Welcome to the Rose Mansion - Chapter 98
His words infused confidence into her plan and courage. However, she couldn’t bring herself to feel joy.
After being lost in thought for a moment, Richelle quietly spoke.
“It will be fine. I’m sure.”
“Yeah.”
Trying to shift the mood, Alan cleared his throat loudly. He pointed to the map.
“As you know, the kitchen is on the first basement floor. There’s only one entrance here. In front of the entrance is the long dining hall for the servants.”
“And the kitchen is next to it.”
“I only know the general location. As I said, I’ve never been there myself.”
Alan tapped on the kitchen and folded his arms.
“The chef doesn’t really listen to Rogéros’s orders, but he does hesitate in my presence. So, if I draw his attention, you can sneak into the kitchen and see if there’s anything unusual.”
“Are you sure? Perhaps I should be the decoy.”
“I have a better chance of surviving as the decoy.”
But…
Richelle glanced at Alan’s pale skin, as if it had never seen sunlight. Alan noticed her concern and snapped.
“Do you think I’m some paper doll? I’ll hold out just fine until you get back, so leave it to me!”
“…I’ll move as quickly as I can.”
Alan’s breath was uneven, and his irritation was clear. Richelle turned her head away slightly.
“It’s best not to waste time. Let’s move at dawn tomorrow.”
“…Good idea.”
“What about when we return from the kitchen? Won’t the chef chase us?”
“I plan to ruin all the breakfast preparations. That will keep him busy enough not to chase us. His obsession with meals is beyond imagination.”
With that, the plan was roughly decided. Alan picked up the lamp Richelle had brought and handed it to her.
“Let’s meet here by 1 AM tomorrow.”
***
When Richelle indicated she was ready to leave after their conversation, Alan stopped her.
“It’s the most active time for ‘them’ right now. Just stay here until six o’clock.”
Richelle agreed and settled on a sofa in the corner of the study. Alan also squeezed himself onto the sofa opposite, as if trying to catch a nap.
Although silence fell, it wasn’t awkward. Perhaps it was because they had laid bare their inner thoughts to each other?
After a while, they naturally woke up from their brief sleep. It was exactly six o’clock in the morning.
Richelle got up and noticed Alan blinking sleepily.
“Young Master Otis, I’ll be going now.”
“I’ll come with you… I need to return to my room too.”
His voice was deep and drowsy. The sunlight fell strand by strand on Alan’s ash-blond hair. His blue eyes, gradually shedding sleepiness, were clear like a sky after rain.
Richelle suddenly realized that Alan Otis was as beautiful as Rogéros.
If Rogéros’s beauty was like a fully bloomed flower exuding a rich fragrance, Alan was like an ice sculpture carved for a thousand nights and days.
Alan’s story about Rogéros and the Otis family came to her mind. Neil Otis, who wanted wealth, and Rogéros, who approached the household head with a contract offer.
There are plenty of people in this world who covet wealth and honor. Why did Rogéros choose Neil Otis out of all of them?
Unless she asked Rogéros directly, it was a question she could never get answered. Swallowing her curiosity, Richelle left the study.
“Oh, both of you are up early.”
At the same time, a familiar voice was heard.
“Damn it.”
Before Richelle could identify the voice’s owner, Alan stepped forward, shielding her.
Over Alan’s shoulder, she saw a handsome man with red eyes.
“What’s wrong, Alan?”
Rogéros smiled gently. For a moment, the perceived red glow in his eyes seemed like an illusion—his eyes had returned to a kind brown.
He spoke kindly.
“Do you think I’m going to harm Richelle?”
“…Move aside.”
“Ah, of course.”
Surprisingly, Rogéros stepped aside without question. He didn’t ask why the two were together or what they had been discussing.
He simply said,
“I’m glad to see you two getting along. I hope you continue to have fun together.”
Then, without hesitation, he turned and went into his room. Richelle and Alan looked at each other, unable to hide their confusion.
If it were Rogéros, he would have sensed that their being together meant they were planning to fight against him.
Yet why was he leaving them alone?
