Nicole

“Though Elena lived in full faith about matters fabulous, she’d never expected to come upon evidence. She suspected that exposure to holy magic was the exclusive right of royalty. It takes a princess to come upon the wise man in the wood, or the talking wolf with a thorn in his paw, or something else useful and good. Even if a princess is switched at birth and raised humbly by starving stepparents, she deserves the luck she inevitably finds. Her diadem may be invisible, but magic always notices it.”
― Gregory Maguire, Egg & Spoon

“You have only hours until you go from palace servant to the future queen of Aurelais. Many will not take the news well, particularly not the blue-blooded young ladies who will resent the prince for rebuffing them for you."
Cinderella thought of her stepsisters, who'd reveled for years in tormenting her. "I can handle it."
When she did not elaborate, Genevieve appraised her. "When Charles declares that you are to be the princess of Aurelais, all attention will be on you. This is the first impression everyone will have of you.
"You have natural grace, which most princesses take decades to learn, but it won't be enough. Nothing would ever be enough, even if you had been born royal." The duchess lifted Cinderella's chin so their eyes were level. "In my time, we stood by the three P's. I thought it was a bunch of hogwash, but I'll impart it to you anyway. It was essential that a princess be poised, pleasant, and-"
"Pretty?" Cinderella guessed.
"Presentable," corrected the duchess. "That's what all the wigs and powder and rouge were for. Nowadays, women are more after the natural look. Which, I suppose, isn't a problem for you." She hummed approvingly. "Now, what color gown should you like to wear tonight?"
"Something blue," replied Cinderella thoughtfully. "It was my mother's favorite color, and I wish with all my heart she could have met Charles and seen us together."
"That's a beautiful thought, Cindergirl.”
― Elizabeth Lim, So This is Love

“No need to send a king when a princess will do.”
― Nic Stone , Shuri

“What are we doing?” she wanted to ask, except she already knew the answer.
They were being reckless and foolish; they were tempting fate; they were breaking the rules; they were falling in love.
But they both knew that last wasn't true. They had already fallen in love, a long time ago.”
― Katharine McGee, American Royals