Maria

**Princess Maria of the Pastel Kingdom** is the eldest daughter of King Jack of the Pastel Kingdom. She has a great passion for singing and mostly sings outside her room's balcony. Like her siblings Princess Lorena and Prince Jamie, she is extremely beautiful, so much so that woodland animals do her hair and are willing to assist her with anything she needs.

## Appearance

Maria and Lorena are modeled on "stereotypical 90s shoujo anime girls", as stated by LambCat in an interview. Maria is 18 years old and is so beautiful that woodland animals help her everyday to get ready. This is a not so-subtle reference to Cinderella, who is also helped by animals as such. In Episode 46, one of the visitors at Lance’s Birthday Party says that having birds and adorable animals appear by your side is a sign of extreme beauty. She takes after her father.

Maria has aquamarine eyes, which are more green in the physical book. She has waist-long, champagne blond hair, a small part of which is made into two small buns, wrapped into a braid, then tied by matching blue ribbons. She and her siblings' clothing choice vary everyday depending on the occasion, but Maria mostly wears blue dresses and loose clothing. Even though she wears a variety of clothing, what makes her stand out is that she wears a matching blue choker for her outfits, and her signature hairstyle.

## Personality

Maria is essentially the classic princess. She is very caring, loving, and supportive to the people she loves, especially her sisters. Despite being extremely attracted to Blaine, she (along with Lorena) is willing to give up her engagement to him in order to prevent Gwendolyn from being engaged to Frederick; Gwen herself has stated that she knows her sisters would defend her at all costs. Maria considers herself to be the most "fashion-forward" of her sisters, being shown talking about her different outfits on multiple occasions, and she has been called the "graceful one" by Lorena. Her passion for singing outside her balcony and the woodland animals that follow her around are also archetypal traits of a typical fairy-tale princess.

Despite how composed Maria usually is, however, she can be a mess - especially around Blaine, who she is very attracted to. She calls this part of her the "obsessive fangirl side", which has been shown with her secret collection of both Bozart and Blaine merch. She also mentions that this side of her has a tendency to get into disgusting messes. Maria tends to get emotional quite easily, shown by her reaction to Queen Isolde's dismissal of her engagement to Blaine. When she gets very upset, her singing is shown to sound like screeching, or like she has frogs in her throat.

## History

After years of trying, Queen Lilyth finally gave birth to her and King Jack’s very first child, a beautiful baby daughter who took after her father, with golden hair matching one of the colors in his own ombre mane, and they named her Maria. Even in the first few minutes of her life, Maria’s beauty was so strong it already attracted bluebirds within seconds of her birth, flying over her head around her parents as they held her. Maria received a younger sister, Lorena, a year later, followed by younger twin siblings James and Gwen.

Sadly, Maria lost her mother when she was 5. She and her sisters were doted on by their overprotective father, King Jack, who forbade even the male guards from making eye-contact with the princesses. She, along with her sisters, were hidden from the public eye where she could foster her talent of singing to perfection. So, when the king announced their engagement to the Plaid Princes, she was overjoyed and immediately fell for Prince Blaine when they met for the first time. She said that she was ready to get married as soon as possible.

She also mentions "14 years of charm school" when she messes up her words while meeting Prince Blaine for the first time.

## Relationships

#### Blaine

Main article: Maria/Blaine Relationship
   Maria is engaged to Prince Blaine. She is in love with him, wanting to marry him as soon as possible, and even tried to sip from Blaine's glass to make her "first kiss," but failed to do so as her sisters took it away from her, knowing that there was alcohol in it. Although she loved him, she was willing to cut ties with him in the beginning if any of the Plaid Princes insulted or harmed Princess Gwendolyn in any manner. She also loved him at first because of his looks and was quite surprised when Blaine interrogated her about herself and asked about her life and goals. When she discovered why he was interrogating her, she confessed about her flaws to him and told him that he didn't have to improve overnight for her. Then, she came back, wearing Prince Blaine merchandise. Just when she thought that there would be no more barriers for Blaine and Maria to become husband and wife, the Plaid Queen gave a remark about what she thought of the engagement with the Plaid Princes. Therefore, she decided not to tell Blaine because she didn't want to trouble him, and it seemed as if he did not know of her remark about the engagement. Maria accepted Blaine's invitation to the gala when she found it in her gift in the jewelry store, and when Blaine offered her to hold a secret performance for her in the Pastel Plaza for everyone to attend, she gladly accepted it, though she was a bit disappointed at first. Then, they both practiced for Maria's performance. At Gwendolyn's dinner party, she asked Blaine questions regarding curses. Maria also enjoyed yoga because of her craving action/excitement around Blaine. After the meditation session, she went up to Blaine and told him that she agreed with his father regarding something, told him that she extremely desired to kiss him, show that that he's her greatest wish, the object of her desire. However, that only upset Blaine even more, much to Maria's disappointment, and wanted to apologize to him. After running to her room, she sobbed on her bed and pillow, still feeling remorse for their latest interaction. She continued to sob even after two days, sad that she thought Blaine hated her, too.

