The Slave Queen - Chapter 112: Chapter 112

If Raelynn married Shawn and ended up being cast aside, even if they wanted to stand up for her, they wouldn't have the power to truly protect her.
Marrying Ian would be a different story altogether.
Ian had such an honest and steady nature.
He was not particularly talented. In the future, he'd likely just be an idle court official, living off his inherited title.
A man like Ian might never amount to much, but at least he was thoroughly manageable.
If Ian ever dared to mistreat Raelynn in the future, Cecilia, Hugo, and Gabriel would certainly be able to keep him in line.
They would always have Raelynn's back.
The more Cecilia dwelled on it, the more drained she felt.
Cecilia reached up and massaged her temples.
After a moment, Cecilia rose from the longue and, with Tuesday in tow, headed straight to Lunebloom Hollow.
Since she couldn't change the fact that Raelynn would have to marry in Julia's place, Cecilia decided that, as a mother, the least she could do was to prepare a more generous wedding gift for Raelynn, hoping it might make up for everything Raelynn had lost.
'Perhaps with a more substantial wedding gift, Raelynn's life at the Marquis' estate would be somewhat easier,' Cecilia thought.
At Lunebloom Hollow.
Cecilia stood in the courtyard, gazing at a scene utterly transformed since her last visit. It was a blend of pleasant surprises and a touch of unfamiliarity.
Cecilia thought, 'I remember Raelynn's courtyard being so bare and desolate the last time I visited.
'But now, the courtyard is alive with plum blossoms in full bloom.'
The rich fragrance of plum blossoms enveloped Cecilia even before she stepped inside.
Cecilia couldn't help but think, 'To think she could thrive like this without any help from me. It is as if...
Before Raelynn was brought back to the Lennox family, even without her real parents to care for her, Raelynn still managed to survive all these years on her own.
Cecilia's guilt grew heavier.
Ever since that day, after Raelynn had given her the cold shoulder, Cecilia had deliberately avoided returning to Lunebloom Hollow.
Cecilia thought to herself, 'Part of me wanted to give her the cold shoulder, just to see if she'd come running to me and act all sweet and spoiled.'
More than anything, she couldn't bring herself to meet Raelynn's gaze.
Tears stung Cecilia's eyes.
Unable to bear lingering in the courtyard any longer, Cecilia hurried straight inside.
It was only when Cecilia stepped inside that she realized Raelynn wasn't in the room.
Just then, having received word of Cecilia's arrival, Eileen approached and said, "Greetings, Mrs. Lennox."
Seeing it was Eileen, Cecilia frowned and asked, "Where's Raelynn? And why aren't any of her maids in the courtyard?"
As they spoke, Tuesday casually brought over a chair and invited Cecilia to sit down.
Seeing that the chair looked well-made, Cecilia thought, 'At least my daughter hasn't been mistreated here." She felt somewhat relieved as she sat down.
Eileen replied truthfully, "Mrs. Lennox, early this morning, Lady Raelynn left the Duke's estate to go outside the city with Sienna, Lane, Nina, and Elaine."
"Out of the city?" Cecilia frowned, her expression subtly shifting as a hint of barely perceptible tension laced her voice. "What did she go out of the city for? Why didn't she report to me first?"
Cecilia frowned, her expression subtly shifting as a hint of barely perceptible tension laced her voice. "What did she go out of the city for? Why didn't she report to me first?"
Cecilia had deliberately placed Eileen by Raelynn's side.
First, it was to ensure Raelynn was well cared for. Having an experienced, elderly servant attend to her was certainly more reassuring than leaving her surrounded only by young maids.
And secondly, of course, it was so Cecilia could have someone regularly update her on Raelynn.
She knew that breaking the ice with Raelynn wouldn't happen anytime soon.
Yet, Cecilia was desperate to know every detail of her life, which was precisely why she had Eileen by Raelynn's side.
Cecilia thought, 'It wasn't that I meant to spy on her. I just needed to know if my daughter is doing all right each day.'
Lately, however, Eileen hadn't relayed any significant updates about Raelynn to her.
That was why Cecilia was now seething with rage.
'My own daughter left the Duke's estate, and I knew nothing about it!' Cecilia thought in dismay.
Eileen bowed her head and said respectfully, "I am sorry, Mrs. Lennox. It wasn't that I meant to hide anything from you, it's just that..."
Eileen was always loyal to Cecilia. At that moment, she looked up and met Cecilia's gaze.
She said, "Lady Raelynn isn't leaving the Duke's estate, nor is she going out for leisure. Yesterday, Lady Margot had Sienna bring over the deeds to some properties, saying that since Lady Raelynn is soon to be married, it's time she learned to manage such affairs.
"Today, Lady Raelynn went to the countryside with her four maids to inspect Blossom Manor and Cottonwood Grove."
Eileen's poised and dignified demeanor, however, surprisingly quelled the anger that had been simmering in Cecilia's heart.
A fresh wave of shame swelled within her.
Cecilia thought as a wave of realization washed over her, 'Right. My daughter is about to get married.
'All these years, Raelynn never had the chance to learn the proper upbringing of a noble lady. No one ever taught her how to be a wife or manage household affairs after marriage.
'Yet, Margot has thoughtfully considered every detail for Raelynn.'
The realization made Cecilia's cheeks burn with shame.
Cecilia said, "I've also come to bring Raelynn her wedding gift. I'm afraid the few shops and estates might be a bit too little, so I'd like to add a few more myself."