Chapter 25

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The morning passed by somewhat less pleasantly than Psyche had hoped. Still, Psyche had managed to push aside her tangled feelings after listening to what her sisters really thought about her and her exile.

In the hopes of making peace with her sisters, she had generally handed over control of the world to them. 

She hoped her husband wouldn’t be too upset. It was the only way to help her sisters feel better after all of the years they’d spent suffering under the shadow of her ignorance and mistakes. 

Her world could feel the change and had quickly cut down the areas Psyche had made, giving the appearance that the palace and grounds were much smaller than they were.

For Psyche’s part, she hoped it looked more humble. 

The elements seemed happy to limit the surface area of the sisters’ control.

Her sisters walked happily through gardens and corridors, suggesting improvements, which of course were added at their word.

Little by little the palace rearranged things to please them. Psyche felt like most of the changes were rather silly. But if adding a vase of flowers to a table or improving the appearance of a hallway helped her sisters feel better, then Psyche was content.

Their mood really had greatly improved since breakfast.

“Oh, we should have this one dish my chef makes. He’s foreign. It’s so exotic and mouthwatering,” Cydippe said cheerfully. “I had to suggest a few adjustments, of course. Too much oil, but still so delicious. I’ll make my version for the evening meal.”

“Oh, well, then I should make tomorrow’s breakfast,” Aglaura said. “My chef, who keeps to traditional meals, knows this ancient recipe which is so healthy and hearty, it prevents at least three different diseases.” 

“And I’m sure it tastes like wood chips,” Cydippe said flatly. “Relax, Aglaura. Live a little.”

While Cydippe still had a good figure, she certainly seemed less concerned about what she ate. Psyche had never seen her eat so much. 

“I have an entire kingdom to run,” Aglaura huffed. “I can’t afford to be in poor health.” 

“So, what is it like, running kingdoms and being married?” Psyche said. “I know you both tried sharing things with me in the past, but I think I might be able to understand it much better now that I’m married too.”

“You don’t mind if I move the shade, do you Psyche?” Aglaura said. “I’m practically burning my feet.” 

“Oh, of course,” Psyche said. 

“Thank you,” Aglaura said.

She added some larger-leafed trees and extended their branches until they completely covered the trio in shade.

“That’s better,” Aglaura said. “Now, Cydippe, do you mind if I start? I am after all the eldest.” 

“Why, of course,” Cydippe said with a scrunched-nose smile. “But do you mind if we have a snack as well? I feel as if I’ve barely had anything to eat all day. Psyche, are you sure this food is real?”

“I’m pretty sure it is,” Psyche said. “What would you like for a snack?”

“Oh, I’ll make it,” Cydippe said. An elaborate charcuterie board soon appeared on the table between them. She selected a few things before settling again into the four pillows she had to support her aching back. 

The bed Psyche had provided must have been too firm because Cydippe was suddenly aware of all kinds of aches and pains. 

“Well,” Aglaura said. “I have never been happier. My husband is the most thoughtful man a woman could ask for. He is always buying me things and surprising me with little getaways. 

“Of course, I can’t go on all of them. We have a country to run, afterall. It would be irresponsible to leave the people to rule themselves so often. 

“High King comes from a very industrious and prosperous kingdom. We are constantly trading with other countries. There is so much to manage. It’s a continuous stream of dignitaries visiting and looking over our kingdom as a model for their own. I am at my wits end trying to find good-enough staff who can manage the constant receptions and events we have to do. It was an absolute mess at first. No one knew anything about planning a proper formal reception. So many people had to be let go until I could find the right ones to do the job.”

“That sounds like a lot of work,” Psyche said.

“It can’t be that much work,” Cydippe said, scoffing. “Nothing compared to what I have to do. Lord Whats-his-name’s kingdom adores me so much I have to constantly put on theatrics and music festivals. There are performances on top of formal receptions to keep track of. I am so busy I hardly have any time for myself.”

