Spear Of Retribution

"That b*tch!" Geraldine Laurent kicked the stone to vent out her anger. She really doesn't care is Pinky was gone or dead as she had many extra servants to serve her needs. She only wanted some attention from the Duke's eldest son, Gael. She had taken interest in him since the day she saw him in the swordsmanship competition.

She even tried to approached Gael but she was pushed to the sides by his knights and she could even remember the glare Gael gives to her like she is just dirt in his eyes.

That is why, she thought it was an opportunity to use Pinky's disappearance to make her presence known to the Gauthier's family and build ties for her own good, and also to boost her family's wealth and power.

She also gets some information that the only daughter of the Duke's family and she's also there when Geraldine Gauthier use the crossbow at the event. She collect all the information and decided that she will use Geraldine for her advantage.

But what she saw that time was the complete opposite of what she expected to happened. Geraldine Laurent thought that Gael or the Duke will take her side but they didn't even care about the situation and let it be.

"Tsk, I should have wear something more fancier than this to get his attention," She whispered and look at her dress with unsatisfied look. She didn't waste any moment and went back to he tent.

"GIVE ME THE MOST EXTRAVAGANT DRESS YOU CAN FIND!" She screamed at the three servants she brought with her. They hastily choose the most glamorous and sparkly dress they could find that is highly inappropriate in the event that will be held tonight.

The servants only look at one another with a worried look but didn't say a thing as they are afraid of the consequences if they open their mouth for opinions or suggestions.

Geraldine Laurent look at the mirror with a big smile while looking at the bid earrings dangling on her ears, "Ahhh, I'm sure master Gael will notice me now. After all, I'm the most beautiful and elegant woman present in this event," She muttered and laughed hysterically while patting her peach hair behind.

That night was the first day of the event, every participant of the houses will capture creatures lurking at the darkness of the forest. Each creatures that they will capture has a given score and the more they hunt, the more scores they will get and the highest one will be the winner and receive a grand prize from the Imperial family.

The ladies will be on stand by and be pretty as they cheer for their bets. They have no way of seeing how the men will hunt but at the end of the event, the winner is still the winner no matter how he will do it.

Geraldine Laurent took out a trinket on her pouch. It's custom made of diamonds and zircon that matches Gael's red eyes. She wanted to give it to him before the event starts as a lucky charm for his hunting and even put a bit of her mana for protection.

***

The clock strike 11:30 PM, only 30 minutes left before the event starts. The place is busy as everyone else is preparing for the last minute and check if everything is fine and assorted so that nothing will go wrong once the event will get started.

There are chairs situated near the forest entrance where they can wait for the winner. The event will run for about four hours and they will hunt as much as possible as it was not easy to even hunt for a single small creature. If the contestant is contented with his own hunt, he can go back earlier and take a rest while waiting for the rest to come back. 

Currently, Geraldine is sitting on the designated area for their family. Levine is also at her side since she forced herself to serve her owner than taking a rest. 

"How are you feeling now, Levine?" Geraldine ask as she observed Levine's movement and complexion.

"I' feeling good, young miss. My legs aren't hurting anymore and I find it amazing that I'm able to walk after a day. I thought it would take weeks to months for my bones to heal." Levine muttered as her cheeks creates a pink hue.

"That's good but for now, I want you to stick on my side all the time. Your stuff has been moved to my tent as well and don't go near the servants area starting today." Geraldine warned as Levine nodded her head in agreement.

Geraldine is currently wearing a dark green plain dress and a pair of boots for comfort. She wears the crossbow that her father gave her as she planned on doing something for that day. The other servants who witness what happened to Levine look at her in horror and surprised. They thought she would look battered with bruises and wounds all over her body but they saw none of it and she can even stand on her own.

Even some nobles gossips about it but they can't say anything since they knew Geraldine Gauthier is a light element user focused in healing but they were just surprised that she's powerful at healing.

The Duke and Gael will be participating in the event as Gavril only wanted to laze around. Gavril is the first one to sit beside Geraldine and yawned and it is evident on his face that he's sleepy. It is common for the viewers to fall asleep since all they do is wait.

There are royal knights guarding the area where the dangerous animals lurk to prevent the participants from accidentally going inside which can caused them death.

It didn't take long before the Duke and Gael arrived wearing a full armor and weapons that they will use but what caught Geraldine's eyes is the brooch she gave her father that is placed where his heart is located.

Her eyes squinted in shame as the brooch was supposed to be hidden from the public as it will serve as the first aid kit if something happened to his father.

"What's that ugly thing on your chest, father?" Gavril holds back her laughter and pointed at the brooch the Duke wears.

The Duke looked at the brooch and adjust it, his face lit up with pride even though the brooch was totally out of place to his whole attire.

"What about it?" The Duke spoke firmly and didn't looked bothered by his son's words.

"I already told him that it's totally unrelevant to wear that so openly but he won't listen," Gael sighs as he fixed the armor on his arm. 

"Why would I hide it when Geraldine gave it to me as my lucky charm for today's event," The Duke smirked and took out his sword and wipe the blades to make it more shinier as he ignore the stares of his sons.

Geraldine could only face palm and turn her head away but she could still feel the stares of his brothers as if they are poking dangers on the back of her head.

Gael scoff and his expression became sour as he tried to look busy but he's clearly doing nothing. Gavril could sense the tension between them as his eyes went to Geraldine who is only enjoying her piece of chocolate cake.

After a few minutes, the speaker stands in the middle and gives a few speech about the rules and instructions of the event and after that, the participants started going to their positions as everyone have their own plan as well.

They brought different kinds of items that could help them capture any creature and some are even funny to watch because they brought a lot as if their gonna camp inside the forest.

In Geraldine's memory, the one who's always winning is the crown prince of the Empire as he always capture the larger creature that is very hard to find.

Geraldine immediately lowered the hat she's wearing when she saw Kadon walking in front. Every time she sees him, the blood pressure in her body rises. She searched around to see if Alexjin will participate but she could not not see his figure or even just his shadow.

"Did he really participate though?" She muttered and her eyes went to Levine who is eyeing the noble men standing in front.

"Who are you referring to?" Gavril suddenly spoke as he looked at his sister with a knowing look.

"Because I am curious, brother. I think everyone is curious about the new prince that just appeared one day." Geraldine shrugged and act like she didn't care but Gavril still giving him that look. 

"I've heard he attended this event to be his first appearance to the public but nobody saw the sight of him." Gavril stretched his body and yawned.

Geraldine didn't say anything else and ignored his brother to also prevent herself to say anything that might blow her secrets.