Psyche Callista/Relationships

## Friends and Acquaintances

### Medea Solon

Psyche and Medea share a complex relationship. After debuting in high society, Psyche began hearing about the reputable daughter of the House of Solon, Medea. When she caught sight of Medea in person, she became fascinated with her. She began following Medea around, too shy to approach, and watched her movements at a distance. One day, two noblemen attempted to court Psyche, calling her an angel in contrast to Medea, whom they condemned as a demon. Offended, Psyche demanded that they apologize for insulting Medea behind her back. Medea overheard the conversation and from that day forward, she and Psyche became friends. Psyche constantly expressed her sincere admiration for Medea, who was well-established in high society. Medea reassured her that, like a pawn in chess, Psyche's social standing allowed her to become anything she wanted.

Two years into their friendship, Psyche was shocked to learn that Medea's engagement with the Crown Prince was cancelled. Instead, Psyche and Medea were both invited to enter a contest that would award the winner the esteemed position of Crown Princess. Psyche herself did not want to compete with Medea nor did she want to enter a loveless marriage but Medea convinced her to compete anyway so Psyche can learn from her. Easily outperformed by Medea, Psyche took her losses with grace and continued to be on good terms with Medea. During the last round, Psyche was horrified to discover that Eros, with whom she had been secretly meeting, was the Crown Prince. Realizing that Medea was going to be engaged to the only man Psyche loved, Psyche became emotionally overwhelmed and could not bring herself to tell Medea. She resolved to accept the results, regardless of her feelings for the Crown Prince. It was therefore a surprise when the Pope of Vasilios announced that Psyche was the future Crown Princess. Too overjoyed to consider Medea's feelings, Psyche immediately agreed and accepted Eros's proposal. This, along with the death of Nana, caused Medea to bitterly break her friendship with Psyche, and Psyche, not knowing the main reasons why, tried to maintain their friendship only to be harshly turned away by Medea. Believing that Medea was doing this because Psyche won, Psyche was devastated and heartbroken by how Medea seemingly quickly turned against her for power and with tears on her eyes, gave a bitter smile as she brokenly told Medea off for it.

Despite this, Psyche continuously attempted to make amends with Medea, including sending a ring as reconciliation. This only left Medea more furious as she misunderstood her intentions and she poisoned Psyche and killed her favorite knight as punishment for cheating during the Crown Princess contest. This left Psyche even more heartbroken, seeing the depths of Medea's hatred towards her, and she quickly recognized that Medea would want to kill her and wasn't surprised when Medea infiltrated the temple on the day of the Yearly Prayer. She proceeded to attack Medea as Psyche insisted that her love for Eros was far more important that the status of Crown Princess. During their struggle, Medea accidentally fell into the temple fountain. Psyche dove in to save her, overwhelmed with guilt for causing pain to her beloved friend. She unintentionally prayed to the Guardian Deity of Vasilios, wishing that she could die as penance. Psyche's wish was granted and from that day forward, she inhabited Medea's physical body. Horrified, Psyche immediately attempted to meet Medea, who was now in Psyche's body, but was turned away at the Count's Manor. Unable to make contact, Psyche wondered if it was better to just continue living in Medea's body. After witnessing Medea and Eros address the public as a couple, however, Psyche begged to return to her own body.

Later that evening, Psyche and Helio discovered Medea in the forest, dying from a poisoned dagger. Despite everything, Psyche still deeply cared for Medea and was left in tears as Medea continued to be bitter at her and seemingly succumbed to her wounds. She begged for the Guardian Deity to give her the strength to save her friend. Psyche accidentally bled over the sacred relic that Medea was wearing, and miraculously healed Medea's fatal wounds. Once they realized their disputes were manipulated by Eros, Medea and Psyche finally reconciled.

As she spent more time as Medea and realized just the consequences of her victory over Medea, Psyche was left even more guilty when it was revealed Nana was killed by Duke Solon for Medea's failure, causing her to realize that Medea was even more heartbroken than she was over their broken friendship. Overtime, they had repaired their friendship: Psyche came to fully support Medea's goal to kill Eros while Medea in turn encouraged Psyche to grow up and mature. In public, they appear as arch-enemies as ever, but in secret they are able to talk friendly around each other and Psyche is truly grateful for Medea's support while Medea herself is visibly pleased seeing Psyche's growth.

### Eros Orna Vasilios

Eros is Psyche's first love and fiancé. After being locked in the basement for most of her life, Psyche was freed by Eros. She immediately fell in love with him, regarding him as the "god" who saved her from hell. They frequently met in secret at an agreed location outside of the palace. He showered her with affection and love, reminding her that she could not live without him. Initially, Psyche was unaware that he was affiliated with the imperial family. Eros was simply the man who rescued her and cherished her without taking advantage of her divine power. After she was invited to participate in the Crown Princess competition, Psyche was afraid that she would be forced into a loveless marriage. Without revealing his identity, Eros comforted her and helped devise a policy that would sway the public in her favor during the last and final round of the competition. When she discovered that he was the Crown Prince, she realized in dread that he would soon be engaged to Medea, who was set to win the competition. Psyche resolved to accept the results of the competition regardless of how she felt for Eros, and was therefore surprised when she was announced as the winner. Eros gave her a passionate kiss in front of the observing onlookers, professing his love for her as both the heir to the throne and as a man. Psyche rejoiced at having her affections returned and accepted his proposal, agreeing to the become the future Crown Princess.

As an official couple, Psyche and Eros vacationed to a nearby island to celebrate their royal engagement. Despite Eros's constant warnings that Medea was dangerous and bore ill intentions, Psyche still attempted to make amends with her former friend. Eros supported her decision in sending Medea a cobalt ring as a reconciliation gift, expressing interest in seeing what Medea's reaction would be.

