The Beginning of Lavinia Herbert – Part 2

 

 

Lavinia’s Darkest Moments

In Princess Sarah, Lavinia Herbert’s cruelty did not appear overnight — but once it surfaced, it grew quickly.

When Sara Crewe lost her fortune and was forced to become a servant at Miss Minchin’s Seminary, something inside Lavinia shifted.

This was her chance.

Power Without Kindness

Sara, once the admired “little princess,” was now reduced to working in the cold attic. Her fine dresses were replaced with worn clothing. Her warm room was replaced with a drafty space beneath the roof.

Lavinia watched it all.

At first, she felt satisfaction.

The girl who had unknowingly threatened her position was now beneath her. Lavinia no longer had to compete. She no longer had to fear being overshadowed.

But instead of peace, she chose cruelty.

She mocked Sara.
She humiliated her.
She reminded her constantly of her fall from grace.

Each harsh word gave Lavinia a temporary sense of control.

Yet the more she tried to break Sara’s spirit, the more unsettled she became.

The Mirror She Didn’t Want to See

What angered Lavinia most was not Sara’s poverty.

It was her dignity.

Despite hunger, cold nights, and unfair treatment, Sara remained kind. She still helped others. She still imagined beautiful stories. She still treated people gently.

Lavinia could not understand it.

How could someone with nothing still shine?

The truth was painful: Sara’s strength exposed Lavinia’s weakness.

And so, Lavinia pushed harder.

But cruelty has a way of echoing back. Whispers among the girls began. Doubt crept in. Even Lavinia’s followers sometimes hesitated.

For the first time, being feared did not feel the same as being admired.

And deep inside, something cracked.