17. Family Registration

As dawn broke the next day, Seraphina rose early, a sense of purpose guiding her every move. Today was a significant day, not just because it marked the final preparations for her store's grand opening, but because it was the day she would officially register Aurel as her son. The weight of the responsibility she had taken on was immense, but she felt an unexpected lightness in her heart as she looked at the little boy who had quickly become the center of her world.

After preparing herself for the day, Seraphina turned her attention to Aurel. She selected a fine set of clothes for him, ensuring he looked as dignified as the situation called for. The little boy, still adjusting to his new life, remained quiet but obedient, his large eyes observing everything with a mix of curiosity and wariness. As she buttoned his shirt and smoothed down his hair, Seraphina spoke to him softly.

"Aurel, today we're going on a little adventure," she said, her voice warm and reassuring. "We're going to make it official that you're my son. Doesn't that sound nice?"

Aurel nodded, though he seemed uncertain of what it all meant. Still, the gentleness in Seraphina's tone and the care with which she dressed him made him feel safe.

Once Aurel was ready, Seraphina lifted him into her arms. He clung to her instinctively, burying his face in her shoulder. She smiled softly, feeling a protective surge within her. "Don't worry, Aurel. I'll take care of everything."

She called for a carriage, knowing the registration office was too far to walk, especially with Aurel. As they waited for the carriage to arrive, Aurel looked up at her, his tiny voice breaking the silence. "Where we going, Mama?"

Seraphina's heart skipped a beat at the word 'Mama'. It was the first time he had talk and he even called her that, and it filled her with a deep, unspoken joy. "We're going to the place where they make everything official," she explained. "It's important that everyone knows you're my son."

The carriage soon arrived, and Seraphina carefully climbed in, still holding Aurel close. As they settled into the cushioned seat, Aurel relaxed a little, though he still clung to her hand. The city passed by in a blur outside the window, but Seraphina's focus remained on the child beside her.

"Do you like the city, Aurel?" she asked, trying to ease any lingering anxiety he might have.

Aurel looked out the window, taking in the sights of bustling streets and colorful shops. "big," he said simply, his voice tinged with awe.

Seraphina chuckled softly. "It is. But you'll get used to it. And don't worry, I'll be with you every step of the way."

Their conversation was light, filled with small reassurances as the carriage wound its way through the city. When they finally arrived at the registration office, Seraphina stepped out, still holding Aurel. The large, official-looking building loomed before them, and she could feel the curious stares of passersby as they made their way inside.

Once they entered, the bustling noise of the city faded, replaced by the quieter atmosphere of the office. The clerk behind the counter, a man who had seen countless faces pass through over the years, looked up as they approached. His reaction was immediate—his eyes widened in surprise, and his mouth opened slightly as if to speak, but no words came out.

Seraphina approached the counter confidently, holding Aurel with one arm while keeping her other hand on his back to steady him. "Good morning," she greeted the clerk with a polite smile. "I'm here to register my son."

The clerk blinked rapidly, as if trying to process what he was seeing and hearing. "Your… son?" he repeated, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Yes," Seraphina confirmed. "This is Aurel Vale, my son."

The clerk stared at her for a moment longer, clearly stunned. "But… where is the father?" he asked, his tone hesitant, as if he were treading on delicate ground.

Seraphina's expression turned somber, the lie she had crafted slipping easily from her lips. "He passed away from a sickness," she said quietly. "It's been difficult, but I'm managing."

The clerk's eyes softened with sympathy. "I'm so sorry to hear that," he murmured. "And you're just now registering him? The boy looks… older."

Seraphina nodded, her voice steady as she continued the story. "He was staying with my parents in the countryside. I had to come to the city to earn a living, and after my parents passed away, he finally came to live with me here."

The clerk sighed, clearly moved by her tale. "I see… that must have been hard on you. I'll take care of the registration right away."

As he began to prepare the necessary paperwork, Seraphina noticed the people around them whispering, their attention drawn to her. She was used to the stares, the murmurs of admiration that followed her wherever she went. But today, it felt different—more intense, as if the sight of her with Aurel had added a new layer of intrigue to her already captivating presence.

The clerk, still slightly flustered, cleared his throat as he continued with the registration process. "You understand, of course, that he cannot have an official ID until he comes of age," he explained, glancing up at her briefly. "For now, he can only be registered as a member of your family."

Seraphina nodded, her expression calm and composed. "That's perfectly fine. As long as he's recognized as my son and an official citizen, that's all that matters."

The clerk quickly finished the paperwork, his hands moving with practiced efficiency. Once everything was in order, he handed Seraphina a document that confirmed Aurel's registration as part of her family. "Here you go, Miss Seraphina," he said, his voice gentler now. "Aurel Vale is now officially registered under your name."

Seraphina accepted the document with a grateful smile. "Thank you. This means a lot to us."

The clerk hesitated for a moment, then spoke again, his voice tinged with concern. "If you ever need any assistance, Miss Seraphina, please don't hesitate to ask. Raising a child alone can't be easy…"

Seraphina smiled, a mixture of genuine warmth and carefully concealed amusement at how well her story had worked. "Thank you for your concern. I'll manage, but it's good to know there are kind people like you who are willing to help."

