High Tea with Prince Charming
Taking a break from coloring to post this thing I wrote a while ago. Sort of taking a page from kimber_rose with her interview with Azure. I did this cover of Adelais to match the one I made of Odette for TeenVOGUE. ROYALE is a fictional magazine in the Glades, dedicated to, more or less, following the royal family about and the politics involved. It was adorable to write Adelais a bit older than I normally write him! He grows up to be such a good lad. ;w;
High Tea with Prince Charming;
By Alaina Mainalis, for ROYALE, Sep/Nov 2010
For the last several years, his face and name havebeen on everything from tabloids to sermons and the evening newspaper. Though born the youngest son of the late King Benedict and Queen Miranda, Prince Adelais Manael has accomplished much. He left the Glades at a young age, and brought home a human girl as his bondmate. Through his hard work at the Elven Council and Glades Senate, Adelais has made more strides in politics and diversity in a handful of years than most of his fellows have in a hundred. The enterprising Prince is home in the Glades for a brief time with his bride, Lady Odette. It goes without saying that their marriage was met with extreme controversy, but the Royal couple's abode in the palace is pleasant and crisp, and bears no sign of the strain of the public.
The last time I met with HRH Prince Adelais, he was too preoccupied with the colorful blocks on the floor to give me a publishable comment. While all children are adorable, I had to note that Adelais was particularly precious. All green eyes and pink cheeks. It is hard to work that image out of my mind as I walk through the now-familiar residence halls of Reginas Castle. Instead, a handsome, tall young man with a bright, welcoming smile and arms extended greets me. He hugs me about the shoulders with a hello, and I find myself flustered. The youngest Prince just hugged me! While I was still flustered, he managed to gracefully pour me tea and help me to my seat. For all of his adventurous galavanting aside, Adelais is still a noble prince after all!
ROYALE: It's an honor, your highness.
ADELAIS: Please! Call me Adelais. I'm not used to titles anymore, you know?
R: It still feels strange.
A: It feels stranger from the other side, believe me.
R: So, is it good to be home?
A: Oh, yes. Dette and I love to whirl about, but it gets exhausting. It's nice to come back to somewhere I can just toss my shoes off.
R: Toss your shoes off?
A: Sure. Do you want to take yours off? Shoes are stuffy.
So, here we are, both of our shoes off. He folds his legs to the side on the squashy chair, puts his chin in his hand, and watches me. He has a way of listening- I can tell he's really speaking with me and not just parroting answers.
R: So, the nitty-gritty. A human girl? How did this happen?
A: Oh, I'm not the first Elf who fell in love with a human! (laugh) Honestly, it was just... Fate. We ran into each other, and I think we've tangled so much there's no getting us apart now! And I wouldn't want it any other way.
R: But she's mortal.
A: For now. She's going to go through the spell eventually. But when we're ready. When she's ready. She said she's waiting for herself to ripen up first. (laugh)
R: You don't seem to be concerned.
A: No. I trust her. We trust each other.
R: What's it like? Watching people age?
A: It's- It's beautiful. When people get older, their eyes seem to twinkle full of secrets. Though their body breaks down, their hearts only grow stronger. It's just beautiful.
R: What about death?
A: That's beautiful too, in it's own way. It's hard to describe.
He seems kind of distant after that; I quickly switched gears. I couldn't stand seeing him so sad.
R: So, besides the recent wedding, you graduated from a human university!
A: Yup! I'm a NYU Grad. Political Science. Comes in handy!
R: How come you didn't take the traditional Heirship Training?
A: Are you kidding? I totally did. Aricin would've had my head if I didn't. But the world is new, and I wanted to introduce new world politics with our heritage. It's necessary now.
R: Speaking of your brother, how was the transition?
A: Losing Dad was hard on all of us. My brothers especially. Aricin took it really hard, but he's been doing so well with taking the crown. We have to nag at him to eat and sleep, but I'm pretty sure that's normal for people busy with running a Kingdom!
R: I'm so sorry for your loss.
A: Thank you. He was sick for a long time. It's good he's with my mom now.
R: So, on to happier things! How are you and Odette?
A: Brilliant! Now things are much safer for her to explore the Glades, and she's been having a blast. I think right now she's out doing something with my sister. You never know with those two. Terror on wheels.
R: Who, Lady Laksha?
A: Strange, huh?
R: There have been rumors lately about Prince Lirael.
A: Oh, man, I knew this was going to come up. Listen. He's my brother and I love him. That's really all that needs to go around right now.
R: Does this have anything to do with the New Love Bill?
A: Ahh, my baby! (laugh) Well, I mean it's kind of selfish for obvious reasons. But I don't think the Glades, or anyone else should put standards on who we love. Especially if we have to love them forever. It should be a choice of the heart. Mine was. I want that for our children and everyone else's too. It's the right direction for the Glades to move.
R: You've come under a lot of opposition.
A: Well, yes.. But it's worth it. Victories don't come without battles.
R: What about the threats?
