I had been requested by a reader, to ask the lady Vivienne Degrey for an interview. If you are down by Westminster you may have seen her down in the chambers of Parliament or in the English Law library.

Thank you Miss Degrey for coming in today. As you know, I was asked to interview you so that more could be learned about you. Please tell us, where were you born?

Vivienne - I was born in the countryside of Italy outside of Naples. My family was fleeing from there from an invasion by the Kingdom of Sicily. Most of us were split up, as my father, an Englishman, was a mercenary for the King of Naples and my mother was from a well to do English family. As a babe, I was sent to Venice and placed under the protection of the Doge. I left Venice and came to England, first arriving in Penrith in Westmorland after our ship was blown off course and grounded at the beach of Lindisfarne. So even though I have suntanned skin and a slight accent. I am by blood thoroughly English.. descended from the De Phoenix and de Grey families.

That sounds like a start to a good book filled with excitement and intrigue. When you came to England, where did you settle and do you have a profession?

Vivienne - I live in the lovely town of Lichfield in Mercia. I enjoy living there immensely as many de Greys lived there in the past. most notably Saint Gabrielle and her husband, Pieterjan. After settling in and changing fields a few times, I settled on becoming a sculptor, which I find rather rewarding.

You appear to be a very busy lady in all that you do. What type of hobbies do you have?

Vivienne - I love going to University and puttering around in my studio. I love creating porcelains and crafting glazes. I have a fully stocked china works in Lichfield and a budding studio at Compton-Wynyates.

A studio for porcelain works sounds like a busy endeavour. I have to stop by sometime to see some of your pieces. What about your home, can you tell us a little about it?

Vivienne - My home is a rather exquisite manor house in Lichfield. Of course, there is also Compton-Wynyates, quite the fancy fortified manor house in the country.

It seems to me, you travel back and forth a lot between your manor and home in Lichfield. Have you ever travelled outside of England?

Vivienne - Besides what travel I did to get to England, I have not left since arriving. I see no need to. I love living in England.

Home is where you are comfortable the most and it seems you do enjoy England. You have been noted to be a part of the judicial system in Mercia. How long have you been interested in the judicial system? Do you have a memorable case and who is your favourite defendant in court? Why are they your favourite?

Vivienne - Law has always held my interest.. mostly in the application, but also in drafting. I guess, hmm, I was in my early teens when I began being interested in the justice system when reading the writing of Scaevola and a much later counterpart, Irnerius.

My most memorable case? I have two. It would be disingenuous to not state prosecuting a sitting Monarch was memorable but at the same time, I also prosecuted a sitting Count. It was the appeal of that case that I found most memorable, even if I lost the appeal.

My favourite defendant would be Fordo. He made court fun, even if it was serious business being attended to. A very charming rapscallion indeed.

A monarch and a count? Both cases sound interesting. I am sure it may have been a bit nerve-wracking for you. I see that you ran for the monarch position, can you tell us what you learned from that? As you seem to be a peer, can you tell us an important lesson learned from that?

Vivienne - I learned short concise answers are better than speaking at great length. The shorter and simpler keeps attention and opens the door for clarifying remarks. As a peer, can't say I learned anything positive, sadly.

Sooner or later a lesson will appear as a positive. Sometimes it takes time to manifest itself for us to see it. I have one last question for you. One that perhaps many are waiting to hear about. Has anyone stolen your heart or are you a single lady?

Vivienne - I am very single.. never have been married, though I was engaged before coming to England. He passed before the banns were over. As for my heart, I shan't say, but there are a few eligible, and some non-eligible, gentleman who have caught my eye either through looks or wit.

You are charming, witty and beautiful. I am sure someday someone will fall so deep for you they could not breathe without you. Thank you for your time and for allowing us a look into your life.

Kallist0 for KAP
Editor in Chief
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