Since I Don't Know Anything About It, Shall We Break Up, Your Majesty? - Chapter 61

“Madam! Oh my, did my voice wake you up!”

“No, no, for some reason my eyes just opened early today. The stew smells good.”

Madam Rosa, tightening the belt of her nightgown, came down the steep stairs and stood in front of the door.

This mansion built in the heart of Karien’s downtown seemed quite cramped, probably due to the land price.

‘Well, it’s not mine so I can’t complain.’

It was a mansion ‘lent’ to her by Marquis Evoque.

And that too, after changing the name several times to avoid others’ eyes.

Anyway, if Marquis Evoque’s heart changed or if she fell out of his favor, she could be kicked out of this place at any time.

She’s more glamorous than anyone else, but a pauper with nothing truly her own.

That was Madam Rosa’s true self.

‘Oh my, I’ve had such an unlucky thought first thing in the morning? Evie.’

Rosa lightly shook her head to clear away the dark thoughts.

It was just a narrow-minded and dirty heart that would bring no benefit even if she held onto it.

“Yes, who is it? Who could be knocking so loudly on Madam Rosa’s mansion door this early in the morning?”

Rosa’s face stiffened as she opened the door wide to check who it was.

“Good morning, Rosa. May I intrude for a moment?”

…No, why is this man looking for me?

Chris Gunther’s figure, politely taking off his hat and greeting her, was reflected in Rosa’s wide-open eyes.

* * *

“……What did you say?”

“I said we’re going to acquire it. The ‘Robata Orphanage’ that you’ve been sponsoring, Rosa.”

“Ah, no, why would Mr. Karl Winger…”

“It’s called noblesse oblige. Mr. Winger has a great interest in charity work as well. In a similar vein, he’s also investing heavily in establishing new universities.”

As Chris’s words flowed smoothly, Rosa was left speechless, staring endlessly at the documents he handed over.

<Acquisition Contract>
277 Hendrick ST.
Robata Orphanage.
.
.
.

No matter how many times she read it, it wasn’t fake.
She barely managed to speak, trying to gather her scattered thoughts.

“……Do you know who owns the orphanage?”

Chris Gunther nodded as if it were obvious in response to her question.

“I’ve already made an acquisition proposal to the owner. I received a positive review.”

At those words, Rosa suddenly raised her head and asked urgently.

“Who on earth is the owner? Are they in the capital? How did you find them?”

It was someone she had tried to contact several times over the past 10 years, but never managed to reach.

Robata Orphanage was where she was born and raised.

Not only that, it was also being run by those who grew up with her like siblings.

The children Rosa had raised on her back until she became an actress were still staying there, not yet adults.

Rosa’s attachment to that place was truly remarkable.

Is this how it feels to have a family?

If one had a hometown, a real home, would it feel like this?

“Yes, they’re in the capital. Do you want to know who it is?”

“Of course! If possible, if it’s possible, I’d like to acquire it myself. By any means necessary.”

At her words, Chris smiled enigmatically and pulled out the next page of the contract.

Rosa started counting the purchase amount written there and then rubbed her eyes.

‘Just how many zeros are there?’

An endless array of zeros.

It was such a large amount that even Rosa, who wasn’t easily surprised, widened her eyes in shock.

When Rosa looked up at Chris with disbelieving eyes, he tapped the bottom of the document.

“I’m not trying to show you the amount. Here, look at this part.”

Rosa’s face hardened as she turned her gaze to where Chris’s fingertip was pointing.

“……Paul Evoque.”

This can’t be.

The owner of the orphanage is Paul Evoque.

Marquis Evoque!

Rosa laughed dejectedly with a pale face.

For the past few years, she had asked him so many times.

That she wanted to know who owned the orphanage. That she wanted him to find out.

Each time, he smiled awkwardly and placated her.

‘Rosa, I’m looking into it even without you nagging. Don’t worry too much and focus on your singing practice, okay?’

Even five years ago, when half the orphanage’s roof collapsed in a typhoon.

Even three years ago, when the famine started and it became difficult to buy food with the orphanage’s operating funds.

Even a year ago, when five-year-old Hash fell ill and was bedridden.

The actual owner of the orphanage never appeared even once.

All these issues were barely resolved with Rosa’s personal funds.

