Spear Of Retribution

"1,000 gold coins!" The fat woman with terrible make-up laughed maniacally, she planned to set a high amount of gold and when Geraldine would bid again, she would back down from the bidding.

Geraldine already knows how the events would end up, with an innocent smile, she bowed her head a little, "I guess I should give up now, madam here is desperate for that slave, I don't want to be in her way," She said and decided to walk away from the crowd but the woman stopped her.

"Where are you going? Why did you stop bidding? Don't you want this slave?" Multiple questions are bombarded with Geraldine. The woman didn't expect that her plan would backfire to her.

"Madam, as I've said, I would not interfere anymore if you really wanted that slave besides I can get another slave with a low price." She removes the fat woman's hand on her dress.

Upon hearing these words, the woman with terrible makeup falls to the ground as her knees weakened from shock and whispered, "M-my hu-husband wo-would ki-kill me."

"Slave number 5 is sold for 1,000 gold to that woman over there!" The old greasy man yelled happily as he thought of getting his hands full of gold coins.

"NO! w-wait..." The woman stands up and dusts away her gown, "I'm no longer interested in that slave hence I won't pay 1,000 gold coins for a mere battered slave. If you give me a decent one maybe I'll buy it for that same amount but I see here that you've only had dirty once, I shall go...hmp!" The woman hastily leaves the scene as the seller tried to chase her.

*Even in the end, she would still keep her pride rather than being honest.*

Now that the bidder escaped, the slave price for Alexjin went back to the start. Geraldine went to the seller who's clearly pissed off, "10 gold for that slave, no more, no less."

The seller didn't have a choice but to sell Alexjin to her with only 10 gold coins worth. Taking off the metal chains, it was replaced with a rope tied in his wrist to prevent him from escaping.

Geraldine looked at him and smiled, "I guess you are mine now."

Innocent bright blue eyes looked back at her but she could see the hint of power behind those eyes.

She pulled him with her as they went back home silently, as they entered the forest, Geraldine faces him, "Since we'll be living together, may I know your name?"

"Alexjin," He looked down as he said his name, ashamed of his state while facing a young lady.

Geraldine takes out her knife which startled Alexjin at first, she cuts down the rope and extends her hand in front of him, "I'm Geraldine, I'll be your master starting today so let's have a trustworthy relationship Alexjin."

Alexjin was taken back by her words, he thought that she would beat him down as soon as she bought him just like his past owners. He was touched as it's the first time someone treated him like a human being.

He wiped his dirty hands in his pants and slowly hold Geraldine's hand as they both shake hands and from that day on, Alexjin dedicated himself to serve Geraldine with all his life until he dies.

"Now, let's get you cleaned up!"

Both of them went to her house and Geraldine prepared a bath for him and gives him male clothes that she prepared beforehand.

After a day, Geraldine let Alexjin do some task to observed his strength and skills, she remembered that the seller said that he's useless.

From cooking, cleaning the house, chopping firewood to gardening, Alexjin was able to do it well without mistake. Now, Geraldine was doubting the seller's words, or perhaps Alexjin was hiding his skills from his past owners.

At lunchtime, Alexjin prepared a mushroom soup and buttered toasted bread as requested by Geraldine. He was about to leave after he prepared the food but she held him back.

"Why is there only a single plate here?" She asked, noticing that Alexjin's plate is missing.

"I'll be eating on the kitchen floor, that's where servants are supposed to eat," Alexjin said as if it was normal but Geraldine shook her head 'no.'

"Did you forgot what I said yesterday? I am your master, not your owner, so it means that you are not my servant but an apprentice of mine, do you understand?" Geraldine said in a firm voice, making sure that it would mark on Alexjin's memory.

"Apprentice... master! Thank you!" Alexjin went down to his knees and hold Geraldine's hand as he cried a lot.

"Oh my~" She patted his head multiple times to calm him down, "Go and place your plate here on the table, starting today, we'll be eating together."

----

Two weeks have passed, Alexjin is now used to the new routine given by Geraldine and he's no longer uncomfortable towards the affection given by her. He also regained back his muscle mass and started to increase his strength and his wounds are also healed, thanks to the healing magic of his master.

"Alexjin, come here for a minute," Geraldine called out for him. He rushed inside while wiping away his sweat from chopping more firewood.

She gives him two small pouches that contain silver and gold coins, "Go to the market and buy food for us that could last in a week, use the one that contains silver coins. As for the other pouch, it will be your starting salary, you'll receive your monthly salary every 5th of the month."

Upon hearing those words, Alexjin couldn't help but shred another batch of tears, "Thank you, master!"

He rushed outside to get a big basket and instantly went to the market. Geraldine also picked her black cloak and went outside.. After all, she didn't give him the starting salary for his work but she gives it to him to see his mother and their living situation.