Episode 3

"**Is This True Love?**" is the third released episode of *Your Throne* by SAM. In Medea's body, Psyche wakes up in horror to realize that her former life has now been stolen from her. Pleased with her new arrangements, Medea moves forward with her plan to become the crown princess.

## Synopsis

In the duke's manor, Psyche stares uncomprehendingly into a mirror, horrified to see Medea's face reflected back. Assuming that it is a dream, she desperately slaps herself. She recoils from the impact, her face stinging, and concludes that she is not asleep. Suddenly alarmed, Psyche wonders who is inhabiting her body. She races down the stairs, barely noticing the heavy rain battering against the glass window panes. As she rushes towards the exit, servants warn her against going outside in a storm. Psyche clutches her head in terror, begging them to not address her as Lady Medea.

At the count's manor, Medea pulls away from Eros' embrace and looks up at his face. Though she is delighted that Psyche is now condemned in her place, Medea reminds herself to act her role appropriately. She quickly pulls herself together, channeling Psyche, and gently chastises Eros for vowing to sentence "Lady Medea" to death. Eros sighs in exasperation and looks at Medea, unaware that she is now in Psyche's body. Before he can propose a counterargument, a loud noise outside of the chambers disrupts their conversation. Psyche, in Medea's body, has arrived and is begging her own servants to allow her inside the chambers. The maids firmly deny her request, explaining that "Lady Psyche" is inside the room with the crown prince. Psyche visibly brightens at the mention of her fiancé and successfully dodges the servants. As she hopefully hurries towards the bedroom, its doors burst open. Eros stands in the doorway, coldly watching as Psyche rushes towards him. With a terrifying expression, he places one hand on her shoulder and shoves her forcefully backwards. In a low voice, he threatens to behead her for daring to show up. Medea can barely contain her glee as she watches the scene unfold before. She manages to rearrange her expression as Eros returns, having successfully chased Psyche out of house. He reassures Medea that "Lady Medea" is no longer permitted to set foot inside the count's manor.

The storm eventually eases into a gentle drizzle as the night continues. Inside her chambers, Medea scrutinizes Psyche's frail body. The freckled maid enters the room, timidly asking for an audience. Medea leads her to the couch, where they sit side-by-side as the maid bursts into an apology. Overwhelmed with guilt, the maid confesses that she has been spying on Psyche for the House of Solon, who promised to cover her ailing brother's medical bills in exchange for information. She admits that Medea is responsible for murdering Psyche's knight and servant in the forest. Listening intently, Medea realizes that the maid is under the impression that the House of Solon cannot harm her now that "Lady Medea" is condemned by the imperial family. Medea pulls the maid into her arms, gently comforting her and soothing her tears. Though she wished to kill the maid for the betrayal, Medea decides to wait until morning. If she stays in Psyche's body, she will spare the maid. If she returns to her original body, the maid will be killed.

The sun shines brightly through the window the next morning, stirring Medea awake from a deep sleep. She opens her eyes and finds herself still in Psyche's body. Slightly amused, Medea notes that the maid is lucky to have been spared. As she ponders over this, Medea determines that the switch must have occurred because her prayer was granted by the divine deity of Vasilios.

In Medea's chambers, Psyche reaches the same conclusion. She sadly wonders if she will be able to return to her original body at the next Yearly Prayer. A crow alights on her window sill and sharply taps the glass with its beak. Deep in her reverie, Psyche barely takes notice as she mulls over her bleak situation. If she is to live as "Lady Medea" for the rest of her life, she will have to face the countless enemies Medea has collected over the years. Though Medea can easily handle her adversaries, Psyche is weak and sheltered. She has no confidence in standing up to others, and worries that she will be killed at the first sign of weakness.

The doors to Medea's chambers open, distracting Psyche from her anxious thoughts. A young maid pushes a heavily-laden breakfast cart into the room. Her fear barely concealed, the maid serves Psyche soup and explains that an easily digestible meal will help after an entire day of not eating. As she speaks, her voice trembles with nerves. The maid becomes instantly terrified and braces herself for a harsh scolding. Instead, Psyche warmly thanks the maid for the food and picks up a spoon to taste the soup. Touched by this rare show of affection from her master, the maid flushes with pleasure and begins making the bed.

