“A Queen is many things, but alone is never one of them.” Sheheld the brush, poised right above the canvas as if she meant to paint,but she didn’t. “I don’t need love or a man to complete me, andsomeday, you’ll find that’s true for yourself. Suitors will come and go,but you will remain.”

“I don't need love or a man to complete me,and someday, you'll find that true for yourself. Suitors will come and go, but you will remain.”

“I know you’ll be a good Queen, a strong, noble leader, and that’s more thanthese people deserve,” she said. “But don’t give too much. You need to keep someof yourself for you. And listen to your heart.”

“Don’t.” I walked up to him. “If it ever comes down to asituation between me and you, save yourself. I’m not worth dyingfor.”“Princess, I-”“None of us are,” I said, looking at him seriously. “Not theQueen or any of the Markis or Marksinna. That’s a direct order fromthe Princess, and you have to follow it. Save yourself.”“I don’t understand.” Duncan’s whole face scrunched inconfusion. “But… if it’s as you wish, Princess.”“It is. Thank you,” I smiled at him and walked into the palace.”

“Sometimes it seems to me that that’s all my life has been, a series of things that I loved deeply that I could never have.”

“I can't marry Tove!""Why ever not?" She batted her dark lashes at me."Because I don't love him!""Love is a fairy tale that manks tell their children so they'll have grandchildren," Elora said, brushing me off.”

“I predict a long reign ahead of you. Years of being referred to as Your Majesty, Your Grace, Your Excellence, My Liege, My Queen, My Lovely.” “I don’t think that last one is a formal title,” I said. “It should be.”