Spear Of Retribution

Three sets of eyes are staring in front of her, judging every move and actions, looking at her face and stature like she's a canvas but an ugly canvas base on their scowled expression upon seeing her for the first time in four years.

Geraldine is standing in the middle of the room like a stone, unmoving and has a poker expression plastered on her face. She has been bought inside the mansion by Gael to present her to the Duke for clarification if she's a fake or not. 

"So, you're telling me that this girl is Geraldine," Duke Victor Gauthier sips his camomile tea with a grumble. His face is still the same when Geraldine leave the mansion as if he didn't age at all, the only difference is the Grey specks that appears on his hair as a sign of aging.

Geraldine rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, "I already told you that I can just go away and forget everything that happened here. So no need for interrogation." 

The three men looked at one another with meaningful gaze it's because she doesn't fear them and rather have the courage to stand before them without trembling or looking down on the floor as it was done by the posers coming in the place of Geraldine and make the family believe that they are the missing young miss of the Gauthier family.

Gavril stands up from the sofa and circled around her while looking at her height and body stature. In the last four years, she has grown as well, standing around 5'5 (165 cm). This makes Geraldine felt uncomfortable by their stares and sense like they are undressing her in front of their own eyes.

"Okay, umm. I think this is enough. I should go," Geraldine pointed at the door and slowly taking a step back while waving at them goodbye but once she reached the door she notice that it was locked and saw knights guarding outside.

"I think the door is locked, I can't go out," Geraldine pointed at the door but they all remained seated without saying a word.

Feeling defeated, Geraldine went back and stands in front of them as she remembered what Gael have said a few minutes ago that they will punish her as an example to those who will dare to act as the young miss imposter again.

"What do you want?" She spoke in a lower tone so that she won't be pushed on their bad side since in their eyes, she's an imposter. 

"If you're the real Geraldine, tell me something that only within the family knows about it as a proof," Gavril said with a smirk lingering on his lips, he is confident that the girl in front of her is not his sister because she looks different than before.

Geraldine stare at him with a smug smile then she went closer to him and even lowered herself at his head level since he is sitting and Geraldine is standing.

"I know you have a mole at your left butt checks," Geraldine whispered with a taunting voice. As soon as Gavril hears it, his face instantly turned red and stands up, towering over her. 

Gavril wanted to speak as his mouth twitches but he can't deny what she revealed because it was true. He have a huge mole on his butt cheeks that he's always ashamed of. Gavril could only looked at his father and nodded his head and began walking away to calm himself but before that, he looked back at Geraldine who is biting her lips to prevent herself from laughing.

"I wish you had never came back!" He aggressively whispered and walked away towards his room while stumping loudly.

Duke Victor Gauthier massages his temples because of stress. He stands up from his seat and went closer to Geraldine but didn't dare touch her, "You finally decided to come back to us after four years. We have lost an important business because of your rebellious act and now you have the face to come back here." 

The Duke's voice sounds unhappy and his expression remained unchanged after seeing his only daughter for a long time. On the other side of the sofa, Gael only looked at them without saying anything as if he's watching a drama live.

Geraldine smiled sweetly to his father, "I miss you father, don't you miss me too?" she pouts and flutter her eyes while dismissing the words she heard from the Duke. 

Duke Gauthier was taken back by what she said and coughed to cover up his surprise. He turned his back while frowning at her and begun walking away without a single word of welcome to his daughter.

Only Geraldine and Gael remained at the living room. She faced him and smiled, "Brother seemed unwell, you should take a rest too as it's getting late. I should go to my room as well." 

Gael didn't answer and only stare at her for ten minutes making Geraldine felt uncomfortable as she shifted her weight while waiting for his response.

"So, I'll go now," Geraldine pointed at the direction of her room and took a step back as she was about to go away.

"If you wanted our attention that much, you should have done something else than going all the way and be gone for years and making both houses of Dukes to look for you in the whole Empire. Do you like it that you get that kind of attention from us?" Gael said with a face of disgust. 

Geraldine was dumbfounded by what he said. It was never her intention to use her leaving as an attention seeking action from her family. It was for completing and planning her revenge to the Empire who enslave her as a killing machine for years.

But all that time, her family thought that she only wanted attention from them to the point of going all out. That thought irritates Geraldine to the core but she calmed down and remained her poise.

"Brother, I only wanted to practice my element that's why I left. I don't intent to grab your attention by leaving since I already know that I'm not welcome in this household." Geraldine smiled and walked away, leaving Gael all alone in the room.

As Geraldine went outside on the other door and the knights roaming around stopped when they see her. They were on high alert as she was wearing a commoner's clothes and didn't hesitate to approach her.

"Hello miss, may we ask what's your business here?" One knight asked politely.

Geraldine was about to answer when Bolgo and the newbie knight appeared from the side and went to the other two knights.

"This is the young miss of the Duke's family," Bolgo announce which makes the three other knights look in shook. They immediately bowed their head in respect and apologize for not recognizing her.

Geraldine waved her hand, "It's fine. I've been away for four years so I understand that my face isn't recognizable." 

The knights only look at one another and doesn't know what to say. Sensing their panic, Geraldine smiled beautifully and giggled.

"I'll be going to my quarters now. Good night to you all," Geraldine started to walk away when Bolgo stepped in.

"Young miss, do you want me to accompany you?" Bolgo offered but Geraldine shook her head.

"I'll be fine." After saying her piece, Geraldine begun walking away towards her house but noticed that they are following her back.

She knows that they are still wary of her presence but she didn't mind it and continue walking by. Upon arriving at her house, she faced them again, "I finally arrived at my home. Thank you for accompanying me."

After that, Geraldine didn't wait for them to speak and entered her broken down house. The door nearly collapse when she holds it open but act as if nothing happen. Once she inside, she peek through the crystal windows to see that they are still outside and talking to one another.

"I think they are still doubting whether I'm the real one or not. Well, I don't really care."

Shrugging it off, the first thing that Geraldine notice is the thick dust forming everywhere and the awful smell of the room. 

"Ugh! This is horrible," Geraldine holds her nose and continued walking towards her room. Upon entering, the place is still the same when she leaves it.

"Nobody really take care of this house when I was away huh," She chuckled and removed her bag, dropping it on the floor as she went to the cabinet and took some clean covers.

She removed the dusty bed covers and replace it with clean once and didn't waste any moment and jumps over the bed.

"Ugh! This is nice." Closing her eyes, she could feel the exhaustion pushing down her body from the sleepless nights and deep thinking.. It didn't take long before her eyes closed and sleep drifted her to dream land.