The First Sister: of Gods and Commoners

The elder said: "… You and I are the two eldest, yet we get exiled from our home and friends and married off to foreigners who treat us like slaves; while Psyche…is given the most marvellous palace in existence and a god for a husband, and doesn't even know how to make proper use of her tremendous wealth. Did you ever see such masses of amazing jewels, such cupboardsful of embroidered dresses?…How I hate her! My husband's older than Father, balder than a pumpkin and as puny as a little boy.'
—Apuleius
Supposedly, I'm her Shadow Side. Well I'm not.
Tart and resentful I may be, but I know my story,
I've got a grip on it. And I refuse to fall into some vast
symbolic void to clinch the plot.
Anyway, what if Psyche
is really a part of me? What if I'm the main character:
a woman of good intentions driven almost out of her brain
by the impotent royal drip she's married to? There's been
no choice but to stay. Where, for heaven's sake, would I go?
Besides, I like nice things. A half-attractive woman like me
needs money to make it. I need confidence, haute couture.
And I'm not a trouble-maker. All I said to Psyche was,
"Darling, life doesn't happen like that: it's a fairy story.
You've got to look after numero uno, you can't afford to
get carried away by feelings. Besides, he's obviously a nothing.'
"I won't discuss it!' she snapped, but did glance back
from the doorway as she left: "That is a gorgeous outfit.'
Though I say it myself, she's right. Demetrios is so skilful,
so tactful at fittings which take so wonderfully long.
"I'm sure, my dear Demetrios, you have other things to do,'
I say, fishing. "But I like being near you,' he says humbly.
He's gentle, understands me, yet is always the professional.
Dear Demetrios! I know he's just pretending to be
a commoner with a wife and thirteen children. I know
he's really a god disguised as a mortal. He's got class.
Time will reveal all…Meanwhile, he's creating a gown
in pearled green silk for the Banquet. So incredibly sensuous,
silk: just slipping into it, feeling it against your skin.
Like floating…Mmmm…The next fitting's on Friday.