Entwined Rules and Order Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

None of the girls objected, not even Eve, who almost smiled and said, "We must be breaking at least fifty rules." (5.42)

Dancing in mourning is a big no-no, but Azalea convinces her sisters to do it anyway in an attempt to cheer them up. The King is furious when he catches them at it, of course—but even that anger is not enough to keep the girls from trying to dance. It's tough when something you love is against the rules, right?

Quote #8

Azalea grasped the King's coat about her neck, tightly, and the boiling hotness escaped to her tongue.

"You can't leave yet!" she said. "Rule number twenty-one! We have rules!" (5.112-113)

Oh snap. Here Azalea is, reminding the King that they have rules, when usually it's the other way around. It turns out that rules can do one important thing: they can protect you. It's emotionally damaging for Azalea and her sisters when the King leaves for war without saying goodbye, and she's hoping here that reminding him of the rules will get him to follow them. Unfortunately this doesn't work out the way Azalea had hoped.

Quote #9

"Oh, my lady. Your father would never approve. I know him too well." Azalea leaned in.

Elopement […] forbidden love […] if Fairweller was caught courting a young lady without her father's permission, he would end up in a duel. (21.235-236)

There are apparently a ton of rules about courtship in Azalea's world, and getting the lady's father's permission seems to be a big deal. This makes it all the more ironic when the people doing the courting are Fairweller (who is very serious and orderly) and Clover (who is seen as too good-natured and obedient to ever break any rules). It just goes to show that the quiet ones always surprise you.