Character Interview: Princess Lauraine Kodie
Happy Tuesday, readers! Today, I have the pleasure of introducing to you Princess Lauraine Kodie, from Rayleigh Gray’s novel-in-progress, A Queen is Knighted.
Hello, Kodie! Welcome to Red Lettering. I’m honored that you would take the time to be here, especially with everything else going on over there. Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
Lauraine Kodie: No problem! Honestly, I embrace the chance to get away from the stinky camp in Sundaland Canyon, only, Wilhelm and James both insisted on escorting me just in case of an ambush, but I don’t mind too much *sly grin*. As for telling you about myself, I suppose that I could tell you some things, but I don’t care to get too personal.*attempted nonchalance* First off you should know that I, Princess Lauraine, has a brother of whom I don’t know is even worthy of that title. Prince Zachary II is three years older than I and he has taught me everything I know, for we have always been close *heavy sigh and looks to the ground*, that is until now.
Aah. Well, if we’re being completely honest, I wasn’t expecting you to tell who you really were. I knew, but I certainly wasn’t expecting it. Don’t worry, though; your secret will not get out to those who would see it used against you. What’s the first thing you can remember?
Lauraine Kodie: Like ever? I don’t know….*deep thought* I have often had dreams of two young children sword fighting with wooden swords. Both children, a little boy and a little girl, wore huge smiles on their faces as they danced around a courtyard that looked very similar to our courtyard. I once told my mother about them *sad expression* when she was alive. *pause, then quickly regaining composure* She told me that my dream reminded her of the time my brother and I had received two wooden swords and played with them for weeks on-end. So, that might be a memory or that might be a vision of my future children, I know not which.
Dreams often carry old memories, though a lot of the time they’re mixed with odd things that never happened. Maybe it’s a memory, but maybe it’s something else. I heard that your castle was attacked and burned to the ground. The King and Queen are known to be dead, but the Prince and you haven’t been heard from by the citizens. I know it might be difficult to answer this question, since it’s your home that’s under attack, but what do you think of the things going on in your country?
Lauraine Kodie: *heavy sigh* I honestly do not know what I think. Some people say that it is my uncle we are to fear, but others say it is their beloved prince, my brother, Zachary who is behind the attacks. And still there are others who believe the two are conspiring for my uncle to be king and my brother to have the king’s daughter’s hand in marriage. My trainer, Tupac, believes the latter. I have always valued everything Tupac says, but I just don’t know about his theory, it seems so unlike Zach.
I hardly know anything about what’s going on there, but… You know your brother. I can’t promise that he’s not against you, and really, I shouldn’t even suggest it, but if you know who he is, don’t jump to conclusions about what he may have done. Keep believing in him until you know for sure… After all, that’s what sisters do. I know this might be a bit of an awkward question, and a sticky one, but… When do you believe it would be okay to tell a lie, or do you think it would be wrong all the time?
Lauraine Kodie: *startled expression* I…..I….I honestly never thought about it. I mean, I would think it to be okay if you lied to protect an innocent person from a punishment they didn’t deserve, or from a country who is getting attacked….*uncomfortable squirming*
I see. I don’t know what you would consider yourself—adult or child—but… When you were small, what did you think you would be when you grew up? What were your dreams?
Lauraine Kodie: *smile* I still like to consider myself a child, for I have so many childish dreams, but after everything I have been through in the past six months, I believe I have grown up enough to be called an adult. As for my childish dreams; when I was but a young girl, I used to dream of becoming a real knight, which is why I was always with my brother when he trained. But after I met Wilhelm *dreamy expression* and he sought permission to court me, well I only dream of the future we have together. Now, I am a knight and there is still a small possibility that Wilhelm and I will have a happily-ever-after story, as long as I stay alive.
Happily-ever-afters are the best types of stories–especially when you put them together with knights. When you have spare time, what do you do with it? (Besides coming to answer awkward questions here, of course. Don’t worry; the rest will be normal. Normal enough, anyway.)
Lauraine Kodie: Training with the sword takes up quite a lot of my time and honestly I don’t consider that a pleasantry now that my life depends on how well I can use a sword. But, on rare occasions, I enjoy riding the horse that my fellow knight, James, gave to me. He is the most beautiful horse you have ever seen and rides like a cloud!
I can certainly imagine how your life depending on it would change things. I would think a cloud would get you wet if you rode it… Just out of curiosity, does the horse do that? Actually, sorry. I should probably keep on track here… Do you have a favorite season?
Lauraine Kodie: I would have said winter if I were answering as the spoiled Princess Lauraine, for skiing across the frozen lake is one of her favorite past-times. But now that I am Sir Cody, who lives in makeshift tents in the out-of-doors, I very much dread the upcoming winter months and I am miserable in these summer months. So, my favorite season is either Spring or Autumn, depending on which has more pleasant days.
No favorite weather; just lack-of-weather being your favorite? Certainly makes sense, that. Who would you die for?
Lauraine Kodie: *stunned* Well, my brother would have been the answer before all of these disastrous things happened, but there is still that possibility that he was the one who killed my parents and burned our castle. And Tupac believes he is going to attempt to kill me so…*tears swelling up in eyes, looks up at the pause, then begins sobbing* I don’t know, I just don’t know. I have never had anyone as close to me as my brother and now he is my enemy? *buries face in hands and continues to cry*
Ah. That makes sense. Be strong, Kodie. Don’t give up. I should probably let you get back so… last question—Did you like fairytales when you were growing up? What would make a fairytale, or whatever your favorite type of story was, a favorite?
Lauraine Kodie: I have never truly liked fairy-tales, because they were never real. A story that is my favorite will always have really happened.
Red Lettering 
Thank you so much for hosting Kodie and I! We both enjoyed it very much!
Thank you for allowing me to! It was an honor and a privilege to be able to interview a princess, and you were absolutely awesome to work with. Thank you!
You are very welcome!!!!!!
Those are some very thoughtful questions, Athelas. And Rayleigh, I love Kodie’s voice and how much detail you put into her to make her seem real. I also love your blurb because it sounds like something that I would want to read.
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