Chapter 35: Why don’t we get along? (2)

Juliet timidly picks up the box containing bath bombs from the table.

Rosa thought she had taken the bait.

“Juliet-sama, you like the scent of lilies, right? So, I specially added fragrance to these bath bombs here.”

“Huh? Just for me?”

(Well, that’s surprising. We used to be at each other’s throats.)

Rosa thought deeply.

“If you’d like, please smell it from the top of the box. Even without opening it, you can faintly smell the fragrance from the outside.”

Juliet hesitates as she takes the box and brings it closer to her face. Instantly, her face lights up.

“Oh, it’s the scent of my favorite lilies!”

Blushing, she brightens her eyes.

“Isn’t it? I went through a lot of trouble to mix that.”

Well, there’s some know-how, so it wasn’t actually that difficult.

“Could it be for me?”

“Yes, at ‘Rozerian,’ we also accept custom orders from customers.”

Rosa answers proudly, and Juliet looks at her with sparkling eyes.

“Well, then, I have to give something back from my side…”

Suddenly, she becomes restless. Indeed, people are weak at things made just for them.

“No, there’s no need for that. Just coming to our store to shop is more than enough.”

“Huh? Can I really go there!”

The previous hostility seems to have dissipated like a lie.

It seems that Juliet was quite interested in the trending bath bombs.

And so Rosa successfully gains another customer.

At that moment, Rosa recalls her original purpose and is taken aback.

The bath bomb, so to speak, brought Rosa closer to Juliet, a neutral party, to discreetly investigate her own bad reputation.

“Of course.”

Gracefully nodding, Rosa gets to the point.

“So, you see, I have a confidential matter to discuss with you, Juliet-sama.”

Upon hearing this, Juliet tightens her expression again, as if on guard, and clutches the box containing the bath bomb to her chest, as if to prevent it from being taken away.

“It’s not a difficult matter to discuss. Recently, I’ve heard rumors that the incident where I was kicked by a horse might have been staged by Rosa Croitzer herself. Juliet-sama, have you heard anything about it?”

“Oh, if it’s about that story—”

Juliet admits that she has recently heard those rumors as well.

“For me, it’s a very dishonorable thing. After all, I nearly died. Am I really foolish enough to go so far as to incite a horse? Have you heard this rumor, and from where?”

“From my friends. I didn’t take it seriously, of course.”

Surprisingly, Juliet says something unexpected. Could this also be the effect of the bath bomb?

“Do you know the source of the rumor?”

Juliet answers while still tightly holding the box of bath bombs.

“Swearing on these bath bombs, I am not the source of the rumor.”

“Because I already know that; that’s not why I’m asking.”

“Well, Rosa-sama…”

Juliet’s eyes sparkle.

“After all, Juliet-sama is the type to come and hit me directly. There’s no reason for you to engage in such sly and roundabout schemes.”

Silence follows as Juliet’s expression tightens, but Rosa continues unabated.

“So, that’s why I consulted with you. Besides, since we belong to different factions, I thought you might have different information.”

“I understand. I have some acquaintances in the anti-Croitzer faction, so I’ll inquire about it.”

Surprisingly, Juliet seems willing to help Rosa find the source of the rumors, much to Rosa’s surprise.

She had been considering second and third options, expecting some reluctance.

“It’s not that surprising. Neutrals are often individuals who don’t favor conflicts. Of course, my father is the same. That’s why he often behaves like a bat between the two factions.”

Although the Ips family should be prosperous, it seems they are struggling to be sandwiched between strong factions.

“Well, that makes sense.”

“I’ve felt sorry for my father in such moments. But the Ips family has built its fortune that way, so I don’t think much of it now. Of course, he uses a diplomatic skill at times to not betray and avoid conflicts.”

With pride, Juliet responds.

“Practical and acceptable.”

If there’s no other way to survive…

“I sense malice from the one who spread the rumors this time. There was nothing to gain for Rosa-sama from being kicked by a horse. Moreover, I heard that you declined the prince’s invitation. While I can’t promise to pinpoint the source, I’ll assist you as much as I can. However, since the rumor seems to have spread widely, I can’t guarantee identifying the origin.”

Thanks to the bath bomb or not, Juliet seems willing to lend her strength.

And if she becomes a regular customer at the shop, it would be even more delightful.

(Alright! I’ll infiltrate the neutral faction and expand my market!)

Rosa renewed her determination.

Despite actively participating in social events afterward, Rosa’s efforts only resulted in an increase in customers for “Rozerian,” and the rumors did not subside.

However, becoming friendly with the neutral aristocrats earned her family’s admiration.