The Slave Queen - Chapter 80: Chapter 80

Seeing Katherine's hesitation, Julia suddenly raised her hand and struck her across the face with a sharp slap.
Julia snapped, "You insolent wench. Did you not hear me speak?"
Katherine nodded frantically, dropping to her knees and pleading, "Yes, Lady Julia. I understand. I'll go attend to it at once!"
With that, Katherine turned on her heel and fled.
Katherine thought, 'The more I say, the worse it'll get. Staying just means more beatings!'
Suddenly, the room was left with only Isabel and Julia.
Isabel was Julia's chief maid. She was the brightest and most capable among them all.
Originally, out of motherly concern, Cecilia assigned Isabel to Julia.
By now, however, Isabel had become Julia's trusted aide.
Though Isabel had noticed that Julia had grown increasingly erratic and quick-tempered lately, she remained steadfastly loyal. She might privately vent her frustrations at times, but would never truly harbor disloyal thoughts toward Julia.
Seeing Julia staring at her, Isabel spoke up cautiously. "Lady Julia, it's been a while since you woke from your faint. Would you like to get up and freshen up first? Word of today's incident is bound to spread, and soon Lord Ian and the Duke and Duchess will likely come to check on you..."
At the mention of Ian, Julia's brow furrowed slightly.
Julia thought to herself, 'Truth be told, I don't have any romantic feelings for Ian.
'Every last thing Raelynn treasures, I'll snatch it all away from her.
'Ian is no exception.'
That was why she had been keeping up this romantic act with Ian all these years.
But Julia had always played this delicate game with perfect precision.
She had never once told Ian she wanted to marry him, but she carefully crafted the illusion that she was deeply infatuated with him.
But truth be told, she had never once said "I love you" to Ian.
If Raelynn ever stopped loving Ian after her return, Julia would still have a way out this way.
Julia thought bitterly, 'Who would have thought Verda would be the one to outmaneuver me!
'Still, if I play my cards right, I can probably smooth things over. This mess isn't impossible to fix.'
But at this moment, Julia had no idea that Raelynn had already used Verda's words to completely sever Julia's escape route.
Just then, a maid came in to announce, "Lady Julia, Lord Ian has arrived."
Over the past four years, Ian had often visited the Duke's estate to see Julia often.
Back then, Julia still resided in Lunebloom Hollow and had her own private quarters. To cultivate Ian's favor, she even tacitly allowed him free access to her quarters.
Knowing that Ian was a true gentleman who would never take liberties with her, Julia felt completely at ease.
Moreover, being within the Duke's estate, she had even less reason to worry about her safety.
This was also her way of keeping Ian wrapped around her finger.
Normally, males were strictly forbidden from entering a lady's private quarters.
Yet, Julia deliberately granted this exceptional privilege to Ian.
It was these subtle gestures that led Ian to mistakenly believe Julia was deeply in love with him, drawing him step by step into her alluring spell.
Back then, Ian had the rare privilege of acess to Lunebloom Hollow.
Now that Julia had moved into Moonspire Keep, which was the residence of Cecilia, it would be highly improper for male outsiders to access there.
But presuming himself Cecilia's future son-in-law, Ian gave little thought to the circumstances and simply had a maid announce his arrival.
At the announcement, a flicker of impatience crossed Julia's delicate features.
After today's humiliation, Julia didn't dare put on airs in front of Ian anymore.
She needed to sound him out.
So, she ordered her maid to show Ian in.
At the same time, she had Isabel fetch a bronze mirror and quickly checked her reflection.
She looked pale, and her delicate fragility made her appear all the more endearing.
Just one glance at her would make people's heart ache with overwhelming pity. She felt that it was impossible for Ian to be harsh to her at times like this.
Only then did Julia allow herself a satisfied smile.
Julia handed the bronze mirror to Isabel to put away, then sank weakly back against the cushions.
Just as Katherine set the bronze mirror down, Ian hurried in.
He burst in, his brows furrowed and jaw set, his eyes blazing with all the raw impulsiveness and anger of youth.
It was just as Julia had expected.
The moment Ian laid eyes on Julia, the hint of annoyance on his face instantly melted away, replaced by deep concern.
He rushed to Julia's bedside and anxiously clasped her hand.
Ian asked anxiously, "Julia, what made you faint so suddenly? You look terribly pale!"
Julia managed a weak smile at him, her normally rosy lips now noticeably pale.
She shook her head weakly with a faint smile. "Ian, I'm alright. Please don't worry about me."
Ian, thinking she was just trying to placate him, gripped her hand even tighter. "How can you say you're fine when your voice is so weak? Has any physician checked on you yet? If not, I'll summon one for you right away!"
With that, Ian turned anxiously to leave, clearly intent on fetching the physician himself.
Julia's sole focus was sounding Ian out. She wasn't about to let him leave so easily.
Julia called out urgently, "Ian, wait!"
Ian stopped in his tracks.