Julia

“It's not what one is, it's what one does with it.”
― Mary Renault, The Charioteer

“No, he's trying to worm into my mind and shackle me down with morals, so he can feel more comfortable about my existence.
Too bad. I am exactly the kind of ice-blooded, rotten-hearted girl he fears I am. And I am fine with that.
May he stay unsettled.”
― Xiran Jay Zhao, Iron Widow

“ They are surely gods who speak to him With steady voices  
A glance from him drives men to their knees
His sigh brings cities to ruin  
I wonder if he dreams of surrender
On a bed of white flowers  
Or is that the mistaken hope
Of every would-be conqueror?
The world was not made for beauty like his ”
― S.U. Pacat, Captive Prince: Volume Two

“I've been told endless lies since I was born. That I was not kind enough, considerate enough, humble enough, honorable enough, pretty enough, pleasing enough. And if I failed to meet the needs of those around me, I did not deserve to live.
Propaganda. All of it. Propaganda to keep me chasing after the approval of others on my bound and broken feet, as if being a good servant is the only thing I should be proud of.”
― Xiran Jay Zhao, Iron Widow