welcome to the Rose mansion 🥀🌹

The atmosphere of that small room located in the foggy and narrow alleys of the city was always immersed in sadness and tension. Outside, it was lightly raining, its drops falling on the rusty windowpanes like the noise of the flow of time. Richelle Howard was sitting in front of her desk, looking at the papers on which the figures of debt were written in red ink. ​Life had brought Richelle Howard to such a turning point where no other way forward remained. Her mother's illness and countless debts had made their living impossible. The pressure of moneylenders and the household conditions had broken Richelle Howard from within. Every new day came like a new storm, and she had no choice but to compromise for the sake of her mother's life and survival. ​Richelle Howard's gaze was fixed on the letter placed on the table, which had come from the renowned and influential Otis family. This letter offered a specific responsibility, the compensation for which was so high that it would be enough to pay off all their debts at once. But with this offer, a strange burden and apprehension were attached. ​Various terrifying things were famous about that mysterious mansion of the Otis family, which people called "Rose Mansion" or the mansion of roses. It was said that whoever went inside this mansion became cut off from the ordinary world. Its rules were said to be different and mysterious from the principles of the ordinary world. ​Richelle Howard took a deep breath, picked up the pen with her trembling hands, and signed the appointment letter. She suppressed every noise of fear rising inside her heart because at that moment her priority was solely and only her mother's life and salvation from the debts. ​The very next morning, Richelle Howard packed her small luggage and set off toward the dwelling of the Otis family. As soon as her carriage stopped in front of the large iron gate of that grandiose yet desolate and deserted mansion, a heavy and intoxicating fragrance of rose flowers spread in the atmosphere—a fragrance so sharp that it felt less like a scent and more like an apprehension. ​All around the mansion were dense bushes of red roses that were preventing even sunlight from descending inside. Those long paths filled with thorns and the shadows falling on the windows of the mansion were signaling some unseen horror. ​Richelle Howard held her luggage tightly, stepped towards the heavy door, and took the first step to enter this mysterious world, without knowing that this beautiful building was going to prove to be the biggest test of her life and a mysterious trap. The heavy iron gate opened slowly, and its creak seemed to predict something untoward in that desolate atmosphere. When Richelle Howard stepped inside, she felt that she was not merely entering a house, but some prison of time where the laws of the outside world ceased to exist. ​Ahead was a long and dark corridor with old and large portraits hanging on both sides. The cold and expressionless eyes of the ancestors of the Otis family present in those portraits were looking as if they were reading every fear in Richelle's heart. Old chandeliers on the walls were spreading dim light, which made the environment feel strangely mysterious and suffocating. ​Suddenly, footsteps were heard from the other side of the corridor. Richelle looked in that direction in a start. A middle-aged servant was standing there, whose attire consisted of a black coat and trousers worn with extreme finesse. There was no expression on his face, entirely like a stone statue. ​"You are Richelle Howard, aren't you?" The voice of that person echoed in the corridor, which was so cold that a shiver ran down Richelle's spine. ​Richelle nodded, steadying herself, "Yes... I signed the letter for appointment here in the capacity of a tutor and nanny." ​That person bowed slightly, as if paying formal respect. "My name is James, and I am the head butler of this mansion. Come with me. Mr. Otis is waiting for you." ​Walking behind James, Richelle's gaze was wandering around the corridor. A light layer of dust had settled on everything there, but still, a regal majesty existed in it. Large bouquets of red roses were placed here and there, from which rose the same heavy and intoxicating fragrance that was spread in the air outside. ​After walking for a few minutes, James stopped in front of a very large and luxurious room. The door had golden carvings on it. James knocked lightly on the door and, upon receiving permission from inside, opened the door. ​"Please step inside," James said and stood in the corridor himself. ​Richelle took a deep breath to control her senses and entered that spacious room. The atmosphere of the room was even more mysterious and oppressive than the outer corridor. Rare books were arranged in large cabinets placed along the walls, and the dim light emerging from a burning fireplace in a corner was making shadows dance across the room. ​Right in the middle of the room stood a large black wooden desk, and the chair placed behind it was turned backward at that moment, due to which the face of the person sitting was not visible. Only a white and delicate-fingered entity placed on the armrest of the chair was visible. ​A cold silence prevailed in the atmosphere, and breaking that silence, a heavy, dignified, and mysterious voice echoed: "So you are that new nanny, who has come inside these walls to be imprisoned of her