“Listen to me, kitten. Win or lose, you’ll always be a princess to me.”

“I guessed princesses-in-training didn’t wear pants.”

“I remembered suddenly that Aspen had always been this way. He sacrificed sleep for me, he risked getting caught out after curfew for me, he scrounged together pennies for me. Aspen's generosity was harder to see because it wasn't as grand as Maxon's, but the heart behind what he gave was so much bigger.”

“My shoes I got to pick. I chose worn-out red flats. I figured I should make it clear from the start that I wasn’t princess material.”

“You’re too beautiful for your own good. Once you leave, we’ll have to send some of the guards with you. You’ll never survive on your own, poor thing.”

“I sighed. "Actually, Mom, we argue pretty regularly." "What?" She gaped at me. "Well, stop it!""Oh, and I kneed him in the groin once."There was a split second of silence before May barked a laugh. She covered her mouth and tried to stop it, but it kept coming out in awkward, squeaky sounds. Dad's lips were pressed together, but I could tell he was on the verge of losing it himself.Mom was paler then snow."America, tell me you're joking. Tell me you didn't assault the prince."I don't know why, but the word assault pushed us all on the edge; and May, Dad, and I bent over laughing as Mom stared at us."Sorry, Mom," I managed."Oh, good lord." She suddenly seemed very excited in meeting Marlee's parents, and I didn't stop her from going.”

“Castes never meant that much to me.”