The Rose Necklace

As Mell drew closer to the mansion, the rich fragrance of roses grew more prominent. Over time, this distinctive scent had led visitors to refer to the house as "Rose Manor."

It was also probably a play on the flaxen-haired family's last name, "Rhodes," which you heard the owner of the jewelry store say just moments earlier.

The mansion looked quite different than it does now, no? No thickets of ivy covering the walls, and no rotten, broken doors to be found.

I wonder what the Rhodes family would think if they saw the house in its present, tragic condition.

The sight of their abundantly blooming roses—a veritable symbol of prosperity—long since withered and turned into soil.

My apologies. I got a little sentimental there.

Let us forget, for a moment, about our own time.

Mell: I suppose I stayed out a little too long.

Mell: Oh well, the sun still shines high in the sky, I'm sure it's—

(A girl throws herself onto Mell startling him.)

Mell: Mmph!

Nellie: Dearest, dearest Mell! What took you so long?! Where ever have you been?!

Nellie: I've been waiting for-e-ver!

Mell: N-Nellie?! You're not in the house?!

Nellie: Nope! You were taking so long I decided to wait by the gate.

Nellie: But you didn't even notice me! At all!

Nellie: Is that any way to treat a lady?! All that studying's got your head stuck up in the clouds.

Mell: No, it hasn't, really...

Mell: Also...

Mell: you're heavy.

Mell: Could you please get off my back?

(Nellie gets off Mell in shock.)

Nellie: Heavy?!

Nellie: I've been gradually reducing the amount of sweets I eat—and I love sweets!—to maintain my figure for a new dress, and you call me heavy?!

Mell: Er— I didn't catch that. Were you saying a tongue-twister?

Nellie: You're such a dimwit, Mell! Jerk! Blockhead! Weakling!

Mell: (And obnoxious to boot...)

Mell: (What ever happened to the delightful little girl who was once my sister?)

Mell: (...She'd probably throw a fit if I said that out loud.)

Mell: Should you really be outside, Nellie? You are the star of today's event.

Nellie: It's fine. They can call it a birthday party, but I know it's just about fraternizing.

Nellie: It's obvious what Father's true motives are. He'll be gathering a bunch of boys from good families to look for someone to marry me off to.

Nellie: Ugh! I have no interest in that at all!

Mell: Don't be like that, Nellie. They're all here for you.

Mell: At least enjoy what you can of the party.

Nellie: Grr...

Nellie: I guess! And besides, it's not completely terrible!

Nellie: Look at this, dearest Mell! What do you think?

Mell: What do I think...

Mell: about what?

Nellie: About... what?

Nellie: MELL...

Nellie: My new dress! It arrived! I'm wearing it!

Nellie: How could you not notice?!

Mell: I-I did notice it was something I hadn't seen before, but you have so many dresses, Nellie, so...

Nellie: But this is the dress I had made just for today!

Nellie: Look at the colors. They're so pretty! It's the work of a renowned dyer!

Nellie: And this belt is just lovely! You see how it comes together to form a butterfly?

Mell: O-Ooh...

Nellie: Oh, I'm just absolutely in love with it! I think I'll be wearing this dress for a while to come!

Nellie: So, tell me, what do you think? Does it look good on me?

Mell: Yeah, uh... it does.

Mell: It's pretty.

Nellie: Hehehe!

Mell: (In some ways, I guess she is still a delightful little girl.)

Nellie: Oh, dearest Mell, I loooove you!

(She runs up to him and jumps onto him again.)

Mell: Whoa! Don't jump on me like that!

Mell: Ah!

Nellie: Oh my, you dropped something.

Nellie: And whaaaat have we here?

Mell: Wait— Hold on! No! You can't have that yet!

Nellie: Is it a present?!

Mell: G-Give it back! I was going to give that to you later!

Nellie: I knew it! It's for me! And just what could it be?!

Mell: H— Hey, don't open it!

Nellie: What's the big deal? It's going to be mine soon anyway, isn't it?

(Nellie gets off of him and admires her gift.)

Nellie: Ooooh! I love it!

Nellie: A rose necklace! And this design... It's from the jeweler the royal family uses!

Nellie: Oh, my dearest Mell... You had this made just for me!

Mell: Oh, jeez...

Mell: It defeats the purpose if you open it before the party.

Nellie: Happiness is always better sooner rather than later, Mell! I think I'll put it on right away.

(She puts on her necklace.)

Nellie: There. How does it look?

Mell: It looks lovely.

Nellie: Mmmmnh, my prince is still the sweetest in all the land.

Mell: D-Don't make such weird noises.

Nellie: Oh, but why not? A prince always knows exactly what his princess wants.

Nellie: And this princess wanted some rose jewelry to go with her new dress. Understand? Hehehe.

Mell: Jeez, I sure don't have it easy playing your prince, Nellie. It might be about time you found a new one.

Nellie: A prince is a prince because you can't just find one standing on the street corner. If you want to retire, dearest Mell, you're going to have to wait another ten years.

Mell: That's a long time...

Nellie: Or, if you find yourself a new princess!

Mell: I-I'm not so... Hmm...

Nellie: Hehe. You're about as romantic as a rock, dearest Mell. But worry not, your adorable sister will always be your princess. What more could you want?

Mell: Are you really allowed to be the judge of that?

Nellie: I mean more to you than any other girl in the world, do I not? Then that makes me your perfect princess!

Mell: H-Hahaha...

Nellie: Heeeey! What was with that "laugh and it'll all be over soon" laugh?! You're always telling me I mean more than anyone to you.

Mell: Yes, you do. More than anyone in the world, my beloved baby sister.

Nellie: Hehehe.

Nellie: I'll take good care of the necklace! Thank you, my dearest Mell.

Mell: Well... if you're happy with it, then so am I. You're very welcome.

Mell: Now, back into the house with you. Can't have a party without the guest of honor. Do you know if anyone is here yet?

Nellie: Mmm, nope. I imagine they'll be here soon, though.