The Slave Queen - Chapter 89: Chapter 89

Even though there was no love between them, Shawn was the Prime Minister and the most powerful man in the Marquis' estate. Naturally, he needed an heir.
As his legitimate wife, Raelynn knew this heir was destined to be her children
Since that was the case, Raelynn could simply regard him as the Prime Minister at the moment.
Raelynn thought, 'I also need to see him as just a man who is my husband and the father of my future children.
'How do ordinary couples actually live together?
'Though I haven't witnessed many ordinary couples, I have observed the way the Duke of Seymore and the Duchess of Seymore interact.
'The Duke and Duchess of Seymore treated each other with mutual respect. Although the Duchess honored the Duke, she wasn't particularly afraid of him.
'Perhaps I shouldn't see Shawn as some terrifying monster. There's really no need to stay constantly on edge around him.'
With this thought, Raelynn finally soothed her anxious heart.
Raelynn turned to meet Shawn's gaze.
Seeing his gaze remained steady, Raelynn curtsied gracefully and said, "Lord Shawn, your words to me during our chess game the other day truly opened my eyes and cleared my mind.
'Today, I took the liberty of publicly announcing our engagement not solely for my sake, Lord Shawn. Your unblemished reputation should never be targeted by such petty schemers.'
Shawn naturally knew she was echoing his playful remark about "borrowing his name." Yet, as her final words landed, a glimmer of pleasure unconsciously lit up his eyes.
He'd always liked clever people.
He had always known that Raelynn was remarkably sharp-witted.
Today, Shawn realized that Raelynn wasn't just clever and quick-witted, she also had a rather biting wit.
She perfectly met his standards for a partner.
At this thought, a hint of amusement laced his voice.
Shawn chuckled and said to Raelynn with a teasing glint in his eyes, "So, are you defending me now? Excellent. You haven't even officially become my wife, and you're already showing perfect wifely instincts."
Though it was a joke, his words dripped with rakish charm.
If it had been anyone else, they'd surely be branded a shameless rake.
Yet, for some inexplicable reason, when Shawn uttered such an outrageously slick line, Raelynn still felt her ears grow warm.
Raelynn swallowed hard, deliberately ignoring his remark.
She continued, "My deepest gratitude for your assistance today, Lord Shawn."
Still, Raelynn thought to herself, 'Even if Shawn hadn't intervened, I would have been perfectly fine anyway.'
But since he went out of his way to help, Raelynn figured the least she could do was be polite about it.
Just then, the midnight bell tolled.
It was already midnight.
The snow grew heavier.
The guests from the Ice Party began to trickle away in small groups.
A sudden gust of icy wind swept through, making Raelynn sneeze involuntarily.
She instinctively pulled her fur-lined cloak tighter around herself.
Seeing this, Sienna hurried over and gently urged, "My lady, it's getting late and the weather's turning colder. Why don't we head back now?"
Even though Sienna dearly wished Raelynn could spend more time with Shawn and strengthen their bond, Raelynn's well-being had to come first.
Raelynn's well-being had to come first.
'After all, there will be plenty of opportunities to deepen their bond in the future,' Sienna thought.
Raelynn nodded. "Sienna, go find my Grandmother. Let's head back right away."
Just as Sienna was about to respond, Shawn called out to stop her.
Shawn said calmly, "No need. Margot has already left."
Sienna froze mid-step just as she was about to leave.
Raelynn also looked at Shawn, equally puzzled.
A faint, cool smile tugged at the corners of Shawn's lips.
He said, "I've been in the Goose Pavilion all day, watching your every move."
Hearing this, Raelynn suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. An inexplicable sense of unease crept over her. It was as if she'd been watched the whole time without even realizing it.
But then, it dawned on her why Shawn knew about her public announcement of their engagement today and how effortlessly she used his name.
She had merely assumed it was because of his far-reaching influence.
Raelynn didn't expect that he personally witnessed the whole scene.
Shawn continued, "When Miss Ramos was giving you a hard time earlier, Margot saw everything. I told her I'd step in to help you. Seeing how well we were getting along, she decided to leave."
Raelynn's face froze when she heard Shawn say that Margot had witnessed Jaylee bullying her.
Raelynn was too shaken to process the rest of his words.
Raelynn hurriedly asked, "Grandmother knows Jaylee bullied me? She must be heartbroken. I'll go to her right now—"
Shawn stopped her and said, "Do you really think Margot has remained unaware of how things have been for you at court?"
Raelynn was struck silent.
Shawn continued gently, "Trust me, it's all over now. Just act as you always would around Margot. She won't bring it up."
After all, just mentioning it would bring her heartache.
If Margot were ten years younger, she might still have the strength to seek justice for Raelynn.
But she was far too old now.
She was so old that even her own son and daughter-in-law wouldn't listen to her anymore. They stubbornly insist on sending her most cherished granddaughter into the treacherous palace life.
For Margot, each time she recalled these events, it only reopened old wounds.
As he recalled the expression on Margot's face back in the Goose Pavilion, a frown creased Shawn's brow.