How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"This past summer, the priests of the creator god took council on the birthday of the prince. They read the omens and divined the home of his future bride. All the signs indicated Mount Eskel." (1.90)
We bet none of the girls were expecting that kind of news. Should girls under the age of seventeen even be thinking about marriage yet?
Quote #2
The idea of marrying a lowlander still confused and frightened her. And what of Peder? (7.70)
Even though Miri wants to do well and become the academy princess, she's not totally sold on the idea of marrying the prince. After all, what about love? How could she marry someone she doesn't even know—much less love?
Quote #3
Miri tried to keep her face unreadable. She had already fallen in love with the house in the painting, but after last night, the idea of Peder was too near and too full of hope to imagine marrying a prince. (12.15)
Peder's kiss-on-the-cheek move (so suave) has certainly thrown a wrench into Miri's plans—she was so focused on becoming academy princess and maybe even winning over the prince, but now she's not sure. She's got a shot with her long-time crush.
Quote #4
"Well, you do. But you don't need to apologize." Miri sat on the academy steps. "I honestly want to understand why, if you're here to discover your bride, you don't seem to be trying." (18.58)
The prince has arrived to supposedly choose his bride, but he doesn't seem to be doing a good job of getting to know the girls at all. What's the deal with that? Isn't it his job to spend time personally getting to know them all?
Quote #5
There was a hint of alarm in his eyes. "There are so many girls in there. How am I supposed to know all of you? I hoped that one girl would just seem right. There wouldn't be explanations and awkward conversations. We would both just know." (18.62)
Even though he's the prince and he's supposed to get married soon, Steffan is still just a boy. The very adult responsibility of choosing a bride is overwhelming to him—especially because he doesn't actually know any of the girls.
Quote #6
"Well, if that's what you want, I hope you get it," said Peder. "I hope he comes back and carries you off to be a princess and keeps you as far away from Mount Eskel as you want to be." (19.44)
Oh boy, yet another misunderstanding between Peder and Miri based off of the prince's impending decision. If only Peder knew that he is the main reason Miri feels so ambivalent about being princess…
Quote #7
So she said, "It seems strange to still think about this, after the bandits and everything. It seems like the world has changed and we shouldn't still be talking about things like marrying a prince." (24.37)
There are bigger things to think about than winning the prince's hand in marriage after the girls have been held hostage by bandits. Maybe that was important to Miri once, but now she just appreciates what she already has.
Quote #8
[…] his eyes scanned the room expectantly, and when they stopped on Britta, he took a half step backward. He smiled, then he smiled larger, then he grinned. His shoulders relaxed, and Miri half expected him to do something boyish and outrageous, like leap for joy or gallop to her side. (25.58)
Remember how Britta always said that she just wanted the prince to marry someone who really loved him? It looks like Britta and Steffan have found the people they're supposed to be with in each other—these two are obviously gaga.
Quote #9
Miri watched Britta beside the boy she loved. Her eyes shone, her smile was wide and genuine. Her gestures lost their flustered anxiousness and became smooth and confident, the weight of her insecurity lifted. (25.82)
Love really does change a person. Britta was so nervous about meeting Steffan, but once her affections are returned, she loses all of her fear and anxiety. She's definitely not going to get sick before the next ball they attend together.
Quote #10
Britta glanced at the building. "Maybe the priests did know what they were doing. Maybe Mount Eskel didn't need a princess, just an academy." (25.113)
So none of the girls from Mount Eskel ended up marrying the prince. Oh well. It seems like attending the academy and learning lots of new things was way more important than some prince, anyway.