A: Fay takes care of those. One time recently a brick came sailing through the window onto our breakfast table and I thought he was going to blow his top.
R: You still keep a guardian?
A: Of course. Faolan is part of my family. Just as much as my brothers are.
R: Okay, we have some questions from readers. Do you mind?
A: Shoot!
R: What's your favorite color?
A: Uh... Kinda a dark blue-green.
R: First thing you do in the morning?
A: Make Odette her coffee. I'm toast if I don't. ...Get it...? Breakfast humor...? You know what, nevermind.
R: Do you have any tattoos?
A: Just my mage-marks. They're leaves.
R: Who's your favorite brother?
A: Did Lir ask this? Pass!
R: Favorite time of day?
A: Early evening, just after dinner, and everyone's still gathered around the table.
R: Is it true that you actually pay rent? And work?
A: Of course I do! When I'm in New York, Odette and I both work. She works with the Ballet and I work from home with translating, correspondence and other international affairs. UN stuff. Aricin offered to help, but it didn't really seem honest. Especially since we don't want to raise suspicions. Aricin still gives us all sorts of stuff. We made him take the Lexus back. I don't think he knows how hard it is to drive in New York.
R: You don't drive?
A: If I do, it's just a Prius. But no, I like the subway. You get to meet more people that way!
R: What was the hardest part of mage training?
A: Oh, geez. Well, my sister trained me, so... everything? Oh! She used to do this thing where she'd apparate me out on a wire strung between two buildings and I had to magick myself down.
R: Woah.
A: Yeah, she's a hard teacher.
R: So what do you see in the future for you?
A: Anything and everything. A bright future for the Glades and Human society. And, more personally, a comfortable flat in New York paired with our place here.
R: Any kids in that future?
A: (laugh) No comment!
R: What about you and the King?
A: Well, obviously he and I are very close. He's a wonderful listener. I know the Glades is his absolute beloved. He would do anything- absolutely anything for his people. I think the only help I am is making sure he stays sane and sleeps! (laugh)
R: Well, you keep after him, then.
A: My pleasure. Someone has to!
By then our time had closed, and my teacup was empty, but my notes were full. Around this time his guardian, Faolan Reilley, a tree elf from the Isles, ducked in and informed the Prince of his next appointment- making lunch for Odette. The Prince unwound himself from his perch, gave me a warm handshake in his little palms, and trotted to keep up with his guard- a companion since his birth. Reilley shepherded him off, gave me a cordial bow, and the pair was gone. I contemplated the little shoes Prince Adelais left behind. They were only a little smaller than my own pair, but somehow, they seemed to leave a great emptiness behind.
****
Right then, back to coloring. If anyone cares to, I'll write the one with Odette. I loved writing this one!
XOXO
~Lilly
High Tea with Prince Charming;
By Alaina Mainalis, for ROYALE, Sep/Nov 2010
For the last several years, his face and name havebeen on everything from tabloids to sermons and the evening newspaper. Though born the youngest son of the late King Benedict and Queen Miranda, Prince Adelais Manael has accomplished much. He left the Glades at a young age, and brought home a human girl as his bondmate. Through his hard work at the Elven Council and Glades Senate, Adelais has made more strides in politics and diversity in a handful of years than most of his fellows have in a hundred. The enterprising Prince is home in the Glades for a brief time with his bride, Lady Odette. It goes without saying that their marriage was met with extreme controversy, but the Royal couple's abode in the palace is pleasant and crisp, and bears no sign of the strain of the public.
The last time I met with HRH Prince Adelais, he was too preoccupied with the colorful blocks on the floor to give me a publishable comment. While all children are adorable, I had to note that Adelais was particularly precious. All green eyes and pink cheeks. It is hard to work that image out of my mind as I walk through the now-familiar residence halls of Reginas Castle. Instead, a handsome, tall young man with a bright, welcoming smile and arms extended greets me. He hugs me about the shoulders with a hello, and I find myself flustered. The youngest Prince just hugged me! While I was still flustered, he managed to gracefully pour me tea and help me to my seat. For all of his adventurous galavanting aside, Adelais is still a noble prince after all!
ROYALE: It's an honor, your highness.
ADELAIS: Please! Call me Adelais. I'm not used to titles anymore, you know?
R: It still feels strange.
A: It feels stranger from the other side, believe me.
R: So, is it good to be home?
A: Oh, yes. Dette and I love to whirl about, but it gets exhausting. It's nice to come back to somewhere I can just toss my shoes off.
R: Toss your shoes off?
A: Sure. Do you want to take yours off? Shoes are stuffy.
So, here we are, both of our shoes off. He folds his legs to the side on the squashy chair, puts his chin in his hand, and watches me. He has a way of listening- I can tell he's really speaking with me and not just parroting answers.
R: So, the nitty-gritty. A human girl? How did this happen?
A: Oh, I'm not the first Elf who fell in love with a human! (laugh) Honestly, it was just... Fate. We ran into each other, and I think we've tangled so much there's no getting us apart now! And I wouldn't want it any other way.