own free will..." ​No matter how heavy that voice was, it possessed such a terrifying calm that it stopped Richelle's steps right there. That chair which had been turned backward for so long began to turn slowly. As the chair turned, Richelle's heart began to beat fast. An unknown fear and curiosity were both surging inside her. ​When the chair turned completely, seeing the figure sitting in front of her, Richelle's breath stopped for a moment. ​He was Vincent Otis—the scion of the Otis family and the true owner of this mysterious mansion. He was extremely handsome to look at, but there was no warmth in his beauty; rather, he appeared cold and merciless like an ice sculpture. His hair was black and as deep as the night, and his eyes... those eyes were sharp and deep like a bird of prey, in which a strange, dangerous contemplation was hidden. He was wearing an expensive black suit, and his collar was perfectly straight, which further highlighted his regal and arrogant demeanor. ​Vincent fixed his cold and expressionless gaze on Richelle's face. He sat completely silent for a while, as if he were looking right through Richelle's existence and gauging every fear hidden in her heart. ​"Your file states that you are very mature and battered by circumstances," Vincent's voice was soft yet echoing in the atmosphere, "but do you know what one of the most important rules of this mansion is?" ​Richelle pressed her drying lips, steadied herself, and said in a firm tone, "I was not told much about the rules at the time of appointment, Mr. Otis. I only know what responsibility I have to fulfill here." ​A slight, sarcastic, and dangerous smile appeared on Vincent's lips, which vanished in an instant. He stood up from his place. His height was tall and his personality impactful as he slowly began to walk closer to Richelle. The sound of his shoes was echoing in that silent room with every step. ​"The responsibility here is not like ordinary homes, Ms. Howard," Vincent stopped right close to Richelle, so close that Richelle felt a cold and alluring fragrance emanating from him, which was getting lost somewhere in the scent of roses, "Every wall here has a secret, and behind every shadow lies a truth. If you want to survive here and get the money you are so desperately searching for, you must always remember one thing..." ​Vincent leaned down, fixed his cold gaze into Richelle's eyes, and said in a soft whisper: "Whatever you see in this mansion, turn a blind eye to it... otherwise, these roses will swallow you alive." ​These words coming out of Vincent's mouth seemed to drop the room's temperature even further. There was no joke in his tone, but rather a definitive warning sufficient to make even the soul shudder. Richelle hid her nervousness in the depths of her heart, clenched her fists tightly, and looking straight into Vincent's eyes, said: ​"I have come here of my own free will and with full preparation, Mr. Otis. I know what the risks are, but my goals are much greater than those risks." ​For a moment, a shadow of surprise flickered across Vincent's face, which immediately turned into a cold and meaningful smile. He shook his head slightly, as if gauging Richelle's bold reply. ​"Very well, Ms. Howard. It remains to be seen how long this bravery of yours can withstand the magic of these walls," Vincent turned back towards his desk and rang a bell. ​Along with the sound of the bell, the door opened once again and the same head butler, James, quietly entered inside. ​"James, escort Ms. Howard to her room and make her aware of the rules here. Before morning, she is not authorized to go to any part of this mansion except her room," Vincent issued an order. ​"Very well, Mr. Otis," James bowed his head in a formal respectful manner. ​Richelle cast a final glance at Vincent, who was now sitting on his chair again, and walked out of the room with James. The darkness of the corridor felt even deeper now because the night was at its peak. James was walking ahead and the sound of his shoes was echoing in that wasteland. ​After crossing a few long corridors, James stopped in front of a room built in a relatively quiet yet isolated section. He opened the door and lit a dim lantern of light inside. The room was clean, but an old-world sadness was steeped in it. There was a large window that opened towards the red rose garden outside. ​"This is your room, Ms. Howard. Do not make the mistake of opening this door until the morning sun rises," James instructed strictly and departed from there without any delay. ​With the heavy sound of the door closing, Richelle was left completely alone in that room. She placed her small bag aside, went near the window, and peeked outside. The scene outside looked like a nightmare—in the moonlight, the red roses were shining as if they were drops of blood, and with the gusts of wind, their rustling felt as if some strange magic was cast over the entire mansion. ​Richelle sat on the bed and took a deep breath. This was only the first day, and she knew what unseen realities she was going to encounter in this long and mysterious journey. The ticking sound of the clock in the room was echoing like a hammer in that deep silence. Richelle was lying on the bed, but sleep was miles away from her eyes. When the light gusts of wind coming from outside shook the rusty curtains of the window, the shadows falling on the walls felt as if some unknown creature was dancing in the