01x12 - The Villainess and the Saint

[bunniefuu]

♪

[paper rustling]

[footsteps approaches]

[GILL]

What are you thinking about?

Mostly about

being Liz's watcher.

Liar, I know

Laval must be on your mind.

It's not a lie.

Sometimes a villainess has to

think about two things at once.

Aw, Ali-Ali!

[sniffs]

You always smell like pie!

Oh, I do?

[DUKE]

You can stop manhandling her.

Just get to the point already

'Kay!

So, get this.

I found out

what the Saint's secret is.

Wait, the Saint's secret?

♪

A while ago, my master

ordered me to investigate

why people seem to admire

Liz Cather so fiercely.

And I finally have an answer

to that question.

It's all thanks

to an extraordinary ability

known as "Charm magic."

Charm magic, you said?

I've never heard of it.

[DUKE]

We hadn't either.

But this book

in the ancient language

does mention it.

According to that book,

Charm magic

is a very special power

that only the Saint

is capable of possessing.

That's why

there are so many stories

about the Saint's captivating

charisma and allure.

How her mere presence

is enough to bring happiness

to people's lives.

It's one of the stupidest

fairy tales I've ever heard.

So, do you think

Liz has been using

this magic the whole time?

[DUKE]

Most likely, but unknowingly.

[GILL]

That's crazy.

Wait, there's more.

People can resist the spell

if they have enough mana

and willpower,

but if they don't

they'll fall for it easily.

[gasps]

♪

It all makes sense now.

That's why I felt

so sorry for her the other day.

Alicia and I have

powerful mana,

so we can protect you

as long as you stay near us.

Best not to be alone with Liz.

Here's what's weird, though.

Wouldn't that mean the girls

who were badmouthing Liz

have strong mana as well?

They don't seem

all that powerful to me.

[MEL]

Yeah, now that you mention it,

that is weird.

I mean, their mana isn't

even all that intense.

They're pretty basic.

Quite curious.

During the time Alicia was

away from the academy

Liz had their full support.

And yet, when they all

first enrolled here,

they totally hated her.

What?

So they keep flip-flopping

on how they feel then?

They've gotta be unstable.

Speaking of unstable,

don't forget about Jane.

Sure, she's one of Liz's

most devoted followers,

but setting traps

and cutting other people's hair

simply because

she doesn't like them?

She was never

the kind of person

who'd do things like that.

[HENRI]

Could Liz's magic

have caused her

to lose control?

[gasps]

I have a feeling

that Liz is the one

who's really

out of control here.

[gasps]

Maybe things had

started out equal

and her charm magic affected

everyone the same

but then something

threw it out of balance?

You think that explains

what's been going on?

[DUKE]

Perhaps.

Okay,

but is there a way

to resist her charm?

I don't know.

But if she's using it

unconsciously.

[DUKE]

There was nothing in the book

about how to stop it.

-[ALICIA] Hmm.

[GILL] Hmm.

[HENRI]

Hmm.

It could be that

doubting Liz is the key

to breaking the spell.

Huh?

That's what set me free

from her control.

[chuckles softly]

[HENRI]

Liz's ideas are not sound.

We tried to explain this

using logic.

And guess what?

♪

No one,

not a single person

was willing to listen.

Of course, people won't

want to believe us.

Perhaps we should

just tie people up

and hold them prisoner

until the spell wears off.

-That sounds fun!

-It does?

[chuckles softly]

-Uh?

-If you're holding the key,

I wouldn't mind

being a prisoner.

What, Prince Duke?

I know you'll always

keep me honest.

[breathes shakily]

Ali-Ali's cheeks turn red

when she's talking

to my master?

I think

I'm starting to understand

why Liz's magic

became unstable.

Huh?

Yes, of course.

I see what you mean.

Uh

[clears throat]

In that case,

we need to go to Liz

and talk to her about it.

[indistinct chatter]

[ALBERT]

Wait, really?

Oh, yeah.

Duke asked me, too.

"Is there anything about Liz

that you find questionable?"

[gasps]

Duke asked you that?

