NEW LIFE IN ANOTHER WORLD

16. Unexpected Child 2

After breakfast, Seraphina took a long look at the boy sitting quietly across from her. His big blue eyes, filled with curiosity and a hint of wariness, met hers as she spoke softly. "Let's get you cleaned up, alright?" she said with a gentle smile. The boy nodded slightly, still unsure but clearly comforted by her kindness.

She carefully washed his face, her hands gentle as she wiped away the grime that had settled on his skin. As she applied a light layer of moisturizer to his cheeks, the boy blinked, unfamiliar with such tender care. Seraphina smiled, noticing how the moisture brought out the natural glow of his skin. She took a comb and began untangling his dark hair, humming softly as she worked.

Once his hair was neatly combed, Seraphina noticed it was a bit long and unruly. "We’ll need to get you a haircut," she mused aloud, more to herself than to the boy. "But first, we need to get you some clothes that fit."

She decided to take him shopping in the central city before the store opened. The early morning sun was just beginning to warm the streets as they stepped out. The boy clung to her hand, his small fingers wrapping around hers as they walked past various shops, some already bustling with early morning customers.

Seraphina led him into a quaint clothing store nearby. The shopkeeper, a middle-aged woman with a kind face, greeted them with a smile. "Good morning, Miss Vale," she said warmly, recognizing Seraphina as one of her frequent customers. Her eyes fell on the boy beside her, and she raised an eyebrow slightly but said nothing.

"We need a few outfits for this little one," Seraphina explained. The shopkeeper nodded, quickly bringing out various clothes in small sizes. Seraphina held up a few outfits against the boy, trying to gauge what would fit him best. He stood still, wide-eyed, as she picked out a few sets of clothes—simple tunics, trousers, and a warm cloak for the cooler days ahead.

"These should do for now," Seraphina said, satisfied with her choices. The shopkeeper wrapped the clothes in a neat bundle and handed them over with a smile. "He’ll look very handsome in these," she said, and Seraphina returned the smile, though her thoughts were elsewhere.

Next, they headed to a nearby salon. The boy was clearly apprehensive as they entered, his small hand gripping hers a little tighter. Seraphina knelt down to his level, her tone soothing. "Don’t worry, it’s just a haircut. It’ll make you feel fresh and nice, I promise." The boy nodded, trusting her words.

The barber, a cheerful man with a friendly smile, was quick to get to work. As the scissors snipped away, Seraphina watched the boy’s expression gradually relax, and by the time his haircut was finished, he looked like a completely different child. His hair was neatly trimmed, and he seemed more at ease now that he was cleaned up and dressed in his new clothes.

When they returned home, it was nearly time to open the store. Seraphina set the boy on a chair near the counter, where he sat quietly, his eyes following her every move as she swept the floor and arranged the shelves. He seemed fascinated by everything, from the rows of neatly stacked products to the way the light filtered through the shop’s windows.

As her employees arrived, one by one, they paused at the door, startled to see the small boy sitting there. Elara was the first to speak, her voice tinged with surprise. "Miss Seraphina, who is this?"

Seraphina looked up from her work and smiled. "This is the little one I found last night. I’m planning to take him to the orphanage later today."

Elara exchanged a glance with the others, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern. Liana, who had been quiet until now, stepped forward. "Miss Seraphina… does he have any markings on his body?"

Seraphina’s brows furrowed slightly. "He does, actually. There’s a bird symbol on his back. Why do you ask?"

Lena looked uneasy, glancing at the other employees before speaking again. "It’s just… I think you should know something about him before you take him to the orphanage."