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.

This was about two sides warring for love.

She and Tedros fighting for Good. Sophie and the School Master fighting for Evil.

Once upon a time, she and her best friend tried to find a happy ending together. Now only one of them could come out alive.

To find a happy ending with someone else, first you have to find it alone.

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.

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.