01x01 - The Origin of Sin

[bunniefuu]

[NINA]

This man.

He's going to k*ll me

for the second time.

But first, I beg.

[AZURE]

Bring the criminal forward.

I trust that you understand

deception against the crown

is a serious crime.

I know.

[NINA] Please

look at me one last time.

♪

[birds chirping]

[WOMAN 1]

Stop! Thief!

[MAN 1]

You'll pay!

[Nina panting]

Nina, over here!

[Nina grunts]

♪

[MAN 1]

Street rat!

[Nina panting]

[MAN 1]

Damn it!

Hey, Saji.

Nina. You're back.

Don't push yourself, Colin.

Are you sure you should be

sitting up like that?

[COLIN] Hm.

I feel just fine.

Now tell me how it went!

We scored big!

That's our Nina!

[NINA] The three of us

truly lived hand-to-mouth,

occasionally stealing valuables

from the wealthy to scrape by.

♪

[NINA] There was a plague

five years ago

that claimed a lot of lives.

After losing our families,

we did whatever

was necessary to survive.

Saji and Colin

had each other at least,

and I completed

our little group.

Seems like a lot

of good stuff in here.

Whoa, Nina, look at this!

[COLIN]

Lapis lazuli, like your eyes.

And the sky before dawn.

Hey, cut it out.

[COLIN]

But they're so pretty.

It's a shame

to hide them all the time.

Use your head!

The slavers would all be

after her if she didn't, Colin!

Hmm.

[SAJI] You don't see

eyes like hers every day.

They're so rare,

a lot of rich folk would do

anything to own 'em.

[NINA]

I'll make us some food.

[NINA] We were always hungry

and never had any money,

but it was pleasant enough.

Your cooking's the worst, Nina!

Food this bad

should be ill*gal!

-True!

-Shut your mouths!

[Colin laughs]

[NINA]

We made it work.

We even shared

some fun and laughter.

[all laughing]

[NINA]

Silly me.

I thought

those days would last forever.

♪

[Colin breathing heavily]

[SAJI]

His fever isn't going down.

He's not gonna make it.

What are you saying?

We can go to a doctor.

It's not over till it's over!

Sure, and where will

we get the money for that?

Huh?

It's too late.

Everything really is

"written in the stars."

[SAJI] The poor are born

under a poor star,

and the rich are born

under a rich star.

And that's that.

t's all decided

the moment you're born.

No.

That isn't true!

Someday,

we could change things!

Forget "someday!"

Colin probably won't even live

to see the sun rise tomorrow.

You can only

talk about "someday"

because you're not family.

[SAJI]

You're just an outsider!

I see.

Uh

[NINA]

Idiot!

I'll figure something out.

Just you wait and see!

[footsteps receding]

[punching]

Had enough?

Steal again, and it'll be

the last thing you do!

Scram, guttersnipe.

[footsteps receding]

[NINA]

Turns out, I'm the idiot.

As his real brother,

this is harder on Saji.

[breathes shakily]

[water burbling]

[NINA]

No one has eyes like mine.

I really am

all alone in the world.

There must be

someone out there.

[crying]

[rain pattering]

[NINA]

One single person.

I just

want to be special to someone.

Anyone.

[Nina sobs]

[rain pattering]

[footsteps approaching]

The princess?

[AZURE] She could not

have survived that.

This is unfathomable.

[DYTUS]

What now?

[AZURE]

We shall keep this a secret

and find a stand-in, quickly.

[rain splattering]

Alisha.

Nina.

I'm sorry about the other day.

Huh!

Oh, that's okay.

It's my fault.

[chuckles softly]

Let's get going.

There's somewhere special

that I wanna take you.

[NINA]

Sure. Of course, I'll go.

Huh?

-It's empty.

-[SAJI] Listen.

We can't keep living like this.

It's a dead end.

Uh, Saji?

[SAJI]

And that's why

this is the only option.

[door slams open]

[Nina breathes heavily]

[SAJI]

Sorry, Nina.

[door shuts]

[NINA]

He sold me.

They're slavers!

[whimpering]

[groans]

[thuds]

[AZURE]

Be gentle with him.

He must remain unblemished.

[DYTUS]

Right. Forgive me.

[crying]

[NINA]

Saji.

[NINA]

I don't understand.

What did I do?

Were you that angry?

Or was I just an outsider

to you all this time?

[crying]

[NINA]

My heart.

It hurts so much.

-[NINA] I'm dying.

-[AZURE] Is the boy crying?

[DYTUS]

Naturally.

He's a child.

Scared.

[AZURE]

No matter.

Let's check his eyes.

Everything hinges on them.

Show me.

Huh?

There they are.

Deep blue eyes.

[NINA]

Golden eyes.

A beast's eyes.

♪

Still, the boy is filthy.

That stench is awful.

-Take off his clothing.

-Yes, sir.

[gasps]

Stop!

Take your hands off me!

Ow! He's running off.

Grab him!

It's useless to fight us.

-Calm down, would you?

-Let me go!

