about. But Richelle, considering your standards, a man catching your interest isn’t a common occurrence. So enjoy the present a bit more.

You were never interested in men even when attending a school swarming with girls, so I’m worried you might waste this opportunity.

Speaking of Harriet, I went to Domblinn recently. Even though you weren’t there, it’s also on the way to Lynton, so I thought of visiting Madam Curtis.

But there, I ran into your mother. She looked extremely anxious and immediately asked me about your whereabouts.

Of course, I said I didn’t know. Mrs. Howard got angry and told me not to lie. Still, I firmly denied everything.

She seemed quite upset. Surely she wouldn’t go as far as Sylvester? Domblinn and Sylvester aren’t too close, but not impossibly far either. Who else knows your whereabouts? Does the nanny or maid know?

I hope nothing happens. If it comes to it, should I ask my mother to detain yours? Just say the word.

Wishing my friend perfect happiness after a perfect escape,
Margaret Chester]

***

[To my friend Margaret, who still loves romance,

What are you talking about, Meg? Why would the age of the Otis family’s eldest son interest you? And why do you need to know about the tutor’s family background?

I’m here in Bertrand solely for my job as a tutor. I have no intention of crafting some romantic tale between a tutor and her employer!

I just want to faithfully spend a year doing my job. I’ll focus on why I came to Bertrand without getting distracted by anything else.

It’s my choice, so I have to stay strong.

And, I see that my mother is looking for me… I didn’t expect her to be so proactive…

Only Anna knows I’m in Sylvester. She’s the granddaughter of my nanny, who’s been helping with our family affairs.

Anna would never tell my mother about my whereabouts. If Anna did say something… It must mean something serious has happened.

I appreciate your offer to keep my mother at bay, but I must decline. I can’t impose any more on Mrs. Allison. I know my mother isn’t the best to have as a friend.

It’ll be fine, Meg. Even if my mother knows I’m in Sylvester, she’ll likely send a letter rather than come herself. She really hates going through trouble and inconvenience.

So don’t worry too much and have a great time in Lynton. I’ll write again.

Planning to live more diligently than anyone,
Richelle Howard]

***

In the end, the Otis twins did not catch a cold.

Far from catching a cold, they seemed not even to understand what it meant to be sick. When Richelle asked them about their health, the children simply smiled broadly.

—There are no patients in Bertrand.

Seeing the twins healthy and messing around, Richelle remembered the sentence she had heard several times before.

There are no patients in Bertrand.

Meaning, none in the mansion would suffer from the minor or major ailments that living beings normally experience.

Or perhaps if a patient does appear, they are made to disappear…

“Ah.”

The envelope she was holding got crushed in her closed fist. Richelle sighed and took out a new envelope.

If it wasn’t already clear before, this incident made it certain that something bizarre was going on in the Bertrand mansion.