Character Profile #2: The Cousin

Meet my cousin character!

Hello, friends, and welcome to my second Character Profile, a new monthly feature in which you get to learn more about one of my characters. Spoiler alert: I have a LOT of characters. If you’d like to learn more about them, you can click here to read a short story snippet I wrote a few months ago.

See all of my Character Profiles here.

Each character profile will consist of three parts:

• the mood board — where you get a peek into their character as photos!

• the interview — where the character is interviewed and you get to learn more about them.

• the writing snippet featuring that character — where you get to see how I incorporate the character into a short scene!

#1: The Mood Board

#2: The Interview

Introduce yourself!

Hi, I’m known as The Cousin! I’m the second POV in the book series, and I’m the more levelheaded of the two of us kids in the castle.

Can you also describe yourself?

I have umber-colored skin, dark brown eyes, and dark wavy hair I usually put into box braids.

What’s your favorite color?

Yellow, hands down. I also really like purple, which is great because both accentuate my skin tone!

What’s it like living in a castle, by the way?

It’s super cool! Of course, being a princess means I get the best treatment, but there’s always something new going on…whether for good or bad…

Who do you live with in the castle?

I live with my mom and dad (my mom is one of the main rulers of our country!), my aunt and uncle, and my cousin (known as the Prince). There’s also plenty of servants that live here too!

Where’s your favorite place to be in the castle?

The library. My tutor jokes that he couldn’t get me out of there even if he tried.

What’s your favorite food?

I’d have to say chocolate milk…or maybe rice!

What’s your favorite school subject?

Either history or music. History because it’s super fun to learn about my ancestors, the former rulers of this country, and music because I love practicing my guitar on the plants outside or in the arboreum.

Are you excited to be queen eventually?

In a way, I’d say yes, because I really want to better my subjects’ lives. However, a part of me doesn’t feel like being queen is 100% me either. My cousin seems so confident in his future rule, and I’m just…not sure.

What is your weakness?

Perfectionism. I think if I act like the perfect child, if I do everything the way I’m supposed to…maybe it’ll be enough. At least enough to heal the hole my aunt and uncle left behind.

What’s your strength?

I’m very well read, and I know which plants to use and live off of…things like that. It’s a definite skill when your dad’s a gardener.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I appreciated this interview, Addie – thank you so much!

#3: The Snippet

Leah sat in the library, her long black braids falling over the book she was reading. She swept it aside, her eyes poring over the words on the page:

The castle library was built in 11 SCE and continues to be a modern marvel of the country. Queen Alana Kingridge (see page 55) designed and oversaw the building. Originally, it was intended to be in the center of town in the building that is now Greyfall Manor (see page 186), but after the first shipment of books was delayed, she decided to build it in the castle.

The library is located in the Northern Wing (see pages 79-80 for a detailed map) of the castle, which is generally open to the public. The library has a collection of over 25,000 books with new shipments every month or so. Decorated with stained glass windows, a crystal chandelier, and sun stencils on the floor, the castle library provides the perfect place for endless relaxation, study time, or-

“Princess Leah, begging your pardon, miss, but it’s almost time for breakfast, and I know you don’t like to be late,” said a soft voice, and Leah looked up to see Martha, one of the maids, standing next to her table in the very library she was reading about. “I can deliver that book to your room, if you want to read it later.”

“Thank you,” Leah said, glancing at the clock hanging above one of the bookshelves to her right. She pushed her chair back, and it made a scraping noise on the wooden floor. Martha winced.

“I’ll have someone fix that chair right away,” the maid promised, tucking a lock of auburn hair behind her ear. Martha turned away as if to leave, then stopped suddenly. “Oh, miss, I almost forgot…your mother says the bean sprouts are up and that a little music would do them good.”

The bean sprouts! Leah smiled as she gathered up her books, the morning sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows. She could already feel the sunshine on her face as she played her guitar outside, her calloused fingers picking the strings. She could already see the bright blue skies and wispy clouds that floated by as she sat on a nearby bench, showering the seeds with music.

Martha paused at the doorway. “Oh, and your uncle says the royals from Clyrin are coming today and to be prepared for dinner.”

“The Clyrins?” Leah’s eyebrows shot up. “Today?”

Martha sighed. “Apparently, yes. There’s some sort of treaty being signed today that will secure the two kingdoms’ futures. Or so I heard.” She glanced at the clock again. “Your Highness, you’re almost late for breakfast. I shouldn’t keep you.” The maid swept through the doorway, leaving Leah alone with her books and the empty library, her mind still whirling with questions.

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If you enjoyed this profile and would like to know more about these characters and my journey, click here! If you want to read my first Character Profile, click here! Thanks for reading, and keep on being kind! 💖

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