The Slave Queen - Chapter 98: Chapter 98

Shawn's handsome features softened with subtle tenderness. "You may call me Shawny," he said.
Raelynn stared at him, her cheeks suddenly flushing crimson.
Raelynn thought, 'Why would he suddenly ask me to call him by his nickname?
'How utterly embarrassing!'
Raelynn was so mortified her toes curled, her fingers clutching her skirt. She couldn't bring herself to utter that name.
Fortunately, Shawn didn't press the issue.
Seeing her genuine struggle, Shawn simply smiled and said, "It's fine. We'll wait until you grow more comfortable with it."
Only then did Raelynn finally let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, as if she'd just survived a harrowing ordeal.
Raelynn thought, 'Lord Shawn is being so odd today.
'What's gotten into him?'
The commotion in the courtyard soon caught the attention of the household servants.
Nina, Elaine, and Lane emerged with lights in hand. Upon seeing Raelynn return, their faces lit up with joy as they all eagerly hurried forward to greet her.
They said, "My lady, you're finally back!"
However, their joy quickly turned to surprise when they saw that Raelynn had brought a man back with her.
Elaine gasped, "My lady, who is this?"
She thought, 'Lady Raelynn is engaged to Lord Shawn.
'What if word gets out that Lady Raelynn has brought a man into her courtyard? Her reputation would be ruined!
'And what would Lord Shawn think?'
Thus, the usually timid Elaine was nearly scared out of her wits.
Nina, however, quickly tugged at Elaine's sleeve and stepped forward to greet Shawn respectfully, "Greetings, Lord Shawn."
Nina had been by Raelynn's side when Shawn visited the manor that day, which was how she recognized his true identity.
Upon hearing this, Elaine and Lane also hurriedly curtsied and said in unison, "Greetings, Lord Shawn."
Elaine didn't even dare to breathe.
After all, she had almost mistaken Raelynn's fiancé for a mere outsider just now.
Shawn gave a slight nod. "No need for such formalities."
Only then did the three maids lift their heads.
Raelynn instructed, "Elaine, prepare some soup to warm Lord Shawn."
Elaine replied, "Yes, my lady."
Shawn suddenly interjected, "No need.
"It's getting late. I should be going now."
Raelynn arched a surprised brow.
'Wait, didn't Lord Shawn say he wanted to come in to see the plum blossoms and have some drink?' Raelynn wondered.
Still, the fact that Shawn didn't linger in her courtyard was a blessing for Raelynn.
Having spent her childhood as a homeless wanderer and later serving four years as a palace maid, Raelynn was still working to overcome the shadows of her past. Even as she made progress, facing someone like Shawn, who was born into privilege and nobility, inevitably left her feeling somewhat inadequate.
Besides, it was already quite late, and now he had even come into her private courtyard.
'What would people say if this got out?' Raelynn fretted.
But Shawn seemed oblivious to her expression.
Instead, Shawn instructed Elaine, "Prepare some warm drink for your lady. Make sure that it tastes good."
He instructed her with such effortless naturalness as if she were his personal maid.
Raelynn was even more stunned.
Elaine, however, beamed with delight and nodded. "Of course, my lord. I've noted that."
With that, Elaine cheerfully headed to the kitchenette to prepare the drink for Raelynn.
Nina and Lane watched the pair with warm, knowing smiles.
Raelynn waved at Nina and Lane, motioning them to go inside first.
Raelynn offered Shawn an awkward smile. "Since you're not having the drink, and it's getting rather late..."
"I'll take my leave now." Sensing her polite dismissal, Shawn didn't linger.
Shawn had only just taken a few steps when he paused abruptly, turned back, and asked, "Do you like plum blossoms? I noticed you have several different varieties planted in your courtyard."
Raelynn nodded, her gaze drifting toward the plum blossoms, a faint, complicated smile playing at the corners of her lips.
She said, "They are not here because I like them. My grandmother just thought my courtyard looked too bare, so she had them planted for me."
Understanding dawned on Shawn's face. "Then, what do you like?"
Raelynn shrugged. "Honestly, I'm not into all flowers and plants.
"Life was too harsh in the past. All I cared about was survival. I never had the luxury to think about enjoyment."
Actually, it wasn't that she genuinely disliked them.
But to Raelynn, it really didn't matter whether the flowers were there or not.
Compared to those, she much preferred fruits and vegetables. At least they could actually sustain her.
But she thought, 'I don't need to tell him any of this.'
Upon hearing this, Shawn's expression became unreadable.
Shawn fixed her with a long, searching look, then nodded slightly and said quietly, "I understand now."
With that, he bid her farewell.
He turned, and his tall, slender figure had already vanished from the courtyard.
Only a single footprint remained.
Raelynn took a deep breath, hugged herself with a shiver, then strode purposefully back into her chamber.
She shut the door behind her. Inside, the charcoal brazier burned brightly, filling the room with a welcoming warmth.
The warmth from the brazier quickly dispelled the chill and dampness from the snow clinging to her.
It also completely shut out the watchful eyes lurking in the shadows.
Nina and Lane quickly tucked a warm hand warmer into Raelynn's hands, then busied themselves helping her out of her fur-lined cloak and freshening her up.
Nina said gently, "My lady, you must be frozen through today! Since Eileen is getting on in years and you hadn't returned yet, we let her go to bed."
Among Raelynn's senior maids, Nina was the most dependable, second only to Sienna.
Nina explained as she carefully helped Raelynn remove her jewelry.
Over these past days, the maids serving Raelynn had come to understand her temperament inside and out.