Episode 23

"**The Wicked Lady of Rumor (3)**" is the twenty-third released episode of *Your Throne* by SAM. Recalling the fraught history between Hennel Kingdom and the Vasilios Empire, Psyche asks Duke Solon to reconsider King Hennel's proposal of marriage. As the duke violently berates her for testing his patience, Psyche unwittingly dredges up the truth about Nana's death.

## Synopsis

The letter in Psyche's hands shake with disbelief as she attempts to process the news that Duke Solon delivered. If she agrees to marry the current king of Hennel Kingdom, she will be forced to leave the Vasilios Empire. Unaware of what she is thinking, Duke Solon smiles and prompts Psyche for a response to the supposedly wonderful news. She smiles and attempts to gloss over the moment. As she glances down at the picture of the king, Psyche suddenly recalls a conversation she had with Helio several days ago.

As part of her studies of empire affairs, Helio explained to Psyche the political relationship between the Vasilios Empire and Hennel Kingdom. Many years ago when the Vasilios Empire only ruled half of the continent, Hennel Kingdom allied with neighboring territories and launched an attack. Medea secretly provided exceptional battle strategies that resulted in an overwhelming victory for the empire. While the true mastermind behind the triumph was kept hidden, Helio and Duke Solon were publicly rewarded by Emperor Vasilios for valiantly defending the empire. Hennel Kingdom suffered a terrible defeat and the citizens who grew tired of the monarch's bellicose ruling revolted. The third prince led the rebellion and overthrew the government, beheading his own father in the process. The prince subsequently ascended the throne and declared the kingdom as pro-imperialism. Though he proclaimed Hennel Kingdom as an ally of the Vasilios Empire, Helio warned Psyche that the current monarch may be harboring ulterior motives.

Duke Solon explains that King Hennel caught a glimpse of Psyche at the imperial banquet and fell in love at first sight. The duke deduces that the king must be infatuated with Psyche since he intends to make her his queen. As Duke Solon continues to express his amazement over this newfound opportunity, Psyche finds it difficult to believe. After all, Psyche and King Hennel never crossed paths at the imperial banquet, let alone hold a conversation. There was also a significant age difference between King Hennel and Medea, whom he declares sudden love for. Duke Solon informs Psyche that King Hennel plans to visit in two days and instructs her to dress appropriately. Startled by the direction the conversation is going, Psyche implores Duke Solon to reconsider before making a decision. She insists that a wedding is a serious matter and requires careful deliberation. The duke smiles ominously and summons a servant to his side. With one swift movement, Duke Solon strikes at the servant's face and asks Psyche to repeat her words.

As Psyche stutters in shock, Duke Solon grabs plates from the table and smashes it to the ground in a fit of fury. He strides forward and grabs Psyche, who he believes is Medea, by the shoulders. Infuriated, Duke Solon yells that she is at fault for failing to marry the crown prince. Though the duke has given everything to raise her properly, she continues to rebel against his wishes. He demands to know why, after failing to take the position as the crown princess of an empire, she is not satisfied with the position of queen. Since the competition, the servants have been speaking ill of Medea, criticizing her for not gaining even half of the love the crown prince gives to Psyche. Though Medea and Helio have been friends for many years, rumors about the two of them being lovers have suddenly been circulating the public since the imperial banquet. Duke Solon demands to know if she predicted his movements and purposely circulated the rumors to thwart his plans. He grabs a nearby chair and throws it at Psyche. Medea's maid quickly rushes forward and uses her own body to block the chair from hitting Psyche. The impact of the chair sends the maid flying backward into an indoor fountain.

Blood trickles down the maid's forehead as she looks up at the duke. The servant that the duke previously struck hands Duke Solon a pair of gloves and a cane. Duke Solon sneers at the maid's foolish moment of courage and asks if she wishes to replace Psyche and receive punishment. Psyche is suddenly overwhelmed with a strong sense of deja vu. She realizes that Medea's body is not reacting to the duke's violence, as if such incidents occur frequently in the House of Solon. Looking around, she notices that the servants are obediently keeping their heads down and their mouths shut. None of them dare to intervene, frightened of provoking the duke's temper any further. As Duke Solon raises the cane to beat the maid, Psyche dashes forward and throws her arms around the maid in defense. Duke Solon stops at the sight of who he believes is his daughter protecting the young maid. His temper eases as he lowers the cane. With a bemused expression, Duke Solon remarks that he is suddenly reminded of when he killed Nana.

At the Niccolo estate, Helio insists that he will finish changing himself and excuses his elderly butler. Alone in his chambers, Helio places the opal necklace in a drawer. He recalls the confrontation with Psyche and wonders if he has the right to be angry with her. He cannot overcome the idea that rather than being unable to save Nana, he failed to save her on the day she died.

Meanwhile at the count's manor, Medea slowly stirs awake from her dream. As she slowly regains consciousness, she silently wonders why Nana warned her to run in the dream. Medea's eyes open and land on Eros, who is sitting on the edge of her bed. The momentary happiness that filled her chest from dreaming of Nana is suddenly replaced with cold dread. Medea's breaths grow heavy as she attempts to catch her breath. Eros misunderstands her expression as waking up from a nightmare and places one hand on her cheek to soothe her. Gently pulling her into his warm embrace, he reassures Medea that he is there for her. Medea stiffens at his words as she recognizes the truth in his words. She realizes that his guard must be down because he believes her to be Psyche. As she listens to steady beating of his heart, Medea wonders if everything will be over if she kills him.

## Characters

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

* Psyche Callista
* Duke Solon
* Helio Niccolo
* King Hennel
* Medea's Maid
* Nana (mentioned; flashback)
* Medea Solon
* Eros Orna Vasilios

## Gallery

Psyche looks at a picture of King Hennel.Helios explains the political relationship between Hennel Kingdom and the Vasilios Empire.King Hennel notices Psyche at the imperial banquet.Duke Solon scolds Psyche, whom he believes is Medea, for disobeying him.The maid protects Psyche from getting hurt.Helio looks at the opal necklace.Medea contemplates on killing Eros.