The parchment was slid across the table, one gloved finger tapping just above the number written at the bottom of the document.
Roen stared at the inked amount, her lips parting without words. The rest of the tiny, numerous letters on the page was a blur but the sum noted on the bolded line arrested her gaze with disbelief.
“Mister Sebastian Redgrave has left you quite a bit of wealth, Miss Deneith.†Jeulerand Ganathain laced his fingers in front of him on the polished oaken table, calmly looking at the woman who seemed to be stunned speechless. “We were wondering when you would come by to claim the funds. That number is the total net worth of the possessions and intangible properties left in your name.â€
When she blinked and looked up at him with a bewildered expression, the Wildwood continued with a pleasant smile. “It is enough to start a company. Or perhaps if you are in the same enterprise as Mister Redgrave, purchase an airship if you want to delve into the shipping business? Or rent or purchase a warehouse? Or other properties? We here at Ganathain & Templeton Gridanian Arbitration Enterprises can assist in such endeavors as well for we also have business relations with...â€
The arbitrator’s words all blended into a distant murmur within the large room that was his office. The quiet ticking of the chronometer on his desk seemed louder than it should be, and it seemed to overtake the Elezen's monotonous drone, as well as the quiet babble of the nearby stream outside the window. The paladin sat in the middle of the Gridanian office, surrounded by towering bookcases filled with dusty tomes on all sides, wondering how she could hear the seconds tick by over his spoken words. All at once she realized all she was hearing was the percussion within her chest, her own heartbeat. Her eyes would not leave the contract set before her.
Why did you leave all this to me? Roen traced the number absently with a finger, her auburn forelocks falling before her eyes. She had finally traveled to the Shroud, to meet with the arbitrators that Nero had arranged the trust with, to settle financial affairs. She had steeled herself against any more surprises, for the initial parcel and the letter… it had nearly destroyed her with grief. But within moments of meeting with the Elezen, it was clear there were only legal documents for her to peruse over. There were no more last sentiments or items to be bequeathed, he only wanted her signature to settle legal details. For that, the paladin was silently relieved.
But then the final contract was offered her way, and the wealth that Nero had left behind, it was more than she had ever imagined. She had never really considered the wealth and comfort that Nero enjoyed during his life, numerous legitimate front companies along with his illegitimate ones, as well as his estate in the Mist. This money… it was supposed to be used to build the dreadnought. Her finger came to a pause on the parchment. I remember the look in your eyes, hope hidden behind pragmatism. Determination forged with sheer will and obsession. Such an impossible dream it was.
...Did I want to believe you because I loved you?
“So how would you like the funds to be allocated, Miss Deneith?â€
The Elezen’s question drew the paladin out of her reverie, her head jerking back up. “Ah.†She cleared her throat to loosen the constriction there. “I am going to invest the funds into a company--the Bellworks Foundry in Ishgard. If you could arrange for the transfer of the money to this name and address.†Roen slid a small card across the table toward the Wildwood. Jeulerand lofted both brows with mild curiosity, as he plucked the card from the table and studied the print upon it.
“Ishgard,†he drawled. “I suppose with its gates opening, everyone is eager to partake in the opportunities there.†He pocketed the card into his breast pocket. “Very well. I will make the arrangements. I am assuming that this... Eliane Dufresne is aware of the incoming capital?â€
Roen moistened her lips in thought. When she had proposed the agreement with Lady Dufresne, the paladin had no idea just how much wealth would be hers to invest. She thought it would be a nominal contribution, a moderate one at best. This was significantly more sizable than she had led on. The paladin just nodded.
“From our records, it seems that Mister Redgrave had a sizable number of holdings that was liquidated before this trust was established.†Jeulerand grabbed a ledger that was nearby, opening up the thick book in front of him. He retrieved a pair of glasses from his pocket and laid it daintily upon his nose as he began to study one particular page. “He had companies all over Noscea and Thanalan… and some here within the Shroud as well. Surely, if Miss wanted to reinvest in those areas, we can possibly assist you in continuing where he left off?â€
Roen stiffened in her chair, her jaw set. Ul’dah. That is where the funds should go. To improve the lives of those he worked so hard to change. And yet…
“I cannot continue where he left off,†she rasped. “That is not an option for me.â€
I am sorry. I cannot return to Ul’dah. Not… not yet.
