A sudden realization flashed in her mind. No one else's opinion mattered. It was so simple, one of those things a consoling parent might say, and yet it contained a fundamental truth. The entire world could believe in Hazel's greatness but their faith was meaningless if she didn't believe it herself. Conversely, the world could dismiss her ambitions, but it didn't matter as long as Hazel believed in their possibility. Greatness not only started with her, it could not begin anywhere else.
Then why can't I do it?' 'You haven't given yourself permission.' She laughed weakly. To Hazel's surprise, Hob didn't bat an eye. 'I'm dead serious. Failure scares some people so badly they forget what they're even trying to do. They're not trying to succeed at something; they're just trying not to fail. There's a big difference. I saw it on seyu and at the Province exams. Bibliosk was easy because you weren't afraid of the outcome and could just be in the moment. You even had fun with it.' He leaned forward. 'It's time to believe in yourself, Your Highness. Give yourself permission not just to succeed but to be great.
