The Slave Queen - Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Ian clenched his fists, the sound sharp as they struck his side, and said with firm resolve, "Julia and I grew up together—we've been close since childhood. There's always been something between us. What I feel for Raelynn is nothing more than sibling affection. Even if I were to marry her, I could never love her or treat her as a true husband should.
"If I must honor the engagement with the Duke's family, then I will only marry Julia. Otherwise, I'd rather marry no one at all."
At those words, Margot began to cough violently, her face flushing deep red. She opened her mouth to speak, but couldn't get a word out through her ragged breaths.
Raelynn's heart twisted at the sight. She quickly moved to support Margot and, with a cold voice, turned to Ian. "Whether or not you want to marry me is none of my concern. If you choose to break your promise, I won't try to stop you. But my grandmother is still your elder. Is this how you speak to her—with no respect or manners at all?"
Ian pressed his lips into a thin line, silent, though there was clear resentment in his gaze. "Raelynn, I know this is my fault—but my feelings haven't changed."
Raelynn looked him straight in the eye, calm and composed, her expression unreadable.
She had once genuinely hoped for a future with him. After all, besides Hugo and Gabriel, he had been the only man in her life who treated her with warmth.
When she was brought back to the Duke's estate at age ten, the men she'd known before had all been rough and unkind. Gabriel, though affectionate, had a fierce temper. Hugo was stern, leaving no space for affection. But Ian had always been gentle and soft-spoken.
He had comforted her when the noble girls mocked her, and when she struggled with music or art, he'd sat patiently beside her, guiding her hand with a smile.
She truly believed they would become a loving couple—partners for life, sharing quiet moments over books and coffee, supporting one another through everything. Just days before she entered the palace, on the day of her coming-of-age ceremony, he had blushed and said that marrying her would be the greatest blessing of his life.
Yet now, four short years later, he claimed there was never anything but brotherly affection.
So it really was that easy for someone to change. In just four years, he had become completely unrecognizable.
"Very well," Raelynn said, her voice steady. She lowered her gaze, the flicker of mockery in her eyes impossible to miss. "I agree to end the engagement."
"But," she added, her tone firm, "you, Lord Ian, will formally come to apologize to both me and my grandmother. You will return my betrothal token—and you will let the entire Hazond City know that this was not my fault, but your decision to break your word."
Ian went pale. Rachel gripped her handkerchief so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
They had deliberately chosen today to bring up the matter in person, hoping to settle it quietly, without creating a scandal that would damage the marquis' estate's reputation.
Especially since Malcolm Lindsay still favored Raelynn as his future granddaughter-in-law. Every time news of Ian getting close to Julia reached him, he would lecture Ian harshly.
Rachel opened her mouth, wanting to ask if there was still room to salvage the situation—but before she could speak, Margot gripped Raelynn's hand tightly. "Raelynn, don't be rash. With me here, no one will take what's rightfully yours."
Seeing the worry in Margot's eyes, Raelynn felt a sting behind her nose. She still didn't know why Margot was in such a rush to see her married—but whatever the reason, she knew one thing for certain: Margot would never willingly hurt her.
Even so... she would never marry a man like that.
"Grandmother, I know what I'm doing."
Raelynn gently clasped Margot's hand, her voice turning cool. "There's nothing to discuss. You're not feeling well, and this isn't the time. Lord Ian, Lady Rachel—please see yourselves out."
Faced with her firm dismissal, the mother and son had no choice but to leave, visibly frustrated.
After they were gone, Margot pulled Raelynn into a tight embrace. "Silly child, why won't you listen? If you'd been willing to marry, I would've made sure you got the respect you deserve!"
Raelynn rested her head on Margot's lap, her eyes misting over. "Grandmother, I don't want to marry anyone. I just want to spend my life by your side."
Margot opened her mouth as if to speak, but no words came. Tears slowly welled up in her eyes as her trembling hand gently smoothed Raelynn's hair. "But, Raelynn... I may not have much time left. If I leave this world without settling your future, without finding you someone reliable to lean on... how can I rest in peace?
"Ian may be blind to what truly matters, but he's still mild-mannered. You wouldn't suffer in his household. And soon, it'll be his uncle—Shawn—who holds the reins in the marquis' estate. That man is upright and principled. He wouldn't let Ian mistreat you. You'd be able to live a safe and stable life..."
Raelynn felt a stab of pain in her chest. "Grandmother, you're going to live a long, healthy life. And I'll marry a good man someday—someone who truly cares for me. Please don't worry, alright?"
Margot was seized by another coughing fit, but she forced a weak smile and nodded.
She knew her body was failing. Her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson were all hopeless. After everything Raelynn had endured, she couldn't bear to see her wronged again.
But everyone in Hazond City still remembered the past. No respectable family dared offend the noble consort by marrying Raelynn. If no one else would step forward... she'd have no choice but to force the marquis' estate to keep their promise.
She kept those thoughts to herself. Instead, she helped Raelynn to her feet and spent the evening talking to her about trivial things. That night, she insisted Raelynn stay and sleep in her room.
But Raelynn could still see the worry behind Margot's every word and gesture.
Her illness had taken root from years of heartache and stress. If she kept worrying like this, it would only get worse...
Raelynn lay awake all night, tossing and turning. At dawn, she made up her mind—she'd seek out that famed physician again and see if he could prescribe something better for Margot.
But the moment she stepped outside, she froze. A carriage bearing the Lindsay family crest was parked right outside the gate.
Raelynn stopped in her tracks.
'Is it Ian?' she thought.
Her fingers curled into her palm, dreading what it might mean for Margot if he came to stir up more trouble. But just as she braced herself, the curtain lifted—and the man who stepped out wasn't Ian at all.
He was tall, strikingly handsome, with a calm, noble air that commanded attention. As he was dressed in a deep black robe, his sharp phoenix eyes held a cool, piercing gaze. His thin lips were drawn into a firm, unreadable line. He wore a jewel ring that gleamed with subtle elegance—nothing flashy, but unmistakably refined.
It is... Shawn? Ian's uncle?'
Raelynn blinked in surprise, momentarily thrown off.
In recent years, the marquis' estate's rise in influence had all been thanks to this very man—Shawn Lindsay.
Gifted from a young age, he had excelled in both civil and military disciplines. At fifteen, he achieved the rare feat of placing first in all levels of exams. Within three years, he was appointed to the imperial cabinet. Now, at only twenty-five, he held the title of Grand Chancellor—one word from him could shift the balance of power in the entire court.
But Raelynn thought, 'Why is he here? Is he coming to pressure me on Ian's behalf? To strong-arm me into accepting the broken engagement?'