Confessions of a Fictional Prince: An Interview with Phoenix

Welcome back to my Literary Lab!

Ever feel like your characters have a life of their own? Well, mine certainly do. In fact, a certain royal-in-exile has been demanding a moment in the spotlight. So, I’ve managed to corner him (with the promise of a very good cup of tea and no spoilers, of course) for a little chat. Think of this as a friendly interrogation, where we finally get some answers straight from the source.

Today’s guest of honour: Phoenix himself.

Thank you for taking time away from what we all can imagine is a perilous journey for you. I will not hold you up any longer than necessary - so, let's dive in, shall we?

Question 1. What's the one thing you miss most about the regular world?

"I miss two things, actually: my phone and the football team I support. I know it's silly, considering who I am now, but I miss social media. I miss posting snaps of what my friends and I are doing. And I miss watching my YouTubers and supporting my team."

Question 2. What's the most annoying habit your guardian, Jeremiah, has?

"His paranoia, for sure. Everything has to be done in a particular way because he's waiting for the chance to keep me safe. But on this journey, nothing is in our control, and it's making him weird about everything. We have so far to go, and I don't think he's ready to accept that."

Question 3. What was your first thought when you realized your life wasn't, in fact, 'totally normal?

"I don't know... I'm not sure what I thought at first. I just assumed it was a joke. But the more Jeremiah and Leon talked about this other world, the more I realized it wasn't. Then, all I could think about was how Gabby was going to take it."

Question 4. Be honest: what was scarier, facing assassins or realizing you had to go to a world you had never known?

"I don't know. I know I should say the assassins—and yeah, they're scary. Knowing some creature has been sent to kill you just for existing is terrifying. But honestly, I think it's coming here. I don't know who I can trust. Things are not what they seem, and almost everything here has tried to kill us."

Question 5. Did you ever wish you could have just stayed in the regular world, even after knowing what you know now?

"I want to say yes, but based on how Jeremiah and Leon explained it, I'm needed here. My uncle has done a lot of bad things. He killed my parents. He has to pay for that."

Question 6. Do you think you would have survived this journey without your friends to, well, save you from yourself?

"No. They're my best friends. I don't think I could be here doing all this without them. Like Mike would say, my life would be nothing without them—and he's right. Just don't tell him that. We need his focus on the journey, not on his ego."

Question 7. What’s the most overwhelming part of knowing a kingdom's fate rests on your shoulders?

That I'll fail and many will die because of me.

Question 8. When you finally face Markus, what's the first thing you'll say to him?"

Hello uncle.

Got a character you'd love to hear from next? Or a question you're dying to ask Phoenix? Let me know in the comments below!

Until our next magical encounter,

Stay curious,

R.L. Wood

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