Chapter 24

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Chapter 23      Chapter 25

Psyche could barely contain her excitement. 

She paced the hallway between her sisters’ rooms, trying to decide what to do next. 

Aglaura and Cydippe had arrived at some point during the night, though Psyche wasn’t exactly sure when or how they’d gotten there. Her husband had given her time to plan everything before somehow arranging for their arrival.

“You’re going to love them,” she told the flowers. “My sisters are very beautiful and will appreciate your colorful blooms.”

Her home seemed as excited as she was. 

For Aglaura, Psyche designed the most regal room she could imagine, with lots of purples and blues with gold accents. 

She would like that. 

Cydippe’s room was cheerful with whites and yellows to brighten the room. 

Psyche also knew the food she presented to them would be important. She decided on the most delicious and best meals she had enjoyed so far. Morning meals, late afternoon meals. And even little things to eat in between.

But now that her sisters were here, she wasn’t sure what to do! 

Should she wake them? Should she let them wake up on their own? 

A chair appeared in the hallway and she positioned herself so she could see the entrance of both rooms at once. She sat for a few moments watching and listening for signs of life. 

Nothing.

She tried to wait patiently in the chair.

It was agony. 

At last, she couldn’t take it any longer. Deciding to wake them up, she approached Cydippe’s room. She would likely be the easiest, and the nicest, to wake.

Psyche struggled to contain her excitement as she made her way slowly to Cydippe’s side. 

“Cydippe,” Psyche said gently.

Cydippe moaned. 

“Cydippe, it’s time to wake up,” Psyche said.

Cydippe stirred and blurrily opened her eyes.

“Cydippe, it’s me. It’s Psyche,” Psyche said.

Cydippe smiled and closed her eyes again.

“Psyche. I’ve missed you. It’s been such a long time,” Cydippe said.

“Yes, it has been a while,” Psyche said.

Now what?

“Cydippe, do you know where you are?” Psyche asked.

“Where am I?” Cydippe said sleepily.

“You’re with me in my home. You’ve come to visit me,” Psyche said.

“I’m where?” Cydippe said, starting to wake up.

“You’re in my palace,” Psyche said. “Well, the palace of me and my husband.”

“Oh, yes. You’re married now. You’re married…” Cydippe trailed off as her brain started to connect.

Suddenly she sat up.

“You married a monster!” Cydippe said. “Oh, Psyche! Are you okay?? I’ve been so worried. Has he hurt you?”

She looked Psyche up and down as if looking for signs of beatings or starvation.

Before her stood Psyche, in perfect health. 

Too perfect. 

“Wait,” Cydippe said, her voice starting to show real panic. “Where are we? Are you dead? Am I dead??” 

She began scanning the room in bewilderment. 

“It’s okay,” Psyche said, smiling. “I’m not dead, and neither are you. We are both fine. You are here in my palace. And Aglaura is here too.” 

“Aglaura is here??” Cydippe said.

“Yes. Should we go and wake her?” Psyche asked.

“Yes!” Cydippe said, excitement in her voice.

Then she looked around the room. 

“Oh! Psyche! Look at all of this. It’s simply beautiful! Where am I??” Cydippe said.

Psyche laughed.

“This is going to be your room while you’re here. I hope you like it. I know how you love such light and lively colors. But if there’s anything you want me to change, just let me know,” she said, urging Cydippe out of bed.

“Oh, I love it,” Cydippe said, keeping her eyes on the room as she allowed Psyche to lead her. She couldn’t believe the splendor of the room. 

Cydippe continued her awestruck examination as Psyche led her to the door. 

As they entered the hall on the way to Aglaura’s room, Cydippe paused again.

“Where are we??” Cydippe asked.

“We’re in my home. This is my palace,” Psyche said smiling. It made her happy to watch Cydippe marvel at her creations. 

“You live here?” Cydippe said, taking in all of the finery decorating the hall. 

“Yes,” Psyche said. “Now come on! Let’s get Aglaura.”

They made the short distance to Aglaura’s room and Psyche paused before opening the door. She looked at Cydippe who was still staring at the objects in the hallway. 

Psyche took a breath and opened the door. 

Aglaura was already sitting up, confused and looking around the room.

“Aglaura, you’re awake! Oh, I’m so glad that you’re here!” Psyche said.

“And where is ‘here’ exactly?” Aglaura said, in a commanding voice.

“This is her palace,” Cydippe said. “Can you believe it??”