It would have been better if the owner had shown up and sold the orphanage.

Since there was a separate owner, it was difficult to apply for government subsidies or request separate fundraising activities.

The rent was so expensive that half of the monthly operating costs went to it, but they couldn’t leave because they were threatened with the orphanage qualification certificate.

Even if they had left, there wasn’t really anywhere suitable to take all those people in.

“……Ha!”

Rosa laughed dejectedly and slumped back onto the sofa.

“Ha, haha! Wow, look at this con artist?”

Suddenly, anger surged up.

Though they were known as lovers, they were never ‘real’ lovers.

From 12 years ago until now, they had never been lovers.

Not in Rosa’s heart, and probably not in Marquis Evoque’s heart either.

It was just a relationship between a patron who needed his own muse and a protégé desperate for the patron’s support.

But for him, Rosa had given up and resigned herself to many things.

She only appeared in the plays he wanted, practiced the songs he wanted.

She became whatever he desired for ‘Madam Rosa’.

Marquis Evoque treated Rosa as a ‘work of art’ that he had polished and created.

The orphanage sponsorship activities were like that too.

He had insisted that visiting ‘such a place’ was not good for ‘Madam Rosa’s’ image and urged her to go only once a month.

Seeing her anxious state, he reluctantly increased it to twice, but it was so miserable.

But she couldn’t ignore his influence.

She thought that if she just complied obediently, she might be able to acquire the orphanage with his help someday.

He had many connections in the administration, and whenever the orphanage was in trouble, his help came like rain in a drought.

‘……No. It’s not like I didn’t receive any help at all until now.’

Right. Let’s not tremble too much with feelings of betrayal.

Although he had deceived her, she had used him too.

Now that she knew, if she could find another way……

Rosa took a deep breath, trying hard to hold together her crumbling heart.

However, Chris Gunther was not one to just sit by and watch.

“Oh, right. Instead of selling the orphanage, Marquis Evoque attached one condition.”

“A condition?”

“To show no influence on the orphanage. Not to announce the fact that the owner has changed. The term is one year.”

“W-What on earth does that……”

“He said that ‘things would be sorted out’ in a year when he handed it over.”

Madam Rosa’s face turned white.

‘No way.’

Chris pulled out the last card he had brought today with a regretful face.

“Have you heard the rumors that Marquis Evoque is looking for a new muse…?”

……Evoque, you bastard!

Rosa clenched her teeth and slammed her fist down.

* * *

The night had deepened.

Karl, with eyes dripping with regret, had stayed by her side until just a moment ago when he finally turned to leave.

After he left, Lumiere went back into the studio.

The studio was still in a messy state, just as it had been left.

That was because Lumiere had not allowed anyone to touch it.

Lumiere put on an apron, rolled up her sleeves, and began cleaning the studio herself.

She cleaned off the dried paint and organized the scattered art supplies.

The canvases thrown about here and there, and the overturned drawers too.

As she busily moved her body, she quickly became warm.

“I’m thirsty.”

Lumiere wiped the sweat flowing over her forehead and habitually reached for the water bottle, but then put it down with an “Oops.”

“Come to think of it, I drank it all earlier.”

Cleaning turned out to be more strenuous work than expected, so she had drunk a lot of water in between.

“I should go get some more water.”

There were still places left to clean.

She was just about to get up, thinking she should take a little break while going to get water.

Knock knock, along with the sound of knocking on the door, a familiar voice was heard from outside.

“Miss, it’s me. May I come in?”

……Tamia!

Lumiere was startled and hurried to the door.

She had been worried because Tamia had left early yesterday saying she had an errand and hadn’t come back without a word.

Lumiere flung open the door and asked urgently.

“Tamia! You’re back now? Where have you been until now?”

At her pressing, Tamia smiled apologetically with a haggard face.

“I’m sorry. I’m too late, aren’t I? I heard from the twins downstairs. Are you alright, Miss?”

“Yes. I’ve calmed down now. I’m fine. But… Tamia, are you okay? Did something happen outside?”

“It’s a long story. May I come in for a moment, Miss? I brought some food and water just in case…”

Tamia held up the tray she was carrying.

Lumiere quickly let her in.

“That’s welcome news. Come in quickly.”