The Slave Queen - Chapter 78: Chapter 78

Raelynn warned Verda coldly, "For insulting my grandmother, today, you've already taken two slaps. Consider yourself lucky I'm letting you off this time. But if you ever upset her again and cause her any harm, I swear I won't be so lenient.
"Rowan is a mere Vice Minister. I doubt that he could ever outrank Lord Shawn."
Since Verda had already exposed Julia's feelings for Shawn, Raelynn figured that she might as well announce her engagement to Shawn publicly.
When it came to hitting people where it hurt, Julia could now do it with effortless ease.
However, although the Lindsay family had come to the Duke's estate a few days ago to formalize an engagement with Raelynn, neither family had yet made it public, so only a select few were aware.
Raelynn saw this as the perfect opportunity to announce their engagement. At the same time, she could give Julia a taste of her own medicine by doing so.
When Raelynn was away at the palace, Julia took the chance to steal her fiancé, Ian.
Since Julia tried to steal Shawn from Raelynn again, even the most oblivious would see right through her scheming ways.
At that point, Julia's true persona would be utterly laid bare for all to see.
If Julia had any sense left in that head of hers, she wouldn't dare pull such a stunt again.
Raelynn thought to herself, 'If Julia doesn't dare to make a move on Shawn, then all she can do is cling desperately to Ian and endure this bitter humiliation.
'Just picturing Julia's face twisted with jealousy makes me want to laugh.'
In the end, Verda slunk away in humiliated defeat.
Lark and Trina made their way over to Raelynn, offered their apologies, and then tactfully probed whether Raelynn was truly engaged to Shawn.
Shawn was the dream man of every noble girl in Hazond City.
However, given Shawn's brilliant mind and aloof demeanor, the noble ladies of Hazond City could only secretly pine for him from afar. None dared to have their families propose marriage, knowing he was far beyond their reach.
The sudden news that this unattainable dream man was about to get married left everyone in disbelief, especially Lark.
Lark nearly lost her composure when she heard Verda claim that Julia was in love with Shawn. She even wanted to tear Julia apart.
However, now that it turned out that Raelynn was engaged to Shawn, Lark found herself awash in emotions she couldn't quite name.
Lark thought to herself, 'If only I had known earlier, I should have had my father try his luck with the Lindsay family too.
'It could have been me married to Shawn now.'
Yet she kept her true feelings to herself. She stared intently at Raelynn, determined not to miss even the slightest flicker of expression on her face.
Raelynn nodded gracefully. "Indeed, Lord Shawn and I have formally entered into an engagement."
Her tone remained composed, showing no trace of smugness at having won the heart of the unattainable Shawn.
Upon her confirmation, some of the noble ladies looked surprised, some disappointed, but most of all, envious.
Yet their envy held no malice.
As a result, their interactions remained largely cordial.
Just then, a voice from the crowd cried out, "The angel is here!"
In an instant, every gaze in the crowd snapped toward the center.
Sure enough, the towering ice-carved angel was guided forward in a slow, solemn procession.
Eventually, it came to rest atop the very center of the altar.
The moment the angel statue came to rest, the lightly falling snow ceased, and the clouds broke open to reveal sunlight.
The sunlight bathed the ice-carved angel, scattering it into a dazzling rainbow halo.
It truly felt as if the angel had descended upon the mortal realm, showering blessings upon all living beings.
Everyone instinctively dropped to their knees in prayer.
For themselves, for their families, for all sentient beings, and for the common people, they prayed.
Even Raelynn's heart swelled with reverence for the divine.
Raelynn instinctively pressed her palms together in silent prayer, her heart whispering, 'May all people enjoy long, peaceful lives, free from sorrow and harm.
'May my dear grandmother receive the angel's protection.'
After marveling at the awe-inspiring angel statue, the crowd, seeing there was nothing else of interest, began to drift away in small groups. Some went off to admire the various ice sculptures, while others took the chance to check out eligible peers they already had their eye on.
With her engagement already settled and little interest in men to begin with, Raelynn had no intention of joining the young nobles' matchmaking games.
Instead, she simply chose to stroll leisurely through the Ice Party with Margot.
Raelynn exclaimed, "Grandmother, the ice sculptors at this year's festival have truly outdone themselves! Look at this little rabbit. Isn't it incredibly lifelike?"
As she spoke, Raelynn carefully lifted a delicate, crystal-clear ice sculpture of a rabbit.
The rabbit's eyes had even been tinted a vivid red with flower petals, making it look all the more spirited and adorable.
Margot said fondly, "Oh, yes. It's been ages since I've been out and about. This little rabbit is truly adorable, just like you, my dear."
Margot gazed at Raelynn, her eyes filled with nothing but utmost satisfaction.
Her eyes brimmed with grandmotherly affection.
Raelynn set down the little rabbit and continued strolling with Margot.
Before they knew it, evening had arrived.
Winter nights always draw in remarkably quickly.
Darkness had already settled in before evening had even begun.
But as the festival lanterns flickered to life, the already crystalline ice sculptures shimmered with an even more dreamlike radiance.
Just then, Margot was seized by a sudden coughing fit.
Raelynn had been completely absorbed in admiring the ice sculptures when she heard the coughing. She immediately turned and gently patted Margot's back. "Grandma, are you okay?"