I refuse to let him hire a princess in disguise who's hoping to sneak into the next ball wearing a dress as shining as the stars so that Daystar will fall in love with her. Princesses are very persuasive, but most of them aren't much use in the kitchen."Daystar blinked. "But Mother, we hardly ever have balls. And I really don't think I'd fall in love with someone just because she was wearing a fancy dress.""Try and convince a princess of that.
In this excerpt from Patricia C. Wrede's "Book of Enchantments," a mother expresses her strong disapproval of her son, Daystar, hiring a princess who may not be as practical as she appears. She emphasizes the importance of real skills over appearances, suggesting that a princess in a dazzling dress might be more focused on charm and less on useful attributes, particularly in the kitchen. This reflects a broader commentary on societal expectations of princesses versus their actual capabilities.
Daystar is skeptical of his mother's views, noting that they rarely have balls and that love cannot be so easily won through mere appearances. His response highlights a more modern perspective, challenging the notion that one’s worth or romantic appeal is tied to extravagant attire. This dialogue serves to underscore the theme of authenticity versus illusion, showing that genuine attributes matter more than superficial enticements in relationships.