The Slave Queen - Chapter 22: Chapter 22

When Cecilia arrived at Lunebloom Hollow, she found only Sienna and a few maids hurrying about, busy with chores.
As soon as they saw her, they all bowed respectfully. "Lady Cecilia."
She frowned. "Where is Raelynn?"
At her question, Sienna and the others exchanged uneasy glances, but none of them spoke up.
She waited. Still no answer. No sight of Raelynn either.
Cecilia's patience began to fray. "She just returned yesterday. It wasn't easy for her to win Lunebloom Hollow, and now she's already out again? Where did she go?"
Silence.
Her expression darkened. She swept her gaze across the group, eyes finally settling on Sienna.
"Sienna, I'm asking you. Where is she?"
Called by name, Sienna had no choice but to step forward.
Though she normally served in Margot's quarters and was known for being sharp, she was still just a maid.
Matters concerning Raelynn weren't always so easy to handle—especially when she'd promised to keep them quiet.
Seeing her still hesitate, Cecilia slammed her hand on the table. "You insolent girl! Do you think I'm someone you can ignore? Must I ask three times before I get an answer? If you won't speak, I'll have your tongue cut out and send you away!"
She wasn't usually this harsh.
But Gabriel's words earlier had left her deeply unsettled.
And Raelynn's coldness since returning had only added to the sting.
"She went to find Edgar," Sienna finally said. "For Lady Margot's illness."
Raelynn had told her to keep it quiet, but had also said she could use her own judgment if necessary.
Above all, the priority was to keep everyone safe.
As long as Margot didn't find out, the rest could be managed.
And if Cecilia knew, she might even help keep it from spreading.
Cecilia's expression faltered.
"She went to Mount Darost?"
Clearly, she remembered how Raelynn had once gone there years ago, all to find medicine for Gabriel.
Sienna nodded. "Yes, Lady Cecilia."
"In this freezing weather? And she's still injured! How could she go somewhere so cold and remote?"
Cecilia gasped, then shot Sienna a sharp look. "You're her maid, and you didn't stop her? Do you realize how serious this is? Do you know your place?"
Sienna immediately dropped to her knees. "Lady Cecilia, Lady Raelynn went out of pure filial devotion. Even if you beat me to death, I beg you—please, don't tell Lady Margot. If word gets out, everything she's endured will have been for nothing."
"You—!"
Cecilia was torn between anger and worry.
Years ago, Raelynn had done the same thing—ignored everyone's warnings and set out alone to help Gabriel.
She'd returned with lingering health problems.
Now she had just come back from the palace, already battered and bruised, and she was doing it again?
The storm rising inside her was about to burst—but when she saw the look in Sienna's eyes, all the wind went out of her.
She took a breath and asked, "Why didn't anyone report this? Did she go alone? Was anyone sent with her?"
Sienna shook her head. "Lady Raelynn told us to keep it quiet. If you hadn't come in person today, we wouldn't have dared speak."
"You girls—!"
Cecilia swayed on her feet, nearly fainting.
Tuesday rushed to steady her.
She wondered, 'Has she really grown so distant from me... that even I must be kept in the dark?'
But then, she remembered—years ago, Raelynn had gone to Mount Darost in secret for Gabriel too.
She knew she couldn't blame Sienna for this.
After a long moment, she exhaled and said, "Fine. Since it was Raelynn's order, I'll let it go."
Sienna kowtowed. "Thank you, Lady Cecilia."
Outwardly respectful, but inwardly, she couldn't help feeling bitter on Raelynn's behalf.
She thought, 'If they chose to abandon Raelynn before, why the show of concern now?
'It's too little, too late—and it might just ruin everything she's trying to do.'
Cecilia turned to Tuesday. "Go find the steward. Have him visit the servant broker tomorrow and buy some new hands."
She paused, casting a glance at Sienna, then added, "Get three first-class maids, four second-class, six general-use maids, and six older serving women.
"Tomorrow, go to the shop and pick out some seasonal clothes and the latest accessories from Hazond City. Then stop by my storeroom and bring out a few fine brocades and satin. Once Raelynn is back, have the seamstress come and make her new clothes—personally tailored."
Tuesday bowed. "Yes, Lady Cecilia."
Sienna was caught off guard.
She thought, 'Since when did Lady Cecilia change her tune like this?'
Before she could hide the surprise on her face, Cecilia—leaning on Tuesday—took another slow walk through the Lunebloom Hollow.
The farther she went, the deeper her frown became.