[AZURE]

Hold still!

We're just changing you

out of those filthy clothes!

[NINA]

Please, no!

Stop it!

[thuds]

[breathes shakily]

It's a girl.

But why would she have

been masquerading as a boy?

A poor orphan girl

with blue eyes?

I imagine it must've been

to avoid the slavers.

What shall we do?

This will suit

our plans perfectly.

There's no need

to disguise a boy.

She can be more than

a temporary stopgap.

You.

Girl.

[Nina whimpers]

Today, you shall die.

[AZURE]

And then

live as a princess.

[whimpering]

[thuds]

[COURT LADY 1]

Slow down!

I need you to wait, miss!

[NINA] I'm not gonna wait

just because you say so!

[thuds]

[AZURE]

Quite the commotion.

Prince Azure!

Actually, it's her.

[NINA]

Ouch, that hurt.

[gasps]

Huh?!

Can it be?

The filthy boy we brought here?

Hey, you're him!

You're Mister Golden Eyes!

[sighs]

Beneath those lovely clothes,

you're still the same

on the inside.

What does that mean?

Just who are you?

[AZURE]

Kneel, girl.

[gasps]

Hmm.

[AZURE] You are not permitted

to talk back.

From this moment on,

you are Alisha,

our priestess-princess

and the very heart

of our proud nation.

With eyes of lapis lazuli,

like the God of the stars.

[AZURE]

For the next three months,

you shall learn

to act like a princess,

and dress the part,

after which

you will marry the crown prince

set to ascend

the throne of Galgada.

[AZURE]

And that is that.

[AZURE] This deception

must never be discovered.

That is now

henceforth your duty.

Are we understood?

Hmm.

[both gasp]

It's clear that you hold

a lot of sway around here.

[NINA] There's no point

in being afraid.

I have nothing left to lose.

But don't forget that

you're asking me for a favor!

Hmm?

[AZURE]

Hmm.

Why are you pointing

the hilt at me?

[gasps]

Look!

All I'm sayin'

is to fix your attitude!

And also tell me who you are!

[NINA]

Otherwise, I'm out of here.

I mean it, Goldie,

so don't test me!

[AZURE]

Oh?

A peasant like you

has a home to return to?

[gasps]

I see your crudely-made point.

I beg you,

forgive my prior rudeness.

No way.

He really apologized?

[AZURE]

Princess.

For these three months,

I shall be your tutor.

You may think of me

as the master of your training.

Azure Seth Fortna is my name,

the kingdom of Fortna's

second prince.

[NINA]

Yes!

Must I repeat myself yet again?

Do not say "yes"

so aggressively.

-Now, once more!

-All right.

[NINA]

Screw you, Goldie!

He's been making me

repeat the same stupid thing

over and over again

all morning.

Care to explain

that expression?

[scoffs]

You can't expect me

to remember this stuff

when you throw it

at me all at once!

Besides, I can't even

read or write yet.

That makes it difficult.

I am well aware.

Thus, our repetition

of simple phrases

at the moment.

We have little time to prepare.

[NINA]

To prepare for what?

In just three days' time,

you shall have

an audience with the king.

Huh?

An audience?

Doesn't that mean

I'll be meeting him?

You sure that's smart?

He doesn't know

I'm a substitute, right?

'Cause if not, I mean,

do I really look

that much like Alisha?

Not even remotely.

Not one small bit.

Huh?

You are similar

only in the color of your eyes.

[COURT LADY 1]

Princess Alisha

was the daughter

of the late third queen,

and since she was chosen

to succeed the astral priestess

shortly after birth,

she was raised

in the astral villa.

[NINA]

Oh.

[COURT LADY 1]

The debut of a new priestess

takes place

at the first star festival

after she turns 16.

[NINA]

The star festival.

[NINA'S MOM] Nina.

Those are the lights of hope.

[NINA'S DAD]

Make a wish.

The astral priestess

will pray it comes true.

[NINA] When I was young,

I saw it with my mom and dad.

♪

[COLIN] It's time! What should

we wish for this year?

[SAJI] We don't have

new lanterns for that.

If only we had some money!

[NINA] And last year,

I went with Saji and Colin.

Hmm.

[COURT LADY 1]

Until that day,

the priestess would not be

permitted to leave

the astral villa,

meaning very few souls

apart from her attendants

would have ever seen her face.

Before the princess turned 16,

she was to return

to secular life,

so she could marry.

So, no need to worry.

I mean it.

Do you understand?

[gasps]

Well

I dunno how much sense

that all makes.

Then so be it.

If you manage

to pull off this audience,

you may name your reward.

That's a bribe!

We humbly beg of you!

It's partially our fault

that this came to pass.

We'll be made to pay

with our very lives.

Please help.

We need you!

Ah

[NINA] Okay, fine,

just stop groveling!

[NINA]

Prince Goldie pisses me off.

However, I feel

for these poor court ladies.

-[COURT LADY 1] Wait!

-[NINA] But

Repeat that once more.

My pleasure!

Charmed, I'm sure!

