Chapter 23: Did the dream come true?

“Would gentlemen use bath bombs?”

Rosa was puzzled.

There were many men in her past life who liked bath additives, but she had never heard of bath bombs.

Perhaps, Rosa thought, there might have secretly been enthusiasts in her past life that she didn’t know about.

That fizzy sensation could become addictive. With skincare benefits and the added touch of a preferred fragrance, it would be perfect.

Her father leaned forward eagerly and said, “What do you think, Rosa? Can you prepare it?”

But for some reason, as soon as she heard the word “gentlemen,” Rosa’s enthusiasm plummeted.

“If it’s about thirty, I can prepare them,” Rosa said nonchalantly.

Her father looked surprised.

“What? Last time, didn’t we have over seventy participants in the end? Didn’t we prepare about three types per person?”

Rosa sighed upon hearing her father’s words.

“First of all, I haven’t developed anything for men. Besides, for women, I was giving them out, emphasizing fragrances and skincare benefits. But what about men? Skincare benefits would be appreciated, but as for fragrances, I used sweet floral scents and warm colors for coloring. I even made rose-shaped bath bombs, and it was fun to do various things.”

Even in this world, where men are more fashionable than in her past life, their attire is clearly different from women’s, and the fragrances they wear are also different.

“Well, that’s fine. Many gentlemen say they want to try it because it’s popular with ladies,” her father said.

Rosa became even more perplexed at her father’s words.

(Is that so?)

But if she could score points here, it might be a shortcut for Rosa to own a shop.

Rosa changed her mindset.

“Father, if I were to make bath bombs, how long would the preparation take? I want to avoid pulling an all-nighter like last time.”

“Well, how about the event in about three weeks?”

“That’s quite a generous timeframe. And, dear brother, I don’t really understand scents that men prefer, so could you gather samples, please?”

Philbert, who had been listening with a smile without interjecting, was suddenly surprised when the conversation was directed at him.

“Huh? Me?”

“Yes. You’re popular, aren’t you, dear brother? And your friends, too. I would like samples of scents from such people.”

Although not entirely motivated, Rosa didn’t want to do something half-hearted, so she requested her brother’s help.

Her elder brother and his friends held influence among the young nobility, occupying a position akin to influencers in her past lives.

And there was something Rosa wanted to clarify.

“So, Father. I haven’t submitted a business plan yet, but is it correct to say that you are assigning me this work?”

Her father looked surprised.

“Wait a moment, Rosa. Why is this coming up all of a sudden?”

“Isn’t this about business?” Rosa pressed.

“I just thought it would be nice for the guests who came to have the daughter of the Croitzer family hand out bath bombs… Okay, I understand. Let’s rely on you for business. And if the reviews are good, we can think about it.”

With this, Rosa felt a bit more motivated.

“So, what is the age range of the gentlemen attending?”

“Huh?”

“What?”

Her father’s and brother’s voices overlapped. Both of them looked at Rosa with puzzled expressions.

(Something feels unnatural about Father and Brother’s attitudes from earlier, but what could it be?) Rosa wondered. She had only asked to gather some samples.

Depending on the situation, she might need her father’s cooperation. Nevertheless, an odd silence fell over the room.

“No, they are all promising young aristocrats for the future,” her father said in an unusual tone.

Upon hearing this, Rosa tilted her head in confusion.

“Is that… including my brother’s friends?”

“No, Rosa. I’ve always wanted to nurture young people,” her father said.

This was news to Rosa. She had always thought her father wanted to nurture the family’s wealth.

“I see; I understand. I’ll make some prototypes, so both Father and Brother, please try them out. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

Rosa left the room, noting the unusually slow reactions of her father and brother.

In the corridor, a bit away from the study, Helena approached Rosa and spoke in a hushed tone.

“Miss, this is… that thing.”

Rosa didn’t understand what Helena was trying to say.

“What thing?”

Helena sent a meaningful gaze.