After the body-switch, Psyche was attempted to return to Eros's side but was thwarted by Medea. She was heartbroken to realize that her own fiancé could not recognize her, and wondered if it was better to live the rest of her life as "Medea." At the Crown Prince's birthday banquet, Psyche stood in the crowds and watched as the esteemed nobles applauded Eros and Medea for their love. She realized how foolish she was and prayed to the Guardian Deity, begging to return to her former life.

Helio and Psyche later discovered Medea dying in the forest. She realized immediately that someone had attempted to assassinate Medea, believing her to be Psyche. Since Eros was the only person who knew of Psyche's worth, Psyche concluded that he was the one behind the attempted assassination. After reviving, Medea assured Psyche that she would kill Eros. Though worried, Psyche was unable to argue in his defense.

The final straw came, however, when Psyche in Medea's body was confronted and kissed by Eros, who callously revealed he never loved her. Realizing this, Psyche went into a deep rage, bashing her head at the wall repeatedly, and after returning to her body, attempted to break up with the Crown Prince. Despite failing, Psyche now hardened herself and allied with Medea to kill Eros for his part in their suffering. She used what remains of her love for Eros to harden herself by interacting with him as Medea, being bitter but accepting of the growth and character strength it gave her.

In **Chapter 146**, her engagement was later annulled by Eros during the banquet.

### Helio Niccolo

Though Helio and Psyche were both acquainted with Medea, they did not interact with each other. Psyche was too intimidated by Helio's stoic, distant attitude to approach him. Even when the two of them would spend time with Medea, Helio refused to speak to Psyche. After inhabiting Medea's body, Psyche resolved to avoid Helio, aware of his close relationship to Medea. When he visited the Duke's estate, Psyche attempted to impersonate Medea. Despite her efforts, Helio eventually learned of the body-switch and confronted Psyche. Per Medea's orders, Helio proceeded to accompany Psyche and protect her from being discovered by others. He prepared an assortment of materials on various subjects to help Psyche achieve an appropriate level of knowledge required to properly mimic Medea in public. After witnessing Medea and Eros make an appearance at the birthday banquet, Psyche became overwhelmed with emotions and left the ballroom. Helio found her crying on a balcony and consoled her. Psyche admitted to him that she envied Medea's strength. As they conversed, Psyche suddenly asked Helio if he was in love with Medea.

After discovering that Medea was mysteriously absent from the banquet, Helio and Psyche found her dying in the forest. As Helio attempted to commit suicide to join Medea in death, Psyche blocked his dagger with her hand. After miraculously reviving Medea with her divine power, Psyche and Helio returned to the palace. With the exits slowly closing off, Psyche and Helio desperately created an intimate moment to explain their long absence from the banquet.

### Lady Seira

After inhabiting Medea's body, Psyche prepared herself to face their mutual acquaintances at the imperial banquet, including Lady Seira. Several years before the current timeline, Lady Seira took advantage of Psyche's passive, submissive nature to harass her. Once, she splashed cold tea on Psyche's head, jealous of her close friendship with Medea. After Medea lost the Crown Princess contest to Psyche, Lady Seira regretted antagonizing the Callistas. She attempted to harass Medea at the imperial banquet to repent for her past indiscretions, unaware that Psyche and Medea switched bodies. Psyche took this as an opportunity to impersonate Medea's ruthless persona and threatened Lady Seira for her rude behavior. This incident gave Psyche confidence, though short-lived, that she could continue living as Medea.

### Nana

Though Helio was skeptical of Psyche's loyalty towards Medea, Nana was delighted that Medea's social circle expanded. She welcomed Psyche into the House of Solon and approved of her friendship with Medea. Psyche in return liked her a lot and was polite and respectful. She was devastated when she realized her victory over Medea inadverdently caused Nana's death.

### Emperor Vasilios

As the future Crown Princess, Psyche is set to become Emperor Vasilios' daughter-in-law. He accepted her despite favoring Medea during the Crown Princess contest.

### Lin

Psyche perceived Lin as an ordinary servant in the House of Callista. She was unaware that Lin was a spy planted by Medea.

## Family

### Count Callista

Psyche is Count Callista's only daughter. Along with his wife, Count Callista was worried that those with malicious intent would attempt to take advantage of Psyche's divinity. He and the Countess locked up Psyche in the basement beneath their manor for fifteen years, only releasing her upon Eros's request. After allowing Psyche to attend the debutante ball and debut in high society, Count Callista maintained his overbearing protective nature and closely monitored her whereabouts. When Psyche was poisoned from the red lilies gifted by Medea Solon, Count Callista expressed concern over her well-being and hesitated to allow her to visit the Temple on the day of the Yearly Prayer.

### Countess Callista

Countess Callista is Psyche's mother. Due to being confined for 15 years, Psyche was never allowed to see anyone aside from her mother. Countess Callista would frequently read Psyche stories about fairytales and princesses. She would always remind Psyche about her divinity and warn Psyche that if she is not careful, those who are greedy and blinded by jealousy will come after her. Countess Callista often warns Psyche to not think about ever going outside, because of the dangers it holds. She taught Psyche to never doubt god's love.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Episode 7
2. ↑ Episode 11
3. ↑ Episode 12
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Episode 13
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Episode 14
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Episode 15
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Episode 1
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Episode 2
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Episode 3
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Episode 4
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Episode 8
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 Episode 17
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Episode 18
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Episode 16
15. ↑ Episode 6
16. ↑ Episode 9
17. ↑ Episode 19