The Elezen let out a long exhale, his polite smile dimming just slightly. He closed the ledger and lifted the glasses from its perch upon his nose. “Very well, Miss Deneith. I hope many more opportunities open up to you in Ishgard.†He gingerly set his spectacles back in his pocket. “At least you will no longer have to worry about your livelihood. If anything, Mister Redgrave has made sure that you have enough wealth to be moderately comfortable for the rest of your life.â€
When she bowed her head in sullen silence, Jeulerand placed one hand on top of the other upon the table. “There has been no correspondence from Mister Redgrave, and given the nature of this trust fund… I am presuming our client’s business with us are at an end.†His voice took on a softer tone, perhaps in civility. “In which case, I will extend my condolences. May I be so bold in asking what your relation was to your benefactor?â€
Roen’s fingers closed into a fist upon the contract, and she shook her head without meeting the Wildwood’s eyes.
“Ah. Forgive my meddling," he apologized with an accompanying nod as she dipped the quill and signed the contract. “I will contact your associate at the Bellworks Foundry and make the needed arrangements.â€
I know what you would say. The feathers splayed out lifelessly over dark oak, where the paladin set the quill down on the desk. Her hand remained limp over it, unmoving. That this is not enough.
‘You need only advance a single step.’ A deep gravelly voice, one she did not expect to hear, rolled through her thoughts. Roen blinked.
The chair scraped over the wooden floor loudly in her sudden rise from the table. Roen slid the contract back toward the Elezen before turning for the door. She paused just before the threshold, glancing over the shoulder without meeting the the arbitrator’s eyes. “You will receive a deposit at the end of each moon. I wish to save it… to reinvest elsewhere in the future.â€
“Understood, Miss Deneith.†Jeulerand Ganathain gave her a pleased nod and reached for a stack of documents elsewhere on his desk. “I am certain we can continue our business association as Mister Redgrave has trusted us with in the past--â€
The door closed behind the paladin before the Elezen could finish.
Roen stared at the inked amount, her lips parting without words. The rest of the tiny, numerous letters on the page was a blur but the sum noted on the bolded line arrested her gaze with disbelief.
“Mister Sebastian Redgrave has left you quite a bit of wealth, Miss Deneith.†Jeulerand Ganathain laced his fingers in front of him on the polished oaken table, calmly looking at the woman who seemed to be stunned speechless. “We were wondering when you would come by to claim the funds. That number is the total net worth of the possessions and intangible properties left in your name.â€
When she blinked and looked up at him with a bewildered expression, the Wildwood continued with a pleasant smile. “It is enough to start a company. Or perhaps if you are in the same enterprise as Mister Redgrave, purchase an airship if you want to delve into the shipping business? Or rent or purchase a warehouse? Or other properties? We here at Ganathain & Templeton Gridanian Arbitration Enterprises can assist in such endeavors as well for we also have business relations with...â€
The arbitrator’s words all blended into a distant murmur within the large room that was his office. The quiet ticking of the chronometer on his desk seemed louder than it should be, and it seemed to overtake the Elezen's monotonous drone, as well as the quiet babble of the nearby stream outside the window. The paladin sat in the middle of the Gridanian office, surrounded by towering bookcases filled with dusty tomes on all sides, wondering how she could hear the seconds tick by over his spoken words. All at once she realized all she was hearing was the percussion within her chest, her own heartbeat. Her eyes would not leave the contract set before her.
Why did you leave all this to me? Roen traced the number absently with a finger, her auburn forelocks falling before her eyes. She had finally traveled to the Shroud, to meet with the arbitrators that Nero had arranged the trust with, to settle financial affairs. She had steeled herself against any more surprises, for the initial parcel and the letter… it had nearly destroyed her with grief. But within moments of meeting with the Elezen, it was clear there were only legal documents for her to peruse over. There were no more last sentiments or items to be bequeathed, he only wanted her signature to settle legal details. For that, the paladin was silently relieved.
