Welcome to the Rose Mansion - Chapter 59
Resolution
[To my friend Richelle, who seems to have changed somehow,
You seem relieved, Richelle. If you are happy, then so am I. If you have made a decision, I respect and support it.
I have already denied the rumors of a supposed engagement between you and the Otis family’s son. But…
Don’t be too definitive, would you?!
Who knows what the future holds, right? My friend Richelle is incredibly smart, beautiful, and impressive!
And I’ve looked into what you asked about. My Robbie is well connected, as you know. He even visited Bertrand in person before. He had even exchanged greetings with Earl Otis back then.
Robbie remembers them as a very harmonious family. Apparently, Mrs. Otis was a very famous prima donna before their marriage. Mr. Otis fell in love with the beautiful prima donna at first sight.
Despite being a popular prima donna, she was of common birth, so everyone shook their heads at the improbable marriage. But Mr. Otis pushed through stubbornly to the end, even though the prima donna herself kept refusing.
Well, eventually the two of them did marry. The prima donna came to truly love Mr. Otis as well. Robbie even attended their wedding when he was a child. House Otis and House Chester had been doing business together for a long time.
Anyway, after many ups and downs, the couple seemed very happy. They threw many parties and cherished their children greatly.
But six years ago, they suddenly cut off all social activities. I thought it had been over ten years, but it turns out it wasn’t that long.
Anyway, Bertrand firmly locked its doors, and even the ongoing correspondence suddenly stopped at some point. It’s as if they had completely disappeared.
Mr. Otis continued his social activities for about a year after the mansion was closed, but then one day he just vanished. He left all land management and business issues to his aides. He doesn’t even respond to the royal summons.
So everyone in high society speculated that he must be languishing in the mansion… But you’re saying he isn’t there?
It’s really strange. According to Robbie, there have been no sightings of him abroad either.
That’s all I’ve found out for now. The deeper I dig, the more fascinating the family becomes.
If you need more information, just say the word, Richelle. I’ll scrape together all my connections to find out! The capital’s high society has been dull without you, but now it’s gotten interesting. Maybe I was meant to be a detective?
Sincerely, a woman who might’ve become one if she hadn’t married Robbie,
Margaret Chester.
P.S. Oops, I almost forgot. I’ve included some of the marmalade I made myself. It’s Margaret Chester’s special recipe marmalade! You know it’s your favorite. Share it with the handsome Young Master Otis or the tutor. Love might bloom… Fufufu.]
***
[To my marmalade angel, my friend Meg,
Oh, Meg. Your marmalade always looks so radiant. It’s like you’ve captured the purest sunlight.
Spreading your marmalade generously on well-toasted bread is one of my greatest pleasures. Thank you so much.
But, you know what, Meg…
As odd as it might sound, Bertrand prohibits the entry of outside food. Meaning, I can’t eat your lovely marmalade. Goodness.
I should have told you earlier, I’m sorry. But I’ll somehow manage to sneakily eat the marmalade you’ve already sent.
And thank you for looking into House Otis for me. To think they vanished from society six years ago…
As you said, it hasn’t been that long, and the Otis couple’s marriage was very happy.
So, Meg, could you perhaps look into people who used to work at Bertrand? Specifically, those who have finished their contracts with Bertrand and are now working for other families?
I’m sorry for the odd requests. I’ll explain the reasons later, once I’m sure about what I suspect.
Ever indebted,
Richelle Howard.
P.S. I calmly read your letter again. Oh, Meg! There’s no chance of me finding a lover here. What kind of novels have you been reading lately?]
***
It was an afternoon shrouded in a false peace at the mansion.
Richelle was hiding behind a pillar, observing the corridor. From a distance, head maid Josephine was walking towards her.
“Hmm.”
Good. When Josephine reaches the statue, then I’ll go out.
She counted the seconds in her mind.
10, 9, 8…
Finally, Josephine approached right up to the statue.
2, 1…
Now!
Richelle casually stepped out into the corridor as if just passing by.
“Hello, Josephine. Good afternoon.”
“Oh, Miss Howard. Good afternoon to you.”
Josephine lifted the corners of her mouth in a smile that was, quite literally, mask-like, without deviating even slightly from usual.
Richelle hurriedly spoke up as Josephine was about to pass by.
“The spring weather is fully upon us, isn’t it? The sunlight is lovely.”
“Yes.”
The head maid was still smiling, but she seemed a bit annoyed. Richelle clasped her hands behind her back and rubbed them anxiously.
“By the way, I noticed that the maid responsible for cleaning my room has changed recently.”
Did Richelle mistake it, perhaps? Josephine’s pupils seemed to widen a bit. Richelle feigned ignorance and smiled a foolish smile. She tightly gripped her nervously rubbing hands.
“I really liked the girl who used to clean before… Not that the current maid is lacking, but if it’s possible, could we switch back to the previous girl?”
