I love you Psyche, for you are so beautiful.

You say that now, but what then when I am old and wrinkled?

True beauty withstands time. Didn't you know beauty is more than skin deep? It is when I see deep within you that I can say you truly are beautiful to me.

How could you be so sure then that my soul is beautiful when you barely know me? She says with exasperation.

I trust you. She cannot see him but he can. He is amused at her reaction to his simple statement.

Why do you give me your trust so easily?

Because of love. A love that will last through the ages.

But the future assures us nothing! Should I bring misfortune to you as I did to my family-

What can't change can't live. What can't live can't learn to love. Some gods envy mortals for this. Some are undesiring of change.

You are unafraid of them. She feels awe and worry for this man (surely he is a man!) who can speak of the gods so freely.

Fear is not respect. Fear cannot hope to nurture love. I respect the gods but I do not fear them. So much dignity and pride in his voice.

You speak as though you are all-knowing in matters of love and the gods. She challenges him.

I would not claim as to be all-knowing, but maybe I was graced by this insight by none other than Eros' arrow himself. A light jest, for one known for his mischief

And yet many men have called love foolishness with good reason to.

Perhaps love is both wise and foolish. But it cares not for triumph or folly.

Then you are a fool to be so charmed by me when I am so cynical for one who is to supposed to be so fresh and young. I have been revered by men all over my kingdom for my beauty enough to incite the anger of Aphrodite yet I can see that none of them love me. It was my lot to be sacrificed to a horrible monster. I had resigned myself to a life of unhappiness and a bitter end, yet here I am instead up in a castle on a mountain with a man I cannot see claiming he loves me. At first, she is excited by her own boldness; to be finally able to say what burdens her. His confidence has made her feel powerful as well.

Maybe I am. But I do know you are one who desires to see people beyond mere facades and smiles. Is it not how you have grown up in the royal court as a princess? You long for someone to see you as you are and not the painted and obedient doll everyone admires you for. You long for your subjects to show honesty yet they fear to show their true selves. A little voice mocks him as a hypocrite

Her face softens. There is more she wishes to ask him of. But maybe for another time. For she hopes (a feeling she has not felt for so long) that they will have the time that they can share.

Now I ask you to answer me honestly, dear Psyche. Do you believe in love?

I believe in you. She smiles. And once again he is reminded why men have revered her so in the first place.

He smiles back at her. He knows one day she will want to learn the truth of his own facade, but he hopes she would trust him enough to understand. Until that day then, for as they say that no great reward is not worth a great risk.

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A/N: What can't change can't live. What can't live can't learn to love is a quote from Discworld's Lords and Ladies. Terry Prachett is awesome.