But then the final contract was offered her way, and the wealth that Nero had left behind, it was more than she had ever imagined. She had never really considered the wealth and comfort that Nero enjoyed during his life, numerous legitimate front companies along with his illegitimate ones, as well as his estate in the Mist. This money… it was supposed to be used to build the dreadnought. Her finger came to a pause on the parchment. I remember the look in your eyes, hope hidden behind pragmatism. Determination forged with sheer will and obsession. Such an impossible dream it was.
...Did I want to believe you because I loved you?
“So how would you like the funds to be allocated, Miss Deneith?â€
The Elezen’s question drew the paladin out of her reverie, her head jerking back up. “Ah.†She cleared her throat to loosen the constriction there. “I am going to invest the funds into a company--the Bellworks Foundry in Ishgard. If you could arrange for the transfer of the money to this name and address.†Roen slid a small card across the table toward the Wildwood. Jeulerand lofted both brows with mild curiosity, as he plucked the card from the table and studied the print upon it.
“Ishgard,†he drawled. “I suppose with its gates opening, everyone is eager to partake in the opportunities there.†He pocketed the card into his breast pocket. “Very well. I will make the arrangements. I am assuming that this... Eliane Dufresne is aware of the incoming capital?â€
Roen moistened her lips in thought. When she had proposed the agreement with Lady Dufresne, the paladin had no idea just how much wealth would be hers to invest. She thought it would be a nominal contribution, a moderate one at best. This was significantly more sizable than she had led on. The paladin just nodded.
“From our records, it seems that Mister Redgrave had a sizable number of holdings that was liquidated before this trust was established.†Jeulerand grabbed a ledger that was nearby, opening up the thick book in front of him. He retrieved a pair of glasses from his pocket and laid it daintily upon his nose as he began to study one particular page. “He had companies all over Noscea and Thanalan… and some here within the Shroud as well. Surely, if Miss wanted to reinvest in those areas, we can possibly assist you in continuing where he left off?â€
Roen stiffened in her chair, her jaw set. Ul’dah. That is where the funds should go. To improve the lives of those he worked so hard to change. And yet…
“I cannot continue where he left off,†she rasped. “That is not an option for me.â€
I am sorry. I cannot return to Ul’dah. Not… not yet.
The Elezen let out a long exhale, his polite smile dimming just slightly. He closed the ledger and lifted the glasses from its perch upon his nose. “Very well, Miss Deneith. I hope many more opportunities open up to you in Ishgard.†He gingerly set his spectacles back in his pocket. “At least you will no longer have to worry about your livelihood. If anything, Mister Redgrave has made sure that you have enough wealth to be moderately comfortable for the rest of your life.â€
When she bowed her head in sullen silence, Jeulerand placed one hand on top of the other upon the table. “There has been no correspondence from Mister Redgrave, and given the nature of this trust fund… I am presuming our client’s business with us are at an end.†His voice took on a softer tone, perhaps in civility. “In which case, I will extend my condolences. May I be so bold in asking what your relation was to your benefactor?â€
Roen’s fingers closed into a fist upon the contract, and she shook her head without meeting the Wildwood’s eyes.
“Ah. Forgive my meddling," he apologized with an accompanying nod as she dipped the quill and signed the contract. “I will contact your associate at the Bellworks Foundry and make the needed arrangements.â€
I know what you would say. The feathers splayed out lifelessly over dark oak, where the paladin set the quill down on the desk. Her hand remained limp over it, unmoving. That this is not enough.
‘You need only advance a single step.’ A deep gravelly voice, one she did not expect to hear, rolled through her thoughts. Roen blinked.
The chair scraped over the wooden floor loudly in her sudden rise from the table. Roen slid the contract back toward the Elezen before turning for the door. She paused just before the threshold, glancing over the shoulder without meeting the the arbitrator’s eyes. “You will receive a deposit at the end of each moon. I wish to save it… to reinvest elsewhere in the future.â€
“Understood, Miss Deneith.†Jeulerand Ganathain gave her a pleased nod and reached for a stack of documents elsewhere on his desk. “I am certain we can continue our business association as Mister Redgrave has trusted us with in the past--â€
The door closed behind the paladin before the Elezen could finish.