Kalistan

[Doc]

Princess Consort Discusses Motherhood
"Life has taken interesting turns for me," said Princess Consort in Athosia
Playa de Paz, Athosia, Baltusia
February 8th, 5741


Her Highness, Princess Consort Casey Leigh-Campbell talks with La Moda on the domestic life

Her Highness, the Princess Consort Casey Leigh-Campbell agreed to sit down with La Moda at her winter home at Peace Beach, also known as Play de Paz, Athosia for an interview on how her first decade as the Princess Consort is going. The interview meandered through a host of domestic topics, as well as her view of the role of the Royal Spouse. Not much is known about the Princess Consort outside of the small circle of crown watchers and tabloid columnists. We found the Princess Consort to be very down to earth, witty and, for the most part, just cool. And, she is very much what she is: the wife of an Emperor and a person accustomed to privilege and deference in all things. The interview was conducted by Ann Mendoza, of La Moda.

(La Moda's) A(nn) M(endoza): Thank you for welcoming me to your beautiful home here in Athosia, Your Highness.

(Her Highness, the Princess Consort) C(asey) L(eigh-Campbell): Well, it is a real pleasure to meet you. You know, my secretary told me a lot about you before you got here.

AM: Is that so, your Highness?

CL: Sure. You grew up in Sulari, you have a degree in journalism, and your piece on why cottons are superior to linen won you an award for journalism based opinion writing. Though I do say, I disagree with your assessment about linen: Not only does Kalistan produce flax naturally, but I find a flax and silk mix to be far more enjoyable than a flax and cotton blend. I think I'm not really alone in that assessment either: Though cotton sales have skyrocketed, linen is still the preferred lightweight fabric in Kalistan, and its really what we wear during the summer in Ananto. I think you make some good points, but the ultimate judgement is still out.

AM: I am impressed and honored that Your Highness read my work.

CL: I did find the facts of Kalistani linen production in your article to be fascinating to me. But of course I read your work. When La Moda asked if I would be interviewed, I said only if its by an excellent journalist. I know you will treat me as I deserve.

AM: I hope to represent you honestly, Your Highness.

CL: That's what I mean. I think we have enough sycophants in journalism, don't you?

AM: I will defer to your Highness' opinion on that question.

CL: (laughs) well played, Madam.

AM: So I wanted to ask how Your Highness is feeling. You're about halfway through your fifth pregnancy. Do you have any plans to slow down?

CL: I am sure you know how anatomy works: I am going to have to slow down, at least on the getting pregnant front, whether I plan to or not. Ultimately nature will make that decision for me.

AM: Did you always want a large family?

CL: No, Willy (His Imperial Majesty, William II Ananto) and I, neither of us came from large families. He has his two sisters and I just have a brother. So this was a surprise?

AM: Did you and His Imperial Majesty plan to have a larger family?

CL: No, not really. Nature sort of gave us an assist there too. I'm actually sort of surprised we don't have more kids, to be honest: It certainly isn't for lack of trying. I think initially, we wanted maybe one or two kids, but they just sort of kept happening... So it is what it is.

AM: Will you have more children?

CL: Sadly, for us, this is the end of the road. My doctor has told me that as I get into my late thirties, and already have five kids, the risks to my health go up with each additional child, so we're going to stop here. Five is enough, Don't you think? Just blanks from here on out.

AM: Seeing as this was not your original plan, has any of your earlier plans had to change as you became a mother?

CL: Well, life has taken several interesting turns for me. I intended to make a career out of military service. I would have liked to become an officer. Who would have known that I would have been introduced to my husband in those circumstances? Nobody could have predicted it. I will tell you, if people do have a type, he wouldn't necessarily be mine. But, that said, in love there is no accounting for taste. The heart wants what the heart wants, and the mind takes a back seat. And here we are.

AM: You mean you didn't much like the Emperor when you first met?

CL: Oh, well, how do I answer that? He was probably one of the more undisciplined soldiers in the Regular Force. I had more medals than him in like my first 8 months. He did alright: he kept his nose clean and followed the rules, but I wouldn't exactly call him a model soldier. I wasn't into him smoking dah with his stupid friends, his music tastes were, kinda weird. He definitely is his mother's son. But... You know, kind of like a lost puppy that you take in, I think there was something of that when I first met him. And very quickly I knew that he was the one. Like after two or three dates, it was obvious, there could be no other.

AM: Did he feel the same about you?

CL: I should hope so. He was kind of oblivious to me at first. He was drinking with his friends one night and I went to his barracks to find him and we hung out all night, and then the next day I saw him at the mess hall and he acted like we didn't just spend the entire evening together. It was a little frustrating... I think once he got some responsibility after he got promoted to corporal, and we spent more time together, he began noticing me.

AM: So you were into him first.

CL: I wouldn't say just that. I think if he didn't have a bunch of jerks constantly surrounding him, he would have noticed me long before he did. As it was, we danced around for a little bit before we finally got into step with one another.

AM: Because you were something of a hero by that time?

CL: I was locked the f--k in. This was my life. I was decorated for genuine lifesaving. There's an old photo, taken I think at the Fall Social. You can see my rack, you can see his. I wear Rifle expert, he is only a sharpshooter. There's a real difference. I had perfect physical fitness scores, he barely hit third class back then. I knew you weren't, aren't supposed to say anything negative about the Emperor, but that dude was a real... Oh, how to put it. He was a great artilleryman, but a terrible soldier. He is far more fit to rule the nation than to defend it. If you follow my meaning.

