After considerable to-ing and fro-ing between the office of The Prismatic and the royal press office, a date was finally arranged for myself to meet and interview Princess Aden Justice, Prism's Princess Royal. Arriving even earlier than was strictly necessary for a royal interview, I was ushered into the palace's royal reception area and asked to wait. I was surprisingly nervous. Despite being a girl only thirteen years of age, Princess Aden Justice is known for her, shall we say, royal bearing, and interviewing a member of the royal family is never a casual event. So by the time twenty minutes had passed I was more nervous than I had anticipated when first offered this exclusive interview by my editor in chief 2 weeks ago.

Finally the doors opened and two royal guards announced the Princess Royal. I stood and wiped my sweaty palms on the sides of my trousers.

My first surprise was that, as well as being almost breathtakingly beautiful, the Princess was incredibly gracious.

P.A-J: Welcome to Chalice!
Me: Thank you very much, Your Royal Highness, and may I say that it's a pleasure to meet you?
P.A-J: Thank you, it's a pleasure to meet you also. I've not done a great many interviews so I hope I acquit myself creditably!
Me: I'm sure you will. Would you mind if we just got right into it?
P.A-J: Not at all.
Me: As you said, you've not done a lot of interviews up till now, and I see your tutor is with you also. What do you feel has led to this change in protocol as regards yourself?
P.A-J: Largely, it's just a function of maturing. It was always assumed that a time would come where I would take on more public duties. I was asked whether I felt I could give an interview without my parents present, and I believed that I could, so here we are!
Me: An interview with the Princess Royal is going to be of intense interest to our readers and also to the people of Prism in general. Do you think perhaps your palace minders have decided that - given the situation with the stolen Crystal - it would be good for morale to have you out there more, in public view?
P.A-J: That's entirely possible. I think people realize that nobody is more concerned for the safety and well being of Prism than my family and I, and I think in difficult times, it's up to people such as ourselves to show that we haven't given up hope - in fact, quite the opposite!
Me: Quite the opposite? In what way?

P.A-J: Well, I have all the hope in the world that the Crystal will be found and returned to its rightful place. It's inconceivable to me that the evil forces of this world could overcome our color and courage. I believe it's only a matter of time till there is some sort of break in the situation and the Crystal is found. And I believe the centaurs of the north are working on this even as we speak.
Me: I see. And we can only wish them success. On a different note, how does a Princess of the royal line pass her days? I've heard, if you'll forgive me for saying, that school studies are not your strongest suit?
P.A-J: I enjoy history and astronomy, but sadly, I seem to have a very poor grasp of geography and map reading. I do believe, though, when I'm older and have traveled the land meeting the people I will have a much better grasp of geography. I've always been a person who needed context rather than just concepts and ideas. I think I'm practical at heart.
Me: But you're very good at all sports, I hear?
P.A-J: Well, my father as you know was a legendary sportsman and I seem to have inherited a degree of his skill - particularly in fencing and riding.
Me: Fencing? Not a sport one normally associates with a young girl.
P.A-J: Perhaps not, but then again, things will be expected of me when I'm older that are not normally expected of most girls, and those people entrusted with my training work on equipping me for all my future possible roles.
Me: But you'll surely marry one day and provide Prism with an heir. Do you not see yourself as wife and mother in the future?
P.A-J: Of course! But I believe that women are capable of more than that. While the roles of wife and mother are central to the health and prosperity of Prism, I don't believe there's any role a girl should be excluded from on the basis of her gender. When a few more years have passed, I hope to give most of the palace guards a run for their money with the rapier! (At this point I heard what could only be decribed as a polite warning cough from Aden's tutor, Origon. Whether directed at her or towards me, I couldn't tell. Either way, I knew it was time to end my audience with the Princess).
Me: Your Royal Highness, I hope you attain your goals - both with the rapier and for Prism in general. Thank you for your time and I'm sure I speak for the entire people of Prism and those of us at The Prismatic in particular when I wish you well in all your future endeavors.
P.A-J: Thank you.