The Slave Queen - Chapter 53: Chapter 53
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Shawn's expression suddenly turned serious.
Edgar, realizing a moment too late that a third person was present, immediately clammed up, clearly regretting what he'd just said.
Still, he refused to offer up anything more.
Then, without warning, Shawn turned to Raelynn and said, "Lady Raelynn, you've known Edgar for years, but I imagine you've never visited the valley behind the clinic, have you?"
At those words, Edgar's face changed again.
He looked heartbroken. "Shawn! You've already raided most of the rare herbs and treasures from that valley, and now you're using your wedding as an excuse to loot the rest?"
That complaint earned a knowing smile from Raelynn.
Shawn, completely composed, simply looked at him with a faint smile.
Edgar stared at the two of them, clearly in pain at the idea, then finally turned to Raelynn and sighed. "All right, young lady. I'll agree—but only because I like you. We seem to get along.
"When you marry Shawn, you'll be family. I'll contribute to your wedding gift myself. Rare medicine and pearls—whatever I can gather from that valley, I'll pack it up for you. That way, you'll have some face when you enter the Lindsay family."
Before Raelynn could even process the shock, Shawn was already clasping his hands in a polite bow.
"Many thanks, Edgar."
At this point, "shocked" didn't even begin to cover what Raelynn was feeling.
Right before her eyes, the dignified Prime Minister had just shaken down the renowned Edgar.
She was still trying to piece it together.
And yet, without realizing it, she felt completely relaxed around them—at ease in a way she hadn't been in years.
As if this version of her, laughing and carefree, was someone entirely different from the Raelynn who had struggled to survive in the Lennox family.
Noticing the time, Shawn bid them farewell and left the estate with Malcolm.
Raelynn, still thinking about Margot's health, accompanied Edgar to the front hall to retrieve her, planning to return to Embergrace House for a follow-up checkup.
But Margot was in excellent spirits—her health noticeably improved. She looked lively and full of energy.
And so, for a while, only four members of the Lennox family remained in the front hall: two elders and two juniors, each with their own thoughts.
As soon as the guests were gone, Julia could no longer hold back. She burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably.
Hugo, Cecilia, and Gabriel all rushed to comfort her.
Cecilia, who had always doted on Julia, pulled her into a tight embrace.
"My darling Julia, what's wrong now? Why are you crying?"
Hugo and Gabriel looked on, both visibly concerned.
Tear-streaked, Julia glanced at the three of them, then slowly tried to rein in her sobs. She sniffled, trying to appear strong, and shook her head.
"Father, Mother, Gabriel... I'm fine. Really."
Even as she said that, a small hiccupping sob slipped out, betraying her.
Cecilia couldn't bear it—her heart was already breaking just watching her cry.
Gabriel frowned in thought for a moment before offering some reassurance. "Lord Shawn's words just now... yes, they were a bit harsh. But Julia, don't take it personally. He's always like that, even in court."
He had grown up with her. He knew better than anyone what she was like.
One look, and he could guess she was upset because of something Shawn said.
Truth be told, he felt guilty about how things had played out with Raelynn. But Shawn's demands had been unreasonable.
In any case, what was done was done. Raelynn had already suffered the consequences. There was no reason to let Julia go through the same ordeal.
Otherwise, wouldn't those four painful years Raelynn spent in the palace have been for nothing?
He hadn't even had a chance to make amends yet. If he let Julia suffer the same fate, that would be his failure as a brother.
Of course, figuring out how to deflect Shawn's pressure would be another matter entirely.
Hearing this, Cecilia and Hugo finally understood.
Hugo asked, "Julia, was it really because of Lord Shawn?"
Julia sniffled again, her voice soft and pitiful. "If what he said was true, I wouldn't feel wronged. I'd accept it. But... I already apologized to Raelynn about the incident with the palace. So why... why would she speak badly about me to Lord Shawn? Why would she let him misunderstand me like this..."
Hearing her vague, carefully worded response, Hugo and Cecilia exchanged a glance—both reading between the lines.