room. ​Suddenly, the heavy and slow footsteps of someone were heard from the corridor. Those footsteps were not like ordinary humans, but they had a strange balance and coldness that went straight into the soul. Richelle immediately got up, sat on the edge of the bed, and put her ears towards the door. ​Those footsteps passed in front of her room, and then stopped right outside her door. Richelle's heart wished to even stop breathing so that the person outside wouldn't feel the slightest presence of her. Complete silence prevailed there for a few moments, and then those footsteps moved forward and lost somewhere in the darkness. ​This mysterious incident had shaken Richelle's nerves. She had come to know very well that no matter how luxurious and magnificent this mansion looked from the outside, from the inside it was equally dangerous and harbored deep secrets. She consoled herself that she had not come here to panic, but to save her mother's life and become free from the burden of this debt. In this mental turmoil, when she fell asleep, Richelle herself didn't even know. ​When her eyes opened, the dim light of morning was falling on the window glass outside. The drops of dew were still shining on the red rose garden as if they were diamonds. There was a soft but measured knock three times on the door, immediately followed by James's voice. ​"Ms. Howard, are you awake? Morning time has arrived, and Mr. Otis has summoned you to the breakfast table." ​Richelle got up from the bed, straightened herself, arranged her clothes, and opened the door. James was standing outside like a stone statue as usual. There was no expression on his face, except for a cold sternness. ​"I am ready, James," Richelle said in a firm tone. ​"Please come with me," James said and walked forward. Richelle once again suppressed the fear rising in her heart and stepped forward behind James to face the next test of this world. ​Walking behind James, Richelle entered a spacious and grand dining hall. Right in the middle of the hall was a long wooden table, on which beautiful silver utensils and breakfast items were neatly arranged, but a cold silence still persisted in the atmosphere. ​Vincent Otis was already seated at one end of the table. He was wearing a magnificent gray coat, and he held a newspaper in his hand. When he heard the sound of Richelle's footsteps, he moved the newspaper away with a slow gaze and looked towards Richelle. In his eyes was a deep curiosity and cold sparkle that gave a feeling of fear even in the morning light. ​"Sit down, Ms. Howard," Vincent's voice echoed in a heavy and arrogant manner, "I hope your first night in this mansion passed peacefully." ​Richelle quietly sat on the other chair of the table and said, "The night was good, Mr. Otis. Thank you." ​A slight sarcastic smile appeared on Vincent's lips. Lifting his tea cup, he said, "This mansion grants peaceful nights only to those people who understand the rules and regulations here. Remember, your real responsibility begins from today." ​At that very moment, the second door of the dining hall opened, and a little girl entered. She was around eight or nine years old, her hair was long and silky black, and her face was innocent like a doll's, but a strange emptiness and sadness hovered in her large eyes. She was Sarah—Vincent Otis's niece, whose care and education responsibility was now on Richelle's shoulders. ​Sarah quietly came and looked at her uncle Vincent, then her gaze rested on the new stranger sitting at the table, namely Richelle. She didn't say anything, just cast a cold and expressionless look and sat on her designated chair. ​Vincent looked towards Sarah, and instead of harshness, a unique softness seemed to reflect in his tone, which was only for that child: "Sarah, this is Ms. Howard who will now be your tutor and guardian. Respect her." ​Sarah just bowed her head slightly without any reply, but a question and a deep secret were still hidden in her eyes which Richelle couldn't read yet. ​Richelle looked at Sarah and understood that the true secrets of this mansion were hidden somewhere around this child. After breakfast, a heavy silence prevailed in the atmosphere. Vincent had left for his work, and now only Richelle and little Sarah were left alone in the dining hall. Without finishing her breakfast, Sarah left her chair and began moving towards the door. ​Richelle immediately steadied herself and, following her, said, "Sarah! Would you like to go to the study room? Your uncle has assigned me the responsibility of your education and care." ​Reaching near the door, Sarah stopped her steps, but did not turn back towards Richelle. Her voice was so soft and cold that it touched Richelle's heart: "Nothing lasts very long here, Ms. Howard... not even books." ​Before Richelle could ask the meaning of that mysterious sentence, Sarah walked briskly and disappeared into the long corridor. Richelle took a deep breath. She knew that winning this child's heart and bringing out the fear hidden inside her was the real key to opening the doors of this mansion. ​James, who was silently standing a short distance away watching all this, stepped forward and said, "Ms. Howard, the library and study room of this mansion are located in the northern wing. I will show you the way there." ​Richelle nodded in affirmation and walked behind James. When they entered that library, Richelle was stunned to see its vastness and the shelves of rare books. But