Chapter 13

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Days passed and no one seemed to know what to do.

So much thought and energy had been poured into helping Psyche get married. 

But now? 

There was nothing to do but wait for word from the oracle of Apollo. 

Aglaura and Cydippe had sent word to their husbands to join the family for the pronouncement. While they waited for them to arrive, Aglaura and Cydippe shared some of their secrets to marriage. 

Most of it confused Psyche. 

Psyche, inspired by her visit with the oracle, had begun thinking of ways to redirect the people’s worship. She made her way through the village, talking with people she knew well and asking for their thoughts and ideas. 

Everyone seemed unconvinced there was a problem. 

Psyche had done so much good. Psyche deserved to be praised and thanked for her efforts. 

Even Chloe, whom she had expected to agree with her about false worship, argued that the kingdom was better for their worship of Psyche. 

Psyche returned to the palace none the wiser in regards to what she should do. 

Then, one morning when she found herself uninterested in getting out of bed, Aglaura came rushing in.

“Are you still sleeping??” Aglaura scolded. 

“Quick! We haven’t much time to make you presentable,” Cydippe said, close behind Aglaura and followed by the usual army of attendants.

Psyche sat up.

“At last, the time has come!” Aglaura gushed. “The oracle will be declaring the will of the gods.”

The oracle had received an answer. 

Psyche smiled. She would finally learn her fate and perhaps get some ideas of what she could do.

She jumped out of bed and let herself get swept up in the preparations, wincing only a few times at the rush of the hands and arms getting her ready so quickly. 

Not long after, Psyche found herself stepping out onto the podium of the receiving hall. Her parents were there and a sizable gathering of the noble people of the kingdom. Cydippe and Aglaura had seats on the platform beside their husbands, who had arrived only a few days prior. 

Out in the courtyard, she could hear a larger crowd. Visitors and villagers had gathered to hear the news as well.

What fate awaited their beloved Princess Psyche?

The oracle stepped onto the podium. He acknowledged the king and queen and the other occupants of the platform. 

Before turning to the crowd the oracle faced Psyche. 

“Well, I must say, Princess,” he said with a haughty air, “I had always suspected the gods were displeased with you, but I had no idea the extent.”

Psyche felt her heart seize at his coldness. Where was the kindness he had shown at their previous meeting?

Whatever Apollo had said likely wasn’t good. Or, whatever it was, it had made the oracle upset with her again. 

“Just know that all of the pronouncements made are just and must be obeyed. No one, not even you, Princess, is higher than the gods,” he said.

He seemed to enjoy the idea of putting her in her place. 

Psyche flinched as the oracle’s voice rang out, loud and piercing. 

“Be it known,” the oracle said, “that Psyche has invoked the wrath of Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Beauty. Psyche’s shrine must be destroyed and all must immediately stop their worship of her.”

There was an audible gasp from the crowd. 

Psyche was stunned. 

She had invoked the wrath of the Goddess Aphrodite?

Psyche eyed Cydippe who looked back at her, bewildered. 

There was more. 

“For the blasphemies and insolence of which Princess Psyche is guilty,” the oracle continued, “her husband shall be a monster so terrible, he is feared by gods and mortals alike.”

A monster??

Psyche was to marry a monster? 

Psyche searched her mind. 

What monster was so horrible even the gods fear him?

A cyclopes? The hydra?

Or one of the sea monsters?? 

Psyche felt her blood start to drain from her face. She fought to recover before she fainted. 

She looked at Aglaura for help. Aglaura stared blankly back at her. 

The crowd was a jumble of confusion as people tried to make sense of it.

The oracle wasn’t done. 

“Psyche shall be dressed in bride’s clothes,” he said, “and left at the top of our highest hill. There, her husband will take her and we shall never see Psyche again.” 

The news sunk deep enough into the crowd and they all greatly disapproved. 

The room erupted with objections.

There must be some mistake!

Not their princess!

A monster!?! Impossible!!

How could she deserve such a punishment??

Voices overlapped each other. It was hard to think over the cacophony. 

The oracle looked at Psyche as she searched for what to do next. 

He had a look of triumph.

Triumph?? 

He was happy that she was being punished. 

Why would he be happy? 

Psyche tried to think. 

How could this be good? 

How could this be the answer?

Suddenly, Psyche knew. 

This would solve everything. 

This would remove Psyche from the kingdom, from the land, and help the people turn back to the gods. This would warn the people against false worship and would discourage them from seeking a mortal replacement. 

This was how she could fix her mistake. 

It was so clear to her now.

This was the answer. 

That didn’t help the pit in her stomach. How could she marry a monster? Live with him in his lair? 

How long would she survive? 

She shuttered. 

It would help her people. It would solve the problem. 

It was the will of the gods. 

“I will accept the will of the Goddess,” Psyche said, her voice rising above the confusion. “I will accept my fate. 

“I will marry the monster.” 

The crowd stood speechless. 

The oracle smiled in satisfaction. 

Finally Princess Psyche, the great pretender, would get what she deserved. 

“So it shall be,” the oracle said. “Prepare the bride.”

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