NEW LIFE IN ANOTHER WORLD

18. A dinner with Aurel

As the evening settled in, Seraphina decided to treat Aurel to dinner at the same luxurious hotel she had first stayed at when she arrived in the city. It was not only because she wanted to savor the fine cuisine prepared by renowned chefs, but also because she wanted Aurel to experience the very best.

Seraphina believed in treating her son to the finest things life had to offer, and this dinner would be his first experience of exquisite food made by a professional.

Dressing for the occasion, Seraphina chose her finest attire. She slipped into a midnight blue gown that shimmered under the dim light. The dress was sleeveless, elegantly draped to accentuate her figure, and sparkled with subtle embroidery woven into the fabric.

Her signature curls were styled with precision; she braided the sides and pinned them back with a stunning diamond accessory, leaving the rest of her curls to cascade down her back. Every detail of her appearance was flawless, from her jewelry to her high heels that clicked gently as she walked.

For Aurel, she personally designed a miniature tuxedo. He looked dashing in his little suit, and although he was curious about the grand outing, he stayed quiet, trusting his mother and holding onto her as she carried him.

Seraphina hired a carriage, and when they arrived at the hotel, Aurel clung to her, his wide eyes taking in the grand surroundings. The hotel was just as magnificent as she remembered, with its golden chandeliers casting a warm glow and the soft murmur of conversations filling the air.

As they entered, every eye turned to them. Seraphina, with her son in her arms and her graceful presence, immediately caught the attention of the guests.

Whispers fluttered through the crowd. People admired her beauty, her elegance, and the way she carried herself. She wasn’t a noble, yet her reputation had grown immensely. Everyone knew her name now, and her association with the empress made her a figure of great interest.

Seraphina wasn’t just a simple merchant anymore; she was a force to be reckoned with, a woman who defied expectations.

As she walked through the corridor, her heels clicking on the polished floor, a group of young noblewomen and gentlemen quickly surrounded her. Their eyes gleamed with curiosity and admiration, eager to converse with her.

“Lady Seraphina, who designed your dress?” one of the ladies asked, eyes wide with wonder. "It’s breathtaking."

Seraphina smiled politely, her voice smooth as she responded, “I designed it myself, of course. It’s one of my passions.”

Another noblewoman stepped forward, her eyes drifting to Seraphina’s hair. “How did you achieve such beautiful curls? They’re so perfect!”

“Oh,” Seraphina laughed lightly, “I was born with them. They’re natural.”

The ladies around her exchanged impressed looks, and more questions followed. “What’s your skincare secret?” “How do you keep your skin looking so flawless?” “How did you get invited to the empress’s palace?”

As the crowd grew, so did their questions, but through it all, Seraphina remained composed. Aurel, still in her arms, was starting to grow restless, his small hand tugging on her dress as a quiet signal that he was getting hungry.

Not wanting to keep her son waiting, Seraphina gracefully addressed the group, “Thank you for all your kind words, but my son and I are here for dinner, and he’s getting quite hungry. I do hope you’ll all come to my store’s grand opening tomorrow. I’ll be giving out samples of some of my finest products. It would be wonderful to see you there!”

The ladies murmured excitedly, making promises to attend. Seraphina gave them a final warm smile before gently excusing herself, “Now, if you’ll allow us, we have a dinner to enjoy.”