Psydea

Psydea is the femslash ship between Medea Solon and Psyche Callista from the Your Throne fandom.

History
Before the events of the series, Psyche and Medea were friends. Psyche was initially fascinated by Medea, and watched her from afar, too afraid to approach her in person. One day, two noblemen complimented Psyche by calling her an angel in contrast to Medea, who they called a devil. Psyche was offended on Medea's behalf and demanded that they apologize, much to their anger. Medea overheard the conversation and saved Psyche from being beaten. She criticized her for being weak, but much to her surprise, Psyche started crying, asking why Medea seems so used to this treatment from the men. After that, the two began meeting more often and formed a friendship.

One day, Psyche shared that people call them the Queen and Her Pawn, and admits that she falls short in comparison to Medea. Medea asks if she knows how to play chess, to which Psyche replies she does not. Medea teaches her that although the pawn is the most common piece, it has the power to become anything it desires. Psyche is moved to tears, and Medea comforts her.

When Medea's engagement with the Crown Prince was canceled, Medea and Psyche were placed in a competition for the crown. Psyche didn't want to compete or be in a loveless marriage, but Medea convinced her that it would be a good learning opportunity. On the day of the contest, Psyche easily accepted her losses, and the two remained on good terms throughout the contest. In the last round, Psyche was shocked to discover that the Crown Prince is Eros, the secret lover she had been meeting with. She became distraught realizing that Medea would become engaged to the man she loved, but told Medea that she will accept the results of the contest regardless. To everyone's surprise, Psyche was announced as the winner. Too overjoyed to consider Medea's feelings, Psyche accepted. Psyche's victory later caused Medea's father to punish her and beat her nanny to death. Medea started resenting Psyche for taking everything from her and broke off their friendship.

Psyche attempted numerous times to make amends, though to no avail. Once, Psyche attempted to talk things out with Medea, who gave her the cold shoulder. Psyche asked Medea if becoming the Crown Princess was really so important to her, because Psyche herself valued their friendship more. With a tearfully bitter smile, Psyche tells Medea that she is throwing away their friendship for power. Medea simply gives a dry laugh in response.

Beginning of the Series
One year later, Psyche sends Medea a ring in hopes of making amends with her, but Medea sees it as a mockery. In retaliation, she pretends to accept Psyche's good will, much to Psyche's happiness, then non-lethally poisons her. Medea also kills Psyche's most trusted knight, hoping that she too will experience the pain of losing everything.

On the day of Yearly Prayer, Medea infiltrated the temple to confront her. Psyche pinned Medea down, arguing that Medea only wants Eros for his power, and that it shouldn't be wrong for herself to want to be with the one she loves. Medea slipped into the prayer fountain and Psyche dove in to save her. As they were submerged, Medea prayed to God to take Psyche's place as Crown Princess, and it was later revealed that Psyche prayed for her own death because of the suffering she's caused. God granted Medea's wish, and the two woke up discovering that they were now inhibiting each other's bodies. Medea is initially elated, and Psyche distraught. Medea is amused to see Psyche attempt to meet with her, only for her supposed lover Eros to not recognize her.

Medea sends Helio to protect Psyche and help her act like Lady Medea. Medea also lets Eros intercept a decoy letter as a prepared excuse for how she expects Psyche in her body to act at the banquet. Eros, not wanting Psyche to contact Medea, locks Medea in the basement. In the basement, Medea comes to better understand Psyche's circumstances; Eros doesn't truly love Psyche and Psyche must have spent her entire childhood locked in the basement.

The Birthday Banquet
At Eros's birthday banquet, Psyche and Helio find Medea in the forest, dying from an assassination attempt. They both individually realize that all these events were manipulated by Eros from the start as a plot to murder Psyche for her divine powers. At the brink of death, Medea makes contact with the God of Vasilios, where she see memories of Psyche's past in the basement and abusive relationship with Eros. She doesn't watch the rest, already understanding what happened. Medea also sees that Psyche had wished for her own death at the Day of Prayer. She finds it ridiculous, since she hated Psyche, but never enough to kill her. Medea decides she can't die like this, without serving justice to Eros. Although Medea doesn't have any faith that God will save her, she believes in Psyche, and declares that they will turn the tragedy of their lives around starting here. In the outside world, Psyche tearfully apologizes to Medea, and her inability to save Medea has her determined to become stronger. Psyche heals her by having her blood touch the sacred relic Medea is wearing. Now knowing who their true enemy is, Medea tells Psyche that she will kill Eros. Psyche is visibly distressed, but doesn't protest, and Medea considers this her first step.

Post-Banquet
Back in House Solon, Psyche resolves to do a better job living her role as Lady Medea. She finds a necklace in Medea's study, unable to recall where she's seen it before. Psyche decides to wear it to her swordsmanship lesson with Helio. Helio is angered upon seeing it, saying Medea would not be able to wear it. Psyche then remembers Medea asking if her powers could bring back the dead, and how she had not seen Medea's nanny since inhabiting her body, realizing that the necklace belonged to Nanny.

