28 Birthmark

The room became quiet and only their gasp could be heard, it was the first time they've ever seen someone finally stuck the dagger on the stone.

Immediately, two-man came beside her and pushed her to the side as they throw their daggers too but as soon as it hits the stone but it would only fall on the ground. Some even went up to the stone and tried to hit it with their blades but it's no use.

"That settled it, now my reward," Geraldine opened her palms for them to handle her the price, "Although, I'm more interested in that rock more than the money," she added and points at the stone's direction.

The man's facial expression became lightened upon hearing that she didn't want to get the money, "Of course, you can have that stone and your gold that you bet hehe," The man hastily took the two gold coins from the container and grab the heavy stone in hand and handed it to her with the dagger still attached to it.

"Be careful, it's quite heavy for a young lady."

Geraldine only nodded and grabbed the heavy stone from the struggling man with ease, which confused her if it was really heavy.

"Wow, you're stronger than you look," The man complimented creepily as he tried to approach her closer.

Geraldine swiftly steps aside and pulls her hood lower to fully cover her face as she exits towards the door. She didn't want others to know her face or her identity as it might cause problems in the future.

-----

"You need a haircut," Geraldine touched a strand of Alexjin's silver hair as she noticed that it was longer than before.

"Master, don't mind me. I'll just tie my hair if it goes longer," He smiled and touched his hair, feeling the length.

Geraldine didn't say anything as she went towards the drawer and took a scissor, "You need a haircut whether you like it or not," She said with a grin on her lips as she looked at Alexjin's wide eyes. It was evident that he didn't want to cut his hair but he can't disobey his master's wishes.

"Yes, master," Alexjin said in devastation and turned around to let Geraldine cut his hair.

"Don't worry, I used to cut my own hair before so trust me, I won't ruin it," She patted his back to assure him that everything will be okay.

Timepass by, Geraldine cut his hair gently and precisely, she calculated each cut that would look good on him, and somehow it did. She was about to finish when she noticed something strange at the back of his neck.

"Alexjin, what's that in your nape?" She asked and traced it using her finger which caused him to jump in surprise.

"Master, ah! It's my birthmark," He answered while rubbing the back of his neck as if he's ashamed of it.

Upon hearing what Alexjin said, it makes her confused as it was never in history that Alexjin had a birthmark and when she was a spear before, Geraldine never saw something on his neck when she saw him visiting the Emperor multiple times.

*"This doesn't happen before, will the future events will keep changing too? My future..." *

This thought makes Geraldine run cold, thinking that all her hard work in her new life will go to waste and she'll be back to where she used to be, a future spear of the Empire if she's unable to calculate her moves well but there's also a chance that her fate will change too.

"I won't let that happened," Unconsciously, she muttered the words that were supposed to be in her mind only.

"What do you mean master?" Alexjin asked as he looked at her nervous face.

"Nothing, I was just remembering things," Geraldine massaged her temples for a while before going back in cutting his hair. When it was done, she can't help but stare at the birthmark, it was a beast three claw marks that settled nicely on his nape.

"Thank you, master, it's amazing!" Alexjin complimented her barber skills as he looked at his appearance in the mirror.

Geraldine took out the poster and gives it to Alexjin, "I need you to participate in this competition," She said and went to grab a broom to sweep away his hair scattered on the floor.

"I-It's the sword competition that was held annually," He chirped but suddenly his expression became dejected, "I can't join here master, my skills aren't that great and I'll just fail and tarnished your name," He clenched his fist, feeling so useless that he can't even bring his master an honor.

"No Alexjin, I want you to join as you and not my apprentice, so you don't need to worry about me," Geraldine said as she looked dire on him.

Alexjin looked at the poster again and thought about it for a second. He still holds into their status and as a slave she bought, he didn't want to disobey her, "If my master wishes for me to participate then I will."

"Alexjin," Geraldine dropped the broom and went in front of him and grasp both of his shoulders, "I want you to win, I want you to take that first place and ask for any wish that you desire."