“Your palace, Psyche?” Aglaura asked, her surprise escaping her mask of authority as she scanned the room again.

“Well, yes. This is the realm where my husband lives. This is our house,” Psyche said, starting to blush. It was wonderful to see them so pleased. 

“This is finer than anything I’ve ever seen,” Aglaura said, addressing Cydippe.

“I know. Have you ever seen such finery?” Cydippe said. “Do you think this is real gold?”

Cydippe was standing by the vanity, looking at the frame of the mirror.

Aglaura got up to examine it more closely.

Psyche stood awkwardly by the bed as they both poked at the vanity.  

Aglaura scanned the room further. She noticed an arrangement of fabrics on a shelf nearby.

Psyche noted her gaze.

“Oh! Yes,” Psyche said, walking over to the shelf. “These are your clothes which have been specially created for you. These are sleeping gowns and these are everyday gowns.”

Cydippe rushed over to the stack of fabrics and pulled one from the pile. She let it fall open and brought it over to Aglaura who was still standing by the vanity. 

“Oh, feel this fabric, Aglaura. It’s so fine and soft,” Cydippe said. She held the dress up to Aglaura and they both considered it in the mirror.

“It’s exactly my color,” Aglaura said.

“Yes,” Psyche said. “All of the colors of your clothes have been carefully selected to suit you both best.” 

“Oh! I can’t wait to see mine!” Cydippe said, leaving Aglaura with the dress in her hand and making her way to the door. 

“I’ll leave you both to dress and get ready,” Psyche said. “I’ll be in the hall, waiting,” 

“But who will help us dress?” Aglaura asked abruptly.

“Oh, you should be able to manage on your own,” Psyche said.

“And our hair?” Cydippe said.

“I believe you’ll find all of the necessary things on the table,” Psyche said.

Psyche looked at her sisters. They both looked back at her blankly. 

“Well, in that case,” Psyche said, “we’ll have to help each other. Aglaura, you first.” 

“Why?” Cydippe said, moving away from the door. “Don’t you have attendants?” 

“Well, no,” Psyche said, as she and Cydippe helped Aglaura change. 

“No attendants?” Aglaura said as she adjusted her dress and admired herself in the mirror. “How can you have a palace without attendants?”

“I manage on my own,” Psyche said. “And isn’t it more fun to help each other? Aglaura, you look simply breathtaking.”

Psyche hoped they would move on from discussing attendants. 

“It does feel divine,” Aglaura sighed. 

 “How would you like your hair?” Psyche said.

“I think for this dress you should put it up,” Cydippe said, grabbing a handful of curls and twisting it upward.

“Here’s something for that,” Psyche said, pretending to grab something from off of the table and making the item appear in her hand. 

Luckily, her sisters didn’t notice.

“I’ve really missed you two,” Cydippe said happily as they finished. “Okay! Now it’s my turn!” 

Cydippe led the way back to her bedroom and as they entered, Aglaura stopped.

“This is your room??” Aglaura said, taking in the beauty and splendor.

“I know! Isn’t it lovely?” Cydippe said, already looking through the stack of gowns made for her. 

She selected one and let it unfold in sparkling ripples to the floor. 

Aglaura gasped. 

“Oh, Cydippe. That gown is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Just look how it shines,” Aglaura said. 

“I can’t wait to put it on!” Cydippe giggled.

The women worked together to remove Cydippe’s layers and ties and she happily slipped on the new dress.

“It’s so easy to put on,” Cydippe said with surprise. 

“I know,” Psyche said. “It makes it so much easier to dress, doesn’t it?”

The two sisters looked at Psyche.

“What is this place?” Aglaura said.

“This is my palace,” Psyche said, chuckling. “We’re in my husband’s realm.” 

“Your husband,” Aglaura said, a look of terror crossing her face. 

“The monster,” Cydippe said, nodding and looking serious. 

“He’s not a monster,” Psyche said.

“He’s not?” Cydippe said in disbelief. 

“Then what is he?” Aglaura said, frowning.

“Well, I’m not exactly sure,” Psyche said.

“You’re not sure?” Aglaura said. ”How are you not sure?”

“I’ve never seen him,” Psyche said, trying to sound casual. 

Psyche moved away from the two and started for the door.

“You’ve never seen him?” Aglaura said, not moving to follow. “How is that possible?”

“He won’t let me,” Psyche said.

“Won’t let you, what?” Cydippe said.

