Gently Agatha touched her face in the mirror, glowing from inside.
A face no one recognized because it was so happy.
There could be no turning back now. The bread crumbs on the dark trail were gone. Instead, she had the truth to guide her. A truth greater than any magic.
I've been beautiful all along.

I'm afraid I've already found my Ever After, Hort," said Sophie.

"What? With who?" Hort asked, aghast.

"On my own," she said, her voice sure and clear. "I'm happy on my own."

And for the first time, she knew it was true.

It's the problem with fairy tales. From far away, they seem so perfect. But up close, they're just as complicated as real life.

You aren’t jealous that Agatha gets a boy and a crown and a kingdom and everything else?” Hort pressed in disbelief. “You aren’t jealous that Agatha’s a queen?” He saw her stop at the gates, faced away as students streamed past. “A tiny bit, of course,” she said softly. “But then I remember . .  .” Sophie looked back, smiling bright as a diamond. “I’m me.

Only once you destroy who you think you are can you embrace who you truly are.

Enemies disguise as friends and friends as enemies.