And he also said

we mustn't allow you

to deceive us.

But why?

I'm not lying to anyone.

That's not fair.

♪

This is Alicia's fault!

She could never beat you,

so she's been spreading

malicious rumors

about you instead.

Liz, please don't worry.

-It's not your fault!

-Hm.

Thank you, you're too kind.

But why?

Why does Alicia dislike me?

I wonder

Maybe I should try

talking to her again?

You should probably keep

your distance from her for now.

I'll talk to her

about it instead.

Don't let it get to you, okay?

-Hm.

-Hm.

Thank you all.

Uh.

[gasps]

-Hm.

-Hm.

[gasps]

Hey Liz.

Alicia, we need to talk.

You have to stop

spreading lies about Liz,

she doesn't deserve it.

[ALICIA]

Pardon?

I know exactly

what you're trying to do here.

You're trying to get all of us

to abandon Liz,

so she'll end up isolated

and defenseless, aren't you?

Look, the bond we've formed

could never be broken

so easily.

Just back off.

Boy, oh, boy.

Things sure have taken

a turn now, haven't they?

Listen to me, Brother Albert,

it might do me no good

to tell you this,

but it's not what you think.

I came here to have

a heart to heart talk with Liz.

Sorry, I can't let you have

anything further

to do with her.

That's right.

Liz has been thinking about

working up

the bravery to talk to you,

but we must defend her

and keep her safe from you!

[footsteps receding]

Those guys are hopeless.

It's so obvious they're feeling

the full effect of Liz's spell.

And their sole motive

is to protect her.

Doesn't that mean

I think we should ease up.

Seems like

there's still a good chance

the magic could

wear off on its own.

Perhaps,

but we can't wait for that.

We need to figure out

what to do

before Liz Cather graduates.

Our time is precious.

We need to hurry.

[GILL]

Alicia.

Hmm.

Just leave this one to me.

-[HENRI] Hm?

-[ALL] Huh?

[ALL] You'll have to deal

with us hunks first!

Must protect Liz!

[MEL] I'm sure everyone ships

Ali-Ali and Mel-Mel!

So jiggly and bouncy!

[ERIC] Finally, we got

the situation under control.

Sure was weird, though.

[all laughing]

Hm?

[gasps]

[wind whooshing]

[footsteps approaching]

Well, well.

Liz, may I join you?

Oh, of course,

I'd love that.

[Eric chuckles softly]

♪

You can sit here, I'll move.

Just you?

No one's with you?

Hmm.

Alicia and Henri didn't come?

Liz dear,

please don't say

another man's name right now.

[breathes shakily]

Right.

Okay.

[birds chirping]

[all chuckle]

♪

[GILL]

You really think this'll work?

Deploying Duke's charisma

against her?

[ALICIA]

Definitely.

Hm?

Duke's quite a smooth talker

in the game,

his lines are always the best.

I bet he's saying

You try to treat

everyone equally,

but I want to be special

even if it's wrong.

Yeah, you know

he's sweet-talking her.

I wish I'd gotten

to see that in person.

[GILL]

Huh, what'd you say?

Hm.

Nothing, forget about it.

[birds chirping]

I'd love to know

what he's planning to say

to try and woo her.

[HENRI]

Wanna find out?

[birds chirping]

♪

Neat!

This is your private

Huh?

Uh.

Why are you here?

[footsteps approaches]

I must apologize

for tricking you, Liz.

I felt guilty

but I knew the two of you

needed to have a good talk.

Uh.

Oh,

right.

What's this regarding?

-I'll hear you out.

-Thank you.

I'm asking you

to stop using your spell, Liz.

I don't think

you know you're using it

but it's a Charm Spell.

Hm?

You must be mistaken.

I haven't been

using anything of the sort.

[ALICIA]

You just don't realize it.

-Here, look.

-Uh.

It's described in this book

as magic

only the Saint can possess.

♪

[gasps]

Prove it, then!

How do you know

I've been using this magic?

Listen,

in the cafeteria today

you didn't want to talk to me,

did you?

And that's why

you had Albert stall

while you made your way out,

correct?

