The Slave Queen - Chapter 16: Chapter 16

When Hugo finally understood what had truly happened, he fell silent.
No matter how much he disliked Raelynn's temperament, she was still his own daughter by blood.
The incident from years ago had never really been her fault. And for Gabriel to lash out at her the way he had—it was inexcusable.
After a moment's thought, he said, "Gabriel, your words were out of line. You upset your grandmother to the point of illness. Go to the cemetery and kneel there for the night. Reflect on your actions."
Gabriel bowed his head. "Yes, Father."
He turned, bowed to Margot, and then quietly stood and left.
Cecilia and Julia looked as if they wanted to plead for him, but in the end, neither dared to speak.
Margot, too, was bitterly disappointed in Gabriel.
Letting him kneel and reflect on his own might be the only way he would understand the weight of what he'd done.
She turned back to Hugo. "If you want to spoil Julia, I won't stop you. If you were content to let her steal Raelynn's engagement, I said nothing.
"But Raelynn suffered for her—years of torment. And now she can't even move back into her own courtyard? Don't you think that's too much? She's your daughter, too!"
Her voice was weak, each word threaded with pain and fatigue.
She thought, 'Ah, my poor Raelynn. How has life treated you so cruelly?'
Hugo opened his mouth. "Mother, Evermist Hall isn't—"
But she cut him off with a raised hand.
She could see it clearly now: this muddle-headed son of hers had no intention of letting Raelynn return to Lunebloom Hollow.
With a cold laugh, she stopped trying to reason with him.
"Fine. I've already agreed to Raelynn's engagement with Lord Shawn. I'm old, I don't have the strength to overrule you anymore. If you want the future wife of the Prime Minister to live in some remote back courtyard and become the butt of every noble family's jokes—go right ahead. I won't stop you."
Hugo's face darkened instantly.
He glanced at Cecilia.
She gave a subtle nod, her expression unreadable.
She had originally planned to discuss the matter with him once he returned, hoping they could convince Margot to change her mind.
But now, Margot had already made her decision.
Hugo frowned and forced himself to remain calm. "Mother, I can't agree to this marriage.
"Julia and Raelynn are sisters. Julia is marrying Ian. If Raelynn marries Shawn, wouldn't that confuse the generational order? Even if you're partial to Raelynn, you can't be so unfair to Julia."
That sentence sent Margot into another fit of coughing.
Her fingers trembled as she pointed at him.
"You. Come here."
Hugo stepped forward, confused.
In the next moment, she raised her hand and slapped him across the face.
The force wasn't strong, but it left him stunned.
"You... you hit me?"
He stared at her in disbelief.
Margot's voice trembled with rage. "You think you're being fair to Julia, but did it ever cross your mind that the two of you—you and your wife—have spent years ganging up on Raelynn?"
"Mother—!"
"If you interfere in this marriage again, don't bother calling me Mother. I'll take Raelynn, divide the household, and live separately!"
"Mother! What are you saying?"
Hugo was so furious his head buzzed.
But with filial duty hanging over him, there was nothing he could do.
In the end, it was Cecilia who gently tugged at his sleeve, signaling him not to go against Margot any further.
Hugo gave Raelynn a hard glare, but said nothing more. He cupped his fists and turned to leave.
Just then, Margot spoke again, "Lord Shawn will visit in three days. If you don't want rumors spreading that you and Cecilia abused your own daughter, move her back into Lunebloom Hollow immediately.
"And make sure she has everything she needs—clothing, jewelry, maids, attendants. Not one item less than what Julia has. If I find even one thing lacking, I won't let it go.
"You owe her that much."
With those words, she closed her eyes, utterly exhausted.
Raelynn and Esther stepped forward and gently tucked her in.
Hugo left Embergrace House with Cecilia and Julia, helpless in the face of Margot's stubbornness.
But the moment they stepped outside, he could no longer hold back his fury.
"This is all because of your perfect daughter!"
Cecilia didn't dare respond.
And yet, deep inside, she couldn't help but feel a strange sense of relief.
After Raelynn had offended the noble consort all those years ago, her name had been ruined across Hazond City.
With Ian now paired with Julia, Raelynn's engagement had been left in limbo.
She had no hope of marrying into the marquis' estate. It had seemed inevitable that she would have to settle for a lesser match.
And yet, in a twist of fate, she'd ended up betrothed to the Lindsay family after all.
At least... one thing had finally been resolved.