Kalistan

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Feature: Mary Ananto-DeLaurentis, Princess of the Empire
Princess of the Empire speaks candidly about War, Music and Education
Eveari, Grand Duchy of Ananto
January 3, 5682


Her Highness, Princess of the Empire Mary Ananto-DeLaurentis

La Moda finally got the opportunity to speak with Her Highness, Princess of the Empire Mary Ananto-DeLaurentis, from her home at Ananto Estate in Eveari. She gave our reporter Robert Amos free range to ask whatever questions he wanted, and she candidly answered them all. Except for some... Here's the transcript of the interview, which took place earlier this month in Eveari.

(La Moda's) R(obert) A(mos): Hello, Your Highness. It is a pleasure to finally get to sit down with you.

(Her Highness, Princess of the Empire) M(ary) A(nanto-DeLaurentis): It's nice to meet you Mr. Amos. And welcome to Ananto Estate.

RA: This is a beautiful home. I've never had the opportunity to visit.

MA: If my information is correct, its likely because you don't live in Eveari.

RA: No Madame, I do not.

MA: Lady Victoria and I do throw several major public celebrations each year here on the Estate. You would certainly be welcomed to come back and cover one of them, and you can see this place in all its lit and decorated glory. This is a very very old house, but it is surprisingly beautiful, and much of this house is precisely the same as it was in Empress Nicolette's time.

RA: This was the home of the original Anantos, is that correct?

MA: This was Fredrick Guerra's home, yes, before he became Emperor. It's been improved since then, of course. But that was nearly 500 years ago. Obviously its needed a new roof, and we've had to replaster a few times since then.

RA: That's expected.

MA: Certainly.

RA: Madame, our readers were hoping to get some of your thoughts on the state of the world.

MA: Of course, you didn't come all this way to talk about the house, I imagine. What specifically would you be interested in hearing the musings of an old woman on?

RA: Well: Kalistan finds itself in a war again. You were a wartime Empress at one point...

MA: As was my father. It seems we need a war once a monarchy. Luckily this one isn't too bloody for Kalistanis. Though I do hear its a slog further north.

RA: Excuse me, Madame?

MA: Trigunia is actually doing a lot more killing and destruction of civilian property than Kalistan has had to do. And they have lost a good number more casualties as well. It's much more like a war in the North than it is where Kalistanis are.

RA: Do you support the war?

MA: I support my Emperor and Empress.

RA: That's not exactly an endorsement of the war, if you will forgive me for pointing it out.

MA: Mr. Amos, surely you didn't come here to get me on the record saying I oppose my Empire's foreign policy, or the decisions of its monarchs. I know Their Imperial Majesties are doing what they believe to be the best, and all things considered, Kalistani administration of the two Southern Cities serves as a measure of peace in the southern most reaches of that nation. While the invasion of Trigunia promotes only chaos through what they call "democracy", though it is hardly anything like democracy, because the elections are designed to guarantee a pro-Trigunian regime in their occupied territory, whatever the people who live there want, in the Kalistani zone, we have order, where the people themselves have just successfully named their own city government, pushed out the junta supporters, and maintain Kizenian sovereignty. Kalistan is there to ensure peace and safety for both the Kizenians and the Kalistani Nationals who are in southern Kizenia, not to take the land over to satisfy our own greed. We aren't that kind of nation.

RA: So is that an endorsement of the War, and Kalistan's conduct of the war?

MA: I can endorse Kalistan's conduct of our part of the war. But Mr. Amos: I am a Brethrenist. I do not endorse war. I would rather the legitimate government of Kizenia not have been overthrown in the first place. I certainly will urge my son to refuse to acknowledge any government in that territory which is not governed by the legitimate monarch of that State, and until they are restored to the throne, our job is not over. But right now, Kizenia is just a land grab, and Trigunia is taking as much of it as it can get away with. For what reason? That's ultimately unclear. I can't say anyone in Kalistan understands anything that nation is doing. Which is probably why Their Imperial Majesties continue to deny that state diplomatic recognition.

RA: To clarify, for the readers, Madame, when you say Trigunia, you mean Nadiya, correct?

MA: I've heard that's what they call themselves.

RA: Would Your Highness support an invasion of Athosia?

MA: Yes.

RA: Even though you are a Brethrenist.

MA: Yes.

RA: You would support a Kalistani invasion, I should say a conquest of Athosia, but you oppose the Trigunian invasion of Kizenia?

MA: Yes. What's the issue?

RA: Isn't that the same thing? Kalistan invading Athosia to add it to its Empire or Trigunia invading Kizenia to grab as much of the land as it possibly can?

MA: No. It's not the same thing. First of all, Kalistan has title to Athosia. That territory is ours. It was stolen from Kalistan illegally. And we are merely going to get our property back. Trigunia is not entitled to any of Kizenia. There's no comparison whatsoever. Its not the same thing at all.

RA: Will you urge Their Imperial Majesties to oppose whatever annexation Trigunia has in mind for northern Kizenia.

MA: I think my son and daughter in law have their own minds on things. I won't encourage them to do anything one way or another, because the last thing I would want is a war between Kalistan and Trigunia. Trigunia is well outside of Kalistan's sphere of concern, as is almost the entirety of Kizenia for that matter. We are interested in Luncasi because it is adjacent to our Crown Lands in Karzon, and Deltabor because like Luncasi, there is a large Kalistani expatriate community in that town. But as long as we can protect our citizens there, we have no desire to annex anything in Kizenia. We do not have claims to that national territory, and adding it to the Empire, though we easily could, is still against our national laws. Unlike some nations, Kalistan has a limit to our national ambitions. Because unlike some others, we are not particularly greedy. Kalistan may have things about it that others do not like, but at least we are not driven by vicious immorality.

