Episode 6

"**The Night Before the Storm (2)**" is the sixth released episode of *Your Throne* by SAM. After contacting Helio Niccolo, Medea is then visited by her now-fiancé, Eros, who confronts her about the letter he managed to intercept.

## Synopsis

Under the silver moonlight, Medea gazes at the night sky, watching the stars glitter against the black backdrop. The sound of a cawing crow fades into the silence of the night. A maniacal smirk spreads across her face as Medea concludes that the crown prince has already received her fake letter.

The next morning, sunlight streams through the leaves of the forest trees as a black cat prowls down a dirt road. Helio reaches out and picks up the cat, noticing a piece of purple paper tied to its tail. As the cat mews softly in his hands, Helio opens the paper to find a handwritten letter from Medea.

At the count's manor, Psyche's maid fusses as she pins flowers to Medea's flowing hair. Dressed in fine fabrics of periwinkle, Medea examines her reflection in a vanity mirror in satisfaction as the maid adds the last accessory. In a gentle voice, she muses how unexpected it is for the crown prince to announce a visit so early in the morning. A moment later, the doors to her bedroom chambers swing open. Eros enters, a solemn expression on his face. He casually approaches Medea at the vanity table, asking if she has something she wishes to share.

The two settle themselves into chairs at the sitting area in Psyche's chambers. As the servants quickly serve tea and biscuits, Medea joyously confesses that she dreamt of Eros last night. With convincing delight, Medea concludes that his sudden visit to her home after such a dream must be a sign that they are destined to be together. Though he is irritated by the comment, Eros manages to pull himself together as he feigns joy for such a coincidence. Smiling, he asks if she truly loves him. When Medea assures him that she does, Eros reaches across the table and pulls her closer. In a low voice, he warns her to stay away from "Medea Solon." He begins quoting phrases from the letter Medea sent by crow the night before, advising her to tell the truth.

Medea gasps theatrically and buries her face in her hands, pleased that everything is going according to her plan. Since inhabiting Psyche's body, Medea has noticed several people tailing her at every waking moment, only disappearing when the crown prince arrives. She deduced that the spies must have let their guards down and neglected to heed caution, under the false assumption that a naïve girl such as Psyche will not have noticed their presence. Their disregard for Medea's true identity, however, offered her an opportunity too good to pass up.

In a shaky voice, Medea begins to tell Eros an elaborately fabricated story to explain the contents of the decoy letter Eros has intercepted. According to her story, the young marquess recently sent her a letter claiming that "Lady Medea" wishes to make amends with "Psyche." As proof of this, Helio enclosed a letter from "Lady Medea" that requested to arrange a meeting at the crown prince's birthday banquet. Though relieved and elated by this offer, "Psyche" was worried that this meeting will cause troubles for Eros. The letter she sent the night before was intended to politely decline the proposal.

In a convincingly shameful voice, Medea chastises herself for foolishly misinterpreting Eros's visit as a social call. Without a word, Eros strides over to Medea and pulls her into his arms. He gently kisses her forehead, assuring her that he visited because he was concerned. Straightening up, Eros asks a nearby servant to bring forward the bracelet Eros prepared for Medea to wear at the birthday banquet. The servant hands over a lavish, golden cuff bracelet. Eros carefully holds the bracelet against Medea's wrist, examining the size, and muses that it should be large enough to hide any bruises that may form.

Before Medea can fully process what he said, Eros takes out a pair of chained handcuffs and locks them around her wrists. In a cool voice, he declares that "Lady Medea" is devising a nefarious plot and orders his men to lock Medea in the manor basement. Panicked, Medea calls out to Eros as the royal servants begin to lead her away. With eyes filled with supposed regret, Eros cups her face in his hand and reassures her that he is doing this out of love. He promises to release her before the birthday banquet and watches as Medea is dragged away. Infuriated, she wonders why he will lock up someone he claims to love without a valid reason. After all, Medea only fabricated the letter and the story so that there will be an explanation for any erratic behavior Psyche may exhibit at the upcoming banquet.

Medea glances around the room in desperation, wondering why none of Psyche's servants are stopping the crown prince. The servants sob as they watch their mistress being taken away, mopping their tears with handkerchiefs. One maid asks why Medea has disappointed the crown prince. Exasperated, Medea realizes that no one at the count's manor is sane.

Once Medea has disappeared, Eros sits back in his chair. Noticing that one of his men is staring at him, Eros explains that he understands how excessive his actions are. Despite knowing this, he believes it is the only way to counter whatever scheme "Lady Medea" is plotting. With her wits and manipulative nature, Medea is more than capable of thoroughly understanding any situation from a single sentence or letter. He claims that this is the only way he can protect Psyche. Medea descends the levels of the manor, her arms still shackled by the crown prince's cuffs. As the royal servants lead her forward, Medea finds herself in a large foyer with ceilings stretching high above her head. Sunlight streams through the glass window panes, casting flickering light on the paved stone floor. Medea's expression darkens as the servants open a thick, metal door and lead her inside a room.

Night falls as Psyche bustles around Medea's chambers, preparing to go to sleep. She hears a light tapping sound at her window but ignores it, assuming it is caused by the wind. A sudden gust of wind blows her hair. Turning around, she gasps in shock as Helio, dressed in all black, opens the window and climbs inside. With a steady gaze, Helio watches as Psyche steps back in horror, her hands clamped over her mouth to prevent from screaming. Tapping on the rightmost window closest to the bed is the signal that he and Medea agreed upon when they meet in secret. However, the "Lady Medea" standing before him is transparently unaware of such a signal.

Before Psyche can fully express her outrage at his unwanted visit, Helio interrupts, addressing her as Psyche Callista. Fear surges through her body as Psyche wonders how he can possibly know who she is. Without waiting for her to respond, Helio reprimands her for not having a quicker reaction. He explains that her life would have been in danger if anyone else showed up instead of him. Many nobles who are well-acquainted with the real Medea will be present at the crown prince's birthday banquet. In order to properly impersonate Medea, Psyche will have to mimic her mannerisms and speech. Helio assures her that he will help her in any way he can. Confused, Psyche asks why he wishes to help, under the impression that he despises her. Under the bright moonlight, Helio pauses for a moment before confessing that he has been ordered to protect her by the real Lady Medea.

## Characters

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

* Medea Solon
* Helio Niccolo
* Psyche's maid
* Eros Orna Vasilios
* Psyche Callista

## Gallery

Helio picks up a cat and discovers a letter on its tail.Helio examines the letter sent by Medea.Medea looks at herself in the mirror.Psyche's maid helps Medea with her hair.Eros confronts Medea about the letter.Eros warns Medea to stay away from "Lady Medea."Medea lies about the letter.Eros compares the size of the cuff bracelet to Medea's wrist.Eros handcuffs Medea.Eros explains how "Lady Medea" is a threat.Helio climbs into Medea's bedroom, where Psyche is.Medea lets out a malicious laugh.