a thick layer of dust had settled on all those books, which indicated that no one had set foot here for a long time. ​But Sarah, standing near that large table, was quietly flipping through the pages of an old book. Richelle went close to her and asked softly, "Shall we start today's first lesson from here?" As Richelle went close to Sarah and placed her hand on the table, Sarah immediately closed the pages of the book, as if she were hiding something that no one should see. For a moment, both fear and alertness were visible simultaneously in her eyes. ​"This book... what were you reading, Sarah?" Richelle asked in an extremely soft and calm tone so that the child could feel that she had not come here to harm her, but to understand her. ​Sarah fixed her large eyes on Richelle's face and said in a soft whisper, "This is the book that father left... before this mansion was built. In every book here, there is a story that remained incomplete, just like us." ​A pang arose in Richelle's heart. She realized how deep loneliness and pain were hidden in Sarah's heart. Pouring even more affection into her tone, she said, "Then why don't we complete this incomplete story? You don't need to be afraid, Sarah, I am right here with you." ​Sarah looked closely at Richelle for a while, as if gauging how long this strange woman could face this storm. At that very moment, a cold gust of wind blew at the wide and old door of the library, and the door opened a little more by itself. ​In the long corridor outside, darkness was now increasing, even though it was daytime. James, who had been standing outside the door until now, stepped forward and said, "Ms. Howard, the morning study time is over. Mr. Otis has summoned you to his private study room." ​Richelle's heart sank once again. She looked towards Sarah, who had lowered her head and was no longer paying attention to any book. ​"Alright, I am coming," Richelle said, and once again hiding all the fear inside her, stepped forward to obey Vincent Otis's order. ​Walking behind James, Richelle reached that part of the Otis mansion where the atmosphere was even colder and more serious than the rest of the parts. Here, the glass of the windows on the walls was so black and foggy that outside light was not willing to enter inside at all. ​James stopped in front of a heavy wooden door, knocked, and opened the door. Inside, Vincent Otis was sitting alone at his desk, holding an old royal document in his hand which he was viewing while deep in thought. When the sound of the door opening occurred, he lifted his cold and sharp gaze and cast it straight onto Richelle. ​"You have arrived, Ms. Howard," Vincent's voice echoed in that closed room, "I hope the first day with Sarah was according to your expectations." ​Richelle firmly planted her feet on the ground and said in a calm tone, "Sarah is an intelligent child, Mr. Otis, but she is very lonely. She needs time and trust." ​A bitter and deep smile appeared on Vincent's face. He stood up from his chair and slowly began to walk closer to Richelle. His tall stature and silent demeanor were making the room's atmosphere even more oppressive. ​"Trust? Ms. Howard, trusting in this mansion is the biggest crime," Vincent stopped right close to Richelle, with a warning in his eyes, "You are here in the capacity of a tutor, so stay within your bounds. There is no need to get involved in the old spoken or unspoken matters here." ​Richelle looked straight into Vincent's eyes without any fear and said, "If I were afraid of the dark, I would never have stepped inside this door. Whatever I have decided, I will fulfill it—whether it is the rules of this mansion or this cold attitude of yours." ​For a moment, a sparkle of surprise emerged in Vincent's eyes at this bold reply, which immediately turned into a dangerous and deep curiosity. Vincent's facial expressions changed for a moment, as if he had not expected this bold style from Richelle at all. He removed his gaze from Richelle's face and directed it toward the window of the room where the storm rising outside was now intensifying. ​"How far this audacity of yours takes you, Ms. Howard, only time will tell," Vincent said in a cold and soft voice, "But remember that every wall of this mansion is hiding a storm within itself. If you cross your limits, you yourself will be responsible for the consequences." ​Maintaining firmness in her tone, Richelle replied, "I know my responsibilities very well, Mr. Otis. My goal is only the care and education of Sarah; I have nothing to do with other things." ​Vincent nodded slightly as a sign, which clearly meant that the conversation was over now. James, who was quietly standing outside near the door, immediately stepped forward and gestured to Richelle. ​Richelle took the way back from there without any delay. When she came back to the corridor, the shadows of the evening had deepened and a strange dance of fear was ongoing in the dim lights of the mansion. She had now fully understood that no matter how harsh and merciless Vincent Otis looked from the outside, a very huge secret was buried inside him that was connected to this entire mansion. ​When she passed by Sarah's room, she saw that the door was slightly ajar and soft sobs of Sarah could be heard from inside. Richelle's steps stopped right there. She gave a gentle push to the door and peeked inside, where Sarah was sitting on her bed, crying with her head buried in her knees.