Meanwhile at the House of Niccolo, Helio sits at his window as he watches the sky. A crow suddenly appears, the very one that was at Medea's window, and lands on his arm. Helio observes one of its leg, to which a small letter is attached, and begins to feel uneasy. Medea still has not responded to his letter. In the seven years that he has known Medea, they have never lost correspondence for such a long period of time. Though worried, he reassures himself that Medea can take care of herself and is most likely fine. A butler breezes into the room, his arms full of books and stacks of paper. As he cheerfully sets the pile down on a desk, Helio abruptly stands up and grabs his coat. He swiftly heads toward the exit, informing the butler that he will be visiting Medea at her home. The butler dully watches as Helio boards his carriage, noting how sensitive the young master can be when it involves Medea.

In Psyche's chambers, a maid gushes over a fine piece of jewelry that the crown prince gifted to Medea. The maid clips the gold necklace carefully around Medea's neck, commenting on how its color matches her golden locks. She then gestures towards the windows, where large, blooming cherry blossom trees fill the garden with its lovely, pink hue. As Medea examines the view, the maid informs her that Count Callista planted the trees in hopes of his daughter's speedy recovery.

Several hours later, Medea meets Eros in the garden, where they slowly stroll beneath the blossoming trees. Eros worries over Medea's health, stating that it is too soon for her to be outside after falling ill. Assuming the role of Psyche, Medea teases the crown prince for worrying too much. With a gentle expression, Eros reminds her that she is free to call him by name now that they have been engaged for a while. Medea smiles brightly and complies, casually addressing him as "Eros" instead of "Your Highness." As they continue their walk, Medea becomes assured that her plan will proceed without a hitch as long as she continues acting like Psyche. After becoming crown princess, she will one day be one of the two suns ruling the Vasilios Empire. The only issue she has yet to resolve is the overprotective nature the count's family has. Since inhabiting Psyche's body, Medea has not been allowed to leave the count's estate to contact Helio. Quickly devising a plan, Medea coyly asks Eros to take her to the market as a celebration for her full recovery. He easily agrees, mentioning that he has business to attend to in the area as well.

In the market, Medea manages to obtain a messenger crow. Her guide, Eros, has instructed her to wait in a separate room while he discusses empire affairs at a closed meeting. Medea broods over the crown prince's sense of caution, disappointed that she is not allowed to attend the meeting. As she waits, Medea decides to settle down with a book. After some time passes, Eros emerges from the meeting, apologizing for keeping her waiting. Medea laughs lightly, reassuring him that she kept herself busy. Surprised, Eros picks up the book from her hands.

As he reads its title, *The History of the Decline and Fall of Kingdoms Predating the Vasilios Empire*, he lets out a loud scoff. He flips through its contents, explaining that he can buy her a fairytale book if she wishes to look at pretty pictures. Medea stares at him, taken aback by the barely concealed tone of condescension in his voice. She notes the scorn in his eyes and realizes with a sense of dread that Eros despises Psyche.

## Characters

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

* Psyche Callista
* Medea Solon
* Eros Orna Vasilios
* Psyche's Maid
* Psyche's servant (mentioned)
* Psyche's knight (mentioned)
* **Medea's Maid**
* Helio Niccolo
* Count Callista

## Trivia

* Beheading was a common practice to execute criminals in medieval Europe.
* While homing pigeons were used to deliver messages in ancient times, other bird species, such as crows, are depicted as forms of message delivery only in fantasy and fiction.
* Monarchs, nobles, and members of the clergy were commonly addressed by their formal titles in medieval Europe. Addressing one by name is an honor and indication of familiarity and close relations.

## Gallery

In Medea's body, Psyche stumbles down the stairs in the Duke's manor.Eros stares down at Psyche, who he believes is Medea.Eros threatens to behead Psyche, whom he believes is Medea.The maid confesses her wrongdoings to Medea.Medea wakes up to find herself still in Psyche's body.A crow taps on the window.Medea has many enemies.Psyche shows kindness towards a maid in Medea’s body.Helio, concerned about Medea, heads off to visit the Duke's Manor.Helio as the Marquess of Niccolo House.The crow lands on Helio's arm, his undelivered letter still attached to its leg.Medea tries on the gold necklace gifted to her by Eros.Medea and Eros take a walk underneath the blooming cherry blossom trees.Medea happily addresses Eros by his name.Medea manages to procure a delivery crow.Eros scoffs at a book he believes is too difficult for Psyche to read.Eros glares at Medea with disdain.Medea realizes Eros despises Psyche.
## References

1. ↑ Beheading - Encylopedia Britannica
2. ↑ Delivery by animal - Wikipedia