Chapter 29: Rare Guest

The Croitzer family hosted tea parties, attended others’ gatherings, and presented bath bombs as gifts, improving relationships and resulting in a sudden success at the pre-opening.

Rosa was delighted.

However, after a week, the attendees became the same faces repeatedly.

Now, Rosa is sitting in the store’s backyard, drinking tea with Helena.

Initially, Helena refused to sit with Rosa, but due to fatigue from standing work, Rosa forcibly made Helena sit and rest.

“After all, even if there was excitement at the opening, the later foot traffic isn’t that impressive.”

Not increasing the staff was the right decision, I think. However, the sales are excellent, and it can be considered a great success for now.

With this, even if the family falls, Rosa alone can quickly accumulate enough money to escape. The problem is the family.

In other words, she has to save escape funds for herself and her family of four.

“The future is long. No, I need to increase the pace even more.”

With the decline of the Croitzer family, significant numbers of servants and employees suddenly lost their jobs. Rosa wants to give them money.

Compassion is said to be for the benefit of others.

Surely, somewhere, they will help Rosa.

Should Rosa ask her father to create hidden assets in a foreign country or beyond the sea?

(But, in which country and how can assets be created without being confiscated by the state? Allied countries are not suitable, right?)

While Rosa is contemplating escape plans and funds, Helena speaks up.

“Miss, there is a change. Gentlemen have started coming.”

“Ah, indeed, gentlemen are coming as escorts for the ladies.”

Helena’s eyes sparkle at Rosa’s response.

“How about putting something for men? Let’s try unscented ones.”

“Unscented?”

Helena tilts her head in wonder.

“Yes, all our products have scents that women would like, right? Just add color and make something without a smell. Well, it’s like a trial.”

“I see! Truly, you are amazing, Miss. I’ll immediately instruct the workshop to create prototypes.”

With a clatter, Helena stands up.

“Eh? Helena, take a little break. Look, there are cookies that Father and Mother kindly brought. My busy father, mother, and even my brother provide treats. In this shop, treats are shared among everyone.”

“Miss, goodness cannot wait.”

Saying that, Helena went to the adjacent workshop. She is not a corporate slave like Rosa, but a complete workaholic. Moreover, she knows no fatigue.

“I respect you, Helena.”

Rosa murmurs as Helena leaves.

With no one to talk to, Rosa opens the store’s ledger. She cannot just let her subordinates do all the work.

Somewhere along the line, in Rosa’s mind, Helena had transformed from a maid to a position more like a secretary. Helena herself seems unaware of this shift in perception.

“Next time, I have to raise Helena’s salary…”

As Rosa concentrates on the ledger for a while, with a tremendous force, the back door swings open, and a shop assistant rushes in, her face pale and her voice trembling.

“Miss Rosa! I-it’s terrible!”

The shop assistant’s face is ashen, and she appears visibly shaken.

“What is it? What happened? Did some strange people come again?”

Rosa abruptly closes the ledger and stands up. It seems to be the store owner’s turn to take action.

“A-anyway, please come to the store.”

The shop assistant has received proper training and is not the type of girl to behave like this. Perplexed by her agitation, Rosa heads to the store.

Although there are no loud noises or angry shouts, someone doesn’t seem to have burst in and started yelling.

However, when Rosa steps out into the store, she is stunned and freezes in place.

In front of the glass-walled shop, there is a six-horse carriage with the royal crest, the emblem of the royal family.

And now, entering through the door, is the third prince of this country, Alex.

Blonde hair, blue eyes, a white coat with silver embroidery, and a graceful posture that doesn’t make Rosa feel dizzy… or so

Huh? What’s he doing here? Having a six-horse carriage with the royal crest in front of her shop is somewhat obstructive, isn’t it?

“Welcome, Your Highness.”

While instinctively raising the corners of her mouth and bowing her head, a vein throbs on Rosa’s forehead.

(Deliver that enormous carriage from in front of my shop right away!)