Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 18

No. She wasn’t going back. She was staying right here, with the Norwood family.

“Mom, Dad, this is all just… so sudden,” she said, her voice wavering a little. “Can you give me a bit of time to process everything? But… I’m still glad my sister is home.”

She turned to Lydia and offered her hand with a smile. “Welcome to the family, Lydia. If you need help settling in or if anything feels strange, just let me know.”

Lucinda’s words made it clear she saw herself as part of the family, as if she’d always belonged.

Lydia didn’t like fake politeness. She didn’t take the hand, just nodded with a cool, “I’m fine, thanks.”

Lucinda bit the inside of her cheek and let her hand fall, then glanced at Cameron and Kylie, looking a little hurt. “I’ll go to my room now. I’ll leave you to it.”

She turned away, her shoulders slumped, and disappeared down the hall. Cameron and Kylie watched her go, feeling a heavy ache in their hearts. Lucinda had always been their little treasure, their only daughter. Now, Lydia was suddenly back, and it was no wonder she felt out of place. They’d have to give her some time to get used to it.

Lucinda wandered back to the main house, her mind spinning, and looked up to see her grandfather waiting for her, his face full of worry.

“Lucinda, it’s okay. I will always be here for you.”

The words broke what little strength she had left. She rushed into his arms and finally let herself cry. “Grandpa, you won’t leave me, right?”

Her grandfather hugged her close, rubbing her back in comfort. “Of course not. You’ll always be our family’s sweetest little princess.”

Lucinda paused, the title settling like a weight on her shoulders. She understood now why the guards at the door had only called her “Miss.” It was because of Lydia.

She tightened her fists, but managed a calm smile. “Weren’t these rooms supposed to be for my brothers’ future wives? Why do they look like this now?”

There were plenty of empty rooms in the house, but these two were the best in the whole place.

The maid kept her gaze down and answered softly. “That was the original plan, but now that Miss Norwood is back, Mr. And Mrs. Norwood combined them for her new bedroom.”

The maid could sense the tension in the room. She seemed nervous, probably worried about saying the wrong thing. Everyone knew Lucinda had always been the family’s darling. But now that the real daughter was home, everything had changed, and Lucinda’s place in the family felt more uncertain than ever.