New World, New Life: I Became A Bigshot In The Ancient World
Chapter 42: TALK IN THE NIGHT

Chapter 42: TALK IN THE NIGHT

Aristia left her room, knowing that the couple most likely weren’t asleep yet. She deliberately chose this time of night to discuss with them as she thought the quiet night was soothing, allowing her to do a better job at persuading them. Also, there wouldn’t be much disturbance from other people at this time.

She returned the journal to its place in the drawer and left the room. The chandeliers in the corridors were not lit, but there were a few candles hung on candlesticks on the walls that would probably burn out after a few hours, providing dim lighting in the corridors.

As she made her way in the dim corridors to the room of Aristia’s parents, she organised her thoughts. [I need to establish my own source of income. I can’t let myself be ruled by this world’s outdated norms and ethics.]

She knew that in this backward world, women were not supposed to and could not own businesses. They relied on their fathers or husbands for money. Even if they did manage businesses, it wasn’t registered in their name. Those who did managed the business for their husbands. But most aristocrat women did not, and preferred to not work.

She stopped in front of the door and raised her hand to knock, but she stopped it midair. [Wait. Speaking of disturbance, I hope they’re not... No. Alaric’s in there. I don’t think they would.] With that thought, she finally knocked on the door.

"Mama, Papa. It’s Tia," she said.

"You may come in," she faintly heard Catherine say, so she opened the door.

She realized she had never been to their room since her stay in this world. This room was much larger than her room, black with a warm grey color tone and design.

The room smelled like rosewood and jasmine, creating a calming, soothing and relaxing scent. The low lighting from the candle enhanced the color of the room and added a warm and comfortable feel to it.

She noticed that the room she was standing in was like a mini parlour. There were two black leather sofas placed opposite each other with a round table placed in between.

Her parents were seated on the couch, relaxing in each other’s arms. Her mother was wearing a light dress, a night gown, and her father was wearing a lighter shirt and pants. They were obviously putting on their night wear.

"Tia, are you having trouble sleeping?" Catherine asked in a low comforting voice, surprised to see her there as her daughter had stopped coming to their room for some time. Even Wilson looked surprised.

"No," Aristia shook her head. "I want to discuss something with you and Papa. I wonder if this is a suitable time?"

"Of course, dear." Catherine replied and then invited, "Sit down."

"So tell us, what do you want to talk to us about?" Wilson asked.

"Okay," she took a seat quietly on the couch opposite them.

Facing Wilson and Catherine, Aristia took a deep breath and exhaled as she began, "Papa and Mama, I want to start a business," she said seriously, with an expression absent of jokes. It was very clear from her eyes that she wasn’t joking.

Wilson and Catherine were taken aback. "You want to start a business?" They repeated quietly after Aristia’s words sank in.

"Tia, it is unheard of for a lady to own a business," Catherine educated her daughter in a gentle, caring tone after she had gotten over the words uttered by her daughter. The couple wondered why their daughter was always interested in the subjects and activities made for men.

Aristia fought the urge to roll her eyes.

[Hello, I’m a very successful businesswoman.] She stressed the woman mentally, but didn’t speak her thoughts out loud.

"Why?" Wilson asked.

It took Aristia a second to understand that Wilson was talking about the reason she wanted to start a business.

"I want to earn money," she disclosed.

"But we are providing what you need, aren’t we?" Catherine asked, feeling both puzzled and worried. Could it be that her daughter felt that she wasn’t well provided for?

"You are providing what I need, Mama. But I want to make my own money," she emphasized the ’my own’.

Wilson and Catherine seemed unconvinced.

"Your mother is right, Tia. Females cannot open or own businesses." Wilson said in a bid to discourage her unusual ideas.

[I guess this world will still influence them at some point.]

Aristia knew that no matter how loving and indulging they were, the mentality of this world they lived in would still influence them to some extent and in some aspects.

It was already a wonder that they agreed to her taking training classes which were meant for males.

But that did not discourage her, if anything, it only fueled her resolve. She was determined to leave this room successful. She wasn’t one to give up!

"Alright," she didn’t let Wilson and Catherine rejoice that she had let the matter go before she said, "But, I have a proposition to make," and they listened attentively to what she had to say.

"Go on," Wilson gestured. He wouldn’t lie and say that he wasn’t interested in what she had to say, especially with how she had provided a solution in case a famine were to occur. He wouldn’t be quick to dismiss her words.

"How about you take this as a game? I will open a business and if it is successful, I will continue with it and you and mama will not interfere with my plans," she proposed.

"But if it isn’t successful?" Wilson inquired.

"If it isn’t successful, which I highly doubt, I will discontinue it and take it as a learning experience. I will also stop taking the training classes," she added to further convince them.

Her confident words amused Wilson, but they also made him consider it seriously.

’The business world is not something a child can handle. When she doesn’t succeed or loses interest, she will quit.’

"Okay. You will be allowed to open this business, but if you don’t succeed, you will discontinue your training."

However, he wasn’t serious about her discontinuing the training. He just said it to discourage her and see if she’d back down.

He had come to the conclusion that the training was indeed beneficial for his daughter to protect herself if she was in danger, which he highly doubted, but it didn’t hurt to be prepared. It was better safe than sorry. If she ever happened to be in such a situation, she wouldn’t be helpless like sheep waiting to be slaughtered.

"I accept." Aristia replied confidently, not even stopping to consider the possibility of her stopping her training.

"But, I disagree with the part where we will not interfere in whatever plans you may have," Catherine interjected. She looked apprehensive about something. "We are your parents and cannot ignore whatever you do or want to do."

Wilson nodded in agreement, slowly grasping Catherine’s hand in his.

"Fine" Aristia agreed begrudgingly. "But I need my allowance mama."

Aristocrat children were usually allocated allowances by their parents, and Aristia being the daughter of the Kingdom’s very wealthy Grand Duke, received an even higher allowance.

It had probably accumulated to a large sum, as Aristia hardly ever touched it since all her needs and wants were catered to.

[Sorry Aristia, but I’ll have to use your money.]

The couple exchanged glances and Catherine spoke,

"Alright, you will go with your father to collect your allowance. It is quite late. How about we continue this conversation tomorrow?" She suggested.

"That’s fine, but now that you have agreed to my request, I want to ask that you refrain from helping me in regards to managing this business. I will handle the matters concerning the business myself," she stood up. "Then, I will retire to bed now. Goodnight Mama, goodnight Papa," she waved, stifling a yawn.

"Goodnight, Tia." Her mother replied.

"I will take you to your room," Wilson said, standing up to follow her.

Aristia wanted to tell that there was no need for that but she changed her mind. Wilson looked like the matter was not up for discussion.

[Whatever, just so that they will have peace of mind.]

They had almost arrived at her room when Wilson halted his steps.

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