No, not in the least!

I wanted a chance

to speak with you!

But I got talked out of it.

Albert and the others said

I should keep my distance

from you for a while.

Or maybe their words were just

mirroring your own feelings.

[gasps]

What do you mean by that?

Come on, don't you remember

what you told me before?

You're a very lucky girl,

right?

That's because the people

under your spell

are unwittingly working

to make sure

all your hopes

and dreams are actualized.

[gasps]

This "luck" of yours

is manipulation.

Am I wrong?

-Of course, you are!

-Are you sure?

Your friends never tell you

what they think.

Are you so coddled

that seems normal?

[LIZ] Don't talk

about them like that!

I got to know Albert

and the others here at school,

and over time

we all became friends!

Liz, the way you view

your friendship with Albert,

it's nowhere near

how he sees his with you.

-You do know that, right?

-[gasps]

♪

[footsteps receding]

[giggles]

[ALL]

Ah!

And it's not just Albert.

Have you truly

never paused to question

why so many people are

completely devoted to you?

[all applauding]

[chuckles softly]

[students applauding]

[whimpering]

Hm.

Oh, so why aren't you falling

all over yourself for me then?

If I was using

such ridiculous magic,

you'd like me back!

[sighs]

[sighs]

It's true.

I like you, Duke.

I love you!

I wish you would stop

looking at me like that.

[whimpering]

I didn't get this power

because I asked for it

and yet,

when I was suddenly enrolled

in a school for nobles,

I was scared

because I knew I didn't fit in.

[gasps]

But then I met you.

♪

I've been trying hard

this whole time

to be the Saint

everyone wanted,

to prove I'm worthy of wielding

such power and strength.

To prove

I'm worthy of your love

and your affection.

Don't you see?

[ALICIA]

So, she knew she was just

playing the part

of the ideal Saint.

Everything she said and did

was truly

in pursuit of that ideal.

But that was never

the real Liz.

Hm?

[book thuds]

I care so much more about you

than Alicia does,

I think you should know that.

Tell me,

if you and I had met

before you ever saw Alicia,

would you have

fallen in love with me?

♪

While you are lovely,

I still would have loved her.

Uh.

Oh.

♪

[ALICIA] Did a prince

just proudly confess

his love for me

like it was nothing?

[LIZ]

I hate you.

You've always been so brave,

confident and ambitious,

and above all else,

you've won Duke's heart.

I can't count

how many times I wished

you didn't exist, so I could

[ALBERT]

Stay away from my sister!

[Liz gasps]

[LIZ]

Everyone's here

-but why?

-I believe

the feelings I developed

for you were my own.

Maybe not,

but regardless,

I choose to stand by my sister,

and not you!

The spell's worn off?

I don't really know

how I feel about this.

Were you honestly using

Charm magic on all of us?

[LIZ]

I've been trying so hard

and that's what

you think of me?

What was the point, then?

The one I love rejects me

and the ones I thought

loved and supported me

only did so because of a spell!

And who do you think's

to blame for all that?

What else was I supposed to do?

Go on, tell me!

I was never trained

to be the Saint

but everyone sees me

as one now.

You can't imagine

how lonely that has made me!

[Liz crying]

[ALICIA]

If this really were the game,

the heroine would

have her happy ending,

as long as she found real love.

And yet,

in the real world,

it takes more than love

and romance to make it.

[Liz crying]

-[Liz gasps]

-Give me a break.

You had to be the Saint

everyone else wanted?

Not true.

It's pointless having power

if you don't

pursue your ideals.

[whimpering]

Who cares whether

you're the Saint or not,

you have free will.

You should be chasing

what makes you happy.

Why pay any mind

to boring people

clamoring for a Saint?

[gasps]

But still, I just

[MALE PERSONA 1]

You're the best, Liz.

[FEMALE PERSONA 1]

I can't thank you enough, Liz!

[MALE PERSONA 2] You have

all my gratitude, Miss Liz.

Ah-hah!

[chuckles]

I guess

I love making people smile.

It's true and I want to be able

to make them smile

like that for real.

