The Slave Queen - Chapter 116: Chapter 116

Eileen tidied up the chair that Cecilia had sat on earlier.
She let out a silent sigh and thought, 'Lady Raelynn is truly ill-fated in family ties.
'Thankfully, in the Duke's estate, she still has Lady Margot to protect her.
'And when she marries into the Lindsay family, Lord Shawn should look after her as well.
'Though there's no real affection between Lady Raelynn and Lord Shawn, even if there were, the outcome might not be any better.
'Back then, before she entered the palace, Lady Raelynn and Lord Ian were deeply in love.
'Yet in the end, his affections still turned elsewhere.
'Now, Lord Shawn seems to be a good man."
'Maybe he and Lady Raelynn are actually well-matched.'
She recalled Lane mentioning this morning that it was Shawn who brought Raelynn home last night.
Eileen felt that maybe Shawn had some feelings for Raelynn.
'If that was the case, then Eileen felt that Raelynn's future would surely be good.
Little did Eileen know that Hugo and Cecilia were already plotting to have Julia and Raelynn swap places at the wedding.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Raelynn had already set out with her four maids for Blossom Manor on the outskirts.
Blossom Manor specialized in producing cherries, with only a single harvest season each year.
Though profits were modest and there were even years of loss, Margot viewed it as a way to provide the poor with a means to make a living.
There were both long-term and short-term laborers here. Even a day's wage could feed a family for days.
Because Margot paid generous wages, those who came to work were always willing to give their best.
But now, it was the dead of winter.
So, only a few elderly workers remained on the property.
When they saw a carriage bearing the Lennox family's crest arrive, they assumed it was a steward from the Duke's estate coming to inspect the accounts.
But this time, some unfamiliar faces stepped down.
Suspicion flickered across the head caretaker's face, but he still bowed respectfully.
He asked, "Might I ask who you are?"
He immediately recognized Raelynn as the head of the group, and his manner became even more deferential.
Sienna stepped forward and said, "This is Lady Raelynn, Lady Margot's granddaughter and the future owner of Blossom Manor."
As she spoke, she produced the manor's deed and Margot's personal token with both hands.
Upon seeing the token, the old man bowed again. "Greetings, Lady Raelynn."
The other elderly workers quickly prostrated themselves as well.
Raelynn said calmly to the head caretaker. "Rise, I've come today to inspect the property. Please, show us around."
Raelynn thought, 'Grandmother planted this cherry grove out of kindness, but simply selling cherries seems like such a waste of its potential.
'If I can diversify the operations, it might very well provide more livelihood for the poor.
'Today, bringing my maids along isn't just for leisure.
'More importantly, I need to carefully strategize for the estate's future.
'Grandmother has entrusted me with something so valuable. I absolutely cannot let her down.'
The old man nodded eagerly in response.
He first introduced himself humbly, then led Raelynn and her maids around the manor, explaining its layout in detail as they walked.
His name was Timothy Hampton. In his early years, he was a beggar fleeing famine from the northern frontier to Hazond City.
Fortunately, Margot saved him and entrusted him to guard Blossom Manor.
For years, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to this duty.
Even now, in the bitter cold of winter, Timothy never neglected the cherry trees.
He even wrapped each one in a thin layer of cloth.
Raelynn nodded, a rough plan already forming in her mind.
"I have a general idea now, Timothy. Thank you," she said.
Raelynn had always been generous and forgiving toward those who were loyal and grateful.
Though she was now determined to stand her ground against any disrespect from the servants, she never withheld her kindness from those who truly deserved it.
Timothy was overwhelmed by the honor and kept murmuring, "I couldn't possibly, my lady."
Raelynn said, "Today, I've brought my four maids not just to inspect the manor, but also to let them enjoy the snow. They're constantly occupied with duties at the Duke's estate, so this is a perfect chance for them to relax and enjoy themselves."
Timothy smiled warmly and said, "Lady Raelynn, you truly are Lady Margot's granddaughter. You have a heart just as compassionate as hers."
Raelynn waved a dismissive hand while a complicated smile tugged at her lips.
In the Aether Sanctum, among those noble ladies, she was considered an evil country bumpkin who came from the Duke's estate.