Chapter 70 - North

"Look at this map," Geraldine pointed at the map she put on the wall in the living room. She's currently holding a stick and pointed it at the map of the Empire with Alexjin in front of her, sitting comfortably on the chair.

"In the past, Rakkaegia is not an Empire but a Kingdom instead. It was surrounded by four other kingdoms - The Drican Kingdom also known as the North part of the Empire." Geraldine pointed her stick at the topmost of the map.

"This area is rich in animals that is why the most common resources here are livestock but there's also a dark side. Many dangerous animals are roaming in the northern forest that can kill humans in mere seconds that is why the residents in the North put a Barcade for the travelers and hunters as a warning so that they won't go deep into the forest where the dangerous animals live."

Geraldine was about to proceed explaining about the South part when Alexjin raised his hands, "What is it Alexjin? Is there something you don't understand?"

"No master, before you proceed to the South part, can you also tell me about the royal family there and what happened to them after they are invaded by the Rakkaegia Kingdom," Alexjin said as he's writing what Geraldine is saying on his notes.

Seeing that, Geraldine blinked a few times before she chuckled and went back to the North, "I don't want to drop all the info at ones but I guess I'll tell the history to you by parts."

"So, the Drican Kingdom is actually the first Kingdom that the Rakkaegia invades, they failed a few times before they successfully invade the palace by placing a spy in one servant of the Queen and created gossips circulating the royal family that leads to internal chaos, distracting the King and his officials from the war." Geraldine massages her temples while remembering the history of invasions from the books she read in the library.

"And because of that, the whole Kingdom falls apart?" Alexjin said in amusement.

"Yes, it's more about cheating and adultery, which I don't want to talk about, but you understand, right?" Geraldine awkwardly laughed at the pained expression of Alexjin, who's trying to take it all in.

"Of course master, so what happened to them after they are attacked?"

"Well, all the people with royal bloodline have been killed and hanged their body at the entrance to let its citizens see that their ruler is already dead. It is also a way not to start any hidden agenda if one of the royal blood managed to escape alive. The Rakkaegian knights and soldiers also killed those who opposed the new ruler and makes the rest of the citizens become war slaves. That's the end of it," Geraldine pressed her lips in a thin line before proceeding to the next.

"Now, we are done at the North part of the Empire, any questions?" Geraldine asked and seeing Alexjin shaking his head, she proceeds to the lowest part of the map.

"Now, we'll proceed to the South part - The Nesinait Kingdom. A Kingdom that is known for its abundant medical herbs. It is a Kingdom of peace with no conflicts with its neighboring Kingdoms so far --" She was about to continue when Aurelie barged in with a serious look.

"Oh," She stopped in her tracks after seeing that her son is also there. 

"We will continue with our lesson tomorrow, Alexjin. For now, can you buy three bottles of milk from the dairy store please," Geraldine said with a smile and took out some silver coins from her pouch.

"Yes, master."

After Alexjin leaves the house, Aurelie rushed to Geraldine as if blood rushed out from her body due to how pale she looked at that moment. 

"What is it?" She asked and let Aurelie sit on the chair to make her relax.

"Th - The--- I mean.. your brother is here in the t - town!" Aurelie fidgets in her dress as she speaks.

"Yes, I've heard that my family will be coming to this part of town for business matters," Geraldine tried to reassure Aurelie that everything's going to be fine and there's nothing to worry about.

"I've heard about that too b - but," Aurelie leaned closer to her ears and makes sure that Alexjin is not around, "He is searching for you and told his servants to ask the residence if they see someone with the same appearance like you."

Upon hearing what Aurelie said, nervousness flushed in Geraldine's body as she looked away and her gaze focused on the map.

"So he is really here to find me," Geraldine muttered and stands up, "Aurelie, make sure Alexjin doesn't know about it."

As she walked away, Aurelie holds her hand to stop her. "Geraldine, where are you going?"

Noticing the nervousness from Aurelie's face, she smiled at her calmly, "I know my brother's attitude. He won't stop until he finds me so I better show myself before he finds me first and causes any trouble, especially towards you and Alexjin," Geraldine stepped back as she let Aurelie's hand fall from her arm.

She went to her room and grabbed a new set of clothes in white color and a perfume she created from the plants she had at home. Its smell is so strong that it covers other kinds of scents from her body.

It was only 3:00 in the afternoon when she came out of the house wearing a white dress and a black robe. Geraldine went straight to the center of the town and saw Gavriel's carriage parked outside for people to see and adore his wealth, which is one of Gavriel's hubby - showing the commoners his wealth. 

Looking around, she could no longer spot nor feel Alexjin's presence, which she sighs in relief. It also makes her job easier as she no longer needs to avoid his presence. 

For now, Geraldine's goal is to show her face to Gavriel and call it a day. She needed to make Gavriel leave from the town before he would start to notice that she's not part of any medical students there.

Walking near to the carriage, she saw one of Gavriel's servants, and she went near to her so that they can spot her right away and dragged her to his wicked brother.

"Young miss!" The servant girl greeted and stare at Geraldine for a while before she could confirm that it was indeed Geraldine by the color of her eyes.

"Young miss, young master Gavriel wanted to see you before he leaves the town," The servant girl said and gestured her hands to go to a specific direction which Geraldine followed silently.

As she continued to walk, she could see the reflection of Gavriel from the crystal window of the cafe on the second floor.

With a loud sigh, Geraldine took a deep breath before she went upstairs and be greeted by the wicked smile of her brother.

"Brother, you're searching for me," She curtsied and looked at him in distaste.

"Hmm, are you that important that I'll search for you in this town? You wish!" Gavriel's laugh echoed in the empty room.

"Since brother is busy. I should leave," She turned her heel and was about to leave when Gavriel stopped her.

"Since my dear little sister has been living in this tiny old town. Have you seen or heard about this pill?" Gavriel takes out a mana pill from the pouch and shows it to Geraldine, "They also sell another pill that makes you beautiful and younger for years but they aren't selling it there. I guess it's limited edition," Gavriel chuckled and swirl the mana pills in his fingers then throws them towards Geraldine.

"Eat it."

Geraldine didn't say anything as she looked at the pills she caught, "You wanted me to try the pills to know if they're dangerous, aren't you?" she said in disbelief.

"Ah! My little sister, you know me too well. Now, eat it!" Gavriel screamed at her impatiently.

Geraldine didn't mind eating the pills. After all, she was the one who created it but what ached her heart is the fact that his brother used her as a test subject.

She put the mana pills into her mouth and let them dissolve while her brother keeps starring at her for any kinds of expressions she'll gonna show.

"What is it? How are you feeling? Are you dying now?" Series of questions bombarded towards Geraldine.

"No, I feel great and could feel my mana increase its amount," Geraldine muttered and looked down as she bit her lips to stop herself from yelling to his brother that she's not a mouse he can use as a test subject.

"Ah! Good girl, since you didn't show any signs of negative reaction or dying. This product is good to go. The Gauthier family plans to make the owner the supplier of the product as we distributed in the whole Empire. Good for business and money of course."