Psyche sighed as she approached the village square. It had been nice having Cydippe join her for a visit to the school. The children had done well with their poems.

At the sight of Psyche, several visitors rushed towards her.

Psyche had struggled at first with so much attention. She was the third princess of a fairly average kingdom. She was nothing special. When first villagers, and then visitors, flocked to her for blessings and comfort, she didn’t know what to do. 

She was used to it now. Psyche had learned that most people hoped she would touch them, granting them an imaginary blessing. It didn’t make sense to her. Her touch held no power. 

Psyche quickly moved through the crowd, greeting people and placing her hands on them. 

She made her first stop at the home of a cheerful woman who greeted her as she set down a pitcher of water.

“Hello, Cora,” Psyche called. 

“Hello, Princess,” Cora said, giving a curtsey and coming over to Psyche.

When Cora reached Psyche, she bowed lower and kissed Psyche’s hand. 

“How is Theo?” Psyche asked. 

“Oh, much better, Princess,” Cora said. “Ever since that day you visited, the worst day, your sister’s wedding day no less, he’s been more himself. His skin is clear and he’s been outside more. I expect he’ll be able to return to school soon.” 

“I’m so glad to hear,” Psyche said. “Let me know if you need anything.” 

“You’ve done so much,” Cora said. “Thank you, princess.” 

Psyche nodded and moved on. 

Psyche had been especially worried about Theo. 

His case had caused a real stir when he started having trouble breathing and developed red splotches all over his body.

A disease? 

A plague???

The village healer was convinced it wasn’t too serious. She’d seen cases like it before, though it had been several decades since the last one. 

The king and queen, however, were worried about rumors impacting the inflow of visitors and sent in the palace physician and philosophers to diagnose the problem. 

Definitely a plague. 

Theo was placed in isolation by orders from the palace where only his mother was allowed to carefully give him his meals.

They all closely watched her too, to see if she developed the same disease. 

Cora didn’t. 

Psyche trusted the healer. Psyche also suspected that Theo’s diagnosis had more to do with protecting the economy than it did about solid science. 

And so, Psyche had secretly visited Theo on the only day people were distracted enough not to notice — or object. 

The day of her sister’s wedding.

Theo had looked so sullen and sad. He was convinced he was going to die. Psyche provided just the medicine he needed to start healing — reassurance that he would live.  

That brought a big smile to his face. 

Psyche had consulted with the healer and given Cora instructions to make certain adjustments to Theo’s diet. She’d also slipped Cora some balm for his skin which would hopefully help. 

A week later people called it a miracle.

The healer had called it “allergies.”

Whatever it was, the people could see that Theo was better. Cora — a faithful follower of Psyche — insisted he only improved after Psyche’s visit. 

Still, Theo wasn’t healed to Psyche’s total satisfaction. 

Which explained her next stop. 

“Chloe, do you suppose we could get the community to help with cleaning houses?” Psyche said, as she stood in front of a humble house. 

“I’m not sure,” Chloe said. “What do you mean?” 

The conversation paused as some worshippers approached and Psyche graciously touched them. Psyche followed as Chloe moved the conversation to the inside of her house.  

Psyche had been pleased to hear from Chloe that Adonis had taken her advice and talked to his wife. They had both agreed to pay off the debts and work on building a stronger and more stable living.

That meant staying in their somewhat shabby house. 

For now. 

“I mean, I wonder if some of the household work could be made lighter. If everyone worked together, one house at a time, maybe at least the deep cleaning could be done a few times a week,” Psyche said, as she sat down on a small bench. 

Chloe thought for a moment, taking a seat on a stool.

“Honestly,” Chloe said, trying to pick her words carefully, “most people would be too embarrassed to let others come and clean. A home is a private space and to invite the whole village might be uncomfortable.”

Psyche hadn’t thought of that. She was so used to armies of attendants and cleaners in her personal space, privacy was a foreign concept. 

“What made you think of the idea?” Chloe asked, sensing some discouragement from Psyche. 

“It’s Cora. Well, Theo really,” Psyche said. “I have a feeling some of his troubles are because she has so many chores to manage and so many children too. If only there was a way to help her.”

“Maybe Cora needs to include her children in the chores?” Chloe said smiling. “I always helped my family with housework.” 

Psyche had never been allowed to clean. 

“Hmm,” Psyche frowned. She didn’t know what to say next.

“Let me think on it a bit more,” Chloe said, not wanting to disappoint the princess. “Perhaps others will have some ideas too. I’m sure we’ll think of something.”

“Thank you, Chloe,” Psyche said as she stood and followed Chloe back out again.

As they reached the road, the two were surprised to see Cydippe and a handful of attendants approaching them. 

“I have been looking all over for you,” Cydippe said. “You were taking forever, so I decided to come and find you.”

Cydippe gave a crisp, but polite glance to Chloe. Chloe gave a low bow.

“Sorry,” Psyche said. “I was just visiting a few people, but I should be on my way home soon.”

“Oh, no, don’t be sorry,” Cydippe said, taking her arm and leading her away. “I came to join you. The morning was so fun with the children, I thought I might come along for a few other visits.” 

Psyche stopped and looked at her in surprise. 

“You want to join me?” Psyche said. 

“Well, yes, silly,” Cydippe said laughing. “It certainly beats sitting around the palace all day. Maybe we could go back to the school?” 

Psyche brightened at the thought of having her sister along, though it would certainly be different.

“Yes, we could go back to the school,” Psyche said, as they started to walk again, “but I’ve noticed that spending too much time often means less learning. Our presence makes the children too excited.” 

“Oh,” Cydippe said, somewhat disappointed. “Well, what were you planning to do next?” 

“I was planning to visit some of the new mothers,” Psyche said. “They recently opened the birthing center and I was going to go see it.”

“Sounds like fun,” Cydippe said.  

The sisters continued walking arm in arm until they were approached by more worshippers.

Psyche extended her hand to those seeking blessings. 

Cydippe, being a notable princess in her own right, naturally joined in blessing people and extending her hand towards them, as well. Most of the people appreciated her blessings, though they made sure to receive a touch from Psyche. 

Cydippe tried not to notice. 

The birthing center was bright and busy. Mothers and babies were delighted to see Psyche. They were also very appreciative when Cydippe offered to sing for them.

“This was wonderful,” Cydippe sighed as the pair made their way back to the palace. “Is every day like this?”

“Most of the time,” Psyche said. 

“I’m glad I joined you,” Cydippe said. “Maybe I could come with you more often.”

“That would be nice,” Psyche said, hopeful.

But it wasn’t meant to be.