The Slave Queen - Chapter 65: Chapter 65

When the plan succeeded, Julia would have won over Lunebloom Hollow and Shawn and become Shawn's wife. Even all the wedding gifts locked away in Margot's vault at Embergrace House would belong to her alone.
'Now this is more like it,' Julia thought, finally feeling a lot better.
Julia let out a long breath, forcing her voice to remain calm as she called out to Tuesday Turner, "Understood. Tell Mother to get some rest. Don't worry about me. I'll take good care of my sister and me."
She spat out the word "sister" through clenched teeth, venom dripping from every syllable.
Startled by Julia's unusually sharp tone, Tuesday, who was standing outside the carriage, hesitated for a moment. But Julia's carefully cultivated image as the sweet and innocent young lady was so deeply ingrained that Tuesday simply dismissed it as a mishearing. With a quick reply, she scurried back to the mansion to attend to Cecilia.
Although Isabel and Katherine had been reprimanded, they still dutifully boarded the carriage one after another, settling on either side of Julia.
However, owing to the hierarchy, they were confined to the carriage's outermost seats.
Once inside the carriage, Isabel and Katherine huddled like frightened quails, barely daring to move.
No one knew Julia's temper better than these two maids. When Julia remained silent, they dared not utter a word. They even held their breath, terrified that the slightest sound might draw Julia's wrath and bring misfortune upon themselves.
Fortunately, Julia's thoughts had already raced ahead to the upcoming Ice Party and her meticulously crafted scheme to bring Raelynn to utter ruin.
Julia could already see it all playing out in her mind. Raelynn would end up making a complete fool of herself in front of everyone at the Ice Party, becoming the laughingstock of Hazond City and the outcast of the Duke's estate. In the end, she would die alone in some forgotten corner.
On the contrary, Julia would take back everything that should have belonged to her.
She would marry Shawn and share a love beyond all doubt with him.
As for Ian, she would make him willingly spend his whole life as her devoted knight and never marry another woman.
As she savored the thought, a faint, self-satisfied smile played at the corners of Julia's lips.
Seeing this, Isabel and Katherine exchanged a quick, knowing glance, then immediately lowered their heads again.
Although neither Isabel nor Katherine knew what Julia was smiling about, it was clear she was in a good mood for now.
That meant things would be easier for them as well.
They wouldn't have to worry about her settling scores later or pinning the blame for the carrot cake incident on them.
Both maids breathed a collective sigh of relief.
In stark contrast to the stifling silence in Julia's carriage, Raelynn and Margot's was filled with warmth and cheerful chatter.
Margot was still weak from her recent illness and advanced age.
So the brazier in the carriage was kept burning fiercely.
As soon as Raelynn boarded the carriage, Margot reached out to clasp her hand and asked warmly, "My dear Raelynn, did you catch a chill out there?"
Raelynn shook her head with a gentle smile. "No, Grandmother. This fur cloak keeps me perfectly warm."
Margot said gently, "I'm glad to hear that. Just be sure to keep warm, my dear."
Margot continued fussing over Raelynn while gently stroking her delicate cheek.
She said, "After these days of rest at home, you've become so much more radiant. My precious Raelynn, you truly are blessed with natural beauty. You are a perfect match for Lord Shawn indeed."
Raelynn blushed and asked, "Why bring up Lord Shawn all of a sudden?"
Raelynn felt her cheeks grow warm, a delicate pink flush spreading across her face.
Margot smiled gently and said, "I was just thinking that you spent your childhood out there on your own. It wasn't easy for you to finally make it back home, and now—"
She let out a soft sigh. "Now that you're back with us, you'll be married by next summer. My dear, my heart truly aches to let you go."
Raelynn teased with a playful smile, "Grandmother, since you're so reluctant to let me go, how about I postpone my wedding a little longer..."
"Absolutely not! I won't have a moment's peace until you're properly wed." Margot promptly cut off Raelynn's playful chatter.
Raelynn chuckled and said, "Grandmother, wouldn't it be nice if I stayed home and kept you company?"
Margot smiled while pulling Raelynn into a warm embrace and gently patting her back as if she were still a baby. "It's true, my dear. But a woman must marry when she comes of age. Your parents and brother are so blind and foolish that they mistake that evil woman for a jewel. Mark my words, this family will have more chaos in the days to come. You better leave sooner than later."
"Grandmother!" Raelynn gasped, her heart giving a sudden lurch.
Margot snapped out of her thoughts and gave Raelynn a reassuring look before changing the subject. "Now that you've learned to stand your ground and fight for yourself, my dear, it puts my mind at ease."
Of course, Margot was referring to how Raelynn had just talked back to Cecilia.
Raelynn pressed her lips together, trying to ignore the subtle unease stirring within her.
She smiled and said, "It surely has been an eye-opening experience these days. I now realize I spent years too attached to outward appearances. Who knew that with an open heart, the world would feel so much wider? From now on, I won't cling to those who aren't meant to be in my life."
At these words, Margot looked at Raelynn, her gaze filled with growing satisfaction.