Chapter 59: The Moreau family’s troubled daily life and Rosa’s pleasant daily life

In the sunny salon of the Moreau family, Ellen’s heart was heavy.

“Oliver Trading Company wants to quickly expand its customer base to include nobles. Ellen, can’t you still engage with His Highness?” Davis paced around the salon, irritated.

Until recently, the salon, now adorned with high-end furniture and lace curtains, had been neglected.

It all changed when Davis began associating with the representatives of Oliver Trading Company.

With more servants, the mansion was always kept immaculate.

There was a sudden increase in lavish dresses and jewelry to adorn Ellen.

Moreover, the kind-hearted Alex would gift Ellen with dresses, lovely hairpieces, rings, and necklaces.

Despite their destined encounter in the slums and their romantic involvement at the ball, Alex had recently been avoiding Ellen.

To be precise, he would meet her in secluded places but would never do so in public.

Thus, rumors of Ellen and Alex’s relationship had difficulty spreading.

Lately, their meetings had become infrequent, and Alex seemed absent-minded even in Ellen’s presence.

The cause was clear: Rosa Croitzer.

“Alex loves me. But he’s fixated on becoming the crown prince. He said he needs the Croitzer family’s power for that,” Ellen said sadly, looking down.

“That’s none of Oliver’s concern. If the engagement with His Highness doesn’t progress, they said they’d confiscate the land and the mansion. And if things go south, you might be sold off too,” Davis said anxiously.

Oliver was the representative of Oliver Trading Company. Initially cheerful and amiable, his attitude changed when he saw no progress in Ellen and Alex’s relationship.

“This is outrageous! Why did Father make such a devilish deal?” Ellen exclaimed.

“There’s no helping it. His Highness does care for you and gives you expensive gifts. Ellen, we need money. Sell off whatever you received from His Highness for emergencies,” Davis replied.

“But all of them are unique! If I sell them, it might raise suspicion,” Ellen trembled.

“If that’s the case, what am I supposed to do?” Davis raked his fingers through his hair.

“So, he promised to first engage with Rosa and become the crown prince, and then break off the engagement with her and come to get me,” Ellen pleaded desperately.

“There’s no way Oliver would agree to such a story, right?” Oliver was a greedy man.

“But…” Ellen believed in Alex’s affection. He wouldn’t break his promise.

“Ellen, if the engagement is announced, it’s over for us. Besides, why does the third prince insist on becoming the crown prince?”

“Because Alex is excellent. He says he can’t entrust political matters to his brothers,” Ellen argued desperately.

“Enough with the excuses. Get His Highness to sign a document stating that he will definitely engage with you! With that, Oliver will quiet down for a while,” Davis commanded.

“I can’t do such a thing! Alex is cautious not to leave evidence behind because he doesn’t know when he’ll be undermined. And that’s all for the sake of our marriage—”

Davis scolded Ellen as she pleaded tearfully.

“You’re either being deceived or used. If you don’t become more cunning, you’ll remain just a mistress for life.”

But then Davis cut himself off as if he suddenly realized something.

“Well, maybe that’s okay. As long as His Highness doesn’t abandon you, there’s no problem.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?” Ellen’s eyes widened.

“You could just continue to be His Highness’s mistress forever, enjoying his favor. Make it known among the nobles. Then you’ll become a good advertisement. I’m going to Oliver’s now,” Davis said hastily, rushing out of the salon.

“Father, I don’t want that. I don’t want to be a mistress. I want to get married properly,” Ellen strained her voice.

“Our family’s survival is at stake here! Do you want to go back to the slums? Come on, bring out the jewelry His Highness gave you. I’ll use that as evidence to persuade Oliver,” Davis insisted.

Ellen became frustrated at the thought that she might only be his mistress, no matter what.

“It would be better if Rosa were gone!”

Ellen exclaimed, almost as if she had reached a breaking point.

“Certainly. That arrogant girl is a nuisance. It’d be best to crush her whole family. She’s a money-grubber trying to make even more money on top of being wealthy,” Davis spat out, and Ellen was surprised to hear it.

“Crush her whole family? A big household like that? Is such a thing possible?” Ellen asked in astonishment.

“It’s possible, with His Highness’s help, of course. But it’s up to you. It’ll test how much His Highness loves you,” Davis replied, and Ellen nodded with determination.

“It’s okay. I am loved. It’s just that the obstacles to overcome are significant.”

Meanwhile, unaware of any schemes, Rosa leisurely sipped her tea while discussing with Helena what would be the next best product after bath bombs.

As a lover of baths in her past life as an Easterner, Rosa wanted to enhance the amenities of this world.

“When we talk about luxury, it’s all about bubble baths, right? They don’t exist in this world yet,” Rosa mused, resting her chin on her hand.

“Really?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just thought, What if the bath was full of bubbles? Wouldn’t that feel nice?” Memories of experiencing a bubble bath in a foreign hotel in her past life came flooding back. It was heavenly.

The bubbles were light, didn’t cling to the skin, and were easy to rinse off. And yet, they were so bubbly.

“I just really want to recreate that,” Rosa expressed.

“Well, Miss, it’s quite a childish idea.”

(That may be so. But then again, didn’t I say the same thing about fizzy bath bombs?)

“Oh, I just really want to take a bubble bath. Helena, next time, I’m going to promote bubble baths!” Rosa’s excitement blazed.

“I understand, Miss. But we don’t have enough workspace.” Helena remained calm as usual.

“No worries! I’ll have my father acquire some land near the shop, so it’ll be fine!” Feeling as if the crisis of poisoning had passed, Rosa decided to fully enjoy her celebrity lifestyle.

And thus, she would nurture the bathing culture of this world.

Rosa was bubbling with a sense of mission.

(In this life, I’m going to enjoy being a celebrity!)