The Slave Queen - Chapter 55: Chapter 55

With a heavy thud, Julia dropped to her knees and bowed low. "Mother, it's my fault. I've failed you as a daughter. I won't have the chance to repay your kindness again.
"It was my mistake back then—I was the one who offended the noble consort. Now that Lord Shawn wants to seek justice for Cecilia, I won't run from it. I'll go to the palace, become a servant, and pay the price for what I did.
"But... the Royal Pardon has already been used for Cecilia. If I go now, I'm afraid I'll never return. If that's the case, then let me repay your love today—with blood."
With that, she straightened up, pulled a gold hairpin from her hair, and raised it, ready to slash her wrist.
"Julia!"
All three family members gasped and rushed forward, snatching the hairpin from her hand before she could hurt herself.
Cecilia, still shaken, wrapped her tightly in her arms. "Julia, what nonsense are you saying? We couldn't bring ourselves to send you into the palace back then—do you think we'd do it now?
"My poor child, if you go into the palace now, you'll never come back!"
Her voice trembled, tears welling in her eyes.
"But if I don't... if I don't clear Raelynn's name, Lord Shawn won't let Father or Gabriel off the hook. For their sake—for the Duke's estate—I'd rather die!"
"That's enough!"
Hugo, who had been silent all this time, finally snapped. His voice rang out, sharp and commanding.
Julia's sobs stopped instantly.
Cecilia also fell quiet.
Hugo pressed his fingers to his temple, clearly exhausted. "You are not going to the palace. This crime was always pinned on Raelynn. No one else needs to take the blame."
He spoke with unwavering certainty, as though it were indisputable that Raelynn was the one who offended the consort.
Gabriel let out a long sigh, then added, "Father's right. Raelynn's guilt has already been decided. If someone else suddenly stepped forward now, it would be like slapping the royal family in the face. Even Shawn wouldn't dare overturn the verdict, no matter how bold he is.
"Whether Raelynn did it or not doesn't matter anymore. The crime has already been assigned to her. That's how things stand now—do you understand?"
He looked directly at Julia.
She blinked at him, stunned, a single tear still clinging to her lashes.
"Really? But what about Raelynn—?"
"If we try to reverse the judgment now, it'll be considered treason. Do you want the entire Lennox family executed?"
Seeing that she still looked lost, Gabriel added pointedly.
Julia shook her head quickly. "No! I would never let something like that happen. I'd rather die than bring disaster to Father, Mother, or Gabriel!"
"That's more like it." Gabriel's voice softened. He stepped forward and gently patted her head, just like he had when they were young. "Julia, don't let your imagination run wild. Once Raelynn marries, the four of us can live peacefully again—just like before. Doesn't that sound good?"
Cecilia finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, Julia. Just endure it this once, all right?"
Julia bit her lip and nodded.
After a moment, she lifted her still-damp eyes and asked, "But what about Lord Shawn? How do we explain this to him?"
Gabriel chuckled. "Shawn is a clever man—of course he understands. Honestly, I don't think he even likes Raelynn. He probably just took offense at what you said earlier, and used her as an excuse to put you in your place. Don't worry. As long as no one brings it up again, it'll blow over."
Julia nodded sweetly. "I understand, Gabriel."
Then she turned to Cecilia and Hugo and said softly, "This was all my fault. I made you both worry."
Cecilia smoothed her back gently. "As long as you've come to your senses, I can rest easy."
But as soon as the words left her mouth, another thought crept in. She frowned.
"Julia, earlier you said... you don't like Ian. What did you mean by that?"
After all, she had already spoken with Rachel about the engagement.
The two children had grown up together. She had even asked Julia indirectly before, and Julia hadn't said no—she had been certain there were feelings there. That was why she'd agreed to the match.
If she suddenly changed her mind now...
Cecilia didn't know how she'd face Rachel.
Julia's brow twitched ever so slightly.
'Damn it,' she thought.
'The whole dramatic plea about going to the palace is meant to change the subject—yet this foolish woman has circled right back to it.'
"I... I..."
She stammered, caught off guard and unsure what to say.
Fortunately, Hugo interjected. "That's enough. We'll discuss that later. Julia, your hair's a mess. Go freshen up—you're a noble daughter of the Lennox family. Don't let others see you like this."
Julia let out a sigh of relief as if she'd been granted a royal pardon. She quickly bowed. "Yes, Father."
Then she turned and gave formal bows to both Gabriel and Cecilia before hastily leaving the hall.