Spear Of Retribution

"Hierarchy? Crown? Emperor... The palace," Aurelie muttered those words as if she's saying something foreign, "Ah, it's been a while since I spoke those words."

"Just think about it Aurelie, you must prioritize your son's future and make his abilities shine. I know that the road he will take is not easy and many will be against him but don't forget that I am also here. I'll be his great ally to the throne that is why if you notice, I started training him and honing his skills in swordsmanship and teaching him about the Empire of Rakkaegia," Geraldine waited for Aurelie's response but seeing her staying silent with trouble face. She sighs and looks to the window where Alexjin is visibly training himself.

"Even though that I am his master, I still can't force him to do things that he doesn't want to do, and telling him that he's a prince and forcing him to get the crown isn't really my job to do. I want him to choose it by himself and right now that he's young, you as his mother is the one who can change his mind," Geraldine added as she squeezes Aurelie's hand one more time before standing to head out of her room, "Please think about it and rest well."

Geraldine was about to touch the door know when Aurelie speaks.

"I always wanted to give him a good life, that he would no longer serve other nobles to have food to fill our stomachs but I'm afraid. You know our background so I conclude that you know why I was exiled, right?" Aurelie asked as her eyes show how hurt she was.

Geraldine looked back at her, "Yes, because you take interest in practicing black magic."

"So you really knew," Aurelie chuckled as she patted the side of her bed, asking Geraldine to come to sit back next to her again.

"You're the first person I met that hasn't reacted negatively when speaking of that taboo magic, I feel refreshed,"  Aurelie smiled as she looked at Geraldine sitting next to her again.

"That black magic is a wonderful element to be practice but it's also dangerous and powerful that many people are scared towards those who knew how to wield it. I am not against it as I find it fascinating myself," Geraldine smiled, she still doesn't want to tell Aurelie that she is already practicing and there's a poisonous butterfly eggs in the basement which is in the past, it was Aurelie who discovered and learned about their existence and uses through her teacher which name isn't mentioned.

"You see, I am not very well as I've failed on my practice and it's taking a toll on my body. I tried searching for a cure but it's no use, the magic is slowly eating my soul and flesh and I don't know how long will I live to see my son grow up. I know that you're also trying to find a cure for my sickness but I prefer you to stop and just focus on helping Alexjin," Aurelie knows that she didn't have much time left to live, and before she was worried that she will leave his son alone in this world but with Geraldine's appearance on their life and seeing how she takes care of Alexjin. The problem she faced for a while vanished as she can now depend on Geraldine.

"I know that you're poisoned and your body can't handle it anymore. I tried to use my healing magic but it was not enough to fully heal you even though I give you some of my mana, it was not enough," Geraldine said with her voice so low as she's ashamed that her abilities are not good enough.

Aurelie holds her shoulder seeing her feeling dejected, "My sickness doesn't have a cure, it's actually the price that I need to pay from asking something years ago," she blurted out those words by accident. Aurelie has been keeping it a secret for many years and for her to say it to someone else makes her heart feels lighter but nervous at the same time.

"Huh? What do you mean by that? who do you need to pay? I can pay back your debt, how much is it?" Geraldine takes out her pouch and counts the golds coins left from her journey.

Aurelie put her hand over Geraldine's pouch and pull it down as she shook his head 'no', "It's not about money but something else... something far more stronger," she sighs and looked at Geraldine's confused face, "I really can't say it as I'll be breaching the contract."

"I understand but can you say something that can be related to that? Like a slogan or poem?" Geraldine insisted as that topic perks her interest.

"Hmm, let me think," Aurelie paused for a second, "It's something like this... A life for a life."

Geraldine nodded as she thought about what Aurelie said, she doesn't remember Aurelie having a contract with someone else, and base on her words, it seems like a contract to a mage but she can't understand the purpose of that contract or what else she asks for her to pay using her own soul.

"Ah, many things keep changing. I hope I can still keep up with the pace," Geraldine blurted out as she chuckled, "It's fine, we just need to think of the present decisions to make a better future."

"Before I wanted for him to hide behind the shadows as the palace life is a mess, he will be suffering if he would be there especially if he shines the brightest among the others but now, I don't really know," Aurelie put her palm over her face as she thought about her case and also considering Geraldine's words. 

"You don't have to think about it straight away, it will only give you a headache so for now, just observe your son and watch him grow as a person and that's the time you'll decide what do you want for him to be, a person who'll stay hidden behind the shadows or letting him shine the brightest," Geraldine looked intently at her before she took out the candy wrapper from her pocket.

"Before I forgot, the candy you ate contains magic that kills those who are Black magic users, I suggest you stay on guard and be careful on your every move," Geraldine sighs and went to the door to leave, "Rest for now, you're body is too weak and it just shortens your lifespan. About that candy, I'll take care of those who'll attempt to find you but you need to be in good shape to let them see that you're indeed unaffected, now rest."

Geraldine leaves the room before Aurelie could say another word as she might be held back again.

She sighs heavily and went back to her room and went to the basement to check her eggs.

As soon as she arrived below, the red lights who are taking care of the eggs went to her and dance around as if they are welcoming her, "It would be awkward to call you guys red lights or red glow... I should find you a suitable name."

Geraldine thought about it for a while, "Hmm, I want a name that will not catch attention and also can be deceiving," She looked at the red glowing lights again and a certain flower popped on her mind, "Rose... I should name you rose."

"You both are red, beautiful, and dangerous at the same time... Ah! perfect name," Geraldine claps her hands together when she finally decides on the name.

"But your needs are much more hurtful than a prick on the rose thorns," Geraldine chuckled as she went to the eggs and sliced her right palm with a knife to make it bleed and letting it dripped over to the three eggs. 

"Please grow healthily so that I can start other jobs too," She whispers as her smile grew wider. After 30 minutes of feeding, Geraldine went ahead and created herself a cup of tea which still has the poison as her ingredients.

"I wonder what will be Aurelie's decision and what is that contract she signs about that needs her life as payment. That is a heavy price to pay for your life," She sighs and finished her tea while leaned back, relaxing herself while hearing Alexjin's wooden sword hitting the scarecrow she prepared for him.

"I should check on him later so see what he's doing and also I need to shop for a real sword for his battle, what can you say my Rose?" Geraldine looked at the red glowing lights that are circling over the pot of tea to make it warmer.

Geraldine spends the rest of her day in the basement and eventually has fallen asleep due to blood loss.. For Alexjin, he didn't disturb his master as his mother asked him to let Geraldine be for the night.