R: But she's mortal.
A: For now. She's going to go through the spell eventually. But when we're ready. When she's ready. She said she's waiting for herself to ripen up first. (laugh)
R: You don't seem to be concerned.
A: No. I trust her. We trust each other.
R: What's it like? Watching people age?
A: It's- It's beautiful. When people get older, their eyes seem to twinkle full of secrets. Though their body breaks down, their hearts only grow stronger. It's just beautiful.
R: What about death?
A: That's beautiful too, in it's own way. It's hard to describe.
He seems kind of distant after that; I quickly switched gears. I couldn't stand seeing him so sad.
R: So, besides the recent wedding, you graduated from a human university!
A: Yup! I'm a NYU Grad. Political Science. Comes in handy!
R: How come you didn't take the traditional Heirship Training?
A: Are you kidding? I totally did. Aricin would've had my head if I didn't. But the world is new, and I wanted to introduce new world politics with our heritage. It's necessary now.
R: Speaking of your brother, how was the transition?
A: Losing Dad was hard on all of us. My brothers especially. Aricin took it really hard, but he's been doing so well with taking the crown. We have to nag at him to eat and sleep, but I'm pretty sure that's normal for people busy with running a Kingdom!
R: I'm so sorry for your loss.
A: Thank you. He was sick for a long time. It's good he's with my mom now.
R: So, on to happier things! How are you and Odette?
A: Brilliant! Now things are much safer for her to explore the Glades, and she's been having a blast. I think right now she's out doing something with my sister. You never know with those two. Terror on wheels.
R: Who, Lady Laksha?
A: Strange, huh?
R: There have been rumors lately about Prince Lirael.
A: Oh, man, I knew this was going to come up. Listen. He's my brother and I love him. That's really all that needs to go around right now.
R: Does this have anything to do with the New Love Bill?
A: Ahh, my baby! (laugh) Well, I mean it's kind of selfish for obvious reasons. But I don't think the Glades, or anyone else should put standards on who we love. Especially if we have to love them forever. It should be a choice of the heart. Mine was. I want that for our children and everyone else's too. It's the right direction for the Glades to move.
R: You've come under a lot of opposition.
A: Well, yes.. But it's worth it. Victories don't come without battles.
R: What about the threats?
A: Fay takes care of those. One time recently a brick came sailing through the window onto our breakfast table and I thought he was going to blow his top.
R: You still keep a guardian?
A: Of course. Faolan is part of my family. Just as much as my brothers are.
R: Okay, we have some questions from readers. Do you mind?
A: Shoot!
R: What's your favorite color?
A: Uh... Kinda a dark blue-green.
R: First thing you do in the morning?
A: Make Odette her coffee. I'm toast if I don't. ...Get it...? Breakfast humor...? You know what, nevermind.
R: Do you have any tattoos?
A: Just my mage-marks. They're leaves.
R: Who's your favorite brother?
A: Did Lir ask this? Pass!
R: Favorite time of day?
A: Early evening, just after dinner, and everyone's still gathered around the table.
R: Is it true that you actually pay rent? And work?
A: Of course I do! When I'm in New York, Odette and I both work. She works with the Ballet and I work from home with translating, correspondence and other international affairs. UN stuff. Aricin offered to help, but it didn't really seem honest. Especially since we don't want to raise suspicions. Aricin still gives us all sorts of stuff. We made him take the Lexus back. I don't think he knows how hard it is to drive in New York.
R: You don't drive?
A: If I do, it's just a Prius. But no, I like the subway. You get to meet more people that way!
R: What was the hardest part of mage training?
A: Oh, geez. Well, my sister trained me, so... everything? Oh! She used to do this thing where she'd apparate me out on a wire strung between two buildings and I had to magick myself down.
R: Woah.
A: Yeah, she's a hard teacher.
R: So what do you see in the future for you?
A: Anything and everything. A bright future for the Glades and Human society. And, more personally, a comfortable flat in New York paired with our place here.
R: Any kids in that future?
A: (laugh) No comment!
R: What about you and the King?
A: Well, obviously he and I are very close. He's a wonderful listener. I know the Glades is his absolute beloved. He would do anything- absolutely anything for his people. I think the only help I am is making sure he stays sane and sleeps! (laugh)
R: Well, you keep after him, then.
A: My pleasure. Someone has to!
By then our time had closed, and my teacup was empty, but my notes were full. Around this time his guardian, Faolan Reilley, a tree elf from the Isles, ducked in and informed the Prince of his next appointment- making lunch for Odette. The Prince unwound himself from his perch, gave me a warm handshake in his little palms, and trotted to keep up with his guard- a companion since his birth. Reilley shepherded him off, gave me a cordial bow, and the pair was gone. I contemplated the little shoes Prince Adelais left behind. They were only a little smaller than my own pair, but somehow, they seemed to leave a great emptiness behind.
****
Right then, back to coloring. If anyone cares to, I'll write the one with Odette. I loved writing this one!
XOXO
~Lilly