About a former rebellious princess..

I was thinking of having a character who happens to be a princess, and used to be a pretty rebelious one, running away from the castle, learning magic (which is considered something pretty.... Bad) and wanting to be like other girls but now thinks nobles should use their powers to help others, and sacrifice their personal interests in favour of their subjects.

I was thinking of what could have happened in her backstory that triggered her change. Princesses and queens in the world my story is set have plenty of political power.

I wouldn't like it to be any kind of Break the Cutie situation, and she would be pretty much a realist.

Any suggestions? I'm kind of confused about that.

You don't have to break her. Just have her witness, or better yet, experience, the hardships of the commoners' life and have her strengthened, rather than broken by this ordeal. Famine, poverty, plague, natural disasters, and inability or unwillingness of nobles to deal with them. Give her a commoner companion, who first despises her as a spoiled brat but comes to respect her as she comes to learn about life outside of palace walls. Don't let that companion die, but instead have them become an advisor to the princess and her conscience when she returns to her royal life.

edited 14th Jan '11 12:55:56 PM by Koveras

That would have been her backstory. Could I have the commoner companion die later? As in, after she straightens up? Maybe a Cool Old Lady who dies of old age?

I kinda assumed you didn't want the princess' realization to be accompanied with much drama, since you said you didn't want a Break the Cutie plot. Hence, I recommended not to kill the companion. Besides, I consider killing off characters after they've fulfilled their function as plot devices a poor taste...

edited 14th Jan '11 1:39:33 PM by Koveras

You're right about the dead sidekick. It was just a dumb idea I had. But thanks for the help.