chapter1020

When Mr. Robinson started praising Blake, nobody was surprised. But when he began talking up Lydia, a girl who looked so young and delicate, Chloe and Janet couldn't hide their disbelief. No way would they admit that this girl, who seemed even younger than them, might actually be more impressive.

Chloe was royalty, after all, and a graduate from one of the best schools. As far as she was concerned, Lydia was barely even family, and she seriously doubted that Lydia was as amazing as Mr. Robinson claimed.

Janet, who was only a bit older than Lydia, was just as annoyed. Hearing Mr. Robinson go on and on about Lydia made her skin crawl.

"How come we've never heard you had a granddaughter like her?" she blurted out.

Their family had lived overseas for years and rarely came back, but they did know a bit about Glenn's family. There was some old story about Glenn's only daughter cutting ties with the family decades ago, all because she fell for some poor guy. Then, against all odds, that poor guy struck it rich and ended up as the wealthiest man in the country.

Still, nobody had ever mentioned a Lydia. They'd heard something about a Lucinda, maybe, but that was probably just a rumor cooked up by the media.

Mr. Robinson didn't bother with explanations. He just smiled and said, "Lydia's always been humble. She doesn't like the spotlight. If you haven't really spent time with her, you'd never know how talented she is."

The message was pretty clear, and Damien's family didn't like it one bit.

Wendy flashed Mr. Robinson a knowing look. "Well, Chloe is a piano virtuoso, and Janet's a master painter. They're both famous abroad. Maybe you just don't keep up with international news."

It was a not-so-subtle way of calling Mr. Robinson out of touch, like he had no clue just how accomplished her daughters were on the world stage.

She wasn't done, either. Wendy gave Lydia a slow, critical once-over. "Still, she's a beautiful girl. I wonder if she'll get lucky like our Chloe and end up with a princess's destiny."

In Country Y, marrying into the royal family was the ultimate dream. It was an honor, not just for ordinary people, but even for the nobility.

Lydia's lips curled into a faint smile. Her voice was calm and clear. "Not everyone dreams of being a princess. tome, marrying into royalt sounds like being trapped. I want my freedom. Besides, Kalready have a fianc ."

Becoming royalty meant giving up her own name, following royal rules forever. Lydia didn't envy that life at all.

Connor, who'd been quiet the whole time, let a small smile flicker across his face.

Lydia's words caught Wendy, Chloe, and Janet off guard. For a second, they just stared. Then their faces twisted with disbelief and a little scorn.

As if it was really her choice. Marrying into royalty was a burden for her? Please. Did she even have a shot? Would the royal family ever pick her?

And a fianc already? That young? Tsk. She must be the type who. dates too early. Her personal

Heil

was probably a mess. Her fianc

was probably a nobody, too.

Chloe gave a patronizing smile. Oh, Lydia, you're still so young. Being a princess

isn't something just anyone gets to do."

Janet chimed in. "Exactly. People are

dying with envy that Chloe's

marrying into the royal family. If ite

weren't for... well, if it weren't for

coming back to visit Grandpa Glenn,

Chloe wouldn't have bothered

making this long trip."

Nobody was buying it. From the way Janet said it, it was obvious their visit wasn't just about family.

Damien laughed, trying to lighten the mood. "Kids have their own ideas. Who they end up with... well, that's just fate."