When Medea's father put her in an arranged marriage with King Hennel, Psyche realized that Medea was trapped in her life as much as she was in the basement. Psyche threatens Medea's father that she will jump off the balcony. Though she was not Medea, Psyche spoke unleashing much of Medea's underlying resentment towards him. Psyche jumped to a nearby tree, but fell, and she and Medea briefly switched back to their original bodies.

Switching Back
After an encounter with Eros, Psyche bangs her head against a wall in a moment of anger and clarity. Medea, meanwhile, was locked in the basement by Eros until she showed signs of divinity. Psyche repeatedly tries to heal herself, though only makes the wounds worse, until she recalls a childhood memory. There, she finally realizes how to switch bodies back with Medea; since they only switch when Psyche's life is in danger, she uses her negative powers to stop her heart. In their original bodies, Psyche breaks up with Eros and cuts her hair. Medea later finds a book about the Imperial Family that she hadn't read since she was a child, and discovers how hard Psyche was working to be Lady Medea. Thanks to Psyche's notes, Medea also realizes that she can accomplish her goal as she is the sole heir to the House of Solon.

Psyche goes to the dessert shop she and Medea used to go to. Medea planted her maid there to subtly lead Psyche to her, and they reunite. Medea goes straight to business, but Psyche is elated to see her again. She catches Medea off guard with a hug, saying that they have been through so much, and Medea hugs her back. Medea tells her how she got to arrange this secret meeting, and informs Psyche that many of her servants are Eros's spies, and that she too has a spy in the Callista House. Psyche is not too bothered by this information, and touches Medea's hand to her cheek saying that she knows Medea is on her side.

Medea asks Psyche how she returned to her body, and she shows Medea the other side of her divine power. Medea realizes that it would be extra dangerous if Eros ever got Psyche's power, and urges her to tell her everything she knows. Psyche recalls a suppressed memory of when she used her alternate powers and met Eros for the first time. Her head hurts trying to remember more, and Medea assures her that's enough. Psyche brings up how they need to clear Medea's name on how she attempted to murder Psyche, though Medea knows that won't be possible. Medea tells her to trust her no matter what rumors she hears, and then they are prompted to leave once Eros's spy is suspicious of Psyche being gone too long. Psyche later hears rumors of the oracle dictating Medea will kill her father, and wonders what Medea is planning.

Visual Novel
In the visual novel adaptation, Medea is the main character, and Psyche is one of the four love interests the player can romance. The events of the beginning play out as in the original story. Medea is especially devastated by Psyche's betrayal because of how much she trusted her.

Episode 1

One year after Psyche became accepted as Crown Princess, she sends a gift to Medea. If the player accepts the gift, it turns out to be a white and gold dress. Her father comments on how this is something fitting for Psyche to wear at her betrothal. Medea interprets the gift to be a message about how she will never be Psyche, and accepts this as Psyche's true feelings about her. Medea contemplates on if this would have hurt less if she had seen through Psyche's true nature from the beginning, but is grateful that she can now move on from her.

Medea visits Psyche to pay back for the gift. Psyche is elated to see her. Depending on the player's choices Medea can be friendlier with Psyche or remain cold. Similar to the webtoon, Medea gives Psyche sugar cubes for tea and flowers that makes the tea poisonous. Later, as Psyche's knight goes to investigate what Medea did to cause Psyche's illness, Medea stabs him, wanting Psyche to experience the pain of losing everything as she did. After killing him however, Medea doesn't feel exhilarated like she thought she would.

Episode 2

Medea infiltrates the Day of Prayer, though overhears Perion speaking of the oracle on the way. When Perion notices her, Psyche saves her, and the player can choose to escape with her. They escape to the garden, and Psyche apologizes to Medea for grabbing her hand. Medea is frustrated that Psyche is being vulnerable, as if she sincerely cared. She shares that she was most hurt when Psyche happily kissed Eros. Psyche asks Medea to understand that she couldn't turn down being the Crown Princess because she loves Eros. Medea's heart twists at this. Psyche continues that she was fond of Medea as much as she was fond of Eros, and Medea feels bitter at the use of past tense. Medea criticizes her for prioritizing her love for Eros over the future of the Empire. The two fall in the fountain and switch bodies in the same manner as it happened in the webtoon.

Episode 3

When Psyche in Medea's body attempts to talk to Medea, Eros stops her. Medea can defend Psyche, be neutral, or dismiss Psyche. Eros then locks Medea in the cellar, and she realizes that he doesn't truly love Psyche.

Episode 4

In the cellar, Medea comes to understand Psyche more, realizing that Psyche was locked in there throughout her childhood. Medea can choose to read Psyche's diary, which from before her debutante worrying about what Medea will think of her. Once Medea escapes, she and Helio meet with Psyche to teach her etiquette. Psyche starts crying, regretful that she was close friends with Medea yet didn't know her at all. If the player chooses to wipe Psyche's tears, Psyche says that life for Medea must have been lonely. Medea replies that she doesn't know Psyche well either, thinking about the cellar and Eros. However, she affirms that they will know each other better than anyone from now on.

