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."

Seraphina noticed the seriousness in Lena's tone. "What is it? If there's something important, please tell me."

The employees gathered closer, their usual cheerful demeanor replaced by a more somber one. Elara spoke next, her voice gentle but firm. "Miss Seraphina, the symbol on his back… it marks him as a slave. He's a slave by birth."

Seraphina's eyes widened in shock. "A slave? But he's just a child… how can he be a slave?"

Lena sighed, clearly troubled. "It's not just him. His parents were slaves, as were his ancestors. It's a generational curse, a punishment for the crimes committed by their bloodline. That mark on his back… it's a symbol that binds him to a life of slavery. It's the law here in Eldoria."

Seraphina shook her head in disbelief. "But that's… barbaric! How can something like this still exist?"

Elara nodded sadly. "It's a dark part of our kingdom's history, Miss Seraphina. Before Eldoria became what it is today, it was part of a vast empire ruled by a tyrant. He and his supporters oppressed the people, and after the revolution, they were punished by being made slaves. Their descendants, like this boy, are born into that curse. They have no rights, no freedom. They are seen as less than human."

Seraphina's heart ached as she looked at the boy, who was listening quietly, his innocent eyes not fully understanding the weight of the conversation but sensing the sadness in their voices. "So… if I take him to the orphanage…?"

Lena shook her head. "They won't accept him. The orphanage only takes in freeborn children. Slaves are not allowed. If they find out he's a slave, they'll send him back to his master, or worse…"

Seraphina felt a surge of protectiveness rise within her. "But he has no master… he was abandoned."

Elara's expression softened. "Perhaps his mother was trying to give him a chance at a better life. Maybe she knew the horrors that awaited him if he stayed. But if you want to keep him, you must be careful. Harboring a slave, especially one marked by birth, is a serious crime in this kingdom."

Seraphina looked down at the boy, who was still watching her with those trusting eyes. The thought of him being returned to a life of suffering was unbearable. She made her decision then and there.

"I'll keep him," she said firmly. "I'll raise him as my own. I won't let him be treated like that… not ever."

The employees looked at each other, then back at Seraphina. They could see the determination in her eyes, and though they knew the risks, they also knew that Seraphina had a kind heart. Liana stepped forward, placing a hand on Seraphina's shoulder. "We'll help you, Miss Seraphina. We won't say a word to anyone. He'll be safe with us."

Seraphina smiled gratefully. "Thank you… all of you. This will be our secret, and I promise, I'll do everything I can to keep him safe."

The boy, sensing the change in the mood, reached out and held Seraphina's hand. She squeezed his small hand in return, her heart swelling with a fierce protectiveness she hadn't known she was capable of. In that moment, she knew she had made the right choice. No matter the risks, she would protect this child with everything she had.

As the morning sun bathed the streets of Newtown in a warm, golden glow, Seraphina walked with the boy beside her. They moved slowly, Seraphina guiding him through the lively streets filled with the sounds of merchants setting up their stalls and early shoppers haggling over prices. The boy clung to her hand, his small fingers gripping hers as though he feared losing her in the bustling crowd.

Seraphina had made up her mind. This child, who had been abandoned and marked by the cruel history of his ancestors, would no longer suffer. She would be his protector, his mother, and she would give him the life he deserved—a life free from the chains of his birth.

As they turned down a quieter street, away from the crowds, Seraphina knelt down to the boy's level. The morning light danced in his bright blue eyes as she looked at him with a soft smile. "I want to tell you something very important," she began, her voice gentle but firm. "From now on, I will be your mother. I will protect you and keep you away from all harm. I promise to make you the happiest child in the world. You will no longer suffer because of your ancestors' sins. That ends with you, here and now."

The boy's eyes widened slightly as he listened, but he didn't need words to understand the gravity of what she was saying. The sincerity in her voice, the warmth in her eyes, and the kindness in her touch spoke volumes. He could feel the promise in her words, a promise of safety, love, and a future free from the darkness of his past.

Seraphina reached into her bag and pulled out a small, delicate veil, draping it over the boy's head. The fabric was soft and comforting, and it shielded him from the prying eyes of the world. "This will keep you safe," she said softly. "For now, we must be careful. The world may not understand, but I do, and I will protect you."

As they walked back to her shop, Seraphina's mind was made up. She would give this boy a new identity, one that would shield him from the harshness of the world. He would no longer be just an abandoned child or a slave marked by birth—he would be her son. She would lie to the world if she had to, telling everyone that he was her biological child, born out of a private and sacred bond.

When they returned to the shop, Seraphina wasted no time. She sat the boy down in her private quarters and looked into his eyes, her expression softening as she spoke. "We need to give you a name, a beautiful name that suits you, my little one. A name that will mark the beginning of your new life."

She thought for a moment, searching for the perfect name. "How about… Aurel?" she suggested. "Aurel means 'Golden.' It's a name that symbolizes wealth and beauty. What do you think?"

The boy blinked up at her, the corners of his lips twitching into a small smile. He didn't speak, but Seraphina could see the approval in his eyes.

"Aurel it is, then," Seraphina said, smiling warmly. "From now on, you are Aurel Vale, my son. And I promise you, Aurel, no one will ever harm you again."

The boy—Aurel—nodded, his small hand reaching out to grasp hers once more. Seraphina felt a rush of emotion as she held his hand, a surge of protectiveness and love that took her by surprise. This child, who had been destined for a life of suffering, was now hers to protect, and she would do so with every fiber of her being.

Seraphina knew the path ahead would not be easy. There would be questions, suspicions, and challenges. But she was ready to face them all for Aurel. She would register him as her son, and they would face the world together.

The next step was to formalize this new identity. She would take him to the town registry, where she would declare him as her biological child—her barred son. The lie would be necessary to protect him, and she would make sure that it was convincing enough to withstand any scrutiny.

As she finished tidying up the shop, she looked over at Aurel, who was sitting quietly, his blue eyes following her every move. "Aurel," she called softly, and he looked up at her, his expression calm and trusting. "We're going to make sure everything is perfect for you. You'll have a good life here with me. No more fear, no more pain. Just happiness, love, and peace."

Aurel nodded, his small face lighting up with a smile. Seraphina's heart swelled with warmth as she crossed the room and knelt beside him, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "I love you, Aurel," she whispered, planting a gentle kiss on his forehead.

Aurel didn't say anything, but his tiny arms wrapped around her neck in a tight hug, his way of telling her that he understood, that he accepted her love and that he loved her too.

As they held each other, Seraphina felt a sense of purpose settle within her. She had made a choice, and it was the right one. Aurel would be her son, and together, they would build a life free from the shadows of the past.