Welcome to the Rose Mansion - Chapter 39
“Hello, Mr. Rogéros.”
“Yes. Good afternoon.”
Rogéros’s smile, sparkling with joy, was dazzling. The man who had briskly ascended stopped two steps below Richelle, aligning their eye levels perfectly.
His soft, auburn eyes meticulously surveyed Richelle’s face.
“Um… It seems your complexion has improved a lot. How are you feeling? Do you still cough?”
“I’m all better now. Thank you for your concern.”
“Not at all. I’m glad that you’re feeling better. It’s fortunate that Lord Alan gave you the right medicine. I was really heartbroken when I heard you almost collapsed.”
The mention of Alan Otis slightly dimmed Richelle’s smile. Fortunately, Rogéros seemed not to have noticed. He cheerfully continued the conversation.
“Are you off to send a letter?”
“Yes, I need to reply to a friend.”
“I see. I’d like to tell you to go ahead, but…”
He hesitated. The blossom-like joy in his smile tinged with a hint of trouble.
“It seems you need to stop by the drawing room first.”
This was unexpected. Richelle’s eyes widened in surprise.
“The drawing room? Did Madam Otis call for me?”
“No, you have a visitor, Miss Howard.”
“A visitor?”
Richelle’s eyes quivered. The only people who might come to Bertrand to see her were her friend Margaret or Madam Curtis, who had arranged this tutoring job for her. Either way, it would be a surprise but a welcome one. Both cheeks warmed with anticipation.
“From what I’ve heard…”
However, the identity of the guest was not only startling but also unwelcome – the only person who could be.
“It seems to be your mother, Miss Howard.”
Tuk.
The letter Richelle held fell to the floor.
***
Richelle couldn’t recall what expression she had made in front of Rogéros.
What she had said, what responses she received, and how he reacted – all of it was a blur.
She simply ran. She ran with all her might towards the drawing room where her mother was waiting. Numerous sentences tangled in her mind, swirling endlessly.
‘Mother…’
Her mother came.
Why?
How?
She didn’t even pause to catch her breath. By the time she arrived at the drawing room, Richelle was drenched in sweat.
Breathing heavily, she stared blankly at the drawing room door. It was the same red drawing room she was introduced to when she first came to Bertrand. The very place she thought her mother would love at first sight. What an incredible coincidence.
Richelle raised her hand to the doorknob and then stopped. Her fingertips trembled slightly. Observing this, Richelle clenched her fist tightly.
Why did her mother come here?
The Madam Howard she knew would never endure such inconvenience. And she was certainly not someone who could bear the exhaustion of a train journey.
Yet, she came all this way.
‘Could it be… that she was worried about me?’
Maybe she missed her. Like the times when she was young, returning from boarding school to home, and her mother would hug her and cry.
Her heart thumped vigorously. Despite knowing better, she felt a sliver of hope stealthily creeping into her heart. Yes, after all the arguments, disappointments, and anger, she was still her mother’s only daughter, wasn’t she?
Richelle hurriedly straightened her attire. The sweat soaking her body was bothersome, but there was nothing to be done at the moment.
She moistened her dry mouth with saliva and gripped the doorknob tightly. With a creak, dazzling red and gold light poured over her head.
The exotic red drawing room still boasted its overwhelming splendor.
There, in the midst of it all, stood her mother. A slightly younger version of her mother’s face overlapped with her gentle smile. Richelle’s lips also curled up slightly.
Until, that is, her mother revealed her teeth in a bright smile.
“Oh, Richelle. My daughter.”
Madam Howard spread her arms. At the same time, the buoyant mood Richelle had been feeling plummeted to the ground.
Richelle knew the meaning behind that exaggerated laugh all too well.
Of course, how could she not? Whenever her mother wanted something from her daughter, she always smiled like that.
