The Slave Queen - Chapter 90: Chapter 90

Shawn had always been hard-hearted, but for some inexplicable reason, Lennox's emotions seemed to have rubbed off on him as well.
Looking at Raelynn who would soon become his bride, he felt an unexpected flicker of sympathy.
So he took the initiative to help Raelynn.
At the same time, he wanted to set Lennox's mind at ease.
Fortunately, during his conversation with Raelynn just now, he witnessed Margot's expression soften slightly.
Then, supported by her maidservant, Margot left the Ice Party.
Shawn glanced at the silent Raelynn. "Come on, I'll see you home."
Raelynn pressed her lips together, her gaze clouding slightly.
Shawn's words struck a chord with her.
These days, though she'd tried so hard to hide things from Margot, Margot could not possible be unaware of it. After all, she had lived a life of storms.
Her little secrets had likely been seen through long ago. Margot's silence was simply to spare her further pain.
At this thought, Raelynn's eyes welled up slightly.
She suddenly craved a moment alone.
She looked up and managed a practiced smile at Shawn. "No need, Lord Shawn. I'd prefer to return by myself," she said.
Unexpectedly, Shawn grabbed her hand and swept her along to the carriage that bore the Lindsay family crest.
Raelynn frowned, displeased by his domineering manner.
Shawn countered, "As far as I know, Lady Raelynn, you arrived with Mrs. Lennox in the same carriage. Now that she has left, how are you planning to get home on your own?"
Before Raelynn could reply, he pressed on, "Moreover, after publicly humiliating your sister today, aren't you worried the Duke and Duchess of Seymore will take their anger out on you if you return by yourself?"
As he spoke, Shawn cast a pitying glance at Raelynn.
That look made Raelynn feel inexplicably mortified.
His implication was painfully clear.
If her parents had been fair, they wouldn't have sent her away to the palace in the first place.
Without a more powerful backer today, she'd certainly face punishment upon returning home.
'Could it be that Shawn is helping me?' Raelynn wondered.
At this thought, she couldn't help but look up to study Shawn's expression.
She seemed to be searching his face and trying to discern any clue from his features.
But for a prodigy like him, who had ascended to the pinnacle of power at such a young age, his political cunning ran naturally deep.
He wasn't one to easily reveal his true thoughts.
Raelynn studied Shawn for a moment but found nothing.
Deciding not to dwell on it, she nodded and said, "You're right, Lord Shawn. It would be rude of me to refuse."
With that, she allowed Sienna to help her up into the carriage.
The carriage was wonderfully warm, its charcoal brazier radiating a comforting heat.
Sitting inside, Raelynn felt every last bit of tension melt away, as if her whole being could finally breathe freely.
She nestled into the coziest corner, curling up there, utterly content.
Her gaze fixed intently on Shawn as he followed her in.
'Who would've thought? Lord Shawn really is sharp-tongued, but warm-hearted,' Raelynn mused.
Noticing her gaze, Shawn raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
A playful smile curved Raelynn's lips as the words slipped out, "Lord Shawn, having someone to back me up feels wonderful."
Seeing her mischievous expression, Shawn felt an unfamiliar stirring in the softest part of his heart.
He frowned slightly and realized that this was a feeling he had never experienced before.
His gaze turned searching as it settled on Raelynn.
'Was it because of her?' Shawn wondered.
This emotion that was entirely outside his carefully laid plans brought an irritating sense of losing control.
Yet he couldn't ignore the secret satisfaction blooming inside him.
He thought, 'Perhaps, this girl would be the only thing I cannot control in my life.'
Recalling her words, he let out a quiet hum from deep in his throat, tacitly acknowledging what she had said.
Raelynn let out a soft, low chuckle.
She couldn't help but think, 'Grandmother's decision this time is downright brilliant.
'Shawn is infinitely better than Ian, who only cares for idle pleasures and is utterly spineless.
'At least when I'm wronged or bullied, he'll be there for me, and he actually has both the strength and confidence to back me up.'
Suddenly, Raelynn's mind drifted back to four years ago, back when Ian was still smitten with her.
She remembered having an argument with Julia one time.
Julia was jealous of Raelynn being the apple of their parents' eyes, so she had deliberately broken the ruby hair ornament set Cecilia had given her.
But when Julia burst into tears, Ian refused to believe it was an intentional act and scolded Raelynn for disturbing the family's harmony over a mere hair ornament set.
Raelynn thought, 'But that was a gift from my own mother!
'My most cherished possession was destroyed by Julia just like that, yet I wasn't even allowed to stand up for myself.
'What exactly did Ian say back then?
'He said that he knew exactly what kind of person Julia was since they grew up together.
At that moment, all Raelynn's feelings for Ian turned into nothing but a cruel joke.