The Slave Queen - Chapter 17: Chapter 17

After Margot made such a strong stand, Hugo finally relented and allowed Raelynn to move back into Lunebloom Hollow.
Esther appointed Sienna as Raelynn's personal maid, promoting her to head maid. Sienna, along with a few trusted girls from Margot's household, was sent to Evermist Hall to help Raelynn pack and move.
Raelynn sat beside Margot, her heart swelling with a mix of guilt and gratitude.
Margot, as if sensing what was on her mind, gently beckoned her over.
"My sweet Raelynn, come sit with me."
Raelynn stepped forward with a soft smile. "Grandmother."
Esther, watching quietly from the side, couldn't help but blink away tears and turn her face away.
She thought, 'The hearts of this household's people... truly make Margot and Raelynn suffer far too much.'
Margot reached out and took Raelynn's hand—but so carefully, so lightly, as if afraid to press too hard on the wounds and calluses that marred Raelynn's skin.
She was weak from illness, and her grip was barely there.
"My good girl," she said gently, "I'm getting old. I won't be able to protect you much longer. From now on, you have to learn to stand up for yourself. Everything that should belong to you—so long as I'm still alive, I'll help you get it back, one piece at a time.
"But if one day I close my eyes and never open them again..."
"Grandmother!"
Raelynn cut her off, eyes red with panic. "Please don't say that. You'll live another hundred years."
Margot chuckled softly, full of affection. "Still so childish."
"No one lives forever," she said with a weary sigh. "When I go, I'll be at peace. But what about you? You'll still be stuck in this household—bullied by your biased parents, your clueless brother, and that ungrateful snake.
"Listen to me, Raelynn. From now on, you must learn to think for yourself. Don't give up what's yours just because you don't want to cause trouble. If you let them take everything from you, even after I'm gone, how could I rest in peace?"
Her voice grew heavier with every word, as if she were already picturing the day she could no longer stand between Raelynn and the storm.
It was heartbreak, and helplessness, rolled into one.
"Grandmother..."
Raelynn could no longer hold back her tears.
Before she'd returned, she had made peace with herself. Aside from Margot, nothing else in the Duke's estate mattered.
If Julia wanted to steal her parents, Gabriel, her courtyard, even her fiancé—so be it. She was done fighting.
She had never truly owned anything anyway.
But now, Margot was telling her to fight. To take back what was hers.
But was it really worth it?
She wanted nothing more to do with the Duke's estate.
"Raelynn! Promise me!"
Margot's voice turned firm.
She knew Raelynn all too well.
That distant look in her eyes... it was the look of someone who had completely given up on family.
But this was supposed to be her home.
Everything here should have belonged to her.
Back in her day, Margot had been a proud and brilliant noble daughter—loved by her father and brothers, raised to be confident and strong.
She never fought for what wasn't hers.
But what was hers? She'd never let anyone touch it.
In recent years, illness had left her too weak to shield Raelynn, and that only deepened her worry: once she was gone, what would become of the girl?
Better to teach her to defend herself now—than leave her to fend for herself later.
Raelynn bit her lip.
Then finally, she nodded. "Yes, Grandmother. I promise."
If nothing else, she could at least do this for Margot.
And if the rest of the Duke's estate would finally leave her alone, she'd happily return the favor and stay out of their lives.
Margot visibly relaxed at her words. It was as if a great weight had lifted from her chest.
Her body slumped slightly, and her eyelids began to droop.
She murmured, "Raelynn, go back to your courtyard now. I'm tired... I need to rest a bit."
Raelynn stood and gently tucked the blanket around her.
"Yes, Grandmother. I'll go now."
There was no reply. Margot was already sound asleep.
Esther whispered, "Lady Raelynn, allow me to walk you out."
Raelynn didn't refuse and followed her out of Embergrace House.
Once outside, she turned to Esther and said quietly, "Esther, I need your help with something."
Esther nodded. "Whatever you need, Lady Raelynn. Just say the word."
"Grandmother's condition isn't improving. Even Huxley said there's little medicine can do now. But I still want to try." She licked her chapped lips and continued, "I'm planning to leave for Mount Darost today. I'll be back in no more than three days. If Grandmother asks where I am, please tell her I'm just organizing things at Lunebloom Hollow. Help me keep it from her—for now."
Esther instantly understood what she meant.