With the registration complete, Seraphina turned to leave, but as she did, she noticed the continued interest of those around her. Their eyes followed her every movement, and she could hear snippets of their conversations—admiration, curiosity, and even a hint of jealousy.

Once outside, Seraphina paused to take a deep breath, the weight of the task finally lifting from her shoulders. Aurel, sensing her relief, looked up at her and asked, "Home mama?"

Seraphina smiled down at him, gently stroking his hair. "Not just yet, sweetheart. There's one more thing we need to do."

She called for the carriage once more, instructing the driver to take them to Craftsman Street. As they traveled through the city, Aurel leaned against her, his small hand clutching hers. Seraphina's thoughts drifted to the opening of her store the next day. Everything needed to be perfect, including ensuring that Aurel had everything he needed.

When they arrived at Craftsman Street, Seraphina stepped out of the carriage, carrying Aurel as they made their way to Mr. Veriz's workshop. The familiar scent of wood and metal filled the air, a comforting reminder of the quality craftsmanship she had come to rely on.

Mr. Veriz, an older man with silver hair and a strong build, greeted her warmly as she entered. "Miss Seraphina! It's always a pleasure to see you," he said, his eyes crinkling with a smile. But when he noticed Aurel in her arms, his expression shifted to one of surprise. "And who is this little one?"

Seraphina smiled, introducing Aurel. "This is my son, Aurel."

Mr. Veriz's brows shot up in surprise. "Your son? When did that happen? I didn't even know you were married!"

Seraphina laughed softly, shaking her head. "I'm not married, Mr. Veriz. Aurel is my child, but his father… well, he passed away before we could marry."

The old man's expression softened, and he sighed deeply. "That's a tough situation, Miss Seraphina. I can't imagine how hard it must have been for you."

Seraphina nodded, her expression carefully composed to convey just the right amount of sadness. "It's been difficult, but I'm doing my best for Aurel."

Mr. Veriz's eyes grew even softer with sympathy. "You're a strong woman, Miss Seraphina. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask. Raising a child alone is no small feat."

"Thank you, Mr. Veriz," Seraphina said, her voice sincere. "Actually, I do have a favor to ask. I need something made for Aurel—something that isn't readily available here."

The craftsman perked up at the mention of a new project. "Of course! What do you need?"

"I need a stroller," Seraphina explained. "It's a chair with four wheels that can be folded up, designed for babies and toddlers who can't walk long distances yet."

Mr. Veriz furrowed his brow, clearly puzzled. "A chair with wheels? That's an odd request. I've never heard of such a thing."

Seeing his confusion, Seraphina quickly took a piece of paper from her bag and sketched a simple design of the stroller. She carefully labeled the parts, explaining as she went. "See, it's like this. The seat is for the child to sit in, and the wheels allow it to move easily. It can be folded up for storage."

Mr. Veriz studied the sketch, nodding slowly as he began to understand. "Ah, I see now. This is quite an ingenious idea. I can make this for you, Miss Seraphina, though it'll take a bit of time."

"That's perfectly fine," Seraphina replied with a smile. "Whenever it's ready, just let me know."

The old man nodded, his eyes twinkling with the prospect of creating something new. "Consider it done. And if you ever need anything else, remember—my son is still single and quite a catch!" he added with a playful wink.

Seraphina couldn't help but laugh, the sound genuine this time. "I appreciate the offer, Mr. Veriz, but for now, I'm content focusing on Aurel. It's important to me that he feels secure, especially after everything he's been through."

Mr. Veriz's expression turned serious again, and he nodded understandingly. "Of course. You're doing the right thing, Miss Seraphina. If you ever need a hand, you know where to find me."

With their conversation finished, Seraphina thanked him once more and left her contact information. As she and Aurel made their way back to the carriage, she felt a sense of satisfaction.

After Seraphina and Aurel returned home, Seraphina was thrilled to see that the store's exterior had been beautifully decorated. An array of flowers and colorful balloons adorned the storefront, with a grand balloon arch framing the entrance.

The vibrant display caught the attention of everyone passing by, who admired the store's eye-catching design. Seraphina felt a surge of satisfaction at how well the decorations turned out.

Inside the store, her employees were busy with preparations. Derrick, Eldrick, and Marina were hard at work, though their focus was on creating larger batches of their products. They knew that the store's opening would attract many customers, and they wanted to ensure they had enough stock to meet the demand. Although the simpler products had already been made, they were working on more complex formulas and larger quantities to restock as needed.

Seraphina was determined to make a strong impression on the first day. She had decided to offer free samples of her products to draw in new customers and give them a taste of what her store had to offer. Instead of giving away full-sized bottles, she had prepared small sample sizes to distribute. She hoped this would entice people to visit her store and try out her offerings without committing to a full purchase. And the best thing about all of this is that she doesn't have any competitors.

To further attract attention, Seraphina had prepared a small advertisement to be displayed on the store's front door:

DISCOVER THE SECRET TO A GLOWING SKIN

Introducing new products that will make your skin look more beautiful, softer, and youthful. Experience the difference with our unique formulas, crafted with care and expertise.

Visit Seraphina's Beauty Emporium!

Located at the heart of the city. Don't miss out on the beauty transformation everyone is talking about!

With everything in place, Seraphina felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. Tomorrow was the grand opening, and she hoped it would be a success.