The Slave Queen - Chapter 30: Chapter 30

Those words struck everyone like a knife to the heart.
Hugo looked at the frail Margot lying on the bed, her face tinged with an unnatural blue. His fury drained away, replaced by deep concern.
"But didn't Huxley say just yesterday that, with rest, she might live another year or two? How did things deteriorate so quickly?"
Esther shot a subtle glance at Julia, who was still weeping delicately—her eyes barely concealing her irritation and contempt.
Terrified Esther might say something that would hurt her, Julia quickly stepped forward. "Grandmother only got like this because she found out Raelynn had secretly gone to Mount Darost. She was worried sick. That's what triggered the episode.
"Huxley said her condition needed peace and careful tending to extend her life. But now she's been upset again... I fear things have taken a turn for the worse."
She gently dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a silk handkerchief, tears glistening on her lashes.
Hearing that, Hugo could only grit his teeth and curse inwardly. 'Why have I ever brought Raelynn back to the family? That girl has been nothing but bad luck from the start.'
"That wretched child! If I'd known she'd bring this much disaster on the household, I never would've allowed her back!"
At those cutting words, Margot—who had only just calmed down—suddenly erupted into another fit of violent coughing.
"Lady Margot!"
"Mother!"
Hugo, still a dutiful son at heart, instinctively rushed to her side.
But Margot opened her eyes and gave him a cold, disappointed look.
But Margot opened her eyes and gave him a cold, disappointed look.
Her voice was weak but sharp as steel. "If I had known you'd grow up to be so blind to right and wrong, I'd never have given birth to you."
The blow landed like a slap.
Hugo's face turned pale.
Julia stared in disbelief and cried out, "Grandmother! How could you say that to Father? He—"
"Silence!"
Margot's eyes locked on Hugo, burning with indignation—even as her breathing grew more labored and every word came with effort.
Her chest rose and fell with a rough, rattling sound.
Julia opened her mouth again, but Cecilia tugged her arm, quickly pulling her back.
She feared Margot might truly die from anger—and that was a guilt she would never let her beloved Julia bear.
Esther hurried over and patted Margot's chest to help her catch her breath. Then she turned and straightened up, her tone steely and resolute.
"Lord Hugo," she said firmly, "I may be just an old servant, but today, even if it costs me my life, I will speak the truth for Lady Margot.
"Lady Raelynn risked life and limb, traveling through snow and wind to seek out Edgar. She told us to keep it quiet—but Lady Julia came early this morning, pretending to care for Lady Margot, and deliberately told her everything.
"These past four years, Lady Margot has worried endlessly over Lady Raelynn. She could hardly eat or sleep. Her health declined steadily. Just as she finally got her granddaughter back, Lord Gabriel came and upset her. Now, barely a day later, Lady Julia shows up to dig at her wounds again.
"If you ask me, the one truly pushing Lady Margot toward death... is Lady Julia."
"Enough, Esther!"
Hugo flushed red with shame and rage, ready to shut her up.
But Esther's voice rang out even louder, "If you and Cecilia truly cared about Lady Margot's well-being, you would never have forced Lady Raelynn to take the blame for Lady Julia! Everyone in this household knows the truth behind what happened with the noble consort. Outsiders may be fooled, but we aren't. It was Lady Julia who caused the loss of the royal heir—and yet Lady Raelynn was sent to the palace to pay the price.
"And now she comes here and twists the knife again, just to provoke Lady Margot? If this isn't deliberate, what is it?"
"You—you—!"
Hugo was livid, his chest heaving.
He had spent years navigating the political tides of court, yet rarely had he been so brazenly defied—let alone by a mere servant.
"Someone! Drag this insolent wench outside and beat her to death!"
His voice roared through the hall, his hands trembling, his beard bristling with fury.
He no longer cared that Esther had been Margot's most trusted attendant. He had long forgotten that she'd once nursed him as a child.
He just wanted her gone. Silenced. Now.
He was trying to protect his most Julia—what was so wrong about that?
Why should a servant get to question him?
But the household staff didn't move. Not because they didn't hear—but because none of them dared.
Esther wasn't just a senior servant. She was the housekeeper who managed all the affairs of the estate.
She was kind, fair, and had looked out for every one of them.
Many owed her a debt of gratitude.
To turn on her now felt like betrayal.
"What, have you all turned against me too?"
Hugo finally lost control, shouting like a madman, all dignity gone.
He had completely forgotten that everything Esther said was true.
And deep down, he knew it. This rage—this command to silence her—was nothing more than guilt, masked in fury.
As the standoff continued, the sound of rapid footsteps echoed from outside.
The door burst open, snow and wind sweeping in—
And through it rushed a young woman, her cloak billowing behind her, her face flushed from cold and exhaustion.
"Grandmother!" she cried. "I've brought Edgar!" Raelynn had returned.