ʻNO WOMAN SHOULD BE MADE TO FEAR THAT SHE WAS NOT ENOUGH.ʼ ↪ dialogue from the priory of the orange tree by samantha shannon. ⁽ᵖᵃʳᵗ ⁰¹/??⁾ change pronouns/gendered terms as needed.
you know how i loathe the summer here.
i would break my fast. good morrow.
you're plainly a fool, and i have no interest in befriending fools.
you can be very wise, my friend.
as you decree, your majesty.
there are shadows under your eyes.
come forth and face your enemy of old, or watch your city burn.
you have been forced to join me in my exile, and i've been poor company.
if i should hear of any whispers, i will bring them to your door.
i have no love for your queen. in fact, i roundly despise her.
you presume too much. far too much.
i am not yet recovered enough from seeing a corpse by my bed to discuss its use for childing.
i know we planned to go together, and perhaps you will hate me for the rest of our lives, but it is better this way.
you took him somewhere safe. what happens now is up to him.
trust me. you can do nothing here but die.
i strongly dislike visitors at this hour. or any hour.
you show an innocent face to the court, but i believe you have another one.
all the world is a cage in a young girl's eyes.
sleep has eluded me of late.
what do you think of his eyes?
they will hail us as legends one day.
you stand on equal ground with whatever i am.
now i know your secret, and it reeks far worse than mine.
i see what's in your heart. it's the same as what's in mine. ambition.
i have no interest in why you are here.
you seem devout. i suggest you pray.
you dare judge me for seeking help elsewhere?
her pride would never allow her to ask for aid.
i shall not speak another word.
do you have any notion of what they do to outsiders here?
she may be sick in love, as young maids often are.
i don't think i'm at all well, you know.
you are a witch. you practice sorcery. i saw it.
you know why this is happening. everyone tried to warn you.
here. i will give you the rest if you behave.
you don't really believe in talk of alchemy and sorcery.
only a soulless husk could hate poetry.
i've always rather fancied an adventure.
all stories grow from a seed of truth. they are knowledge after figuration.
you have a quick tongue as well as light feet.
not all dreams should be pursued, especially not dreams conceived on the featherbed of love.
he must have escaped while the sentinels were distracted.
how does his royal highness mean to forge such an alliance?
i have had precious little entertainment in this place.
i come to give you warning.
better a mouse than some louder beast.
this is not courteous speech. who are you?
i am no green child to believe what i am told without proof.
i do not fear you. your threats have as much weight as smoke.
they say he was in love with her.
my word, but you are a lucky wretch.
fear will make you fight.
this may be too bold, but you seem not to be in high spirits today.
i have no desire to condemn him to death.
do you think me a halfwit?
this mission may not seem survivable, but you never know. we may return from it as princes of the world.
we must do to our enemies what they would do to us.
fire has no power over me.
you had better start praying for salvation.
i possess sufficient wit to dress myself.
spare me from baseless gossip.
flattered as i am, i seem to remember you are already wed.
stop involving yourself in matters that could undo you.
it will be a pleasure to fight against a warrior of your skill.
i have an interest in survival. i recommend you nurture one, too.
you have been a loyal servant at court.
i would sooner plunge my sword into my own heart than see thy blood water the earth.
i hope all goes as you desire.
i am unworthy of her love, but love her i do. it hurts my soul.
may i ask your name, since i have you to thank for sheltering me?
if her majesty was displeased, i am sorry for it.
remember, no matter how far you travel, i will always be your friend.
i doubt he liked her overmuch.
a risk is needful if we are to know the truth.
no duty comes above our service to the crown.
i beseech you, do not expose our transgression.
he should speak to you with more respect.
you know a secret of mine. we are bound by a vow of silence.
wherever i am, i am with you.
you're not in love, then.
i pray she understands. that she forgives me.
this is a mission of the utmost importance.
we ought to speak about our… situation.
how are you always so wise?
i know you are mocking me, sir.
please don't tell anyone, or i shall be ruined.
apologies. a poor choice of words.
as i said, i have no interest in your mission.
i confess my mind has been elsewhere.
i have been too forgiving.
she is someone for whom i would die a thousand times, whose name i cannot tell. someone who is the light in my life, the breath in my breast.
what an honour it is to be received once more at your court.
i will always keep you safe.
we have tarried here for long enough.
let us pray that, someday, she weds someone with a backbone.
i shall not involve you any further.
that is the problem with stories. the truth in them cannot be weighed.
i see through your mask. i see what's in your heart.
your pardon, my lady. it was a jest.
i thought i heard you talking. have we met?