Queen

When it was time for the princess to take over the throne of Alexandria, she certainly did not feel emotionally well to take on the responsibility. She knew she had to -- Alexandria had no other ruler otherwise and the kingdom would just fall apart -- but she was not ready. Her mother, Queen Brahne, had just died and died in such a tragic way. Not only was Garnet in mourning for her dear mother, but her heart was also harboring feelings of anger towards Kuja, the man who indirectly caused her mother's death.

Because this responsibility as queen was thrusted upon her unexpectedly, Garnet felt the pressure to do everything perfectly. The people will look to her for guidance more than ever before because of the events happening around the world, and while she didn't have all the answers, she wanted others to believe she did. Garnet was never one to accept failure, and she certainly did not want to seem an incompetant queen. The people would not only lose trust in her, but she was sure the kingdom would not survive if the people lost faith in their ruler.

While Garnet tries hard to pretend that she felt nothing, to control her emotions, she was unknowingly hurting herself as well. The princess always thinks of others before herself after all. She was so focused on her job and her role that she neglected her own needs and wants and no one would be surprised if she forgot how to smile altogether. Others could clearly see that not only was she upset over her mothers' death, but the one she wanted close by to comfort her -- Zidane -- she had pushed away. She was depriving herself, and her way of ignoring these feelings was to become completely devoted to her work.

Garnet doesn't see being Queen as a "job" or as glory either. It's her responsibility. She had been raised from a very young age knowing all her life that one day, someday, she will become Queen. Not only will she represent Alexandria, but she will become the person everyone looks up to. It's not neccesarily a burden to her, but it is definitely a pressuring and demanding responsibility that will consume most of her time. Combined with her strong detemination, it's true Garnet will make a strong Queen -- she will always think in the best interests of her people and will tend to every need. But through all this, she forgot about herself and caused her own unhappiness.

Queen and thief

"Dagger -- I mean, Your Highness. The abduction is over. I can't take you any further. ...I'm sorry for being so selfish."

Zidane -- someone who clearly was not selfish in putting Garnet's needs and wants ahead of his own, someone who went that extra mile for the princess -- had called himself selfish. It was complete and utter irony, but it helped Garnet understand that she too, was like that. She had always lived to serve her people, never paying any attention to herself and she thought that if she did put her wants ahead of others, she would be deemed "selfish". It wasn't until then that she realized she and Zidane are the same -- both thinking they were being selfish when in reality, they had done the best as their abilities would allow them.

"No ... You're not being selfish. ...You've done so much for us. If it weren't for you, I probably would've led a meaningless life ... but ... I think I finally know what's important. I'm so fortunate to have met you. I'll never forget our trip together. Thank you, Zidane."

It wasn't until years later did she realize how much she missed. It wasn't until Zidane's return, three years after the final battle, did she realize her own happiness is just as important as anybody else's. It wasn't until the end when she was rushing down to be with him that she realized that it's okay. It's alright to be selfish for once and it's alright to sometimes put yourself in your own best interests, because everyone will be supporting her. Once she understood this about herself could she become the best Queen in Alexandria's history.