Kalistan

[Doc]

Meeting the Future Empress:
Ms. Casey Leigh-Campbell looks forward to the Future
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 5th, 5726


Ms. Casey Leigh-Campbell, daughter of the Count of Sulari, sits down with La Moda to introduce herself to the Nation

Before a couple years ago, residents of Sulari County in Suldanor knew Ms. Casey Leigh-Campbell as the free spirited daughter of the Count. She was not a national figure, but was often seen as a bit of a troublemaker. Ms. Leigh was suspended twice from high school for various pranks, and regularly skipped classes. In fact, her disciplinary record was so bad that she was almost kicked out of school and denied graduation. But she began meeting with Regular Armed Forces recruiters mid way through her Junior year and her parents were relived when they helped the young hellion get her life together.

"My father and mother were so glad when I informed them that I wanted to enlist," Ms. Leigh-Campbell told La Moda in an exclusive interview taken this week in the Capital. "The Armed Services provided me the kind of rigid and purposeful discipline I had grown up without, and showed me that being 'uncontrolled' means that you are not in control of yourself. That's not necessarily always a good thing to be. I would follow what my friends wanted to do, and then when I would get into trouble, they would make themselves scarce. I was spending all day surfing and hanging out at the beach, and then I would get in trouble while they ran. It was not always the best feeling, but I kind of felt like I didn't really have any kind of future that I really had to put in any time or effort to achieve--it would all just be handed to me, and I took it all for granted. The military showed me that true freedom and self-control go hand in hand. I was hooked, instantly, I told my so called friends to get lost, and I began exploring what the Service had to offer me."

In the armed forces, Ms. Leigh-Campbell said she found the part of her life that was missing. "Its the feeling of earning something. For so many people, that sense of earning is missing- We have so much given to us, that we sort of don't really value it. But when you earn the thing, that thing becomes precious to you. I was shown what it was like to actually earn respect, to earn the right to lead and to be followed. That feeling is incredible. It's a source of immense pride that you take in yourself, in your accomplishments. The NSP also instills this in Conscripts, and really I could have gone either way, but the military got to me when I was 16, and so, that's the way I went."

And in the military, she earned meritorious commendations for her leadership and her example to others. And she then earned medals for her bravery and her clear headedness in a moment of danger and crisis. And then she was, by chance introduced to the future Emperor of Ananto and Kalistan, who was on his own quest to become a leader and build some discipline. The two hit it off instantly, over a love of music, movies, and sports, especially surfing and skating. "I really just wanted to be with him," says Casey of the Crown Prince. "He was my best friend, and together we pushed each other to do things, to be better. We would have push up competitions and trivia contests, and bowling contests and would schedule leave together and I would take him surfing while he would take me skating... I think we both knew immediately that we were compatible. He fed my competitive spirit, and I encouraged him to be more free and comfortable with himself."

Leigh-Campbell says that during leave last fall, His Highness proposed that they spend their lives together. "He gave me a small ring, which I was not allowed to wear in uniform, by the way, but which I still wear on a chain around my neck. It was very sweet. He introduced me to his family and it was very much like 'This is Casey, she's joining the family, it's what I want, I hope you like her'." The Lady laughs. "They of course were thrilled by his choice. I got to meet the Empress and the Prince Consort, and I eventually met Willy's sisters when they came home on leave, and of course, I love both of them. I was raised to believe that the Anantos were kind of persnickety with who they let in: they kind of keep to themselves. But nothing can be further from the truth. I was welcomed warmly and enthusiastically, and personally I think that House Ananto is just glad that the heir to the throne is getting married. But Willy's mom, the Empress, is a trip: she is always willing to mix it up on trivia or talk philosophy. She's a smart woman, and I see where the Prince gets his mind from." She said she learned how to play Go from His Highness, the Prince Consort.

