Episode 13

"**The Queen and Her Pawn (2)**" is the thirteenth released episode of *Your Throne* by SAM. Realizing that Medea is heading into a trap, Helio and Psyche quickly leave the royal birthday banquet in search for her. Meanwhile, Medea continues to single-handedly fend off Eros's elite knights. In a continuing flashback, Psyche received an invitation to become Medea's competitor in the contest that would determine the future crown princess.

## Synopsis

Helio swiftly rushes out of the banquet hall, paying no attention to the curious stares from observing nobles as he weaves through the crowds. Unable to keep up with his fast pace, Psyche calls out Helio's name as she hurriedly follows him out into the imperial gardens. He pauses to lean against a tree, panting to catch his breath. Though he is unsure whether or not Medea is truly in danger, an ominous feeling inside him urges him to hurry. He recalls the moment when Medea found him seven years ago. After his parents deaths and the fall of the House of Niccolo, he wished to die rather than live a wretched life alone. After Medea saved him, he vowed to become the strongest person in the empire and protect her. He fought through many difficult situations, barely escaping the jaws of death, strengthening himself for Medea's sake. If she dies, all of his efforts will have been for naught.

Psyche appears behind Helio, finally catching up to him. Pausing to catch her breath, she looks up and is surprised to see Helio clutching his head, muttering to himself in panic. Helio's voice trembles as he mumbles to himself that he has to figure out which of the 12 vast imperial gardens Eros asked Medea to meet in. Psyche loudly calls out his name, snapping him out of his reverie. She assures him that though she does not understand the context, she knows which garden Eros would ask Medea, whom he believes is Psyche, to meet in.

In the garden, Medea continues her fight with the remaining two knights. As one knight lunges forward with his sword, she swiftly dodges and drives her dagger into his heart. The knight crumbles to the ground, dead. Medea looks up at the last knight, the leader, and demands to know why she is standing so far away. Though she taunts her for fearfully keeping her distance, she knows that it is because the knight has figured out her weakness. In Psyche's frail body, Medea barely has enough strength to hold up her dagger. The longer the fight lasts, the more disadvantageous it will be for her. She silently curses at her luck, knowing that the last knight standing is the most cunning of the group. With her strength and stamina severely diminished, she has to end the fight quickly to survive. As the blades of their weapons clash together once again, the impact triggers a throbbing pain in Medea's shoulder. Though she has been attempting to ignore the soreness, the excessive movements during the sword fight exacerbate the pain. As knight jabs the point of the her sword towards her face, Medea silently wonders if she can avoid it.

In a flashback to several years ago, Psyche slept soundly in her bed chambers as sunlight streamed in from the windows. A maid of the House of Callista gently roused Psyche, informing her that a letter from the imperial palace had arrived. Still drowsy from sleep, Psyche yawned and reluctantly sat up in bed. The maid handed her a wax-sealed envelope, which Psyche tore open. To her shock, inside was a formal invitation from the imperial family, stating that she was selected as a crown princess candidate.

Later that day, Psyche met with Medea at the duke's manor. Thoroughly perplexed, Psyche nervously laughed that the invitation was definitely fake. Medea silently sipped her tea in response. Uncomfortable with the silence, Psyche insisted that it did not make sense for the imperial family to cancel Medea's engagement to the crown prince and host a competition to select Psyche as her competitor. The teacup in her hands shook as she put it back in its saucer. Quietly, she stated that she had no intention of becoming the crown princess, and preferred to marry a man she truly loved. Medea chose this moment to rest a comforting hand on Psyche's. She promised that Psyche would not become the crown princess. Medea was confident that she would not lose. Though she could not fathom why the imperial family chose Psyche to participate in the competition, she decided that they had to have their own reasons. Smiling, Medea suggested that Psyche took this opportunity to learn and improve herself. With the new outlook on their situation, Psyche cheerfully agreed.

The highly-anticipated crown princess competition rapidly approached. The public was buzzing with the news that the daughters of the houses of Solon and Callista were to compete against one another for the seat of crown princess. The victor had to win two out of the three rounds of the contest. The first round tested the contestants' knowledge on both internal and external affairs of the empire. In the second round, the contestants were tasked with improving relations with a vassal that had long severed his connection to the imperial family. After persuading him, the winner had to return with his insignia as proof of success. The first two rounds were easily won by Medea. After exiting the vassal's estate, Medea held up his insignia to the onlooking audience of citizens as proof of her win. Psyche, at Medea's heels, cheerfully declared that Medea had indeed refrained from going easy on her in the competition. Medea smiled, remarking that Psyche was likely the only person who would laugh in her situation.

News of Medea's overwhelming victory in the first two rounds of the crown princess competition quickly traveled. The public determined that Medea, with two wins under her belt, was already the winner. The third and last round was merely a formality at this point. Perhaps it was due to the amicable nature between the two young women, however, that led many to cheer for the both of them. One man admitted that in comparison to the reputable Medea Solon, he had never heard of Psyche Callista before the competition. His acquaintance, a red-haired woman, enthused that Psyche was like an angel.

For the last round of the competition, both Medea and Psyche dressed themselves in lavish gowns and fine jewels. They respectfully presented themselves in front of the Imperial Family and curtsied. A large group of onlookers had gathered to witness the finale. Emperor Vasilios stood up from his seat and thanked the citizens of Vasilios for attending the last round of the crown princess contest. He explained that the candidates had to prove their worth of ascending the seat of crown princess by demonstrating their abilities to rule over the empire. Both women had to present policies and strategies that they wished to implement in the scenario that each were chosen as the crown princess. Emperor Vasilios encouraged them to do their best, reminding them that it did not matter that the winner was already decided. As Medea thanked the emperor for his sentiments, Psyche was distracted by the person sitting next to Emperor Vasilios. With her heart beating rapidly and her cheeks flushed, she stared at the crown prince, unable to find words to voice her thoughts.

Psyche was chosen to present first. The policy that she spoke of consisted of supporting the lowest economic class of the Vasilios Empire. This naturally gained the sympathy of the public. Medea silently praised Psyche for her efforts, knowing that it was futile. Psyche's policy was far too idealistic; the execution would spend an excessive amount of the imperial budget, which would put the imperial family at a severe disadvantage. Medea glanced towards the observing royals, taking note of the dissatisfaction clearly etched into the lines of Emperor Vasilios's face as he listened to Psyche speak. To the emperor's right, however, Eros Orna Vasilios's face broke into an eerie, sinister smile. Before Medea could determine whether or not she had mistook the expression on the crown prince's face, however, she was called forth to present her own policy. There was a murmur of excitement amongst the crowd as Medea stepped forward to begin her speech. As she introduced herself, Medea reminded herself that she had to win this last round and prove herself worthy of becoming the future crown princess.

## Characters

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

* Psyche Callista
* Helio Niccolo
* Medea Solon
* Eros's knight
* **Red-haired woman** (flashback)
* Emperor Vasilios (flashback)
* Eros Orna Vasilios (flashback)
* Duke Solon (flashback; mentioned)

## Gallery

Helio sprints outdoors to find Medea.Psyche informs Helio that she knows where Medea is.Medea's fragile shoulder throbs in pain.Psyche received a letter from the imperial palace.Medea comforted Psyche about the Crown Princess contest.Medea held up the insignia from the vassal.The public's perception of Medea and Psyche together.Medea and Psyche curtsied before Emperor Vasilios.An eerie smirk crept onto Eros's face.