KC Humphries: Till We Have Faces

 “My dear Orual, you seem not to remember who I am. Please allow me to refresh your memory. I am Althaia, the goddess of being, and I was the best friend of Psyche, you see. So I know much more about the relationship between the two of you than I believe you would be comfortable with.”

“Psyche was not friends with you, she never even mentioned your name.”


“That is where you were wrong, although you, Orual, were controlling over the life that Psyche lived, she was able to find time away when you were busy with your father running the kingdom. So I know the truth between you and Psyche, how scared you were that she would surpass you in both beauty and power.” 


“You don’t know what you’re saying, Althaia, I have never even heard of you, much less believe that you were a friend of Psyche.”


“It is alright that you don’t believe me, as I know the truth that I hold, and soon, everyone else will too.” 


“You see, I was the one who introduced Psyche to Ungit’s son, as I knew that they would be a perfect pair. Ungit and I have been friends for a very long time and wanted to see both Psyche and Cupid happy together. I love Psyche and respect her, therefore I would visit her often, as well as help her with her home. So, how strange is it that I hear that she was forced from her home due to you, Orual, stating that she had no place on the mountain.”


“She didn’t, Althaia, I found her on the mountain, there was nothing in sight. Psyche did not have a place to call home on that mountain, that is why I brought her home. I saved her. I saved my sister.”


“No, Orual, you did not save your sister, you ripped her from her husband and her home, a place where she felt free from your control. You never treated her as a sister, rather you acted as a controlling mother, and hid your jealously from others so you would not be questioned. You ruined your sister’s happiness out of your own selfishness and now you stand before us today attempting to claim innocence.”


“You are wrong, I saved my sister from isolation on that mountain. I saved Psyche from going mad. I did nothing wrong. I am innocent of this jealously that you claim I hold. I stand before you today for the wrongs against me to be fixed, as my love for my sister has me looking like a villain. When I did what was best for her, I did what was best for Psyche and now I am to be punished for that?”


“Wrong Orual, you did not do what was best for Psyche, you did what was best for yourself. And for that, you will be punished.” 

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