AM: So alternate universe time: If you had never met the Emperor in the service, would you still be there?

CL: Absolutely. Going Career is the only thing I wanted to do with my life. I love the honor and the glory and the bad ass dress grays... Service to our nation, military service included, is an honorable way of life, and I am a creature who loves honor. I like to be able to hold my head up high and know I am a citizen of this great nation, and as such I serve this state as I serve myself. But, becoming the Princess Consort and the mother to our nation's next empress is service of another kind, which is equally noble. By god, I actually feel sorry for those citizens of other nations who do not require service form their citizens.

AM: Does Your Highness participate in Society?

CL: Sure. I hold a lifelong membership in The Garden Club of Ananto and Kalistan, and we have the opportunity to do civil service in Kaliburg all the time. I don't really get into the gossip stuff though. Who's dating whom, who gets to sit next to whom, what would happen if I didn't get invited to this or that party and what is the secret meaning behind that... I never spent much time worrying about that... Although, I suppose that is because there would never realistically be an occasion that I would be deliberately disinvited to something. I do have privilege in this sense.

AM: Just in this sense?

CL: Well, in many senses.

AM: In all senses, Madam.

CL: In all senses, you are correct, Ms. Mendoza.

AM: Are you a member of the Ancient Order of the Gray Smoke?

CL: Of course. I am the Emperor's wife.

AM: Can I ask a question about them?

CL: Sure you can ask. I can't promise I can answer.

AM: I heard that they have a pool filled with polished gems that people can swim in. Is there any truth to this?

CL: I can't comment one way or another. (She Laughs.) I can't give secrets away. Besides: Can you imagine how people would take that if I admitted that is does and we do. There'd be a riot.

AM: So is that a yes?

CL: You're sneaky. Actually its a "I can't give secrets away." The same goes for ritual disrobing, copulation for an audience, ritual sacrifice, and all the other scandalous rumors the Press likes to claim they know one way or another for that organization. Haha, that would be a real scandal if any of that stuff was ever admitted, especially to a member of the press. As far as you know, its a dinner and social hour. It would be easier for all of us if it just stayed that way.

AM: Very well, let's change subjects. Do you and the Emperor plan to raise your children as Brethrenists?

CL: I think its better for us to let them decide what they want to do themselves. I was raised a Hosian, but I've kind of stopped believing that, and Willy was raised a Brethrenist, of course, by his parents, and we've been to the meeting often, but I wouldn't really describe our home as particularly religious or anything. I think its important to let the kids decide for themselves whether it is something they want for themselves. If they want to go we will of course support them, but its not something either of us want to really push. It's just not important for me or my husband at the moment. We are working to raise our children to be happy and strong, not carry a stone of guilt around like the Hosians want you to, as if that is something God demands, and not necessarily to second guess your own natural inclinations as Brethrenists encourage you to do. So as they grow up and if they have friends who would like to take them to the meeting, we will support this.

AM: But you have no intention to raise them in the Aurorian Church?

CL: None whatsoever. And Luthorianism isn't much better. I think that sort of repression that comes with Hosianism just makes people worse people, and I don't think this is what Eliyahu had in mind when he taught people how to live a better life. I certainly am not about to do this to my own children.

AM: Since you are clearly quite experienced at motherhood, do you have any advice for expectant mothers?

CL: Hahaha, I wouldn't call myself an advisor for expectant mothers. I just happened to be pregnant for a significant amount of time in my adult life. I read the books like everyone else. But ok... let's see. I think get plenty of sleep because you will not sleep for about two years after baby is born. Be indulgent to a fault with your kids, but don't skimp on discipline. I don't mean punishment. I mean discipline includes things like keeping your room cleaned and not wasting food or energy, that kind of stuff. It will make it that much harder when you actually need to tell a kid what they need to do. Be gentle and kind to your children, and guide them, don't push them. But also provide concrete options and challenges that are age appropriate for them to complete. It makes them self confident. I would say, take vacations, but... obviously...

AM: Sure. Its not for everyone.

CL: No, and thank you for stopping me. I mean, take time to just be with your family, with your kids, with your partner, with your parents, all of it. It doesn't have to involve having, you know, an exclave that belongs to your family in a foreign country. But you can go for a visit and have dinner together and it does about the same thing for you. It all pays off in the end. I really love my family. I love my husband and my children, and I am really very lucky. I have been so fortunate in this life. It makes up for the fact that I don't have the life I thought I would have now when I was a kid. But I wouldn't trade it for all the commissions in the world.

AM: You sound truly happy, Your Highness.

CL: Of course I am. Growing up the daughter of a Count, who himself had such extravagance that I was used to, I never could have imagined all of this. Indeed, I am truly blessed.

AM: The entire nation is very happy for you, Madame.

CL: Would you like to meet my children, Ms. Mendoza?

AM: May we conclude the interview first, Your Highness?

CL: Oh, I thought we had... My apologies. Ask away.

AM: No, I'm actually done. I want to thank you for speaking to me.

CL: It was a joy, indeed, Ms. Mendoza. I will have Krista bring in the children, and then I hope you will stay for dinner. We are having tacos pescados con refritos and fresh sorbet for desert. You are welcome to eat with us.

AM: How could I turn down the request?

CL: You cannot.

As the interview ended, the Consort called in the Children and Mendoza said was given the opportunity to shake the hand of and speak directly with the future Empress of Ananto and Kalistan.

@LaModa