She hadn't wanted to be loved carefully, only well.

A girl expecting rescue never learns to save herself. Even with the means, she will find her courage wanting.

The happiest folk are those that are busy, for their minds are starved of time to seek out woe.

...which fairy-tale princess ever chose her maid over her prince?

The prospect of an early death sits differently upon each person. In some it gifts maturity far outweighing their age and experience: calm acceptance blossoms into a beautiful nature and soft countenance. In others, however, it leads to the formation of a tiny ice flint in their heart. Ice that, though at times concealed, never properly melts. Rose, though she would have liked to be one of the former, knew herself deep down to be one of the latter.

I simply love writing good stories, that's my passion.

Nell was not one for friends and had never hidden her distaste for most other humans, their neurotic compulsion for the acquisition of allies.