Chapter 68: This Man Was Also Incorrigible

“That’s… unfortunate. But why only women? Isn’t it usually men who plot assassinations?”

Though she thought it might be rude, Rosa couldn’t help but ask. It was something she was really curious about, as well as for future reference.

“The mastermind might be a man, but in cases of poisoning, the actual perpetrator is often a close woman.”

Rosa bowed her head to Ethan.

“My condolences. I wish you a life filled with happiness.”

He seems to have had a smooth life, but is he still struggling? Ethan seemed a bit pitiful. Her nephew, Alex, was also a trouble.

Rosa thought she shouldn’t get too involved and considered leaving this place soon.

“Well then, Your Excellency, please relax and take it easy here. I will be on my way.”

“What will you do if you encounter Alex after you leave?”

“Ugh, I’ll run away!”

“I’ve always found it strange. You used to like Alex, right? But after you got kicked by the horse, you suddenly stopped paying attention to him. Why is that?”

Ethan asked suspiciously.

“I came to my senses. His highness probably didn’t like me, didn’t he? He never said it outright, but… Please wait a moment. I’m trying to figure out how to say this without committing lese-majesty.”

Rosa went into thinking mode.

Ethan sighed.

“Okay, I know what you’re thinking. You think it’s no different than the men who approach you for your family fortune.”

Rosa was startled by how accurate his guess was.

“Well, I can’t agree with that opinion. I don’t want to be caught in a trap.”

Rosa tightened her expression.

You never know where the trap might be. She had to be cautious.

“You are a truly interesting person. What if I told you I could arrange a fiancé for you?”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying at all.”

Rosa tilted her head.

“As long as it’s not someone after your money, right?”

“Well, yes, but I don’t want a person with a flawed character. Ideally, someone who loves me would be nice.”

Ethan seemed to be pondering something with his hand on his chin. Was he teasing her?

“Someone who loves you would be difficult. For example, how about someone who is convenient for you? Someone who would amicably break off the engagement if you found true love?”

“That would be ideal! I’d want to get engaged to such a person right away. If it’s someone like that, I wouldn’t mind if they had another lover. Ideally, it should be someone who would dissolve the engagement once His Highness Alex gets engaged to someone else. And someone who would make a proper contract. But… I don’t think such a person exists. If, by any chance, such a person does exist, even if they are from another country, I don’t mind.”

For a moment, she got excited, but then Rosa calmed down a bit.

“That’s quite a condition. You want someone who can be conveniently used.”

“In simple terms, yes. By getting engaged to someone, I can quiet the rumors to some extent. But even with Your Excellency’s connections, such a person doesn’t exist, right? Actually, I was thinking about the possibility of hiring someone.”

Rosa hesitated.

“Indeed, an employment relationship is more straightforward.”

“But contracts are difficult, and it would be troublesome if the other party didn’t dissolve the engagement easily. Moreover, my parents would find out, and it could damage my reputation. It would also affect the sales of my bath bombs, which is a problem.”

Rosa was quite seriously worried and didn’t notice, but if you looked closely, Ethan’s shoulders were shaking.

“Um, are you laughing?”

She suspected he was teasing her after all.

“No, excuse me. I understand your conditions. But what would you do if the other person presented you with the same conditions?”

“That would be the perfect relationship, without any complications. If we could also make a proper contract, that would be ideal.”

Ethan tilted his head curiously.

“Are you really seventeen?”

“Helena says the same thing.”

“Alright then. Let’s try to find such a convenient partner for you. I’ll introduce someone next time.”

Rosa looked at Ethan with skeptical eyes. He was smiling.

“Yes, if you find such a person, please introduce them. Now, I’ll be going.”

This time, Rosa left Ethan’s presence.

◇

Three days later, Ethan came to the Croitzer household.

As soon as he entered the salon where Rosa was waiting, he presented her with a bouquet of roses and knelt down.

“Miss Croitzer, will you marry me?”

(Huh? Is this really happening?)

Rosa involuntarily leaned back in surprise.

It was clear that he didn’t love her, and his family was incredibly wealthy.