Episode 11

"**One In a Million**" is the eleventh released episode of *Your Throne* by SAM. In a flashback, a young Medea was raised with the idea that she must become a genius worthy of being recorded in history. Within a few years, Duke Solon began to realize that his daughter's intellect would far exceed his own.

## Synopsis

One night in the duke's manor, a young Medea looked up at Nana, clutching a stuffed teddy bear in her small arms. Her eyes shining, she hopefully asked Nana if the bear was truly a gift from her mother, Duchess Solon. Smiling, Nana assured her that the duke and duchess wished to give the gift as an apology for their busy schedules and for not attending Medea's eighth birthday celebration that evening. Reminding Medea that she had classes the next day, Nana gently ushered her to bed. Medea cheerfully agreed and retired to her chambers.

A maid of the House of Solon observed the scene before her disapprovingly. Knowing fully well that Nana had previously purchased the stuffed toy from the local marketplace, the maid reprimanded her for lying to the young lady. Unfazed by the comments, Nana admitted that she would prefer to be caught. If the duke and duchess, who were far too immersed in their own lives, discovered that Medea received a teddy bear under false pretenses, it would prove that they paid attention to their daughter. The maid exasperatedly asked why Nana was so concerned about Medea, a young lady who was raised in a lavish house and given excessive riches. Nana insisted that a child at Medea's age cherished true affection and love over materialistic items. As Medea snuggled into bed with the teddy bear, she silently wondered how much money Nana must have taken from her salary to buy the gift. Before she fell asleep, she was visited by the possibility that she was making things difficult for Nana.

Weeks later, Duchess Solon was summoned to meet Medea and her tutor in the study. Infuriated that she was called upon for such trivial matters, the duchess threw several books at the ground in a fit. Medea sat by her tutor's side, anxiously keeping her mouth shut, afraid she may further aggravate her mother. Shocked, the tutor cried that the subjects Medea had already mastered were of those that most fully-grown women did not learn until after their coming-of-age ceremonies. Duchess Solon scoffed, declaring that this meant many people of the Vasilios Empire have already mastered the subjects. The tutor beseeched the Duchess to understand that young children at Medea's age would do well with words of proper encouragement from their loved ones. Ignoring the tutor, Duchess Solon reached over and grabbed Medea's arm. In a low, threatening voice, she warned Medea to not become arrogant over such a measly achievement. As the duke and duchess's daughter, Medea was expected to become a genius that would only appear once in a millennium, a reputable individual worthy of being recorded in history.

In the following years, Medea obediently immersed herself in her studies. One stormy night, Nana found Medea crouched on the ground of the study, surrounded by piles of open books. Her eyes sullen and her skin wan, Medea looked up at the sound of Nana's horrified cry. Nana grabbed Medea's shoulders, begging her to stop compromising her own health. Blood dripped from her nose and onto the pages as Medea refused. She urged Nana to not inform her parents of such a trivial matter, knowing her parents would not appreciate being bothered by such an insignificant incident. In a lifeless voice, she stated that she must continue studying and become an adult worthy of being remembered in history. Tears fill Nana's eyes as she embraced Medea tightly, telling her that she did not need to work so hard. In the warmth of Nana's arms, Medea silently wondered why reading books and learning fencing was easier than receiving love.

Two years later, Medea was invited to join Duke Solon on an outing during the first spring. Though she was merely accompanying her father on a work trip, she was excited. Inside the carriage, Duke Solon confessed to his associate that he was dealing with a difficult situation. Due to the lack of sunlight, the year's worth of food and supplies were running short. The Vasilios Empire was unable to keep up with the demand of the people. When his associate asked if he consulted the Temple, Duke Solon explained that the Temple revealed the upcoming years would be filled with more struggles and difficulties. The people of Vasilios were anxious that an approaching famine was inevitable. Medea chose this moment to chime in. Tugging on her father's shirt sleeve, she brightly suggested that the Vasilios Empire should trade with a neighboring territory. In exchange for supplies and food, the Empire would send knights as protection. The empire would avoid a famine while also providing hands-on experience for their knights. The duke's associate clapped in delight at the idea, marveling over Medea's intelligence. She praised Duke Solon for raising his daughter so well. The duke half-heartedly smiled in response.

