Now we know this was a long time coming and we do apologize for this taking so long, but we bring you here today for the long awaited interview of the empress. From an assassination attempt to gaining a new son-in-law, to divorce and to picking a new successor; this woman has gone through more than what most women would ask for and now we're going to get her personal thoughts.

Let it be known that without Liam Hiker no longer being the royal family guard dog, getting this interview had been slightly easier than with her children although the actual okay of the empress had helped. Now we do have to take in consideration the stricter checks now in place since our last interview with First Prince Ericson as for it being a bit better and not completely better.

The empress had agreed to meet us in her own private library for her interview and had dressed more casually than what anyone had seen her, which we could say shocked us. Either way let us continue.

Me: So, let us start off easy, we all can tell you've recovered remarkably from your injuries. We have to ask though, what are you're actual feelings for the incident?

Amaryllis: I was scared, nothing more, nothing less. The fear of knowing you're going to die is a big one. You think about your family and those you care about and in my case I think about those in the room who could also be in danger. I also had felt saddened that someone had felt so low that they thought killing me would fix things but also angered that financial means were also in the situation.

Me: You know some say that the situation and the recent incident involving Jason North should warrant the abolishment of the recommendation system involved in selecting members....

Amaryllis: I will stop you right there and make this clear, I do not or will I ever support abolishing the system. The system was put in place to allow those who didn't have blood connections a chance of joining the highest force within the kingdom and some have been just as or even more loyal than those who got in through blood.

Me (nodding): Well, considering that I am also good friends with a Pack member who got in through the system, I will agree with you, but tell me, do you ever think of abolishing the blood system completely?

Amaryllis: That will also not happen. The original pack members have helped established this kingdom and by allowing their descendants who wish to pick up the same sword to serve is my family's way of thanking them. With that being said, we do not allow just blood to get in as some have forgotten. We also do determine if they're prepared to take on this responsibility.

Me (nodding again): Well, this and some of other decisions you have made or supported have lead to a decline in your popularity. I have to ask, does that rattle you?

Amaryllis (sighing): It disappoints me is a better way to describe it but at same time I expected it. Mother has always taught me that if you do not have critics you're either strong-arming someone or you're just doing something wrong. That yes, while we lead our people, they are still individuals with differing opinions and passions. The best you can do then is to listen to what you have to say, see their motives, and decide from their. Sometimes you will have to stay firm in what you decided and sometimes you will have to compromise. Take my daughter's marriage. She's a capitalist princess about to marry the chairman of a communist country. Everyone wanted me to disown her and cut ties with the country completely but I couldn't do that.

For starters, the political impact on an international scale would have been great and I would have possibly isolated our kingdoms and caused unnecessary rivalries. But I also had to consider my daughter's feelings. In the beginning, she was only introducing Tenchi to our way of life and culture, and it lead to something more. Besides, he was a nice young man who treated my daughter right. How could I isolate her for falling in love? And so I showed my support and didn't back down despite the people's opinion. My only fear is that my daughter now has to look over her shoulder within her own kingdom.

Me: Heartbreaking indeed, and it does lead me to my question. One of those decisions that has affected your popularity is the decision of having First Prince Ericson become your successor. While most support this choice, meaning those who do not want First Princess Lucia in the position, some called you a hypocrite as you could have shown true support of your daughter by having her become the next empress. Others say this is you simply playing favorites. And others say this is the slap to the face of our traditions. I have to ask, what are your opinions on these statements and what were you thinking when you picked your son?

Amaryllis: If I have selected Lucia, the target on her back would have become even larger as with any children she will have. I do believe her a capable leader and she would have been a fine empress, but I also do fear for her safety and also if she has the capabilities of making the most difficult decisions and those decisions will come.

First Prince Ericson, I will not lie, he was my only son and as such I did coddle him more than I should have, but that does not mean I picked him because he is my favorite. We forget his prowess in both military and foreign affairs and he has a more stern approach than even I or his sisters could obtain, which could be for a good thing in the future. In the end, it is my duty as the empress to pick the best for our people and as such I will gladly break tradition with it.

Now the interview had to be cut then due to an urgent matter coming up for the empress and as such she had given us access to certain areas while we waited for her return. As to the matter of the matter, we never heard although it could have something to do with that house that's being built on the palace grounds (rumors say it is meant to be a home for Lucia and her husband and possible children) or even possibly the rumors we hear of the royal advisory board becoming more hostile with the empress.

The empress would return a few hours later and have dinner brought in before we continue with our interview.

Me: This topic has not been as infamous as the others, but some would wish to know about your divorce with Emperor Ajax. The shock that comes with this divorce is that you two seemed to so deeply in love and you're also members of the Crystalists faith which is against divorce. We have to ask, what truly happened to cause the break up?

Amaryllis: Well, it is only simply growing distance. Ajax and I just couldn't regain that footing again and so we believed instead of putting on a show we decided to end it. And if you're wondering, yes, it has severely damaged our standing in the Cyrstalism faith. Let's say I have not been invited to speak at the main temple in quite some time.

Me: That must be rough. The faith had gained its popularity through the family and more specifically your grandmother, don't you think you deserve an exception?

Amaryllis: If anything else, I'd be disappointed if they exempted me. Empress or not, I did vow dedication to this faith and I broken one of its doctrines. Would it not be hypocritical for them to pick and chose on these subjects?

Me: Well, that could make sense, but don't you find it insulting that they now call for Crystalism to become the kingdom's official religion?

Amaryllis: I do find the timing upsetting, but I won't say insulting. But either way, I won't allow it, and no I'm not saying this because I'm bitter. Wintery hasn't had an official religion to avoid tension with the differing faiths.

Me (nodding): Alright then, back to your love life to end this on a happier note. Is there someone special in your life to become the next emperor?

Amaryllis (laughing): Unfortunately not going to tell anyone.

And there you have it. We hope this does answer some questions the people has had while also providing insight into the mind of our empress. We do wish you a good night.

-Isabella Yolk, Omni News-