Psyche’s mother, the King’s second wife, is known only as the Queen. She comes from the kingdom of Caphad, but the alliance with Caphad proves badly chosen when it becomes clear that Caphad is losing land and wealth. As a result, the King is rough with his wife, who was weak and shy to begin with. She loves Orual and Redival like sisters rather than like children, and she dies giving birth to Psyche.