The Slave Queen - Chapter 51: Chapter 51

Julia realized she had overreacted and said the wrong thing. She didn't dare speak again—just stood there, casting a resentful glance at Shawn.
Such a man—graceful and composed, like a figure from a dream, almost otherworldly.
In looks, he was striking and elegant. In manner, refined and dignified.
Even the princes in the palace might not measure up to him.
The young men of the Lindsay family had long been the object of admiration for countless noble ladies in Hazond City.
So Julia wondered, 'Why—why does he favor her, that low-born wretch Raelynn?
'Why would he, time and again, lower himself just for her?
'I, Julia, have been raised with every privilege in the Duke's estate. How could I possibly lose to someone so coarse and common?'
And yet, with so many people watching, no matter how bitter she felt, she didn't dare say another word.
Raelynn, meanwhile, was still trying to figure out why Shawn would speak up on her behalf.
Just then, Margot spoke with satisfaction. "Since the two children are of one mind and the wedding is already set, why not start spending time together and building a bond?
"Raelynn grew up away from the family and hasn't had much interaction with Lord Shawn. Now that they're to be married, it's only right they get to know each other."
Raelynn instantly understood what Margot was suggesting.
She wanted her to spend time alone with Shawn.
Which suited her just fine—she'd been wanting to get out of that stifling room anyway.
Not because she had anything against Malcolm, but because Julia had been acting up nonstop. If she stayed any longer, she might actually lose control.
After all, ever since Shawn's earlier words, she'd realized—sometimes letting things out felt a whole lot better than bottling them up.
So Raelynn and Shawn left the main hall and walked toward the pond in the rear courtyard.
It was mid-winter. The pond was frozen over, with nothing but a thin layer of ice.
And yet, it didn't feel bleak. A few egrets paced across the icy surface, creating a scene of quiet beauty.
They walked in silence, one behind the other.
Shawn glanced toward the center of the pond, where a few withered stalks still stood, and suddenly stopped.
Raelynn wasn't paying attention and nearly bumped into him.
He turned slightly, a trace of amusement in his voice. "What were you thinking about? So lost in thought."
Raelynn looked up at him, her expression earnest. "Lord Shawn, if this engagement makes you uncomfortable, I can talk to Grandmother and call it off. Everyone in Hazond City already knows I—"
Before she could finish, Shawn interrupted, "Don't you want to clear your name?"
Her lashes trembled, and a small, flickering light appeared in her eyes.
Softly, she asked, "Do you believe me?"
She stared at him intently, as if trying to catch every subtle shift in his expression.
Shawn's brows furrowed slightly. His Adam's apple moved, as if something was caught in his throat.
His voice was quiet, tinged with something like guilt. "It was never your fault... was it?"
He thought, 'How could I tell her that I saw it with my own eyes—Julia sneaking that cat into the palace?
'Even if, at the time, he and Raelynn had been strangers.
'Even if I didn't mean to stay silent and let the truth be buried.
'The fact remains—she has suffered the consequences.
'If she ever found out, would she hate me?
Would she...'
But Raelynn's eyes only grew brighter at his words.
He was the second person—after Margot—who had believed in her without hesitation.
In that moment, she thought: even without love, spending a lifetime with someone like Shawn might not be such a bad thing.
Because trust—real, unconditional trust—mattered more than anything else.
Trust was the foundation of respect.
And it had been far too long since she'd been treated like a person.
Looking into her bright eyes, Shawn felt an unfamiliar twinge of shame.
He turned away, avoiding her gaze. "But Lord Hugo won't help you clear your name.
"The case has already been judged by the royal court. To overturn it now would be to publicly contradict the king. I doubt Lord Hugo would risk being accused of treason."
He thought those words would dampen her spirit.
But to his surprise, her expression remained just as clear and steady.
"I know it would be nearly impossible," she said.
"I came back only to spend more time with Grandmother. Still—Lord Shawn," she looked him straight in the eyes, "thank you for believing I'm innocent."
The fact that he stood up for her in front of the Lennox family—that alone meant more than she could say.
She wouldn't ask for more.
Shawn cleared his throat. "I didn't do it for you."
"Then thank you," she said with a bright smile, "for standing up for me by accident."
Her voice was open and lighthearted.
Shawn paused, slightly caught off guard.
Just then, a familiar voice called out from behind the rock garden.
"I heard there are guests in the front hall. Young lady, why aren't you out there to greet them?"