“Probably, those promising young aristocrats are potential fiancés for the young lady. It’s just my speculation…”

“What? Really?”

Rosa exclaimed in surprise.

“Well, isn’t it strange? Gathering only promising young aristocrats for what purpose?”

Now that it was pointed out… Helena’s explanation made sense of her father and brother’s attitudes.

“That’s true, isn’t it? I’ve never heard Father say he wants to nurture young talent. He always boasts, ‘The business world is a cutthroat world,’ so it’s strange! You’re right.”

As soon as she said that, Rosa turned on her heel.

“Miss? Where are you going?”

Surprised, Helena called out and followed.

“I don’t want to get engaged. For now, I want to have my own shop. I want to convert profits into foreign currency and have assets abroad. Gentlemen are secondary.”

Although she got carried away with making bath bombs, she hadn’t forgotten that she was the antagonist leaving the stage in the first act.

(No, to be honest, I’ve been having fun and fulfilling times lately, and I forgot about that… And because it’s Father, he might even call Lord Alex.)

Helena, unaware of Rosa’s circumstances, rolled her eyes.

“Huh? I don’t understand at all. Why would the young lady consider such a thing?”

“I understand. Helena, it’s strange, right? But don’t worry. I’m sharper than ever. I’ll talk to Father and decline this time.”

“Huh? You’re declining?”

Helena looked a bit disappointed.

“Oh, are you disappointed?”

“No, well, um, the bath bomb-making the other day was fun.”

Saying that, she blushed a little. Helena, who used to be expressionless at first, now occasionally showed a cute side.

“You said it too, didn’t you? ‘The young lady doesn’t compromise.'”

“Huh?”

“In three weeks, Miss Brother will gather fragrance samples for Miss. Doesn’t it seem like a bit of a rush job?”

“Indeed, the young lady’s enthusiasm is completely different from when she was a lady.”

While talking to Helena, Rosa organized her thoughts.

“Exactly. Owning my own shop is still my dream. I want to take it slow. I don’t want to distribute something half-baked and tarnish my reputation.”

“I understand.”

When Helena agreed, Rosa stood in front of the study again.

She knocked hurriedly about four times. As soon as she heard a response, Rosa swung the door open widely.

“Father! And dear brother! Your intentions are transparent! I refuse any matchmaking!”

While saying this, as Rosa stepped into the study, the two, who were leisurely drinking tea, simultaneously choked and began to stammer.

(Just as Helena speculated. Truly, Helena is a capable woman.)

Rosa felt a little sorry while watching her father and brother hastily start making excuses.

For them, they were just worried about Rosa’s future.

However, for Rosa, it was about her planned poisoning and the impending decline of the Croitzer family.

So Rosa decided to offer them some beneficial advice.

“Oh, by the way, Father, how about creating assets abroad? Not in neighboring countries, but in a distant place beyond the reach of the government.”

“Huh?”

Her father was taken aback by Rosa’s random topic.

“What are you talking about?”

Her brother was totally repulsed.

(As expected, huh? If I start talking about my past life now, Lord Ethan might be called again.)

Rosa struggled to give her words some convincing power.

—

Three days later, Rosa was once again summoned to her father’s study.

“It seems you really want to get me married.”

“Miss, please give it up.”

After being told by Helena and sighing, Rosa entered the study and was greeted by her father’s opening statement.

“Rosa, it seems the bath bombs are getting excellent reviews. I’ll let you have a shop.”

Thinking it was about matchmaking, Rosa was surprised.

“Huh? But I haven’t submitted a business plan.”

“It’s your idea, and it would be a waste if someone else beat us to it.”

Saying that, Father grinned.

The bath bombs were indeed well-received.

“Father, thank you! I’ll definitely make the shop a success!”

From a dream vaguely nurtured in her past life, Rosa realized it could come true in this life.

For the first time, Rosa learned that dreams could come true abruptly.