Chapter 1 of 10
Chapter 1
6 min read1,508 words
It's the start of the serialized version!
"【Vil]. I'm sorry, but I want to break our engagement."
In the living room of the new house, which would serve as both a new workshop and our marital home, I, 【Vil Craft], was told by my future partner, 【Syrical Hassan], that she wanted to break our engagement.
"What, break the engagement... What, what... Why?"
I always thought Syrical was a very serious girl. I never expected her to say something like this.
"Because I found true love."
"Huh...? True love...?"
Let me summarize the situation. I run a blacksmith shop.
My father, a craftsman, and Syrical's father, a merchant, were friends. They arranged our engagement at a fairly early stage, hoping to bring their children together.
My father passed away five years ago, and I inherited the shop and the 【side business]. After that, Syrical's father also passed away, and two years later,
I turned 21, and Syrical turned 20, and we were finally about to get married. We had built a new shop and a new house, and just as we were about to start the marriage procedures...
I was told by Syrical that she wanted to break our engagement.
"What do you mean by 'true love'...? Syrical"
"I'm sorry, Vil. I've fallen in love with someone else."
As she said this, Syrical looked behind her. The living room door opened, and a familiar face appeared.
"Hey, big brother Vil."
"Y-You... Sethin!"
Sethin Craft, my younger brother by two years. Unlike me, he is slender and has a handsome face.
On the other hand, I have messy hair, rough hands, and an average face.
"So, the person Syrical fell in love with is...?"
"It's me, big brother Vil."
"Really...?"
What, what is this? It's too sudden, I can't keep up...
"When did this happen...?"
"Probably after Syrical's father passed away."
Sethin put his hand on Syrical's shoulder. She blushed.
Syrical is usually a cool girl. She didn't even cry in public when her father died.
But now, she was blushing like a girl in love!
"During the time I was sad after my father's death, Sethin comforted and supported me. ...Unlike you, Vil."
"No, but you said it yourself. 'I can't keep crying forever. I'm fine now.' Besides..."
It's not like I did nothing.
When Syrical's father, the president of the Hassan Trading Company, died, the company was left to her.
However, Syrical lacked experience, and the company was on the verge of bankruptcy. I worked hard to stabilize the Hassan Trading Company.
Fortunately, I had many connections with the nobility and royalty, so I asked them to buy weapons from Hassan, and they agreed.
As a result, the Hassan Trading Company, which was on the verge of bankruptcy, was successfully stabilized... but.
"Big brother Vil, Syrical is a girl, you know? When her father died and she was sad inside... what were you doing? You prioritized work and didn't comfort her, did you?"
"Well, but that's inevitable, isn't it? I increased my workload and had a side business..."
I had several special projects in addition to my blacksmith work. They were also important, so I couldn't neglect them.
As a result, the time I spent with Syrical gradually decreased...
"You were so focused on work that you didn't spend time with the important people in your life, and you didn't prioritize her. This is what you deserve, big brother Vil."
...Well, Sethin does have a point. But, but...
"Then, was it okay for the company to go bankrupt? If I hadn't worked hard, the Hassan Trading Company would have gone bankrupt by now."
Both Sethin and Syrical looked surprised.
What, what's that look?
"What are you talking about, big brother Vil? The company's business improved because a lot of big orders came in at that time, right?"
"Huh, huh, huh! Just a coincidence!?"
Big orders did come in, but it was because I asked the nobles to buy weapons! This guy... thought it was a coincidence!?
"Syrical... do you think it was just a coincidence too?"
"No, that's not true."
Ah, good. Syrical understood... It wasn't a coincidence.
"It's because I didn't give up even after losing my father and worked hard. My efforts were recognized, and the orders came in."
...You too? You didn't understand either...?
What, that's impossible, right?
For a large order to come in out of the blue...
How would she know I was working hard when we had no contact?
...So, is that it?
The efforts I made for her were not communicated to my fiancée?
Moreover, did she think I was a bastard who abandoned his fiancée for work?
That's why... Syrical chose my brother instead of me...?
"That's too much... Why now? We've already built the new shop and the new house..."
We were just about to submit the marriage application. Why now...?
"I'm sorry, big brother, but can you leave this house?"
"Huh...? Sethin, what are you saying...? Why do I have to leave the house?"
"Of course. This is my and her house. I can't live with my ex-boyfriend, can I?"
Well, I guess it would be awkward to live with an ex-boyfriend...
But, why do I have to leave?
"Why don't you two find another place to live?"
"We can't."
"Why not?"
"I don't have any money."
...What? No money?
"The capital is expensive. Building a new house would cost a lot of money. Even renting a place would be expensive. I don't have the money to provide a place to live."
"?? What, so you're saying I have to let you live here and I have to leave?"
Isn't that a bit unreasonable...?
"If you don't have money, why don't you live at Syrical's house? The Hassan Trading Company building is Syrical's property."
"I'm going to be the head of the family. I can't go to my wife's house empty-handed. My pride won't allow it."
"Huh...? What...? You're going to be the head of the family...?"
I had a bad feeling.
Sethin approached Syrical and placed his hand on her stomach.
"She's carrying our child."
"Wh-What!?"
No way! Not only were you cheating, but you even had a child!?
What kind of people are you?
While I was working hard, not only did you not recognize my efforts, but you were secretly dating and even had a child!
"Since we're having a child, you should at least give us a house, big brother Vil."
"..."
I was speechless. This guy is too selfish...
And Syrical too.
Why didn't you say you didn't love me anymore?
Was it because you had some use for me?
Did you want me to build the house for free?
Now that the house is built, you're done with me?
"...You've got to be kidding me. This is a joke, right!"
I realized I was shouting in anger.
Of course, I was.
I worked hard for a woman, and I was betrayed!
"Don't shout, big brother Vil. You're scaring Syrical."
"Shut up! Damn it! I get it, I'll leave. I don't want to see your faces anymore! You can do whatever you want with the house and the shop!"
I didn't want to stay in this place anymore. I tried to leave.
"Wait, Vil."
Syrical called out to me.
"Trying to stop me is pointless, Syrical. I won't forgive you. I have no intention of getting back together."
"That's not it. You can leave, but don't quit the shop."
"..."
This woman... What did she just say?
"I need the weapons from this shop for the Hassan Trading Company."
"..."
I was so angry, my head was about to explode.
This woman not only cheated and had a child, and kicked me out of the house...
Now she's telling me to work at the shop.
...I completely lost it.
"I don't care anymore! I'm leaving! I'm quitting the job too!"
"What! Vil, how can you say such irresponsible things!"
"Shut up! I don't want to see your faces anymore!"
I opened the living room door and left.
"Wait, Vil! Stop! Let's talk about this!"
"Let him go, Syrical. It's fine, I'll take care of the blacksmith work."
This guy is saying something ridiculous.
There's no way you can do it.
You've been slacking off in your blacksmith training and haven't even helped with the house. Without me, the blacksmith shop will be over, and the reputation of the Hassan Trading Company will plummet.
Moreover, the major contracts I secured will be canceled if they find out I've been kicked out.
Not only that, but I don't think you can handle the side business I was doing.
But!
I don't care anymore! I don't care if these guys are in trouble!
So, I decided to leave the capital.
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