Pg. 105 when he finds out Lily is moving back after she graduates
At first, Quince really wasn't sure how Lily felt about him sharing the story from the school bathrooms. He'd hoped it would've been charming. The royal council, including her father, had asked how they had met. When he told them that he was her next door neighbor, it didn't really seem to satisfy them, and he was feeling proud enough of his whole scheme to share the story. But when she swam right up to them and dismissed him, even sliding an arm around his bare waist, fingernails clawing into his skin, it settled on him quite clearly. She didn't find it as entertaining as he did. While delayed, once he saw the look on her face, he almost felt like he was in tune to her emotion-he could sense, feel the anger bubbling within her.
God, she was so feisty.
Quince smiled affectionately at her, although it looked rather boastful as he reached an arm over her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. "Whatever you say...Princess."
Her royal title was ironic, in light of his use of it for years. Even more than that, he felt validated by that day when she rolled up to Seaview with her Aunt Rachel. Even as a freshman, Quince could somehow sense the pure authority and power the girl next door had. He called her a princess because she looked like one, but even then, her personality...she was a princess, after all.
Once her father and his crew drifted out of earshot, the princess had some words for him.
"Do not embarrass me in front of my people. I'm a member of the royal family, and I will not have my dirty gossip spread throughout the seven seas."
Seven seas, then how many… Quince's shoulders relaxed, his expression becoming tender as he immediately regretted how his behavior looked. "I wasn't trying to-"
"Well, you were. And while you may never have to see these people again, I have to live the rest of my life here, and I don't want them snickering about me behind my back or doubting my judgment," Lily explained, her eyes closely trained on his.
Quince swallowed as her words settled in on him. Her realized that her title wasn't something to mock or take lightly. She certainly did not. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again."
Lily's response was cold, "Good."
The rest of her life. This is her home, after all, then, he realized. Meaning that Lily wouldn't be his neighbor, wouldn't be around for much longer. All these years of living next to her and having her around made it seem so non-urgent, he'd had plenty of time to spend with her. But now, was that coming to an end?
"The rest of your life, huh?" he asked to clarify.
"What?" she asked, her face turning back to look at him.
Quince repressed the disappointment he felt, more puzzle pieces clicking into place. He knew it wasn't the right reaction, but he felt betrayed. But a princess would have to rule her kingdom at some point, or that's what fairy tales had led him to believe. "You're moving back here permanently," he stated, matter-of-factly. "When? After graduation?"
"Probably-" Lily started. Unfortunately for Quince and his chance at an explanation, her father swam over to interrupt.