Edgar, realizing a moment too late that a third person was present, immediately clammed up, clearly regretting what he'd just said.
Still, he refused to offer up anything more.
Then, without warning, Shawn turned to Raelynn and said, "Lady Raelynn, you've known Edgar for years, but I imagine you've never visited the valley behind the clinic, have you?"
At those words, Edgar's face changed again.
He looked heartbroken. "Shawn! You've already raided most of the rare herbs and treasures from that valley, and now you're using your wedding as an excuse to loot the rest?"
That complaint earned a knowing smile from Raelynn.
Shawn, completely composed, simply looked at him with a faint smile.
Edgar stared at the two of them, clearly in pain at the idea, then finally turned to Raelynn and sighed. "All right, young lady. I'll agree—but only because I like you. We seem to get along.
"When you marry Shawn, you'll be family. I'll contribute to your wedding gift myself. Rare medicine and pearls—whatever I can gather from that valley, I'll pack it up for you. That way, you'll have some face when you enter the Lindsay family."
Before Raelynn could even process the shock, Shawn was already clasping his hands in a polite bow.
"Many thanks, Edgar."
At this point, "shocked" didn't even begin to cover what Raelynn was feeling.
Right before her eyes, the dignified Prime Minister had just shaken down the renowned Edgar.
She was still trying to piece it together.
And yet, without realizing it, she felt completely relaxed around them—at ease in a way she hadn't been in years.
As if this version of her, laughing and carefree, was someone entirely different from the Raelynn who had struggled to survive in the Lennox family.
Noticing the time, Shawn bid them farewell and left the estate with Malcolm.
Raelynn, still thinking about Margot's health, accompanied Edgar to the front hall to retrieve her, planning to return to Embergrace House for a follow-up checkup.
But Margot was in excellent spirits—her health noticeably improved. She looked lively and full of energy.
And so, for a while, only four members of the Lennox family remained in the front hall: two elders and two juniors, each with their own thoughts.
As soon as the guests were gone, Julia could no longer hold back. She burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably.
Hugo, Cecilia, and Gabriel all rushed to comfort her.
Cecilia, who had always doted on Julia, pulled her into a tight embrace.
"My darling Julia, what's wrong now? Why are you crying?"
Hugo and Gabriel looked on, both visibly concerned.
Tear-streaked, Julia glanced at the three of them, then slowly tried to rein in her sobs. She sniffled, trying to appear strong, and shook her head.
"Father, Mother, Gabriel... I'm fine. Really."
Even as she said that, a small hiccupping sob slipped out, betraying her.
Cecilia couldn't bear it—her heart was already breaking just watching her cry.
Gabriel frowned in thought for a moment before offering some reassurance. "Lord Shawn's words just now... yes, they were a bit harsh. But Julia, don't take it personally. He's always like that, even in court."
He had grown up with her. He knew better than anyone what she was like.
One look, and he could guess she was upset because of something Shawn said.
Truth be told, he felt guilty about how things had played out with Raelynn. But Shawn's demands had been unreasonable.
In any case, what was done was done. Raelynn had already suffered the consequences. There was no reason to let Julia go through the same ordeal.
Otherwise, wouldn't those four painful years Raelynn spent in the palace have been for nothing?
He hadn't even had a chance to make amends yet. If he let Julia suffer the same fate, that would be his failure as a brother.
Of course, figuring out how to deflect Shawn's pressure would be another matter entirely.
Hearing this, Cecilia and Hugo finally understood.
Hugo asked, "Julia, was it really because of Lord Shawn?"
Julia sniffled again, her voice soft and pitiful. "If what he said was true, I wouldn't feel wronged. I'd accept it. But... I already apologized to Raelynn about the incident with the palace. So why... why would she speak badly about me to Lord Shawn? Why would she let him misunderstand me like this..."
Hearing her vague, carefully worded response, Hugo and Cecilia exchanged a glance—both reading between the lines.
End of The Slave Queen Chapter 53. Continue reading Chapter 54 or return to The Slave Queen book page.