#### Lorena

Maria is Princess Lorena's elder sister and they have a close relationship. They get along quite well. When the Plaid Queen told her what she thought of the engagement with the Plaid Princes, she decided to not tell Lorena about the situation because she didn't want to worry her. The two often pair up in their hijinks, and protest their father's demands the most. After she saw Lorena in action, she expressed her amazement and acknowledged that she was right. This inspired Maria to attempt to prove the Plaid Queen incorrect regarding her devotion to Prince Blaine. She was not willing to tell Lorena about what was upsetting her since she was getting closer to her fiancé.

#### Gwendolyn

Maria is Princess Gwendolyn's elder sister and they have a close relationship, so Maria was willing to cut ties with the Plaid Princes at first for Gwendolyn's sake. A reason Maria allowed the wedding to be pushed back was so Gwendolyn could give Prince Frederick a chance and possibly realize her feelings (for him). Maria also thought Gwendolyn was beautiful inside and out. After it was revealed that the Plaid maids did Gwendolyn's makeup horribly at Prince Lance's birthday party, and made her appear as a vampire clown, Maria told them that they should be ashamed of calling themselves "experts" if they couldn't style someone as naturally gorgeous as Gwendolyn. She and Princess Lorena then proceeded to do Gwendolyn's makeup instead, and they supported her when they looked in the mirror to see how Gwendolyn looked. Later at the party, when the Plaid Queen told her what she thought of the engagement with the Plaid Princes, she decided to not tell Gwendolyn about the situation because she didn't want to worry her. And once Frederick appeared to ask her out to the gala, she was happy that she kept it a surprise, but then was disappointed when Frederick took the ticket back after Gwendolyn handed it to him, thinking it was an "important bookmark". Still, Maria decided to convey her message lightly in the form of a message Gwendolyn received from her fortune cookie. Then, when she saw that Frederick finally asked Gwendolyn to the gala, she was extremely happy for her, and went to greet the guests with her. She also thought Gwendolyn's toast was amazing. Later, she noticed that Gwendolyn was asleep, called her "poor thing," and teasingly suggested that Frederick should carry her to her room. She was not willing to tell Gwendolyn about her situation since she was getting closer to her fiancé.

Before the Gala, Gwen's costume was destroyed by her possums, however, Maria allowed her to take her Swan Lake costume instead feeling that as the elder sister, its her duty to make sure her little sister wasn't sad. At the ending of the Gala, her love for her sister shows when she and Lorena learn that Fredrick called Gwen ugly when they first met. She along with Lorena comforted Gwen when she broke down sobbing and learned in horror that since Gwen was called ugly by Fredrick, any time she sees her reflection, its completely shattered. Her love for her younger sister is strong enough that she willingly broke off her engagement to Blaine while standing up for Gwen.

#### Isolde

Maria met Queen Isolde at Prince Lance's birthday party. There, she introduced herself to Isolde, and said it was appalling that she hadn't introduced herself beforehand. Isolde stated she was fine with that; in fact, she had purposefully kept it like that because she didn't want any of the Pastel Princesses "here", and that she didn't approve of the "arranged marriage nonsense." Then, she left Maria in a state of shock, mocking her for wearing her son's merchandise. After the party, Maria bought a charm bracelet for Isolde, and wondered if she was testing her since she didn't seem to have told Prince Blaine about their conversation.

Maria didn't look forward to Isolde arriving at Princess Gwendolyn's dinner party. At first, Maria didn't see her as "slobbery," as Suzanna had said the ride there was, until it was revealed that the queen had used the bracelet Maria bought her for her dog's "poppycock," which disappointed and disgusted her. At the dinner table, Maria was silently irritated that Isolde was reading a magazine instead of being polite and socializing. Wen the queen snorted at the subject and desire for the Pastel Princesses' and Plaid Princes' marriage, Maria looked at her in fury. When Maria saw Isolde enjoying Gwendolyn's dessert, Maria laughed with joy. Later, while Maria was doing yoga, Isolde glared at her, which frightened her. After the meditation, Maria decided to prove Queen Isolde incorrect regarding her devotion to Blaine. When she saw Isolde's indifferent expression, she angrily told her she bet Isolde was pleased about what had occurred between her and Blaine. She remarked that Isolde has been sneering at her all evening from the second she stepped foot into her palace, and inquired as to why she doesn't approve of them marrying into her family. When Maria received her answer from her about how she doesn't really know them, she burst into tears and ran out of the room to cry. She continued to cry on her bed and pillow for days, mortified about what she had done.

