The Slave Queen - Chapter 10: Chapter 10

In her heart, Julia was cursing Margot.
'That wretched old woman—so frail, so sickly, yet stubbornly clinging to life just to make things difficult!
If she'd known that stealing Ian would hand Raelynn such a perfect opportunity, she would've set her sights on Shawn long ago.
But things had already gone too far. At this point, she couldn't say anything more.
On the one hand, she had to admit—Shawn was an exceptional match.
But on the other...
Cecilia's gaze fell on Julia, the girl she had spoiled since birth. Julia's face was paper-pale, and her fragile expression made Cecilia's heart ache.
No matter what, she couldn't let Julia be humiliated like this.
Still, with both Shawn and Margot present, she had to swallow her discomfort for now. She'd wait until Hugo returned tonight—they'd talk this through properly.
Somehow, they had to convince Raelynn to drop this ridiculous idea of marrying into the Lindsay family.
As Cecilia was lost in anxious thought, Julia stepped forward, blinking back tears. Putting on the delicate, wounded look of a porcelain doll, she picked up a cup of coffee and walked over to Shawn.
"If Lord Shawn intends to marry Raelynn," she said gently, "then I wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness."
She looked every inch the selfless, heartbroken girl offering her blessings.
Raelynn, standing to the side, couldn't help but admire her performance. If nothing else, Julia was an impressive actress.
But Shawn didn't spare her so much as a glance.
He rose, stepped right past her, and turned to Margot. "It seems there are family matters that need tending to. I'll take my leave for now."
Margot nodded, but just as he turned to go, she added, "Raelynn, escort Lord Shawn out."
"Yes, Grandmother."
Raelynn understood immediately—this was Margot's way of putting Julia in her place.
She wasn't one to provoke Julia unnecessarily... but if Margot wanted her to twist the knife a little, she was happy to oblige.
She stepped forward. "Lord Shawn, this way—"
She didn't even finish her sentence before Julia's tearful voice rang out behind her.
"Raelynn... do you still hate me? Is that why you're doing this—so Lord Shawn will think poorly of me?
"I never meant to hurt you. There was never anything between Ian and me but innocent sibling affection. Please don't hold a grudge..."
Cecilia, as always, couldn't bear to see her darling Julia cry. She hurried over, gently dabbing her tears with a handkerchief.
But everyone in the room heard the true meaning behind Julia's words.
Margot's face darkened, and she let out a harsh cough, barely able to contain her anger.
'Shameless girl.'
Esther hurried to help Margot catch her breath, then turned to Julia with a disapproving frown. "Lady Julia, perhaps it's best if you said a little less."
As Margot's trusted attendant, Esther held considerable authority in the household—her rebuke carried weight.
But Cecilia didn't appreciate seeing the daughter she'd coddled her entire life being chastised by a servant.
Just as she was about to assert her authority, Shawn's cool, indifferent voice cut in.
"Lady Raelynn," he said, addressing Raelynn, "it seems the pearl of your household has gathered quite a bit of dust... and the coffee, too, is tasting rather bitter today."
Though he spoke to Raelynn, the message was clear—a graceful compliment to her, and a subtle jab at Julia.
Raelynn was momentarily stunned. She hadn't expected someone as reserved and dignified as Shawn to involve himself in the petty drama of the inner courtyard.
Even Margot's expression brightened noticeably at his words.
Julia, on the other hand, flushed red with anger. Her eyes welled with unshed tears.
Cecilia saw it too. Shawn had made his stance unmistakable—he was standing firmly on Raelynn's side.
And while she was happy for Raelynn in that moment, her heart ached for Julia.
Raelynn walked Shawn out of the residence personally, while Cecilia and Julia left the hall, clearly embarrassed.
One matter had finally been laid to rest.
Margot felt the heavy burden on her chest ease for the first time in days.
As Raelynn helped Margot back to her courtyard, she brought up a quiet plan of her own.
"Grandmother, I'm thinking of making another trip to Mount Darost."
Margot looked at Raelynn's delicate, pale face—no more than a palm's width across—and felt her heart twist with pain.
"You've always been such a thoughtful, devoted child. I know." She reached up to gently touch Raelynn's dry, brittle hair. "But my body's already past its limit. Just living long enough to see you return... that alone makes me feel like I can die in peace."
"Grandmother!"
Raelynn's heart ached with panic and frustration. "Don't say that! You're going to live a long life—you'll live to be a hundred, at least!"
"Alright, alright," Margot said, smiling gently, her eyes filled with affection. "If it will ease your mind, I'll agree to let the physician take another look. But in return, you must promise me one thing—wait until things are settled with Lord Shawn before you leave."
Raelynn thought for a moment, then nodded.
It was just three more days. She could wait.
But just then, Margot changed the subject.
She said she wanted to stop by Lunebloom Hollow—Raelynn's residence—to see if she could help get whatever was needed.
Raelynn's eyes flickered.
She didn't care much about the courtyard itself, and she hadn't planned on competing with Julia for anything now that she was back.
'But if Grandmother sees with her own eyes that even Lunebloom Hollow has been taken from her—how devastated would she be?' she wondered.