How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Her eyes lingered a moment on Selia, and she found herself thinking, She would be better at playing princess than I am. The thought stung. Ani wanted so badly to do it right, to be regal and clever and powerful. But too often her only truly happy moments were the bursts of freedom, stolen afternoons on her horse's back, brief, breathtaking rides past the stables to where the gardens turned wild, her lungs stinging with the cold, her muscles trembling with the hard ride. (2.7)
Oh, snap—when Ani realizes that Selia would make a better princess than she does, we're not sure what to think. We could feel a little sorry for Ani—it seems like everyone wants her to be someone she's not—but then another part of us wonders why Ani doesn't use her unique skills to be a rockin' princess.
Quote #2
"Come now, Father, you know the queen would never permit such nonsense from me. 'Anidori, a crown princess, like a queen, can succeed only by staying apart. Separation, elevation, delegation.'" (2.43)
We're not sure Ani's dad believes this line from the queen, and we sure know Ani doesn't. Before we all go condemning her mom though, we should think about whether her mom has a point. Are these qualities important for rulers? Would Selia have challenged Ani if she were more like her mom?
Quote #3
Those who did address her clipped her title to "Princess" and the "Crown" was passed on to her brother. All except for Selia. Stubbornly loyal, her lady-in-waiting still insisted on using her full and original title. (3.1)
Selia's refusal to call Ani anything but Crown Princess at first seems like she's thumbing her nose to the queen, but when we really think about, we realize she's mocking Ani. Even though the princess doesn't get it at first, she soon figures out that Selia uses that fancy pants title against her.