That night, the duke sat in his study, ruminating over what had transpired earlier in the afternoon. Though Medea's solution was so brilliant, he could not comprehend why he did not think of it first. He quickly called in a butler and sent him to contact the border's margrave to propose Medea's strategy. As a result, the empire overcame the famine within a year. Duke Solon was recognized by Emperor Vasilios for his outstanding contribution to the empire affairs. He was credited for defending the empire's territory when neighboring forces attacked the border, and earning the margrave's trust as an added bonus.

Over the years, Duke Solon continued to seek Medea's consultation on various political matters. One day, Medea stood patiently in her chambers as servants bustled about helping her get dressed. An observing woman delighted over the Duke's fondness over his daughter, assuring Medea that she was lucky to have such a doting parent. She revealed that there were many rumors on the street regarding Duke Solon's bravery and acumen. He was always many steps ahead of the rest, protecting the land and the empire with his strategic skills. This struck Medea as odd. For many years, she was left with nothing but clothing and jewelry–materialistic items that amounted to no honor or recognition. With the way things were progressing, it would appear that Duke Solon, not Medea, would be the one commemorated for being a remarkable individual worthy of being recorded in history.

One night, Duke Solon informed Medea that she was to be engaged to the crown prince within the year. Nana, standing beside Medea, clapped her hand over her mouth in horror at the news. Duke Solon explained that Emperor Vasilios had already chosen the date for the ceremony. Smiling, the duke assured Medea that he had been working incredibly hard for her sake. In an expressionless voice, Medea thanked her father for his diligence and the opportunity that he had provided for her. She turned around and walked back into the manor, unable to discern what emotions were thundering through her head.

As soon as the duke was out of sight, Nana grabbed ahold of Medea's arm. Tearfully, Nana begged Medea to refuse the engagement, insisting that she should not obediently follow orders like a mindless doll. She clutched Medea's hand tightly, beseeching Medea to choose her own happiness over appeasing her parents' wishes and becoming the crown princess. Medea calmly pulled Nana into a hug, thanking her for being the only person who truly cared for her.Though she was grateful for Nana's concern, the engagement was no burden; rather, it was a miraculous gift. She explained that becoming the crown princess would give Medea a higher status than that of her own father. She would no longer be limited to being a mere duke's daughter. She had finally come to understand her father; like Duke Solon, she would not want to share her power with anyone. With that decision made, Medea tossed the treasured teddy bear into the fiery hearth.

The next day, Duke Solon asked Medea for advice on how to properly advise Emperor Vasilios regarding an agreement with the Kingdom of Hennel. After carefully listening to the details, Medea deduced that the Hennel Kingdom was likely attempting to assert their dominance with the agreement. She advised her father that rather than giving up a small piece to reap the whole fruit, she would recommend the Vasilios Empire to fake compliance and then launch a surprise attack from the east. As Duke Solon mulled over this strategy, Medea silently decided that she would plot her own revenge in a similar manner.

One sunny afternoon, a seventeen-year-old Psyche Callista caught a glimpse of the reputable Lady Medea walking in the gardens.

## Characters

*Characters are listed in order of appearance. Character first appearances are **bolded**.*

* Medea Solon (flashback)
* **Nana** (flashback)
* Duchess Solon (flashback)
* Duke Solon (flashback)
* **Duke's associate** (flashback)
* **Emperor Vasilios** (flashback)
* Eros Orna Vasilios (flashback; mentioned)
* Psyche Callista (flashback)

## Gallery

Nana touched Medea on the cheek after gifting a teddy bear.Medea fell asleep holding the teddy bear.Duchess Solon admonished Medea for not meeting expectations.Her nose bleeding, Medea begged Nana to not make a big deal out of her declining health.Medea presented a strategy that would dissolve the empire's famine.Duke Solon was praised by Emperor Vasilios for his contributions to the Vasilios Empire.Maids of the House of Solon helped Medea get dressed.Nana begged Medea not to agree to the engagement to the crown prince.A malevolent glint sparked up in Medea's eyes as she plotted her revenge against the duke and the duchess.