Welcome to the Rose Mansion - Chapter 47
She tiptoed quietly down the corridor.
Richelle’s face was filled with tension. Her pale hands incessantly fiddled with the package in her embrace.
‘I wish… I had something more suitable for a gift.’
But what extravagant item could possibly be found in a poor tutor’s luggage? Moreover, it was not possible to leave the mansion just to purchase a gift.
Swallowing hard, Richelle stopped in front of her destination: none other than Alan Otis’s private study.
It was a place she thought she’d never visit while working at the mansion. The tension rose like a tidal wave, making the back of her neck ache.
Yet, it was unavoidable. Today, there was something she had to do here.
After being encouraged by Rogéros’s consolations yesterday to move forward, two people came to mind: her mother and Alan Otis.
With her mother, she currently lacked the courage to initiate a conversation. That was okay. There would be more time to spend with her mother later.
But Alan Otis was different. After a year, she would no longer have any chance to meet him. Therefore, she needed to express her gratitude and apologies to him as soon as possible.
Before her resolve and courage to move forward faded. Before the vivid memories and guilt of that day became blurry.
Richelle looked up at the double doors of dark brown. From what she had observed over the past month, Alan Otis spent almost all day cooped up in his private study. He was likely inside even now.
Taking a deep breath, she raised her hand to knock. At that moment:
“Oh my!”
Before she could brace herself, the study door swung open. Richelle quickly sidestepped. A sharp scent of disinfectant wafted through the air as a pale, delicate face still bearing traces of youth appeared in the gap.
“…What.”
Alan’s eyes, which had widened in surprise, narrowed again. Richelle awkwardly smiled and quickly assessed his overall state.
Today, Alan Otis wore a stand-collar shirt that covered his neck, over which he draped a dark sweater with hints of gray, complementing his blue eyes beautifully.
‘How is he feeling…?’
Well, it was hard to say. His face was scowling just as ever.
However, his complexion was paler than usual, and dark circles under his eyes suggested he hadn’t slept properly for days.
She felt a surge of concern for his health but knew she must restrain herself. Any further unsolicited involvement might lead him to never see her again.
With composed heart, Richelle straightened her back and cautiously approached him.
“Hello, Lord Otis. May I have a moment? I have something to tell you.”
“Do you need more medicine? There’s plenty in that room, so help yourself.”
He gestured towards a small door next to the study with an annoyed wave, referring to the room he had taken a feverish Richelle to before.
Richelle shook her head.
“I’m not here for that. I came to apologize.”
“…Apologize?”
“I misspoke last time. I was carried away by my own feelings and made presumptuous remarks. I’m sorry.”
She bowed deeply, her sincerity evident. Richelle felt Alan’s gaze from above and continued calmly.
“I know an apology can’t fully make up for the hurt and discomfort I caused you…”
“You came here just to say that?”
“Pardon?”
His voice was stiff. Did she say something wrong again?
Richelle quickly looked up, meeting his eyes directly.
His breathtakingly beautiful sky-blue eyes reflected her image in full.
“Ah.”
His eyes fluttered like the sky about to pour down rain. Before she could ponder the reason, Alan averted his gaze.
“…Apology accepted. I wasn’t really bothered by it. If you’re done, you can leave.”
He attempted to close the door. Richelle hastily wedged her foot in the gap.
The door stopped just short of trapping her foot. Alan jumped back as if he had seen a snake and yelled.
“Are you crazy? Are you trying to get your foot snapped off?”
“I have something to give you.”
Worried the door might close again, Richelle quickly unpacked her bundle.
The first items she presented were two glass bottles – the cold medicine Alan had given her.
