The Slave Queen - Chapter 64: Chapter 64

After all, the Duke's estate would one day belong to Gabriel.
A flicker of cold calculation passed through Julia's eyes.
She didn't dare talk back to Cecilia in public, so she lowered her head obediently. "Mother, I was wrong. I understand now."
Only then did Cecilia's expression ease a little. She turned sharply to Isabel and Katherine, her voice sharp. "You two have been serving her for ages—how is it you still haven't learned basic manners?
"You're clearly too used to slacking off! I'll let it go for now, but when we return this evening, report to Moonspire Keep to receive your punishment."
Isabel and Katherine exchanged a glance, their faces draining of color.
They both knew they were simply caught in the crossfire of Julia's scheme—and there was nothing they could do about it.
After all, everyone here understood the truth.
Julia wouldn't make such a clumsy mistake. Not by accident.
She had one goal in mind: to ruin Raelynn's carefully tailored, custom-made gown.
Just yesterday, she had gone to Embergrace House to ask for new clothes, only to be firmly turned down by Margot. She'd returned to Moonspire Keep in a fury—and had been simmering ever since.
As mere maids, even if they knew what she planned or what the consequences would be, they couldn't stop her.
Once Julia was sent off to her carriage, Cecilia finally turned her attention to Raelynn. "Raelynn, are you alright? You weren't hurt, were you?"
Raelynn found it oddly amusing.
What was she—made of dough? A few pastries weren't about to bruise her.
They hadn't even touched her. And even if they had, what damage could they possibly do?
This wasn't about concern—it was guilt. Cecilia had suddenly realized she'd gone too far in showing her bias, and this was her attempt to ease her conscience.
But Raelynn had no interest in humoring her.
She answered coolly, "Thank you for your concern, Lady Cecilia. I'm fine."
Then she turned to Nina, her expression softening. "You should go change. Sienna will accompany me today."
Nina nodded. "Yes, Lady Raelynn."
She wasn't upset—only worried that Julia might try something again.
As Raelynn turned and stepped into her carriage, Cecilia suddenly noticed something.
Without realizing it, Raelynn no longer lowered herself to the status of a servant. She'd started to be confident.
Cecilia thought, 'Could it be... that she is starting to forgive me?'
But Cecilia didn't dare ask.
For so long, she'd buried her guilt beneath layers of denial, telling herself that once Raelynn returned, she could make up for everything by treating her well.
But when she saw the distant, guarded look in Raelynn's eyes—the look one gave a stranger—she realized how wrong she'd been.
And yet...
She still couldn't let go of Julia.
Julia was the daughter she had raised with love, attention, and devotion. The girl who had become her whole heart.
Their bond had grown into something far beyond blood.
If only Raelynn could be a little more understanding, a little more forgiving—if she could pretend the past never happened, overlook Julia's petty missteps...
Then maybe... just maybe, they could be a happy family again.
She could have both daughters—each one the best in their own way.
But...
Cecilia let out a long sigh. Suddenly, she had no interest in the Ice Party at all.
Though she and Julia had planned to attend together, the thought of it now just made her feel tired.
She sent Tuesday to inform Julia and quietly turned back toward the estate.
In her carriage, Julia was still simmering with anger. She'd been humiliated by Raelynn in front of everyone—and worst of all, Cecilia hadn't even taken her side. Her face darkened.
When she heard Tuesday's message, her expression turned downright stormy.
Luckily, Tuesday didn't lift the curtain—she simply reported from outside the carriage.
So no one saw how twisted Julia's once-gentle face had become in that moment.
She dug her nails into her palms, seething. She thought, 'How could Cecilia, my own mother, start siding with Raelynn?
'That little tramp has said a few pointed words, and just like that, my short-sighted mother has gone back on her promise to attend the party with me.
'Unbelievable!
'No matter. Today, I would make sure Raelynn loses everything.'
Just thinking about her plan was enough to calm her a little.
She had insisted on going with Cecilia to the Ice Party for a reason—so Cecilia could witness firsthand how Raelynn would be utterly disgraced.
Only then would she finally give up on that so-called "real daughter" and pour all her love where it belonged—on Julia alone.
But if Cecilia didn't come, it didn't matter. By the end of the day, the story would spread.
No—not just to Cecilia. It would reach everyone in the Lennox family.
Even that shriveled old hag Margot.
And when it did, there would be no place left in the Duke's estate for Raelynn.