[chuckles softly]

That's who you are deep down

and why I thought

you were a worthy rival.

I could never be

anything like you.

Alicia, dear.

We only have so much time.

Hurry up and become the Saint

you're meant to be.

Then, you can show me

the error of my ways.

Hmm.

[sighs]

♪

[sniffles]

You're right.

Sorry if the Saint I become

still annoys you though.

Bring it on.

[chuckles]

[sighs]

[chuckles softly]

Good grief,

to think

my burning love for you

could be put out so fast.

I hoped my profession of love

would be more romantic.

Yes, sorry.

But Alicia is "the one."

[whimpering]

[ALICIA] So,

that proud profession of love

was the real thing?

It was easy to tell

you only had eyes for Alicia

every time she walked by.

But you're so sweet

and charming,

it was difficult

to give up on you.

[footsteps receding]

Oh, and I should study this.

Can you though?

Yes, of course,

academics are my thing.

[door opens]

Since there won't be

anyone joining me for tea,

I'll use the time

to improve myself.

[chuckles]

[door shuts]

Oh, wow,

was that the real Liz Cather?

I have to admit I like

this version of her a lot more.

-Alicia.

-[gasps]

Um, yes?

It's time.

Is tonight

going to work for you?

[gasps]

Yes.

[wind whooshing]

[door opens]

It's late.

What is it

you wanted to discuss?

I've brought someone

who wishes to see you.

Hm?

[wind whooshing]

Uh?!

[wind gusting]

[footsteps approaching]

I, I can't believe my eyes.

My brother?

Brother, you say?

Then, you still acknowledge me?

Where have you been?

Your eye what happened to it?

Oh!

♪

Here I thought

the King hated Grandpa Will.

While that might have been

the case at one point in time,

things are different now.

[ALICIA]

They must be

or why else would he have put

that painting

back up on his wall?

There was a clear mark.

You can tell it had been

taken down once before.

I don't know the details

but I think something

probably happened

between the King

and his mother.

I doubt Grandpa Will is

in any sort of danger anymore,

even if the castle wasn't

always a safe home.

My uncle is safe here,

that I can guarantee.

And if we can prove

the charges against him

were false,

we'll be able to set

Roana free in no time.

Huh?

I had Rebecca

look into it for me,

no one currently living

in Roana was exiled for crimes.

They're all perfectly innocent.

I had no idea

you'd been so thorough.

There's no reason to keep

the village isolated now.

It'll be free soon.

[whimpering]

That's so awesome,

thanks so much, Alicia!

I didn't have

anything to do with this.

But that's not true.

My father's grateful to you.

For everything you've done,

even the eye.

Hmm.

I'm sure

he plans to reward you.

What would you like?

[GILL] [chuckles]

A reward from the King?

[ALICIA]

Hmm.

Yes.

I know what I want.

I'd like to take a break

from being

Liz's watcher for a while.

Huh, why though?

[ALICIA] The disruption

of Liz's charisma at school

will likely correct itself,

it's only a matter of time.

Once that happens,

she should start learning

from other people, not me.

Stepping back

and watching over her,

those things will

help her grow, too.

Therefore, I think

the right thing for me to do

is to distance myself

from her now.

Where'd this come from?

All right,

I will let my father

know that then.

Thank you for hearing me out.

[gasps]

Hmm.

My love,

when can I expect a response

to my confession?

Uh

I've never once given thought

to what anyone else

feels for me.

However, I do care

what you think.

I

You

This is

♪

[chuckles]

Don't answer that now

but please,

I can't wait to hear.

Mm-hmm.

♪

[footsteps receding]

[door opens]

[door shuts]

[Gill chuckles softly]

[birds chirping]

You couldn't sleep, huh?

Because of Duke?

[gasps]

That's quite personal.

I was there.

[ALICIA]

It's pretty obvious how I feel

but I'm still embarrassed.

I don't know what to say.

Hmm.

[footsteps approaching]

[footsteps receding]

[both gasp]

-Huh?

-Hey, Prince Duke?

Um, Prince Duke?

Pardon, who are you?

[gasps]

♪