Just head over to the risers, Lady America," she said. "You may sit anywhere you like. So you know, most of the girls have already claimed the front row." She looked sorry for me, as if she were delivering bad news. "Oh, thank you," I said, and went happily to take a seat in the back.

I don’t think any girl in all of Illéa could have been smiling more than me.

So far, I had a solid collection of my honest opinions.

I guessed princesses-in-training didn’t wear pants.

Break my heart. Break it a thousand times if you like. It was only ever yours to break anyway.

I kind of wanted someone to rearrange the stars so they spelled out his words. I needed them big and bright, and somewhere I could see then when things felt dark. I love you. And I'm so, so proud.

Maybe what I wanted was stupid. Maybe it wasn't even something I could have. But, still it was mine. I didn't think I could sacrifice my dreams, no matter how much my family meant to me.