The Slave Queen - Chapter 31: Chapter 31

But in the very next moment, Raelynn saw Margot lying motionless on the couch, her face ashen and drained of color.
Her eyes flew wide in alarm, and she rushed to Margot's side.
"Grandmother! Grandmother, what's wrong?"
But the Margot didn't so much as stir.
Even her breathing was barely there.
Panicked, she turned to Esther. "She was perfectly fine yesterday—how did it come to this overnight?"
Before Esther could respond, Hugo, already fuming, immediately turned his anger on Raelynn.
"You disgrace of a daughter—how dare you ask!
"If you hadn't snuck up the mountain behind your grandmother's back, would she be lying here now, sick with worry?"
Raelynn froze, stunned by the accusation. Instinctively, she looked toward Esther.
Esther sighed awkwardly, her expression troubled—but her gaze couldn't help flicking toward Julia.
In that instant, Raelynn understood.
It was her again. Julia. Up to her tricks as always.
But this wasn't the time to call her out—there were more urgent matters at hand.
She quickly called out toward the door, "Please! Bring Edgar—save my grandmother!"
The words had barely left her mouth when someone lifted the curtain and stepped inside.
Everyone turned instinctively to look.
The figure was dusted with snow and wind, but still carried an unmistakable air of otherworldly calm.
He had a medicine case slung over his shoulder, and the faint scent of herbs clung to his robes.
Though the years had passed, he looked just as spirited and sharp as he had before.
Hugo paused for a beat, then gave a respectful nod. "Edgar."
Edgar's reputation was unmatched. Even someone as proud as the Crown Prince would bow his head in his presence, let alone a mere Duke like Hugo.
No matter how much resentment he held toward Raelynn, he knew better than to disrespect Edgar.
After all, Edgar had come to save his mother Margot.
Hugo's feelings toward Margot were genuine. Aside from her blatant favoritism toward Raelynn, he had always hoped she'd live a long and healthy life.
Cecilia stood protectively beside Julia, her eyes never leaving Raelynn.
Her emotions were a tangled knot.
Of course she felt for Raelynn—how could she not, after all the suffering she'd endured over the years?
Especially now, after she rushed back all night through snow and wind, her clothes still damp from the journey.
But at the same time, there was anger too.
She thought, 'Why is Raelynn always so reckless?
'Margot is already hanging on by a thread—why stir up trouble now of all times?
'There are better ways to show filial piety than throwing the entire household into chaos.
'And now even Julia has gotten caught in the crossfire, with the servants whispering behind her back.
'If word of this got out, what would it do to Julia's reputation?'
Standing just behind Cecilia, Julia stared daggers into Raelynn's back.
If looks could kill, Raelynn would be riddled with a hundred holes by now.
She'd finally managed to leak the news of Raelynn sneaking up Mount Darost to Margot.
She'd even hoped to push her over the edge—send her into a fit of rage that would kill her on the spot.
And if all went well, pin the whole thing on Raelynn.
But who would've thought Margot would cling to life this stubbornly?
Not only did she survive, but the servants even had the audacity to scold Hugo in front of everyone.
And now she'd held on long enough for Edgar to arrive.
She thought, 'That cursed old woman—and that little tramp—why is fortune always on their side?'
At that moment, Julia was silently praying. Begging Heaven to take Margot's life.
'Let all the divine physicians in the world be powerless this time.'
But her hopes were doomed to be dashed.
Edgar walked up to Margot, took her pulse with practiced ease, and studied her complexion.
Then he said calmly, "Help her sit up—this isn't a serious illness."
"Yes, sir!"
Raelynn's face lit up instantly.
She and Esther rushed to support Margot, one on each side.
Edgar opened his medicine case, pulled out a set of silver needles, and deftly inserted them into a few key acupuncture points on Margot's neck.
As he worked, he explained to Raelynn with patient clarity, "She may look frail on the outside, but her internal energy isn't completely spent.
"She's suffered too much stress over the years, which weakened her organs. And without timely care, it left her looking worse than she truly is. Thankfully, she's lived in comfort for decades and had a strong foundation in her youth. Otherwise... well, let's just say she wouldn't have lasted this long."
But all Raelynn heard was one thing: hope.
Hope that her beloved Margot still had the strength to recover.
Her nose stung with emotion, and tears welled in her eyes. "Then... she can be saved? She'll get better?"
"Of course," Edgar said with confidence. "Don't worry, young lady. If I could cure your brother back then, I can cure your grandmother now."
His words were like a balm, not just to Raelynn and the loyal servants of Embergrace House, but also to Hugo.
The rigid tension in his face finally softened, replaced by a rare sense of relief.
"To have Edgar's promise... truly, our household is blessed beyond measure—"
Before he could finish, he noticed Edgar's expression shift ever so slightly.