Chapter 17

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Psyche woke the next morning to a soft and comfortable bed. It reminded her of home and as she stretched she imagined herself there.

She opened her eyes and was surprised to find that she was, in fact, in a palace much like the one of her childhood. The curtains between the columns were thinner and allowed for more light. She also noticed the decorations to be less gaudy. Her parents’ palace would have had multiple decorations and accents for the eye to take in all at once. 

This palace seemed content with singular, well-placed ornaments. 

She explored the room and found a plate of food waiting for her.

Everything looked beautiful, without a single blemish or brown spot. She recognized most things on the plate except for an orange tomato-like fruit surrounded by grapes and berries. She picked it up and smelled it.  

Persimmon.

She smiled and took a bite. It was as sweet as it had been the night before. 

Psyche sat and filled herself with the delights of the table. It felt good to eat. It felt satisfying and refreshing as she partook of each thing. It was as if someone had purposefully chosen the variety and amount which suited her best. 

She sighed contentedly at the empty plate. 

It had been just the right amount. 

Psyche stood and decided to explore where the corridor out of the room led. It seemed the cave, turned cottage, turned palace, was quite vast. She wandered large open rooms as well as small and peaceful spaces. Everything was well-lit and well-built. 

As she reached the end of her exploration of the palace, she noticed the beauty and changes of the garden. 

The winding paths had transformed into a panoramic landscape of fountains and marble features, shaded sitting areas and quiet corners. 

It was lovely. 

Psyche wandered for several hours before noticing herself getting hungry again. She neared one of the shady spots and found a chair with a table and a plate of food. 

She sat down and ate, marveling at how in tune this world was to her. 

When she was full, she got up again and continued exploring. Everything was pleasing to the eye and worth admiring. 

She found herself wishing to talk to her husband. 

Or anyone really. 

She walked through a row of trees and thought about the people in her village. 

How were they doing? 

It had been necessary for her to leave, she knew, but it didn’t stop her missing them.

They still had their ups and downs. They still needed help.

Psyche sighed. 

She knew people would continue to suffer. They would struggle and toil without much relief. She felt her heart start to ache for them. She had watched so many of them struggle against all odds and overcome grief and misfortune. She had been there to give them hope. She had been able, for the most part, to breathe life into their efforts and helped them overcome their difficulties.  

Now as she wandered she began to feel guilty. Here she was in a paradise, surrounded by beauty. Every want, every desire met. 

How selfish it seemed to keep such luxury all to herself.

She made her way back to her husband’s palace feeling less joyful. She couldn’t bear the thought of living in a palace while her people struggled at home.

She was supposed to be in exile; punished for her sins. 

As she approached, she noticed the palace had reverted back to the cottage. 

She gave an inward sigh of relief.

Better to have a more humble dwelling. Truthfully, she doubted she could have enjoyed such lavishness. 

She found a few extra functional furnishings as she entered, but it remained overall simple and sparse. Psyche noticed the cottage itself seemed to droop a little, as if it was trying to hunch over and look humble enough. 

She felt sorry for it. 

“It’s not your fault, little cottage,” she said, touching the table. “You’re lovely.”

Color appeared on the walls, a soft blue, and a humble flower arrangement decorated the table. 

Psyche smiled.

She found a bowl and a spoon and went to the pot of porridge for her supper. She almost missed the persimmon and plate of delicacies, but felt the hearty porridge was a more fitting choice. It was somewhat comforting to eat what many of the villagers had to eat every day. 

Contented, she sat in a chair by a fire. It felt like a home might feel. Though she couldn’t be with the people of her kingdom, she felt closer to them somehow. 

She smiled. 

Now all she had to do was wait for evening. 

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