The engagement settled, Ms. Leigh-Campbell's plans to make a career of military service were dramatically altered. "I thought I would retire from the Regular Forces," she said. "But life always has other plans. Now I am looking at attending college with Willy and learning something: I don't even know yet, but probably something with history or political science: those were the classes I paid any attention to in High School. And then, when I become the Consort, my life will change dramatically."

Ms. Leigh-Campbell was asked if she was prepared for her future role as wife to an Empress, and her answer was maybe a bit surprising. "No, honestly. My father is a Count, so I am pretty familiar with privilege, but I like to think that I have made some major changes in my life during my enlistment that taught me the value of self discipline and accomplishment. Its a feeling I love, and so I think I will not really fully fit into the role until I have something to do as Consort, like a mission or a passion project. I look at how other consorts have spent their time, and I would like a bit more active role in public, so I can put the title to use and do some good with it. And it won't be enough to just patronize the arts and look pretty in photos. I really love getting dirty and doing work, physical work is as good as mental work, but I also like staying fit too, so I want an active life." She said she and the Crown Prince have four years to create a role that satisfies her and makes her feel very useful.

Ms. Leigh-Campbell has contracted a public home in the Wilson neighborhood of Kaliburg so she can live close to Cliff House, which the Crown Prince has taken possession of, before the wedding. "Well, House Ananto is busy planning the ceremony, and all I know about it is that it will take place at the Brethrenist Meeting House in Eveari." She says she has met with Lady Melanie Ananto-McLinn, House Ananto's Director. "That meeting was intense," she laughed. "Lady Ananto-McLinn is a pretty tough woman, she has a very dominant, very screwed down type of demeanor--That part I could really appreciate, it spoke to my military side--and she asked me a millions questions about every single personal matter you could imagine... Luckily, Willy prepped me for the interview. I suppose they wanted to see if I had something in my history which might compromise the Royal Family. Some of it was pretty embarrassing, to be honest, but I am glad it is out of the way, and she gave me the Ominous Dominus, along with a clean bill of health." The hard part out of the way, much of the rest of it has been very easy. "They already treat me as if I am already married," she laughed. "It's kind of weird."

She says she looks forward to joining the Ancient Order of the Gray Smoke. "I have heard stories about what goes on in their conclaves," she laughs. "Some of the more unbelievable things are kind of lurid. While I hope its nothing like that, I have to admit there is a part of me which has been fascinated by the mystery and the possibility of being some kind of weird cult or something. I am eager to find out for myself, for sure." She said she will have to wait until she is married to learn the secrets of the Order, but added that once she does, she is not going to tell anyone, not even her own family. "No, you can't just share the secrets," she said with a laugh. "That will get rid of the benefit of knowing the secrets: They are only valuable to the degree that they are not accessible to just anyone. It's exciting, and also more than a little thrilling to think that I will get to see what happens on the other side of the closed doors in the Conclave."

Some basic details about the soon-to-be Princess: Her full name is Casey Diana Leigh-Campbell. She was born June 18, 5704 in Sulari, making her about three months younger than the Crown Prince. She is the daughter of His Excellency, Count Michael Leigh of Sulari and Countess Maisie Campbell. She has one brother and three younger sisters, one of whom is already enlisted in the Regular Forces, following in her older sister's footsteps while her brother has already completed his service and is working in County Government. She describes herself as a voracious reader, preferring science fiction and dystopic novels, and surfs for fitness and pleasure. She is a decorated Veteran, having been awarded the Order of Merit, the Regular Force Commendation Medal, and the Lifesaving Medal for heroic actions on the night of July 13, 5724 that saved the lives of 16 of her comrades, among other medals, as well as one meritorious promotion during her enlistment. She enjoys pizza and plans to buy a cat. She is also a movie buff, and has considered studying film in addition to history at Kaliburg Imperial University, where she is enrolled for the fall Semester. She and the Crown Prince are engaged, but will live mostly in separate homes until the marriage. A family get together that includes the Royal Family, selected members of House Ananto and the Leigh's is scheduled for fall in Eveari.

The nation looks forward to welcoming her.

@LaModa