Chapter 51: Oliver Trading Company

“There’s no need for Ellen-sama to please me. I’m not that great.”

Rosa stated it matter-of-factly.

Surprisingly, she felt a sense of detachment herself.

(Will the heroine and hero’s moment start now? Ridiculous.)

Rosa felt awkward, wanting to leave immediately. She didn’t want to waste time on trivial matters.

“That’s right, Your Highness Alex. I’m sorry, but I’ll borrow Miss Croitzer.”

Ethan picked up on Rosa’s words and said.

“Huh?”

Rosa was taken aback as Ethan took her hand, giving him a second glance.

“There’s something about the herb-infused bath bombs. Thanks to your development, they’re popular with the patients.”

“Well, I’m glad!”

In terms of cash, Rosa’s spirits lifted immediately.

(It’s nice to be praised for my shop’s products. Although I didn’t make everything.)

“Well, let’s talk over there.”

Saying so, Ethan separated them.

(Huh? Did he just help me?)

Though unclear, a business negotiation for developing new bath bombs with herbs was arranged afterward.

Forgetting about Alex and Ellen completely, Rosa happily went home that day.

◇◇◇

The next morning, Rosa found her father in the dining room and immediately asked,

“Good morning, Father! What was the discussion with Oliver Trading Company about last night?”

“Oh, just small talk. How about enjoying breakfast at a leisurely pace for once?”

Father leisurely cracked an egg at the egg stand.

“I’m enjoying it,” Rosa said as she touched her salad.

Despite being in the heart of the capital, the mansion had a spacious garden. The morning sun shone through the large cut-out windows of the dining room, and the curtains swayed in the breeze.

Due to the high ceiling, the room echoed, and the rectangular tables were long enough to accommodate a gathering of nobles for a banquet.

Rosa’s father turned his gaze to the rose-filled garden outside the window and squinted.

“Rosa, look at the view outside. Isn’t it beautiful? And the pleasant chirping of birds every morning—it’s soothing to the ears. This is prime land in the capital. I confirm and enjoy the wealth of the Croitzer family every morning while having a leisurely breakfast.”

(…Confirming?)

As expected of Rosa’s father, he was a man of worldly desires. Rather than enjoying the beauty of the scenery, it seemed he was confirming and enjoying the family’s wealth.

“Indeed, it’s beautiful. So, Father, what happened last night?”

“It’s an unavoidable matter. We got the Moreau family to repay their entire debt.”

“Huh? To Oliver Trading Company?”

Rosa was taken aback.

“That’s right, it’s a tricky situation. Oliver Trading Company suddenly offered to take over the Moreau family’s debt. So, we hastily had a meeting with the representative of Oliver Trading Company and Lord Moreau, and they repaid the entire debt.”

“Well! Is that so?”

“That’s right. We also got interest.”

“How much was it?”

“Rosa, it’s impolite to discuss such matters outside. Especially not in public.”

Father looked at Rosa with concern.

“It’s okay. Just within the house. So, how much was it?”

Rosa pressed her father.

“Well, in terms of amount, it’s enough to buy a mansion in the capital.”

“Wow! Were they in that much debt?”

Rosa was surprised.

“Yes, it accumulated over time.”

(Then, is the Moreau family the one spreading rumors about me?)

“But why did Oliver Trading Company help the Moreau family?”

“Oh, they’re probably in a rush to expand in the capital. They want connections with the nobility.”

“If they want connections, do they have ties with other noble families as well?”

(This is an important question. I need to find out which family is spreading rumors about me through Oliver Trading Company.)

“No, just the Moreau family.”

“…What? Another situation like this?”

(Anyway, the Moreau family has no money. Since the current generation, they don’t even have much influence in politics and business, right? So, can I conclude that the Moreau family is the one spreading rumors about me?)

Rosa clenched her fist under the table.

“Well, I don’t know the details. I never really wanted to get involved with Oliver Trading Company from the start.”

“Why is that?”

“Recently, they’ve rapidly gained power, and there are rumors of them engaging in shady business. It seems the Moreau family was the only noble house willing to deal with them.”

“Indeed, noble society can be quite exclusive.”

To commoners, they might just appear as elegant individuals.

“They probably felt the need for support from the nobility and got anxious without gathering enough information.”

Father said with a knowing look, taking a sip of his soup.

“Do noble rumors not circulate? The social scene seems filled with gossip.”

“Only gossip spreads easily. Everyone casually talks in front of servants. However, when it comes to important matters, it’s different.”

Certainly, the gossip about Rosa’s ‘incident with a horse’ being a staged act is enjoyed as gossip.

And fortunately, it hasn’t reached her father’s ears yet. Once it does, there will likely be trouble with the Arnaud faction.