Welcome to the Rose Mansion - Chapter 95
Richelle tapped her fingers on the table. She carefully compared the contents written on the paper with the note stored in her memory. Her tongue felt rough, as if she had swallowed sand.
‘It’s different.’
It was definitely different. She was missing something. Something very small, that could be easily overlooked.
Where could it be? What exactly was she missing?
“…Ah.”
Got it.
Richelle quickly picked up the pen. Her hand, without hesitation, placed dots over several syllables. Seven in total.
“What are you doing?”
“When I first saw the note, I was focused on the content and didn’t pay much attention, but now that I think back, there were dots over certain syllables. Why would they bother to put dots there?”
Alan and Richelle simultaneously checked the syllables with dots. Richelle wrote them down.
[Notice the even numbers]
Notice the even numbers.
Richelle and Alan’s eyes widened.
“What’s in the even-numbered items?”
Alan’s finger pointed to each even-numbered item one by one.
[2. Despite what the structure might suggest, this mansion has only three floors; a fourth floor does not exist. Should you find stairs leading up from the third floor, consider them merely decorative.
If anyone speaks to you of a fourth floor, respond with, “I must now go to make flowers blossom upon unadorned branches,” and leave the vicinity immediately. All problems will vanish, and the naughty child will be punished.]
[4. Starting at sunset, ensure that all tasks are completed, then return to your bedroom by midnight. The door must be locked. Do not leave your room until the sun rises again.
You might occasionally hear strange sounds outside your door, but under no circumstances should you open it or respond. From midnight until sunrise, it is their time. Remember, you will be fully accountable for any incidents that occur as a result of violating this provision.
Should an unavoidable situation arise that necessitates leaving your room after midnight, seek out light. If possible, return to your room with the light. Forget everything you may see or hear during this time.]
[6. The kitchen is a space solely for the chef. His authority within is absolute, and no one may contravene it. Under no circumstances should you enter the kitchen.]
[8. For our new members, Bertrand provides a map of the mansion. As indicated on the map, there are a total of five gardens within the mansion. You are free to explore them, but do not approach the fifth garden surrounded by a red brick wall.
It is currently under construction. Therefore, do not be alarmed by any noises that might come from inside.]
[10. Pay no heed to the eldest of the Otis family. If he speaks or makes requests of you, ignore him completely. Everything for the eldest is managed by his tutor.]
[12. Please doubt everything you see, even this letter.]
Alan, who had been holding his breath, looked at Richelle skeptically.
“The note definitely had something hidden in it. But are these items really the hint?”
“I’m sure.”
“They don’t seem particularly special. Like the odd-numbered items, they just seem to be for protecting the servants…”
“But look here, Master Otis.”
Richelle pointed to item 12.
“To survive in the mansion, you must follow the Bertrand rules. But to challenge Rogéros in the bet, you need to doubt the rules and do the opposite. For example…”
She then moved her finger to item 10.
“You must break the rule and approach the firstborn of Otis to learn the truth about Bertrand and the bet with Rogéros.”
“So, we need to do the opposite of what the even-numbered items say to get closer to winning?”
“I think so.”
With a changed expression, Alan read the items again and nodded.
“You’re right… Item 4 as well.”
