Chapter 4 - Settlement of the Broken Engagement
Tobias entered the meeting room precisely at 2:00 PM.
In the room, in addition to Dahlia, the guild's witnesses and notary public were already present.
Dalia and Tobias sat across from each other at the large table, with one witness seated beside each of them.
The notary public sat at a slightly separated seat.
“We will now proceed with the annulment of your engagement contract and the settlement of your joint account as per your engagement certificate. Representing the guild as witnesses are Vice Guildmaster Gabriella Jedda and myself, Contract Administrator Ivano Badoel.”
Ivano introduced himself and Gabriella with a slight bow. Gabriella sat beside Dahlia, and Ivano beside Tobias.
“I will act as the notary public. My name is Dominic Kämpfer.” said the elderly man with white hair, nodding politely.
He was the guild’s longest-serving notary public, with the highest number of appointments.
Both Dahlia’s and Tobias’s fathers had relied on him often in the past.
"First, to proceed with the termination of the contract, we will dissolve and settle your joint account registered with the Merchant Guild. The account under the joint names of Tobias Orlando and Dahlia Rossetti holds 40 gold coins. I will distribute the full amount equally, with each of you receiving 20 coins. Is this acceptable?"
Both Dahlia and Tobias agreed. Ivano opened a package next to the account ledger documents.
A blue cloth was placed in front of each of them, and 20 gold coins were stacked on each.
These 20 gold coins would amount to roughly around 2 million yen.
This amount came from the profits of original magical tools registered with the Merchant Guild, as well as the sales of items made from commissioned work.
Although it might seem like a somewhat large sum, the production of magical tools required materials and research costs, so a larger reserve was inevitably necessary.
Additionally, since there was no insurance in this world, it also served as an emergency savings for sickness or injury.
"Next, We will address the section of the engagement certificate regarding the termination of the engagement. It states, 'The party responsible for the termination of the engagement shall pay the other party a compensation of 12 gold coins.' Which of you will be providing this?"
"That would be me."
Tobias replied, changing his usual informal tone to a formal one. He muttered under his breath, “12 gold coins, huh.”
Dahlia couldn’t discern whether he thought the amount was too much or too little.
“Then, 12 coins will be given to Dahlia-sama. Tobias-sama, may we transfer this amount from your share?”
"Yes."
Twelve of the 20 gold coins were shifted to Dahlia’s pile.
“Now, regarding the house purchased during your engagement. The house was purchased for 100 gold coins, with Tobias-sama paying 50 coins and Dahlia-sama paying 50 coins. The property is currently under joint ownership. The agreement allows for either selling the house and splitting the profit or the party wishing to retain ownership compensating the other for their initial contribution. How would you like to proceed?”
"I would like to retain ownership."
Dahlia listened in silence as Tobias declared without hesitation.
“Understood. Then, please pay Dahlia-sama 50 gold coins.”
At Ivano's words, Tobias placed 20 gold coins from his bag next to the 8 coins in front of him. Then, he slid the blue cloth with the coins toward Dahlia.
"Dahlia, please wait a little longer for the rest. I don't have the full amount right now. I'll pay the rest once I have it."
"Huh?"
The dumbfounded voice came not from Dahlia but from Ivano, who sat next to Tobias.
Gabriella followed up to clarify.
“Until the payment is complete, the property title cannot be transferred, you see.”
"Yes, I'll pay the remaining amount directly to Dahlia. If Dahlia agrees, the name change at the registry office can be done, right?"
"..."
Dahlia was speechless.
In what world does a man try to borrow the money for a house he plans to live in with his affair partner, from the woman whose engagement he just broke off?
And not only was he not asking for it in secret, but he was doing it in front of witnesses and a notary public at the Merchant Guild, acting as if it was only natural for him to be granted the loan—who does such a foolish thing?
Unfortunately, such a man was sitting right in front of her.
As Dahlia struggled to reconcile the Tobias she had known with the man before her, Dominic, who was also present, cleared his throat loudly twice.
“A title transfer without full payment is highly prone to disputes and not advisable. What would you like to do?”
“The title transfer will wait until payment is complete.”
Naturally, Dahlia firmly rejected it.
“That’s a problem! I promised Emilia we’d live there immediately!”
Silence followed.
Tobias, flustered by what he had just blurted out, was at a loss for words.
Ivano’s face was clearly marked with a question, as if asking, "What on earth are you saying?"
Gabriella smiled elegantly, though her eyes betrayed no amusement.
Dominic, his expression completely neutral, gripped the documents so hard his fingers turned white.
While keeping an eye on the scene, Dahlia mentally shredded every not-so-bad memory of her engagement with Tobias.
"Orlando-san, as you have a reputable standing, the Merchant Guild can offer you a loan."
The first to break the silence was Gabriella.
Towards the still flustered Tobias, only her crimson lips curled into a seductive smile.
She likely used his surname, "Orlando," instead of his first name on purpose.
"Since you have future work ahead, let's arrange a monthly installment. If you're planning to live with your new woman, you'd better settle things properly, or she'll end up disliking you, you see."
"...Thank you, I'll take the loan..."
His faint voice echoed.
・・・・・・・
After completing the documentation for the engagement annulment and the loan, Tobias left the room as if fleeing.
The reception counter, located next to the meeting room, was a place where voices carried quite clearly.
By nightfall, Tobias’s remarks would likely become the topic of someone’s drinking conversation.
Suppressing a lingering headache, Dahlia stood.
She thanked the remaining three individuals, and prepared to leave.
"Excuse me, Dahlia-san. This might be inappropriate to ask, but..."
The man with mustard-colored hair, holding a bundle of documents, asked in a quiet voice.
"Go ahead, Ivano-san."
"Was Tobias-san always such an idi—uh, such a person?"
He almost said "idiot," but Dahlia understood him perfectly.
Dahlia couldn't help but gaze off into the distance.
"I only discovered that today..."
"Um, Dahlia-san, are you all right?"
"It would be a lie to say I'm completely fine... but there's nothing I can do about it, so I think it's best to let it go. If I think about the fact that I can now freely focus on making magical tools, I think I can get through it."
She said it while thinking, but that was the truth.
"Thank you for your hard work, Miss Dahlia."
The next person to speak was Dominic.
"No, it’s I who should thank you, Dominic-san."
"Your father was a great help to me. I was supposed to pass away first, but he beat me to it, and I still haven't repaid his kindness. If you ever find yourself in trouble, don't hesitate to consult me, even if it's not for notarial services."
"Yes, thank you very much."
Dominic's low voice reminded her of her father. She truly appreciated his thoughtfulness now more than ever.
"Now that the procedure is over, what will you do from here on, Dahlia-san?"
"I'll go to the new house, and have the furniture brought over to my house. I just left this morning, so I'll just be going back home. It’ll be an easy task to wrap up."
Gabriella nodded lightly at Dahlia's words and then swung the door open wide with both hands.
It was mildly amusing to see the staff who had been listening all quickly avert their gazes.
With a slow turn, Gabriella faced Dahlia and smiled elegantly.
"Oh, let me just say one thing. Congratulations on the successful annulment of your engagement."
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