“Your husband loves you, though, doesn’t he?” Psyche said, kindly. She hoped the reminder would help Cydippe feel better.

“Oh, he just worships me,” Cydippe sighed. “I’m so glad he won the contest in the end. He is absolutely perfect. He’s handsome. He’s funny. He’s even a fairly good performer himself. He doesn’t perform as often as I do, given that I’m considerably more popular, but we’ve been in a few things together. Those performances even drew people from neighboring kingdoms.”

Psyche thought about Lord Whats-his-name. She remembered feeling glad he had won. He had been so kind, yet determined to win. And he was a gracious winner too. He had thrown a party for the outgoing contestants and they all left good friends.

“You are quite lucky, Cydippe,” Psyche said. “Lord Whats-his-name, I would imagine, makes a fine husband.”

“Oh, he does,” Cydippe said quickly, before Aglaura could cut in. “And he certainly keeps busy. He does most of the running of the kingdom, which frees me up to keep the people happy. But don’t worry, I still know how to keep my husband satisfied.”

Cydippe gave a smile and the sisters knew what she meant. 

“Before you launch into any vulgarity,” Aglaura said, “I think it’s worth mentioning that marriage isn’t just fun and games, Cydippe. It takes real work. How do you know your husband is actually loyal to you? I know my husband is. He doesn’t even mix and mingle among the people. He only has eyes for me.”

Cydippe glared at Aglaura.

“My husband is certainly loyal. He has never been with any other woman. I can guarantee it. I was certainly his first,” Cydippe said. “Can the same be said for your husband?”

Aglaura laughed.

“Of course,” Aglaura said. “High King and I learned together. There was no way he had any previous experience. The idea of having to share him with another woman. Ugh. He would never.”

Aglaura shuddered. 

“What about you, Psyche?” Cydippe said, turning to her. “Do you know if your husband is loyal? Are you his only love?” 

Psyche had never thought about it. 

“I don’t know,” she said honestly. “I can say he certainly knows more than I do.”

Cydippe and Aglaura exchanged knowing glances. 

“But that doesn’t matter to me,” Psyche said, trying to change the subject. “I enjoy our conversations the most.”

“Conversations?” Aglaura said. “What do you even talk about?”

“Whatever comes to mind. He is the best listener. He doesn’t mind letting me talk until a story is finished. It’s wonderful. One time my story had so many details –” Psyche said.

“He must be studying you,” Aglaura said, interrupting. “I would be a little bit more guarded, Psyche, if I were you. Whatever you share, he might use it for some other purpose.”

“Like what?” Psyche said, incredulous.

“Like using your stories to terrorize the people in them. Using your details, he could haunt their dreams or tug at their fears. That’s what monsters do,” Cydippe said.

“My husband is not a monster,” Psyche said. “He would never do that.” 

“You seem quite confident for someone who’s never seen him,” Aglaura said. “How can you be sure he’s not a monster?”

“It just doesn’t seem to fit his nature,” Psyche said. 

“His nature? You don’t even know what kind of creature he is. He might appear to be in the form of a man, but even that could be a deception. You’ll never know the truth,” Aglaura said.

“I really don’t think he’s deceiving me,” Psyche said. 

“Of course you don’t,” Cydippe laughed. “That’s how deception works.”

Psyche faltered for a moment. Was her husband deceiving her?

“Well, anyway, I’m sure this is absolutely delicious,” Psyche said, reaching for a snack from the charcuterie board. “I can’t wait to try what you have in mind for dinner.” 

“Oh, you’re going to love it,” Cydippe said. “It’ll make your toes curl.” 

The girls laughed.

“So you’re both happy?” Psyche asked.

“Absolutely,” Aglaura said.

“Most definitely,” Cydippe said.

“I’m glad,” Psyche said. 

She just couldn’t figure out why her words didn’t match how she felt. 

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