“Won’t let me see him. So, I don’t know what he is exactly. But I know he’s not a monster,” Psyche said, turning to face her sisters.

“Odd,” Aglaura said, thinking. “No attendants. And your husband won’t let you see him. So you’re alone here?” 

“Yes,” Psyche said.

Cydippe got a worried look.

“That doesn’t sound right,” Cydippe said. 

“Well, it’s the way it is,” Psyche said, awkwardly shrugging. “Follow me and we can have breakfast.”

The sisters followed Psyche to a breakfast area. As they walked Aglaura and Cydippe exchanged glances.

“What do you know about your husband?” Aglaura asked, not wanting to let the subject go.

“I know he is in the form of a man,” Psyche said over her shoulder. “But he says he is not human.”

They reached the table and selected seats.

“Has he hurt you?” Aglaura said, concerned.

“Oh, no,” Psyche said, smiling. “Quite the opposite.”

“Do tell,” Cydippe said, sitting and taking a bite of fruit.

Psyche blushed. 

Before Psyche could respond, however, Cydippe let out a gasp of pleasure.

“Oh, this is absolutely divine,” Cydippe said. “Aglaura you must try this.” 

Cydippe handed Aglaura some of the fruit and Aglaura took a bite.

Psyche could see that Aglaura was trying to contain how much she enjoyed it. 

“It’s very nice,” she said, her voice overly controlled.

“Isn’t everything here lovely?” Psyche gushed.

Aglaura frowned.

“Try this, it’s my favorite,” Psyche said, offering some other food to her sisters. 

Aglaura looked over at Cydippe who was already looking back at Aglaura. 

“Psyche, I think something is wrong,” Aglaura said, looking at Psyche with genuine concern. 

“What do you mean?” Psyche said.

“The oracle said you were to marry a monster,” Cydippe said. “How is it possible that you ended up in such a place?” 

“Oh,” Psyche said, brushing it off. “The real punishment, I think, was the banishment. That’s been pretty difficult being mostly alone. But that’s why my husband allowed you two to come and visit me. He wants me to be happy.”

“But you don’t know who he is,” Aglaura said. “He could still be a monster.”

“What would that matter?” Psyche said, shrugging. “It doesn’t matter to me what he looks like.”

“There are other ways to be a monster, Psyche,” Cydippe said.

Psyche finally frowned.

“It’s true,” Aglaura said. “There are plenty of ways to be a monster. And plenty of ways to hide it too. One way is by hiding in the dark.”

“So much evil resides in the dark,” Cydippe said. “If it can’t exist in the light, then, it’s usually evil.”

“My husband is not evil,” Psyche said. “He is good and kind. There is no way that he can be evil. It’s impossible.” 

“Not impossible,” Aglaura said with a knowing tone. “It’s easy to be deceived, Psyche. We know, don’t we Cydippe?” 

“Yes, Aglaura, we do,” Cydippe said.

“What are you talking about?” Psyche said, confused.

Aglaura sighed.

“I hadn’t wanted to tell you, Psyche,” Aglaura said. “Speaking so plainly and directly is not necessarily appropriate and I didn’t want to hurt your feelings. You’ve been our younger sister and I know most of the time you didn’t know any better. When we last saw you it felt especially inappropriate to say anything, since you were so willing to accept your punishment.” 

“Tell me what?” Psyche said. 

“That it’s not an accident you’re here in exile, Psyche,” Cydippe said. “We know you’ve had good intentions, but good intentions can’t change the fact that you’ve deceived the people into thinking you were a goddess. But you couldn’t deceive the Goddess Herself. She knows all. Nothing is hidden from Her.”

“I know, “ Psyche said, trying to ignore a sudden surge of embarrassment. “I know I wasn’t supposed to allow the people to worship me. That’s why I accepted the Goddess’s punishment.”

“But Psyche,” Aglaura said. “I don’t think you understand the gravity of what you did. You tried to do good things, but that blinded you to the evil you were doing too. Not that you are evil, but you put thoughts in people’s heads which destroyed the proper order of things. They were looking to you to solve their problems rather than the Gods.”

“It was never my intention for any of them to worship me or to turn away from the Gods,” Psyche said. “I was only trying to help.”

“You passed your hands over them,” Cydippe said, failing to mask her accusing tone. “You made them believe you were blessing them with your touch. You had no power to bless them, did you?”

“No, of course not,” Psyche said. “My touch did nothing. But it was what the people wanted. It’s what they needed to feel like someone cared about them. It was what helped them move on with their life and face their challenges.”

