The Slave Queen - Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Edgar shot Hugo a disapproving look. "This isn't your household's blessing—it's Margot's. If this young lady hadn't braved the wind and snow, traveling day and night to find me, how would I have arrived in time to treat your mother?"
"This..."
Once again, Hugo was publicly rebuked—this time by someone he couldn't talk down to. His anger simmered just beneath the surface.
When it had been Esther, a mere servant, he could still bark a few scoldings.
But Edgar? He didn't dare say a word.
Edgar went on, "Young lady, when I arrived just now, I heard you mention that Margot collapsed yesterday from a fit of rage, and that the family doctor warned she couldn't afford another upset. Yet judging by her condition now, it's clear she was just provoked again. So tell me—who in this household still dares to upset her?"
He might as well have pointed a finger at Hugo and called him incompetent.
Raelynn turned around sharply, her eyes locking on Cecilia, who still stood shielding Julia.
What a loving mother.
Even now—when everything was falling apart—she was still protecting the real troublemaker.
But dirty laundry shouldn't be aired in public.
So no one answered Edgar's question.
He hadn't asked it expecting a response anyway, and he let the matter drop.
Just then, Margot's expression shifted.
Her already-wrinkled face scrunched up in sudden pain, making her look even more drawn and frail.
Hugo's face darkened. "What's happening to my mother?"
His voice carried a nervous edge, tinged with frustration.
The next second, Margot's eyes flew open. She turned her head and hacked up a mouthful of bloody phlegm onto the floor.
Everyone gasped and rushed forward.
"Mother, what's wrong?"
"Mother!"
"Grandmother!"
Before she could answer, a gurgling noise rose from her throat.
Her eyes jerked erratically, her features twisting in distress.
"You ungrateful girl! Look what you've done!"
Hugo, beside himself with rage, raised his hand—ready to strike Raelynn across the face.
But before the blow could land—
Edgar suddenly clapped his hands and burst into hearty laughter.
"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!"
He said it three times, beaming with delight.
Even those with no medical training understood immediately—this was a very good sign.
Hugo froze, his raised hand suspended mid-air.
Esther instinctively pulled Raelynn into her arms, shielding her just in case.
Raelynn was taken aback.
She hadn't expected that, in the moment of danger, it would be Esther—who wasn't even family—who stepped forward to protect her first.
Her gaze drifted toward Cecilia.
Still standing where she was, shielding Julia.
Even when Hugo had been about to strike, she hadn't moved—just watched, a hint of worry in her eyes.
But not a single step forward to help.
Raelynn met Cecilia's eyes.
And then she smiled.
She smiled at herself. She had sworn not to expect love from anyone in the Lennox family but Margot.
Yet in that split second, she'd still hoped—still clung to some foolish fantasy that Cecilia might protect her.
"Raelynn..."
For a brief moment, Cecilia seemed to understand.
And in that moment, she felt something break inside her—something that might never be repaired.
She instinctively took a step forward, wanting to close the distance.
But just then, Julia, still standing quietly behind her, gave a soft tug on her sleeve. In a small, trembling voice, she said, "Mother... Raelynn's looking at me like that again... I'm scared..."
Just a few words, but enough to hold Cecilia in place.
She quickly took Julia's hand. "Don't be silly. This has nothing to do with you. Your father and I both know that. There's nothing to be afraid of."
Julia nodded timidly, though her eyes still glinted with false fear.
That tiny interruption was enough to sweep away the last trace of unease in Cecilia's heart.
Meanwhile, Raelynn had already turned away.
Margot was now sitting up against the couch, coughing up two more mouthfuls of bloody phlegm.
Her complexion, once ashen and dull, was beginning to regain some warmth.
Her breathing deepened, and the clarity returned to her eyes.
"Raelynn... my dear Raelynn..."
The first thing she did upon waking was reach for Raelynn's hand, her gaze full of aching tenderness.
"Let me look at you properly... Thinking of you going up Mount Darost like that... it broke my heart..."
"Grandmother, I made it back in one piece, didn't I?"
Raelynn fought to keep her voice steady and smiled.
"Look—I brought Edgar with me. He said your illness can be treated. You'll live a long, healthy life. You still have to be there for my wedding, remember?"
"Yes... yes..."
Margot smiled brightly, holding onto her like a precious treasure recovered after being lost.
"My dearest mother, seeing you awake again... I'm truly relieved."
Hugo followed up, his voice finally softening with genuine feeling.
But at the sound of Hugo's voice, Margot's smile dimmed—just slightly.