“Th-that…”

Charlotte’s hesitant demeanor didn’t inspire much confidence, but once she began to speak, I had to acknowledge her words.

“…You really do know how to make a rainbow rose.”

“I-I just had the same thought.”

Charlotte said that, but I couldn’t nod in agreement. After all, the method for creating the rainbow rose wasn’t something I had invented.

While preparing for this business and putting it into action, I often wondered what would happen to the person who originally developed the blue and rainbow roses if I sold them first.

‘But in my past life, the person who discovered the rose-making method was definitely a man.’

So the name was…

“Is your last name Valeng by any chance?”

“What?”

Was it not?

‘Well, there’s no rule that only one person can develop this method. The one who brings it to market first wins.’

As I pondered this, Charlotte blinked and spoke again.

“Do you know my stepbrother?”

“Stepbrother?”

“Well, um…”

Charlotte’s family story that followed was a tearful tale.

Duke Morphe had sent Charlotte’s mother away from the family but provided a large sum of child support every month. They thought they could live comfortably raising Charlotte, but then…

“My stepfather and stepbrother were receiving child support, and now that I’m an adult, it’s stopped. They told me to work here and earn money…”

I could guess the rest without needing to hear more.

‘They must have stolen Charlotte’s business idea.’

Having taken all the child support so far, they probably thought taking her idea was nothing.

‘Her situation is pitiful. Now I understand why her self-esteem seems so low.’

Seeing her reminded me of myself, always cleaning up after my father and brother.

I wondered if there was a way to help her. After a moment of thought, I made a proposal to Charlotte.

“I’m short on staff at my shop… Charlotte, would you like to work at our flower shop?”

***

“Truly disappointing.”

Sabina stared coldly at the imperial scholar standing before her.

“What’s the difference between a blue rose and a rainbow rose? They say you’re the greatest scholars in the country, but I’m really disappointed.”

The scholar’s face twisted at Sabina’s insult, and a subtle vein appeared on his forehead. The only reason he didn’t shout was that the woman before him was the emperor’s most beloved daughter.

The scholar replied sharply, “It’s not that there are no results; it’s just that they’re not clean enough to sell. After all, even the greatest scholar can’t master a field that’s not their own…”

“I could say that too.”

Sabina interrupted his lengthy excuse. Then, as always, she lowered her eyes with a dispirited look and murmured in a forlorn tone, “I don’t know much. That’s why I wanted to rely on the imperial scholars… Are you saying my expectations were too high?”

“Well, that’s…”

The scholar remained silent, unwilling to admit defeat. He found her sad expression both pitiful and endearing, making him reluctant to argue any further.

Every time she acted like this, there were always people eager to give her more than she could handle.

As the scholar’s anger subsided and he carefully chose his words, Sabina’s ever-diligent maid made a sharp comment.

“Of course you’re disappointed! We should tell His Majesty to cut the budget!”

Mentioning the emperor and the budget made the scholar’s expression turn cold.

To be honest, the scholars hadn’t put their best effort into the research, but that was only natural, as there was no real incentive to do so.

Speaking on behalf of others, the scholar said, “Why not just buy them from the vendors? I don’t understand why a personal business item needs to be analyzed by the palace.”

As the conversation continued, his voice grew more intense. Pride as a scholar was as important as power and beauty.

“Didn’t you say the method for the blue rose would be shared only within the royal family? Yet in reality, it spread widely in the market, leaving the palace with nothing while the original creator suffered.”

Sabina’s face twisted as if she were deeply hurt by the scholar’s subtle criticism.

“So, are you saying it’s right for an individual to monopolize something so beautiful? I shared it for the public good.”

Though she pretended to be a kind-hearted princess, her words lacked logic. The scholar firmly disagreed.

“If someone with knowledge uses it for unfair gain, then intervention is justified. But do you truly believe the flower shop owner gained unfairly?”

“The flower shop owner developed a unique product and didn’t offer it to the palace first. That’s an insult to the palace and undermines the country’s order. It deserves punishment.”

“It’s regrettable that you think that way.”

The scholar was taken aback by the princess’s belief that not selling to her meant someone should be ruined.

Sabina’s eyes welled up with tears, leaving the scholar speechless. As their standoff dragged on, it was the maid who finally intervened.

‘Why drag this out? Just say you’ll try again.’

The maid knew she would face Sabina’s wrath once the scholar left, so she deliberately raised her voice.

“It seems the imperial scholars don’t respect the authority of the palace. If they can’t fulfill our princess’s request, there’s no reason for their large budget!”

Provoked by the maid’s words, the scholar responded with a stern expression.

“This isn’t about authority. It’s the reckless use of power. Cut the budget or dismantle the department as you wish.”

“What did you say?”

“We will all submit our resignations.”

“W-wait a minute!”

As the scholar turned to leave, Sabina grabbed his arm. Thinking she might show some reflection, he turned back, only to receive a shocking response.

“You won’t say it’s because of me, right?”

“…Thank you for trampling on my expectations to the very end.”

Her self-centeredness was remarkable. The scholar left Sabina’s palace, pondering whether this was all the loyalty to the royal family amounted to.

No sooner had the scholar departed than Sabina threw everything off her desk. An ink bottle rolled across the floor, staining the recently changed carpet black. The maid standing before Sabina turned pale at the barbaric display.

Sabina, not considering herself at fault, yelled at the nearest target—the maid.

“Why did you talk like that?”

“P-princess… I just…”

After taking out her anger on the maid, Sabina’s next target was Titiana.

“What is Yujin even doing? I need to see Yujin!”

She felt frustrated because the flower shop, which she had expected to fail, was thriving by selling new products.

‘I thought Yujin would sort it all out quickly. I’m really disappointed!’

With these thoughts in mind, Sabina bit her nails.

***

I felt indebted to Charlotte. If I hadn’t made a fortune with the blue and rainbow roses, she would have become wealthy.

However, knowing that her business idea had been stolen transformed that debt into a sense of duty.

‘I have to help her escape that hell.’

In my past life, Charlotte’s name was never associated with the blue or rainbow roses. This meant she hadn’t received proper recognition despite creating such remarkable business ideas.

If I could help her out of that situation, it seemed like a fair exchange. So, I suggested to Charlotte that she work at our flower shop.

I worried she might be upset, but surprisingly, Rosemary readily agreed.

“That girl was a headache even at our home, but if she becomes too much to handle, feel free to send her back anytime.”

After the tea party, I immediately brought Charlotte to the shop.

Yuri, who came out to greet me, frowned deeply.

“Who is this woman?”

“Oh, she’s a new employee…”

I hadn’t expected Yuri to be so openly uncomfortable, so I hesitated in introducing Charlotte. Then I tugged on Yuri’s sleeve.

“Yuri, can I talk to you for a moment?”

Leaving Charlotte seated in the shop, I took Yuri by the arm and led him to the back of the building. With my hands on my hips, I faced him and asked,

“What’s bothering you so much?”

“Do I look bothered?”

“Whether I look at you from the right or the left, you seem full of complaints.”

Was he really going to insist he wasn’t upset with his cheeks puffed out like that?