RA: Very good Madame, I want to change topics now. How is the Gem Vault doing?

MA: (laughs) That was abrupt. The Hulanevek Diamond is where it belongs, if that's what you mean.

RA: Well, that's part of it, I suppose.

MA: My son and I have had conversations. He believes it is cursed, you know, and I think the more he thinks on the matter, the more I think he would like to return it, either to Kundrati or Beiteynu.

RA: Oh, that would be a coup, wouldn't it?

MA: I of course advise him against doing that. That diamond belongs to us, no matter who has a claim on it. But I think if he could use it to gain some leverage on some item which is near and dear to his heart, he would certainly seriously consider it.

RA: What would he trade it for?

MA: I would love to say he would trade it for Athosia. But: We know there is no competent authority in Baltusia capable of making that trade. We had some hopes years ago that maybe there was at least a chance, but that hope was dashed when the dictator took over, and now the last King of Baltusia is dead and gone without an heir, and the government of that state is defunct. Athosia, or as they call it San Luis State remains strong, largely because of Baltusian and Kalistani cooperation in that state. But the rest of the nation is... well, it's not pleasant.

RA: Do you still own Playa de Paz estate?

MA: House Ananto owns it, I never owned it personally. I don't own anything personally, except the clothes I personally purchased.

RA: Madame, excuse me, but you are one of the wealthiest women on the planet. And you say you don't own anything?

MA: No, I don't have many personal possessions.

RA: Do you not receive a pension?

MA: Oh yes. My pension is worth about 65 million Imperial Rubles a year.

RA: And you don't own anything?

MA: No. I... how shall I put this. I don't want anything. I have no needs that are left unmet, at all. But I haven't collected my pension in decades. I don't have anything that I need which is not immediately provided to me. I live a life of ease that most of the people on this earth can not even fathom. What do I need possessions for? They just clutter up my life.

RA: What of all the books in this library? You don't own any of these?

MA: No, of course not. I can read any of them whenever I want, but owning them is kind of counterintuitive. They're just here, they are owned by House Ananto. This house, my home in Athosia, Cliff House in Kaliburg, those all belong to House Ananto. The Imperial Seat, that's owned by House Ananto. The Hulanevek Diamond is owned by House Ananto.

RA: This is strange for a monarchy, though, My Lady.

MA: Not for a Kalistani Monarch. Let's just say we're built a little different, a bit better. There is no need to own something that I can have whenever I want. The Emperor and Empress own the entire state. What difference does it make to them if they own this car or that book? They merely need to speak the word and the thing they want appears before them. It's not magic. It's absolutism. Their word is literally the law. Why would they, or any of us need to own anything? So they can show others that they posses it? It's a given that they do. The property title therefore remains with the House Ananto, for the use of the Royal Family.

RA: Moving on then, does Your Highness have any thoughts on the state of Kalistani Culture?

MA: The music is a little loud. But I do have an affinity for the Luthorian bands. They are doing their thing, and I kind of like it. I was more of a country kind of girl, personally, but I get the attraction. And you know you can definitely hear the cocaine in that music. I think if I had objection it would be to music that was fueled by drugs. I personally like music with a bit more realism in it, and a bit more romanticism in it. Fashion wise, we're still leading the pack and that's good. Kalistan is on the right foot: I like Lady Donahue, and feel she is perhaps a little more candid, especially about the dangers of Communism, than my son would prefer sometimes, but she is very effective. Her leadership is allowing the arts and culture in Kalistan to flourish: We do best when we have that strong sense of order and normalcy in the nation. She's doing a great job making it possible for Kalistanis to be their best selves. We will keep our Good Society for another generation.

RA: Do you have a favorite band in the New Wave?

MA: Haha, well, I am a little old to be listening to club music, but if I had to say anything, I really liked Moratorium. And I like that new band, the More Society. Their songs are pretty catchy, and I like the reggae they are using in their music. Its a nice touch, without being too sexual, you know. Some of the music these guys are making is a bit over the top, thematic wise, for my tastes anyway. But I'm old, so asking me what I like is going to probably give you a strange answer no matter what the questions is. (laughs)

RA: Well, My Lady, you have been more than generous with your time.

MA: Thank you, I am honored that you wish to speak to me.

RA: Do you have any parting words?

MA: I do, actually. The loss of my sister last year has inspired me to attempt college. I am Enrolling at Eveari Duchy College this Spring. Can you imagine this? A 71 year old grandmother starting school? It has been so long since I have been in a classroom setting and here I will be with a bunch of early 20 something kids. I hope they accept me as a fellow scholar.

RA: What does your Majesty hope to study?

MA: I would like to study dendrology. I have planted so many trees, and I have always wondered, you know, how do trees grow? I learned something about photosynthesis when I was a kid, and only actually understood it when I planted trees. But I don't feel like I have the actual science of it down and I've lived all these years without really having names for the things I was doing. So, Eveari College has a plant biology program, and I will be a freshman this spring. Hahaha that's a fun idea. My sister was always the brain of our family. But I think she would be proud of me, finally getting to go to school and learn things too.

RA: That sounds like a very good plan, Your Highness.

MA: I hope so.

RA: Thank you Your Highness, for the interview.

MA: It was my pleasure. I am glad I could answer your questions.