Spear Of Retribution

"I think green suits the color of the store better than pink," Alexjin muttered while looking at the series of paints at the paint store.

"How about baby pink? It would attract young girls," Aurelie said while pointing at the pink set of colors.

"Mom..." Alexjin wanted to argue but ended up buying light pink just to see his own mother smile in happiness.

"You know, I always wanted a baby girl as your sister," She muttered and clutched the can of paint tightly while her mind drifted somewhere else.

Alexjin didn't say anything as he looked at his mother's sorrowful face and he can only hug her to show his love. He wanted to ask what kind of life her mother had before giving birth to him but hesitated as the last time he asked about it, Aurelie became crazy and started throwing their stuff while cursing different names that he didn't know who they are. That's why he chooses to stay silent but plans to investigate her past life and the first step is to know her last name.

Aurelie never tells anyone her last name which is 'Houde' as she wanted to stay hidden from her family and especially to Alexjin's father. She wanted for her son to live normally just like the rest of the commoners but when Geraldine arrived in their lives, her mind started to change especially when Geraldine started teaching him various things that fit a royal, that is why she's pushing Alexjin to learn it more.

Arriving at the store, it was already finished renovating which looks quite decent and only needed to paint it outside. As for the inside of the store, Geraldine said that she'll take care of it alone as there are stuff that she didn't want them to touch.

"What color did you buy?" Geraldine approached them as they put down several cans of paint on the ground. She only instructed them to buy paint without telling the exact color as she doesn't have one in mind.

"I wanted it to be green but my mother wanted.... light pink, so.." Alexjin scratched his head in embarrassment seeing how Geraldine's eyes widen upon hearing the word 'pink.'

"Okay, umm, amazing, you can start painting now," She said and went inside the store to continue arranging the stuff inside, Geraldine didn't really like pink but decided to keep her mouth shut for any comments as she sees the bright smile in Aurelie's face.

Celia has left books about the black elements and other stuff related to it, "This is why she instantly sell this place to me because of all these prohibited things," She murmured but then a laugh escaped her mouth, "Ah! I should have given her more gold coins for this treasure she left in my care."

After she was done putting the stuff inside the crate, she asked Alexjin to put it in the carriage to be transported to her basement so that she can learn more about the use of the black element.

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After three days, the store is finally ready to be open to the public. The vibe of the store is fresh and girly as Aurelie painted some flowers on the walls and put some living flower plants on the side. When you entered the store, it was colored in white and pink strips with four tables at the center as Aurelie asked Geraldine if she can cook some pastries which she allowed only when it's mixed with her own melted pills so that they can be included as a medicinal food but tasty.

"It would be famous to those noble kids who didn't like to take medicines," Alexjin said while looking at the food examples at the table.

"It is," Geraldine grabbed one and taste it to see how well the flavor blended. Her tongue is immediately hit by the fresh fruity flavor and delicate cream melted into her mouth, "All I taste is the flavor of the fruits as if the medicines didn't exist." She complimented Aurelie more as she was amazed by her cooking skill as the food she created reminds herself before - buying a huge amount of sweet foods as a way to cope up with her empty heart.

"It makes me think that food is enough to make you feel loved," Geraldine unconsciously muttered the words she had in mind which takes her by surprise.

"Oh my, I'm glad you liked it," Aurelie said as she was about to cry. The rest of them also tried the food and celebrated while Geraldine went outside as she felt suffocated while looking at their mother - and - son moments. The love that she never had in her whole life.

"Woven," She read the name of the store engraved in wood and placed at the top of the store, "A place where I'll interlace the threads of my revenge."