#### Beckett

Maria knows Beckett as the foot guard stationed below her, and is unaware of his infatuation for who he believes is her. Even though Beckett has never seen her face, he has heard her singing everyday, and believes that one with such a voice can only be a beautiful and kind-hearted person. He had it in his plans to rise up the ranks before asking for her hand in marriage, and was deeply upset when he learned of the King’s plans to marry her off to a prince of another kingdom.

Unknowing that she is Maria (and believing that Gwendolyn is the real Maria), Beckett is much more honest to her, and even offers Maria advice, hearing out whatever troubles she tells him. Maria is initially offended by his bluntness, but comes around to understand after Beckett helps her see where exactly she is at fault. The two continue to have friendly chats while she is on the balcony.

## Quotes

*"'Minally feet' you?!! 14 years of charm school and that's what I say??!"*

*"Gwendolyn, I don't think it's possible to dislike someone as beautiful inside and out as you."*

*"Gwen, you never have to worry about doing anything for our sake. Nothing you do will affect our decision to marry or not, so long as we know you're happy."*

*"Pardon my rudeness, but you should be ashamed of calling yourselves "experts" if you can't even properly style someone as naturally gorgeous as Gwen!"*

*"As much as I try to be an elegant princess, I can't seem to suppress the part of me that's just an obsessive fan girl with a knack for getting into disgusting messes."*

*"Sometimes it's not the book... It's what's inside the book that matters."*

*"Why are there charity funds for comforting cursed people? Aren't all curses just broken by true love's kiss or, like, guessing some weird man's name?"*

*"So you won't let us go to the gala or pursue any of our dreams? You just want us to stay inside this palace forever?! That sounds like what Blaine just talked about!"*

*"**OH MY GOD!! THAT'S NOT WHAT SHE MEANT AT ALL --!!**"*

*"Who's gonna carry her up to her bed? I think it should be Frederick!"*

*'Wow, I didn't think Lorena had that in her...! She's right though... Maybe I just need to prove the queen wrong about my devotion to Blaine!! And I can do it right now!!"*

*"Blaine, please don't go yet!! I agree with your father -- It's a great asset to have! But Blaine, I really want to kiss you right now...! I want to show that you're my greatest wish, the object of my desire! So please,... can we--"*

*"So this is what it feels like to really see your partner. It's more complicated and messy and painful than staring at a poster of your idols."*

*"Y-you're pleased about that, I bet... You've been sneering at me all evening from the second you stepped foot into our palace! Why...?! Why don't you approve of us marrying into your family??!!!"*

*"You've always chosen to see the best in me, even at my most disgusting, degenerate moments. I just wanted you to know that not all of us are fair weather fans. I'm on your team, and I'm not rooting for your perfection. I'm just rooting for you."*

## Notes & Trivia

* Maria has only appeared once on the cover of the CPC OST albums, together with her sisters Lorena and Gwen.
* Princess Maria has pastel-colored vomit.
	+ It is unknown if her father's and siblings' vomit is the same.
* Princess Renée reminds Princess Gwendolyn of Princess Maria. This is because both are adored by some sort of animal and are graceful. Also, Princess Renée is cursed to have frogs spill out of her mouth, while Princess Maria is a fear-vomiter, and when Maria was extremely upset, her singing apparently sounded like frogs in her throat.
* Maria is a historically feminine Latin name, ultimately derived from the same source as Mary. It can mean "of the sea", "bitter", "beloved"/"love", or "rebellious" - a number of things Maria is not, other than "beloved".
* Maria is very physically attracted to Prince Blaine.
	+ She misunderstood what Prince Blaine said when they needed to take safety precautions, and that her father would be enraged if he had found out.
	+ She has been shown to keep a large amount of Blaine merchandise (together with Bozart busts) in her wardrobe; it's unknown if she currently still keeps them.
	+ She enjoyed doing yoga at Gwendolyn's Dinner Party because she could see Blaine's behind.
* As shown in Episode 152, Maria can not only sing well but also plays the piano.

## References

1. ↑ https://nerdbot.com/2019/08/03/interview-with-lambcat-the-creator-of-the-cursed-princess-club/
2. ↑ Episode 4
3. ↑ Episode 6
4. ↑ Episode 27