Episode 5

During the banquet, a lady insults Psyche. Medea can intervene or watch how Psyche deals with it. When choosing the latter, Psyche plays the role of Medea perfectly, and Medea feels proud of her.

Episode 6

While Medea is passed out from venom, she has a conversation of God and is shown Psyche's past memories. In the first one, Medea comforts Psyche on being referred to as a pawn, because a pawn has the potential to become anything in chess. In present time, Medea wonders why Psyche would betray her for Eros. When choosing to look at the Secret Story, Medea learns of Eros and Psyche's abusive and coercive relationship. Medea is shocked and upset that Psyche has to go through that. Medea realizes that the one behind everything is Eros, and God questions why she resented Psyche instead of him. In an optional response, Medea replies it was because she cherished and trusted Psyche.

Medea is healed by Psyche's divinity and the sacred relic she was wearing. The player can have her caress Psyche's cheek. Medea tells her she was afraid she wouldn't see Psyche again. She thinks on how Psyche always stayed by her, and swears to protect her.

Moments

 * Medea allows Psyche and Helio to hug her. Medea reaches her hand out, hesitates, then places her hand on Psyche's head. Psyche reacts with surprise (Episode 18).
 * Psyche puts on her most expensive nightgown before switching bodies with Medea in hopes that she'll like it (Episode 73).
 * When Medea, Perion, and Helio are visiting an orphanage, Medea gazes off in the distance saying it would be nicer if Psyche had come (Episode 89).
 * Psyche also plans on sending a surprise gown to Medea to wear for her debut as a duchess, and she hopes that Medea would like the gown she ordered.
 * Psyche fears that using her divine power will have people see her as a monster, but when she remembers that Medea doesn't see her as a monster, she overcomes her fear (Episode 99).
 * Psyche thinks back on how her past relationships with Lira and Medea have taught her that hatred isn't an end to a relationship (Episode 112).
 * Psydea (in Medea's body) sees that Medea has obtained all the daphnes for the martial arts contest, and blushes thinking about how amazing she is (Episode 124).

Webtoon
"The count's daughter, Psyche, is loved by all. Psyche, who took everything from me. Psyche, who always gets what she wants. I want to be her, just for a day."

- Medea, original Korean webtoon synopsis.

"I wonder... how you see me today? The usurper of the one you love? Or... The fool who now has to bear your misfortune?"

- Medea, Episode 7.

"I don't believe in a god who does nothing but watch from afar. I believe in that stupid girl."

- Medea, Episode 17.

"You must not realize what face you make when you look at me... And what your voice sounds like when you talk to me."

- Psyche to Medea, Episode 44.

"If you ever fall into someone's trap, or death is at your door... I'll save you."

- Medea to Psyche, Episode 62.

"I have been ignoring what I already know to be true. The person Lady Medea could not help but love. The person they say is after God's own heart. Psyche Callista and her brilliant kindness."

- Helio reflecting on Psyche, Episode 71.

Visual Novel
"It wasn't the crown prince's betrayal or my loss that hurt me the most that day. What hurt me the most was... the fact that you looked so happy when he kissed you."

- Medea to Psyche, Episode 2.

Behind the Scenes
In an interview, author of Your Throne SAM explained that she wanted to put a twist on the cliché of a "nice woman" and "mean woman" being rivals that is common in the Romance Fantasy genre.

Fanon
Psydea is one of the most popular ships within the Your Throne fandom. Fans appreciate how Medea and Psyche have brought out the best in each other throughout the series; Psyche is able to grow stronger thanks to Medea, and Medea grows to be more empathetic thanks to Psyche. The ship is also helped by how it's one of the most genuine relationships in the series, with the two often expressing how much they care about each other. Psydea has always been popular, with early webtoon comments expressing that Psyche and Medea should ditch the abusive character Eros, whom the two were fighting for in the beginning of the series, and just be with each other instead. The ship was especially fueled by Episode 44, where they have intimate moments like Psyche holding Medea's hand to her face. Non shippers simply see their relationship as platonic and think that they're better as friends.

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Trivia

 * Medea and Psyche have contrasting color schemes, with Medea's mainly being dark and purple and Psyche's being bright and yellow. This is also shown when the two switch bodies through their clothing choices.
 * Medea and Psyche's names, like the other main characters, are derived from Greek mythology.
 * In Episode 1, Medea gives Psyche red lilies to trigger the poison laced in her tea. Red lilies symbolize love and passion.
 * On an instagram post for a new thumbnail featuring Medea and Psyche, a user commented "Girlfriends", and claims in a reply that SAM liked the comment.
 * In the character screen for the visual novel, Psyche is labeled as "The Favorite." This likely refers to how Psyche is favored by Eros and the people of the Empire, though it could also share a double meaning of being Medea's favorite, especially since Psyche seems to be the main love interest of the VN.
 * In the visual novel, the flavor text for the dress Psyche gives Medea is, "Know her true feelings."
 * The dress also resembles the dress that Psyche wears in Episode 1 of the webtoon during her engagement, which seems intentional since Theseion says the VN dress looks fitting for a betrothal.