Chapter 36: Getting a ‘Fat’ Customer

Rosa was happily working on the books in the store’s backyard.

The bath bombs were doing well. As the profits increased, so did Rosa’s laughter.

However, Rosa had her concerns.

“I don’t want this to be just a fleeting thing. Yes! If I were to compare it to my past life in comedy, it would be a one-hit wonder.”

Sometimes, Rosa found herself recalling trivial knowledge from her past life, and it was frustrating.

(I want to remember more important things, like the development of manga!)

While internally grinding her teeth, Rosa continued to track the numbers in the books, and then the sound of a knock echoed.

When she responded, Helena appeared.

“Miss, there is a customer.”

“Yes, I’ll come to the store now.”

“Well, it’s not that…”

Rosa closed the ledger with a snap and looked up.

“Hello, Miss Croitzer.”

Behind Helena stood Ethan, as beautiful as a sculpture.

Rather than feeling delighted, Rosa had a question mark in her head.

(Huh? Why did he come? This is the backyard. Why does he come here so casually?)

Ignoring Rosa’s thoughts, Helena started preparing tea for two.

In her mind, Rosa sighed and fixed her facial muscles into a smile.

Rosa politely offered the shabby chairs. It wasn’t sarcasm; there really were only shabby chairs.

As a result of Rosa spending too much money on the store’s interior and bath bomb workshop, the backyard had become a pitiful sight.

According to her father, a smile is a merchant’s armor.

That’s why Rosa welcomes Ethan, one of the potential poisoners, with a smile.

In the first place, the Croitzer family was an aristocrat whose origins could be traced back to the founding knights of the country…

“Why are you looking at me with such a puzzled expression?” Ethan asked, catching Rosa off guard.

“Huh? I’m just smiling,” Rosa replied.

Sitting on a shabby chair opposite Rosa, Ethan sighed.

“Didn’t you say something about wanting frank opinions on bath bombs? That’s why I’m here. Or would you prefer discussing it inside the store?”

Rosa was astonished by Ethan’s words.

(Really?)

“Yes! Thank you for taking the trouble to come here.”

Certainly, there was no reason for Ethan to visit the store without any purpose.

“The texture was good. So, I want to give it to my patients. And I have a request: I want you to make a few improvements.”

Saying so, Ethan rummaged through a bag and took out various herbs—some fresh, some dried.

“Can you make bath bombs using these herbs?”

For a moment, Rosa thought he might have brought a gift, but it turned out to be a new order. Rosa was much happier with that.

“Are these herbs directly put into the bath bombs?”

After confirming with Ethan, Rosa and Ethan discussed the improvements to the bath bombs.

“I never expected it to be used for medical purposes. It’s a healing practitioner’s unique idea.”

“I want to try it from the prototype stage. Of course, I’ll pay for that.”

(A high-end customer! I’ve got a big customer! And they’re even willing to conduct clinical trials?)

“Thank you! And when is the deadline?”

“Until I’m satisfied with the product. Of course, I’ll pay for the development costs. There will be labor costs, I assume.”

(He understands well.)

Rosa’s mood lifted.

“Yes, it will! We charge extra for overtime at our place.”

Originally, bath bomb materials are inexpensive unless you add options like gold leaf. However, considering labor costs, it’s challenging to keep the prices down.

Rosa isn’t selling her products at an exorbitant profit, as per her father’s teachings.

Ethan, satisfied with Rosa’s enthusiastic response, sipped his tea and then broached the subject.

“By the way, you seem to be actively attending social gatherings. Have you gathered any information?”

It seemed he was also concerned about the strange rumors.

“It’s quite challenging,” Rosa said, shaking her head.

“You seem to have gained the support of several neutral factions.”

“Don’t be absurd; they just come to buy bath bombs.”

“But the factions within the Arnaud family think differently. If things continue like this, the existing balance might be disrupted.”

“That’s troublesome, isn’t it? Ideally, I wouldn’t want to earn anyone’s resentment.”

Rosa was truly troubled.

However, she couldn’t quit her business. The goal was to accumulate funds for escape.

“I heard you’ve built a good relationship with the Ips family, the neutral faction’s young lady?”

Certainly, ever since handing over the bath bombs, Juliet has strangely warmed up to Rosa. Despite Juliet still displaying a tsundere attitude, it seemed she was serving as an advertising pillar for the neutral faction’s bath bombs.

“Well, it’s still business on our end. I’d like to say that, but as nobility, we have to consider balance.”

(Now, what should I do?)

Although the Croitzer family members didn’t care about such things, Rosa, aware of the future decline, couldn’t ignore them.

In Rosa’s case, she was scheduled to be poisoned before her family’s downfall.

If she labels the Arnaud faction as the murderer, Rosa’s list of enemies would surprisingly increase.

Certainly, she didn’t want to be resented by the neutral faction, at least.

Wanting to narrow down the suspects as much as possible, it was a dilemma for Rosa.

“So, did you gather any information from the opposing faction?”

“No, nothing at all. I’ve been cooperating with Lady Juliet, but it seems the information doesn’t come from a single source.”

Rosa shrugged in surrender.

Ethan, nodding in response to Rosa’s words, casually continued.

“And… has Alex said anything yet?”

Ethan’s eyes darkened ever so slightly. Clearly, he was worried about his nephew.

“He sends letters and flowers, claiming his visits. Being a royal must be tough, with various formalities. But I do hope Prince Alex finds happiness in marriage.”

“Once a woman gives up, she’s quite decisive.”

“Oh, it’s not just limited to women. It’s a matter of personality, I think. There are plenty of gentlemen who make ladies cry, aren’t there?”

“I see, my apologies.”

Rosa thought that someone who pays well and readily admits their faults is worthy of respect.

Being a good spender is crucial. Rosa loves cash. By the way, this store operates on a strictly cash-only basis.

Compared to jewelry, bath bombs are much more affordable, and giving discounts on such items would be detrimental.

Slightly off the main street, where high-end stores line up, Rosa hopes customers shop with a commoner’s sensibility rather than noble standards.