“But it was wrong,” Aglaura said. 

Psyche sat quietly for a moment.

“So you believe I deserve to be punished?” Psyche asked.

“I believe you need to be reminded of your place,” Aglaura said. 

“My place?” Psyche said.

“Yes, Psyche, your place,” Aglaura said. “You never seemed to be in the right place. You never truly fulfilled your duties. We always had to step in and cover for you.”

“I’m sorry,” Psyche said. “The people –”

“The people,” Aglaura said, interrupting. “You always put them first. You always cared about them more. Never a thought for your duties or for your sisters. Where were you during my wedding preparations when I needed you?”

“I’m sorry,” Psyche said. “I thought you didn’t really need me. You had so many others around to help. I had no idea.” 

“No idea?” Aglaura said, bitterly. “No idea??”

“The attendants thought Aglaura didn’t hear them,” Cydippe said softly. “They said that her marriage was doomed to be loveless because you hadn’t been present well enough to bless it.”

“What??” Psyche said in disbelief.

“Everyone worshiped you, Psyche,” Aglaura said. “Do you have any idea what it was like to have a sister everyone worshiped? We had to go to such lengths just to be noticed.”

“That’s why I refused to let Mother and Father handle my courtship and marriage,” Cydippe said with triumph. “Finally, everyone had a break from paying so much attention to you.” 

“Everyone admires and loves you both,” Psyche said. “I’m truly sorry. I really didn’t mean for either of you to feel unloved or unappreciated. I never meant for any of this to happen. I love you both.”

“It doesn’t matter now. All is forgiven,” Aglaura said, back to perfect composure. 

“Yes, we forgive you,” Cydippe said. “You accepted the Goddess’s punishment and that’s that.”

“Except, getting back to the point, all of this finery still doesn’t make sense,” Aglaura said. “This doesn’t look at all like a punishment for your blasphemy.” 

“Well, like I said,” Psyche said, more awkwardly now, “The real punishment, I think, is the isolation.” 

“But why all of this finery? You’ve never cared for such things,” Aglaura said. “We weren’t blind to your disapproval, Psyche. You silently criticized our position and wealth. You disapproved of the treatment of the villagers. You think yourself above the way things have been for centuries. Are you wiser than the great kings of old, the oracles and sages who have established order and structure among the people?”

Apparently, her sisters weren’t done sharing their grievances and Psyche felt herself sagging. 

“I will admit,” Psyche said. “I don’t agree with ceremonies and formal occasions designed to make others feel lower. I don’t see why royalty should be elevated so far above others. We are mortal as they are. We are no better.”

“It’s not that we’re better,” Cydippe said. “We just have a different role to play in the community. It’s what keeps the peace. It’s what keeps order.”

Psyche frowned. She couldn’t see how displays of pomp and arrogance kept order among the people. 

“We need the order to prevent chaos,” Aglaura said. “Humans are weak and tend towards disorder. If Mother and Father didn’t hold their position of authority, people would fight and kill each other. The order we maintain is vital.”

Psyche struggled to know what to say. 

“I just wanted to share this world with you,” Psyche said. 

“And that’s nice of you, dear sister,” Aglaura said, with a condescending smile. “But something isn’t right. We’ll help you figure out what it is. You were right to bring us here.”

Psyche frowned.  As she looked down at her plate, she tried to process all of the things her sisters had shared with her. They had disapproved of the way she’d handled the people. They felt she didn’t perform her duties well. They had felt that she criticized them and didn’t approve of the choices they had made. She pretended to be a goddess. She had ruined lives and pulled the people away from the true order of things. 

And all of this finery? Everything she’d hoped to share with them. It was, in fact, hypocrisy; a covering for what she truly deserved. 

According to her sisters, Psyche deserved to be punished. 

Cydippe gasped.

Psyche looked up.

“The table and settings!” Cydippe said. “Everything has changed. What happened??”

Psyche had been lost in her thoughts and didn’t notice that the table was now a stone slab. The food and dishes were replaced by clay bowls and twigs.

And in the center of the table rested a poorly crafted clay pot filled with greyish gruel. 

“Oh, sorry,” Psyche said, sheepishly, trying to change things back. 

Nothing happened. 

She tried again, but she couldn’t push away what her sisters had said. 

She deserved to be punished.

“What’s going on, Psyche?” Aglaura said, frowning. “What kind of world is this?” 

