Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 494

Lucinda went rigid, her whole body tense. Blake’s words had knocked every thought out of her mind. He didn’t let up, his voice firm but not unkind.

“Look, even if we take everything else out of it, Lydia is your Grandmaster. There’s nothing embarrassing about showing her respect and serving her tea. Why can’t you just accept what’s actually happening?”

Lucinda didn’t reply. She stared at the floor, her lips pressed tight. Blake let out a long, tired sigh.

“Mom and Dad are really worried about you. That’s why they asked me to come check on you. But seeing you like this… How are any of us supposed to feel okay?”

Lucinda hadn’t always been like this. She used to be bright, easygoing, open. But after Lydia came home, it was like she’d turned into someone else. Or maybe, Blake thought, maybe none of them had ever really understood who Lucinda was.

She gave a little smirk, her voice laced with sarcasm. “You’re worried about me?”

Blake frowned, his tone sharp. “Of course we’re worried. Why wouldn’t we be? If I wasn’t, do you think I’d even be here right now?”

“You’re just afraid I’ll blame Lydia for everything.”

“Lucinda.” Blake’s voice was serious, almost pleading. “I’ve told you this so many times. You are who you are. You don’t have to compare yourself to anyone. Lydia has her strengths, sure, but so do you. Why are you so hung up on competing with her?”

Lucinda felt her heart twist, sadness welling up inside her. “But you’re the ones who started treating us differently. Now you tell me not to compare myself to her? How does that make sense?”

Blake didn’t know how to answer. Lucinda seemed weighed down by thoughts he couldn’t see through.

They’d come this far, and she was done holding back. She was tired. So tired. Ever since Lydia came back, she felt like she was suffocating, like there was no air left for her in this house.

“I was happy when Lydia came home. I really was. But Mom, Dad, Garrett, and you… you all favor her. I’m just the adopted daughter you forgot about.”

She swallowed hard, fresh tears slipping down her cheeks. “If you don’t want me here anymore, just say so. I’ll go. I really will…”

“Lucinda, have you ever thought about everything you’ve had in the eighteen years you’ve been part of the Norwood family? You’ve had so much more than Lydia ever did.”

Lucinda froze, surprised into silence.

Blake went on, his voice gentle but clear. “Ever since you were born, everyone in the family doted on you. You always had the best food, the nicest clothes, every comfort you could want. Before you turned three, you had all our love and attention. You were like the little princess of the whole city. But Lydia? What did she have?”

Blake’s eyes softened, his expression full of sympathy. “I heard her adoptive parents didn’t even want a daughter. As soon as she was born, they sent her away to the countryside to live with her grandmother Mrs. Smith. She was sick all the time, so weak. Mrs. Smith was so afraid for her that she went to the church and prayed for her to survive, begged for a charm to keep her safe.”

Lucinda’s defenses crumbled a little. Guilt crept in. Compared to that, she really had been lucky.

Blake pressed on, “After you turned three, Grandpa and Mom and Dad found the best mentors for you. They pulled every string, did everything they could to give you the best chance in life.”