Chapter 16 - Orlando & Co.
Dahlia walked towards Orlando & Co, it was just a few minutes’ walk from the Merchant Guild.
It was a fairly large, three-story wooden building, and Dahlia had been here many times before.
After Tobias’s father passed away, she had even come to help with bookkeeping and verifying calculations for a while.
As she stepped inside, multiple gazes turned toward her.
The moment they confirmed her face, the expressions shifted to curiosity, sympathy, and mockery.
Fighting the urge to flee, Dahlia straightened her posture.
This was something she had decided on the day of the engagement’s annulment.
She wouldn’t let herself look down over something like this.
"Oh my, hello, Rossetti-san."
Tobias’s mother, who had called her Dahlia just a few days ago, addressed her with a stiff, forced smile.
"I’m sorry for the suddenness. Emilia-san has connections to a Viscount family, so there was nothing we could do about it from the company’s side... Well, as for Tobias, it was just a business matter, and I’m sure you’ll find someone better for you."
Her words carried an undertone that she was sorry but implied that this was due to noble connections, and not their fault.
While she encouraged her facial muscles, Dahlia managed to maintain a neutral expression.
"Yes, it’s all in the past now. But I have a matter with the Merchant Guild to confirm with him. Could you call Tobias-san over, please?"
"A Merchant Guild matter? Oh, you still have some unfinished business with Tobias, I see. I’ll call him right away."
Tobias’s mother seemed relieved by Dahlia’s calm demeanor and immediately instructed a staff member to summon Tobias.
"...Dahlia, did you need something?"
Tobias appeared from the back, his face slightly awkward.
After all, it was probably difficult for him to greet her with a smile after their engagement had been broken off.
"I came about the profit contract for the compact magical stove."
"That’s..."
His brown eyes darted around, and his face drained of color.
"I’m sorry… About that... let’s discuss it in the reception room."
He led Dahlia to the nearest reception room.
Once seated across from each other at the table, Tobias bowed his head.
"I’m sorry. I forgot to explain, it was just a misunderstanding."
"What do you mean? I was told that the person in charge of the compact magical stove contract received my approval from you and proceeded without confirming it with me."
"Well, I planned for the two of us to start a new company together after the wedding. So, I thought it would be better if the contract was in my name..."
"So you were planning to put everything under your name, even the things I would create after our marriage?"
"Yes, since it would be released through the company, I thought it should either be under my name or joint names."
Since the engagement's annulment, Dahlia had felt mad and hopeless at various moments, but today was the first time her anger had completely chilled her mind.
"When developing magical tools that will end up in the hands of others, you should engrave your name on them and take responsibility for their future. That’s what my father taught me."
Her cold jade eyes stared straight at Tobias.
"If it had been under both of our names, it would have been fine. But with the magical tool under your name alone, if any defects or accidents occur, that information won’t reach me."
"I thought I’d let you know if anything happened..."
Tobias froze as he spoke.
It was an incredibly lighthearted comment, especially considering they were no longer engaged.
"Cancel the profit contract for the compact magical stove today. I will re-register it afterward."
"No, that’s..."
It would be the same as admitting his wrongdoings.
He would surely find it difficult to face the Merchant Guild from now on.
"It happened while we were engaged. Could we say you had approved to have the contract under my name, leave the name as it is, and let me buy the rights to the compact magical stove? Of course, the company will pay whatever price you name."
"I refuse. I was told that canceling after a complaint from the Merchant Guild would result in penalties. They told me that if I wanted, I could sue for contract fraud."
"You wouldn’t do something like that, would you? ...Is it because you still hold a grudge over the engagement annulment?"
Dahlia lowered her gaze and sighed deeply.
"More than the engagement annulment, I’m disappointed by the fact that you changed the name for the magical tool. I had considered you my 'senior apprentice' in the craft."
"...I see, more than a fiancé, I was just your 'senior apprentice.' That’s how it’s always been for you, hasn’t it?"
Tobias looked away, his hands clenched tightly.
"Would you reconsider selling me the contract for the magical stove?"
"No."
"...Even if Orlando & Co. won’t do business with you from now on. Is that still okay?"
"Yes."
Dahlia answered immediately.
She had already prepared herself for this.
She could find other suppliers, or talk to the Merchant Guild to work with a different company.
If that didn’t work, she could try selling to other waterproof cloth vendors or shift to selling processed material.
While it might significantly reduce her profits, she could still survive alone.
She wouldn’t allow something like this to make her lower her head as a full-fledged magical toolmaker.
"Besides, keeping any ties with me would be bad for your new fiancée, wouldn’t it?"
Although she hadn’t seen Tobias’s new fiancée in the office earlier, she knew the person was here now.
The truth was, she didn’t want to meet either of them.
"Dahlia..."
"Please complete the Merchant Guild’s procedures today."
Dahlia ended the conversation there and stood up.
Her short hair, reaching her shoulders, swayed noticeably in front of Tobias.
To Tobias, the sight of her red hair as she left the room was something he just couldn’t get used to.
Comments
Post a Comment