“It’s a world that depends on the creator,” Psyche said, slightly dejected. She had hoped she would have been able to maintain control over everything. Now it would be even more difficult to explain. “What you see is a world of my creation.”

“So none of this is real?” Cydippe said, indicating everything around them.

“It is real,” Psyche said. “But, it can be changed.” 

“It can be changed? That doesn’t sound real to me,” Aglaura said. “Things are what they are. A table is a table. It shouldn’t be changeable.”

“It’s — It’s hard to explain,” Psyche said, wishing she hadn’t changed it, and wishing her husband was there to help her find the words. 

Psyche tried to think.

Maybe she could show them. 

Psyche conjured a cluster of grapes.

“Look at these grapes. Yes, I’ve created them, but they are, indeed, grapes. They look like grapes, they feel like grapes, they taste like grapes. Doesn’t that make it real?” Psyche said. 

Her sisters looked at each other.

Aglaura took a grape from the cluster and brought it to her nose. She smelled it. She rolled it between her fingers. She put it in her mouth and bit into it. 

She thought for a moment.

“It looks like a grape, smells like a grape, and tastes like a grape, true,” Aglaura said. “Given basic reasoning, one could say that it is indeed a grape. 

“But given that you created it out of thin air, and can change it from its current state to something else on a whim, begs the question as to its true substance. What is it made of? Is it a manipulation of the senses? Or is it, indeed, made up of all of the elements required to, in fact, be a grape? Did it grow from a vine? Is it made of all of the right physical elements?

“It could be some other matter coming together, masked to deceive us and make us believe that it is a grape when it’s not.”

Psyche sighed, trying to think of how to respond. Aglaura had always been more educated, more logical. Even as Psyche had grown into womanhood, she had always struggled when it came to engaging Aglaura in any deep, philosophical discussion. 

“I wish I could explain it better,” Psyche said. “All I know is that the power of creation exists here, unlike in the mortal world, and that things are created based on the creator.”

“Could we create something?” Cydippe asked, interested.

“I think you could,” Psyche said. “I’m not sure how it works exactly. Is there something you could really use right now?”

“You forgot napkins,” Aglaura said. 

“Okay,” Psyche said. “Think about the kind of napkins you would like. How do they feel? What materials are they made of? Colors, designs. As you think about the napkins, grant it permission to exist.”

“Grant it permission?” Aglaura said. 

“I’m not sure exactly how to describe it,” Psyche said, searching for a better way to explain. “Pretend you’re ordering one of the attendants to bring you the napkins you have in mind. You can even include where you want them placed on the table.” 

Aglaura closed her eyes.

Immediately, napkins appeared beside each crudely-made clay bowl. 

Cydippe gasped. 

Aglaura genuinely marvelled. 

Psyche looked pleased. 

Now Psyche felt sure her sisters would understand that this world was real.  

“Oh! My turn!” Cydippe said. “There’s no way I’m eating gruel. Let’s have something else.”

Cydippe pointed like a magician and the pot turned into an overflowing plate of fruit. 

“Wow, that is amazing,” Cydippe said.

“This table could certainly be better. I can conceive one even better than the one you originally created, Psyche,” Aglaura said. 

The table took on a more ornate and decorated form. Aglaura pointed at the bowls and more elaborate place settings appeared to match. 

“You are both really good at this,” Psyche said, trying to smile. She was happy that they seemed to be enjoying creating things, but something felt off. 

Maybe it was time to move on to something else.

“Shall we take a look at the gardens?” Psyche suggested. 

“Splendid idea,” Aglaura said. 

Aglaura watched Psyche carefully as they all stood and made their way to the gardens. 

Psyche was clearly struggling. She had to live in this pretend world. She was lonely and miserable. 

It was a result of her poor life choices. 

It wasn’t all Psyche’s fault. She did try. It was just that she kept getting things wrong. Psyche didn’t know how things were supposed to be. She lacked wisdom and understanding. 

Aglaura was determined to help Psyche. She had already helped bring to light several of Psyche’s blind spots. That was the first step to true repentance. Any pious disciple of the gods knew that. 

Recognize your mistake and don’t do it again. 

As the sisters followed Psyche out of the breakfast area, Aglaura gave a gratified sigh. She was glad she’d come. Psyche still needed her big sister’s help. 

Cydippe might be useful too.

But it was Aglaura who would lead the way as the most logical, the most capable.

As the best. 

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