Chapter 69: An Arranged Engagement, But With the Premise of an Amicable Dissolution

Inside the salon, Helena and the other maids were present, causing a bit of a commotion.

Amidst the uproar, Rosa whispered to Ethan.

“Your Excellency, you intend to use me for your convenience, don’t you?”

“Of course. If you wish, I can even prepare a contract.”

“No, let’s discuss it first.”

Rosa hurriedly dismissed everyone from the salon.

This way, her father and mother would hear about it soon.

“Why didn’t you mention this to me beforehand?”

“I apologize. I was the only one who met your conditions. Are you dissatisfied?” he replied nonchalantly.

“Not only dissatisfied, but I’ll also be the subject of jealousy! I can’t afford to have any more bad reputations. Oh, I can already see it: they’ll say I ditched the prince or that the Croitzer family blackmailed you into the engagement.”

Rosa felt like tearing her hair out.

“However, I believe that I could serve as a breakwater against interference from Alex or the royal family. Also, the idea of the Croitzer family blackmailing me is far-fetched. I’m not in such a weak position.”

Upon calming down, Rosa realized he was right. Only Ethan could protect her. It felt like scales were falling from her eyes.

“I see! That’s true. If it’s you, there won’t be any strange interference.”

“Exactly. So, you should also act as my breakwater.”

His words from the ball, “What would you do if someone else presented the same conditions?” finally made sense to her.

“It’s a compromise, isn’t it?” Rosa nodded, her shoulders slumping.

“Hey, that’s no way to talk to someone who’s come to propose.”

Facing Ethan’s wry smile, Rosa quickly calculated in her head.

In the manga, there was no scenario where Rosa got engaged to Ethan.

In other words, she could escape the danger of being poisoned.

(Forget about the future; the immediate goal is to avoid being poisoned!)

“Ah! My deepest apologies. I humbly accept.”

Thus, Rosa received a bouquet of roses from Ethan.

Afterwards, the Croitzer household was in an uproar.

Despite everything, Ethan, who was about to leave, was persuaded by Rosa’s parents to stay for dinner.

They were bombarded with questions, but Rosa kept quiet and left it to Ethan.

There hadn’t been time to coordinate their stories. Rosa, whose expressions were easily read by her family, thought Ethan was better suited for explaining.

However, Ethan seemed dissatisfied, frequently glancing at Rosa.

Ignoring this, Rosa enjoyed the white fish meunière.

(Your Excellency, please do your best.)

She smiled brightly at Ethan.

(After all, it would be problematic if I spoke and our stories didn’t match.)

—

The next day, rumors spread among the nobility, shaking social circles.

By afternoon tea, Rosa’s friends and entourage had gathered, causing a commotion.

Leaving the shop to Helena, Rosa gave her friends a fabricated story about the engagement being prompted by a treatment.

Since Poppy, Lila, and Ella all had fiancés, they cried and congratulated her.

Rosa’s conscience uncharacteristically ached.

(We’ll dissolve the engagement once the contract ends. Speaking of which, we haven’t signed the contract yet. There was such a fuss before we could.)

However, the stream of visitors to the Croitzer household did not end there.

The next day, noblemen from various factions continued to arrive to offer their congratulations.

Rosa, alongside her father, mother, and Philbert, greeted them all with a pleasant smile.

(This is surprisingly exhausting. Is being engaged always this much trouble?)

By nightfall, an utterly worn-out Rosa was soaking in the bath, with Helena attending to her.

“Oh, I’m so tired. This is much more exhausting than selling bath bombs. Engagements are tough,” Rosa sighed.

Helena gave Rosa a reproachful look as she spoke.

“My lady, you are truly engaged, aren’t you?”

“Yes, of course. Why do you ask?”

“It’s not some kind of temporary contract, is it?”

(Helena is too sharp! Sharper than Mother!)

Rosa splashed around in the bathtub, flustered.

“Ah, so that’s the case,” Helena said, her shoulders slumping in disappointment.

“Helena, please, don’t tell anyone.”

“I couldn’t possibly say anything! What a situation! Master, Mistress, and even Master Philbert are all so delighted.”

Incidentally, Philbert dislikes being called “Master,” but for some reason, the staff of the estate insists on calling him that. It seems somewhat pitiful.

“Oh well, it’ll work out somehow.”

“And what reason does His Excellency have for such a contract?” Helena inquired.

“I can’t go into details, but it’s something like a way to ward off women.”

“I see. You are perfectly suited for that role, my lady.”

“That’s harsh, Helena.”

Given her reputation as a villain, no young lady would dare to confront Rosa openly.

And besides, she belonged to the Croitzer family.

“My lady, there is a saying that ‘truth comes out of lies.’ I sincerely hope this engagement becomes genuine,” Helena said, bowing her head.

“Hey, Helena, don’t say things like that as if you’re abandoning me.”

“Don’t worry. No matter what happens, I will stay with you, my lady.”

“Thank you, Helena.”

Rosa, covered in bubbles, hugged Helena.

Currently, Rosa and Helena are developing a bubble bath.

Rosa never forgets about business, no matter the situation.