NEW LIFE IN ANOTHER WORLD

6. Entering High society

As Seraphina’s conversation with the noblewomen continued, it evolved into a lively and engaging discussion. They exchanged stories about their interests and experiences, and the atmosphere grew more relaxed. The noblewomen, fascinated by Seraphina’s beauty and charm, were eager to learn more about her and her plans.

One of the noblewomen, curiosity piqued, asked, “I heard you’re planning to open a store here. When can we expect it to open?”

Seraphina smiled and replied, “I am indeed working on opening a store, but since I’ve only just arrived, it will take some time to get everything in order. I estimate it will take around two months to set up properly. However, if I find a suitable location quickly, I could potentially finish the preparations in about two weeks.”

She deliberately exaggerated the timeline, knowing that the noblewomen were eager to get their hands on her products. The noblewomen, clearly impatient, exchanged glances and whispered among themselves, their desire for Seraphina’s products intensifying.

In a swift turn of events, the noblewomen began making generous offers. “Why wait that long?” one of them said. “We have properties and storefronts available. We’d be happy to offer you a space at a significantly reduced price, considering you’re just starting out. We can also assist with the furnishings and setup.”

Seraphina was delighted by their offers. This was the kind of support she needed to get her business off the ground without spending too much on initial investments. She graciously accepted their offers and made appointments to visit their properties.

“To show my appreciation,” Seraphina announced, “I’ll host a small party at the hotel and give out some samples of my products. I’m thrilled by your support and can’t wait to work with you all.”

The noblewomen were thrilled and agreed to visit Seraphina the following morning with the necessary documents. They were eager to finalize the arrangements quickly.

As the evening wore on, Seraphina decided it was time to make her exit. She subtly noted that the conversation was starting to drag and that Ronan, who had been quietly observing, might be growing bored.

“I’m afraid I must retire for the night,” she said with a yawn. “The travels have been exhausting. I hope you’ll understand.”

She walked Ronan to the stairs, and he remarked, “I’ll be staying at the inn where we first met. Feel free to visit me there anytime. I’ll be here for a month or so before heading out on my next adventure. In the meantime, continue your preparations and take care.”

Seraphina thanked him and promised to visit. With a final wave, she headed back to her room.

As Seraphina lay in her bed, the weight of her new reality pressed heavily on her. The soft, unfamiliar pillow did little to comfort her as her thoughts spiraled into a painful mix of nostalgia and anxiety. She thought of her grandmother, left behind in a world she had been ripped from without warning. Her heart ached with the thought of how her grandmother would react to her sudden disappearance and who would care for her if Seraphina were gone.

Memories of her old world swirled in her mind. Her friends, the life she once knew, all seemed so distant and out of reach. She longed for the familiarity of her past life and the comfort of her grandmother’s presence. The burden of starting over in a foreign land weighed heavily on her, and despite her efforts to stay positive and resilient, the exhaustion finally overcame her.

Tears streamed down her face as she lay on her side, the salty drops soaking into her pillow. For the first time since arriving in this new world, Seraphina allowed herself to cry openly. The strain of constantly maintaining a facade of strength had taken its toll. She felt overwhelmed and utterly alone. Each tear seemed to release a small fraction of the pain she had been holding back, and her sobs shook her as she tried to find solace in her own emotional release.