Chapter 31: Apology and Reconciliation?

Reluctantly guided to the backyard, Helena, who served as a maid, saleswoman, bath bomb maker, and secretary, had diligently prepared tea.

With abundant gifts from parents, siblings, and friends, the level of hospitality was disappointing enough to suggest an invitation to stay longer.

“So, what brings you here?”

“Oh, you seem to have completely forgotten, but we talked about exchanging information between us.”

“I understand. You didn’t want to come to my house, so you came to the store.”

Rosa nodded casually.

“…Well, I didn’t want to raise strange expectations from your parents.”

Rosa couldn’t say anything about that. Probably, if he had come not for treatment but just to have tea with Rosa, it would have caused a commotion.

After all, Rosa’s parents were aiming for a high-ranking noble for their daughter’s partner.

Despite their daughter’s being a villainess faithful to her desires, Rosa deeply felt the bittersweetness of parental love.

“I apologize for making you feel uneasy. My parents only wish for my happy marriage. Marriage is not for the Croitzer family’s sake. They believe that I can only be happy if my partner is wealthy, probably because I have a lavish spending habit.”

“Is that not the case?”

“Hehehe, I have no obligation to tell you.”

Rosa smiled charmingly.

“Hahaha, it seems I asked a bit of an impolite question. The store seems to be thriving, and you’re a splendid entrepreneur who can earn money on your own.”

“Well, Your Excellency, money has no color for me. I will graciously accept anyone’s money and use it beautifully. Hohoho.”

Ethan coughed slightly.

“Let’s stop probing each other’s intentions and get to the main point soon.”

Rosa agreed with that.

The exchange of sarcastic remarks had been sufficient.

“So, are you talking about rumors? Unfortunately, I’m only gathering information to get my business on track. Even when it comes to social rumors, I only interact with people from my own social circle.”

Anyway, she wanted to promote bath bombs.

“Oh, the reputation of Croitzer’s faction is soaring. It seems you’re popular with gentlemen as well.”

Being praised doesn’t feel bad.

But what bothers Rosa is that it’s Ethan who’s praising her.

“So, what did you want to say?”

It’s clear to Rosa that the men who are currently courting her are after the Croitzer family’s wealth. In essence, they are interested in Rosa’s dowry.

“There was a small banquet at the royal palace the other day.”

Although Rosa had received an invitation, it wasn’t a large-scale event, and it prioritized only a few high-ranking nobles, so she chose to focus on her store.

Currently, she avoids events that do not contribute to expanding her business.

Bath bomb orders continue to come in without interruption, making work enjoyable.

“I thought attending an official and grand event would be sufficient.”

Ethan nodded at Rosa’s words and slowly began to speak.

“To be blunt, your reputation is not favorable. Especially among neutral factions, there is a growing negative reputation even among the moderate factions, not just the Croitzer family.”

“Huh?”

Rosa couldn’t understand the meaning at all. She hasn’t engaged in any problematic behavior lately, conducts her business with integrity, and the bath bombs are selling well.

Despite all this, why is her reputation further declining? She had no clue.

“I thought my reputation couldn’t get any lower, but is there still a reason for it to decline further?”

Rosa furrowed her eyebrows, and Ethan seemed to burst out laughing unintentionally.

Even Rosa, who is usually composed, expressed her anger at this.

“Your Excellency! There’s a limit to rudeness, you know?”

“I apologize. It just sounded so much like what you would say.”

He quickly bowed and apologized, so Rosa reluctantly nodded.

(He apologizes quite sincerely. Well, I might as well forgive him.)

“So, what’s the latest gossip? Did I hoard dresses and jewelry? Spread chaos in the city? Exploit employees in bath bomb production?”

“Huh? Are you doing such things?”

Ethan raised his eyebrows lightly.

“I’m not. It’s true that I bought up about a third of the dresses in town once, and I’ve made employees work overtime. However, I pay overtime properly, and the overtime at my shop is voluntary!”

Rosa confidently asserted her pride, and Ethan recoiled as if overwhelmed.

“…It’s a completely different rumor.”

Ethan wasn’t overwhelmed; it seemed like he was just turned off by Rosa’s bold declaration.

However, Rosa couldn’t think of any other rumors about her. She hadn’t even approached Alex.

Recently, she focused on tea parties rather than evening events, inviting ladies who seemed likely to buy bath bombs and occasionally being invited in return.

She had built quite a few good relationships.

Until recently, there were times when she was frowned upon even within the Croitzer family’s faction, but lately, that should not be the case.

On the contrary, some people flocked to her for the sake of bath bombs. The determination of high-ranking nobles regarding their beauty is remarkable.

Thanks to that, bath bombs with gold leaf are selling well, and Rosa is pleased.

“Have you seen Alex and Miss Moreau having a secret meeting? The rumor she mentioned is spreading.”

“Are you suggesting that the incident of being kicked by a horse was staged by myself?”

Rosa stood up involuntarily.

“That’s absurd. I was asked about that incident too, and I answered, ‘It’s impossible.’ However, the rumor has already spread quite a bit.”

“Outrageous! It’s too much! I was on the brink of death, you know? On top of that, I’m not engaged to His Highness!”

Then, surprisingly, Helena opened her mouth in a fluster.

“Miss, your language is getting disorderly.”

Helena whispered rapidly in Rosa’s ear.

“T-That’s true. I need to calm down a bit… But it’s infuriating! Speaking of which, while I’m angry, let me mention one thing. The other day, His Highness came to the store without even being summoned. He parked a six-horse royal carriage in front of the shop, blocking the traffic! Thanks to that, my store inconvenienced nearby shops. Why would His Highness, your beloved nephew, do such a thing?”

“I really want to storm into the royal palace to find out exactly what kind of upbringing he’s had!”

Seeing Rosa in an angry state, Helena shook her head resignedly and went to prepare tea again.

However, Ethan, seemingly unaffected, rested his chin on his hand with a thoughtful expression.

“The fact that Alex used a royal carriage to come to the store… I hope there won’t be any embellishments added to the rumors.”

“Oh, are you praying for me?”

“Of course, I had been quite impolite before, and I apologize for that.”

Once he made a clear apology, Rosa had nothing more to say.

Besides, Rosa had more important things to consider.

“Your Excellency, let’s consider that matter settled, shall we?”

“Huh? Is it that easy?”

Ethan showed an unusually surprised expression. Rosa’s heart wavered slightly at the sight of an expression her crush rarely displayed.

However, before her, there was a significant issue that needed to be addressed.

“Well, on that note, Your Excellency, hypothetically speaking, let’s say the Croitzer family falls. At that time, I would like to establish assets abroad to avoid confiscation by the national treasury. Do you have any suggestions? Could you please provide guidance as a sign of reconciliation?”

Boldly, Rosa spoke.

“What do you plan to do from now on?”

The pleasantly relaxed atmosphere was abruptly chilled by Rosa’s words.

“Huh? I just wanted to know as a sign of reconciliation!”

Rosa tilted her head casually and played it off.