Your Majesty!

[NINA]

But

[NINA] [whimpering]

But

This is crazy hard.

I hate it!

I wanna quit.

It's not fair.

If I keep this up,

I'm gonna die!

It seems to me

she could use a little break.

[earring clattering]

Suppose you might

need some respite.

Come with me.

[birds chirping]

[gasps]

[NINA] I was cooped up

that whole time,

so I had no idea.

But I really am

at the royal palace.

♪

[NINA]

Something smells nice.

Him, I guess?

Do all nobles

have such a pleasant scent?

I bet they're born that way.

[wind blowing]

[NINA] They're nothing like

us bottom dwellers.

He's so important,

normally we'd never even

set foot on the same ground.

It's so strange.

What am I doing here?

I truly need you

for the sake

of my dear country.

[NINA]

I'm needed.

Someone needs me.

I suppose

I'll stay.

[gasps]

These clothes are amazing!

[COURT LADY 1]

You look beautiful!

That said,

please try your very best.

This has to go well.

[COURT LADY 2] If they discover

that you're an imposter,

all of our heads will be

swiftly severed

from our bodies.

Good luck.

[NINA]

Huh?

Presenting Princess Alisha!

[NINA]

If I fail, we'll die.

[door creaks open]

[NINA]

This is so intense.

And I have to fool

the King as well.

♪

[clothes rustle]

It is an honor to meet you,

Your Majesty.

I am called Alisha.

S-Seth.

Alicia Seth Fortna.

[KING]

Hmm.

There is no need for

my own daughter

to be so nervous.

Raise your head.

[NINA]

Yes, Your Majesty.

[NINA]

I'm scared.

♪

[NINA]

I'm standing before the king.

[KING]

Uh-huh.

The piercingly blue eyes

of our young princess.

No other hue could

compare to their beauty.

I fear I must apologize.

I beckoned you

to the palace on a whim.

Please forgive me.

[NINA]

Oh, no. How do I respond?

Of course.

It is no trouble.

I am simply pleased

I can be of service to you.

It is a great honor.

Do not act so stiffly.

You have come home.

And as far as your care,

did I not entrust you

to your half-brother Azure?

You did.

I shall look after her

until the day she is married.

[KING] Very good.

I know I can trust you.

[queen scoffs]

[QUEEN]

Hmm.

[chuckles]

-[QUEEN] I wonder.

-[KING] Hm?

[QUEEN] The astral priestess

traditionally performs a dance,

the one for the crown prince's

coming-of-age ceremony.

May we see it?

Perform it for Prince Muhulum.

It is our only chance

to view it, after all.

[NINA]

A dance? What dance?

[KING] But Muhulum is still

many years away

from coming of age, my dear.

Even so,

it will be entertaining.

Hasn't she trained as

a priestess for 15 years?

Would it not be

a waste to marry her off

before we have

seen a single dance?

Our queen has

quite the cruel streak.

It's a display of power

over Prince Azure.

[NINA]

I can't fake this. I'm trapped.

[QUEEN] Don't you want

to see the dance, Your Majesty?

Once she's married,

you'll never have

the chance again.

[KING]

That is true.

I shall allow it.

You may begin.

[NINA]

What do I do?

[indistinct chatter]

About that. I, um

I must be honest.

I would love to.

It's just that

[NINA]

It's all over.

[AZURE]

Is that wise?

[QUEEN]

Hm.

[QUEEN]

Azure.

The princess hasn't

come of age either,

nor has she assumed

her religious duties.

Were she to dance

in her unqualified state,

it would bring misfortune

to Prince Muhulum's future.

[AZURE]

Not only that,

but the prince himself

is not present,

as he is in his chamber,

bedridden.

[KING]

Hmm.

Yes. Perhaps

Azure is correct about this.

Thank you.

The princess also

seems to feel unwell.

I suggest that we adjourn.

Yes.

[NINA]

That was a complete failure.

Our secret may be safe,

but still

I know I let him down.

♪

[NINA]

Someone like me

doesn't belong in such

a majestic place as this.

That's enough!

Goldie isn't worth

risking my life over!

And none of this

is really my problem, anyhow!

I should just run away!

Go home!

[SAJI]

Sorry, Nina.

Do I have a home to go back to?

[AZURE]

I cannot comply.

[QUEEN]

How dare you!

With what authority

are you preventing me

from moving Princess Alisha

to my wing?

I must beg your pardon.

That matter has been decided.

[NINA] That's the queen

he's arguing with.

The God of the stars

has control over fate itself.

You insist on caring

for the astral priestess.

Isn't that a coincidence?

[QUEEN]

Could it be that as the son

of the King's former wife,

you mistakenly believe

you are the rightful heir

to the throne?

Huh?!

Most assuredly not.

My only desire

is to support this country

to the best of my ability.

I truly need you for the sake

of my dear country.

[QUEEN]

His former wife, your mother,

was nothing

but a weak-willed woman.

[QUEEN]

So timid and fearful.

You, on the other hand?

[fan flutters]

You could learn a thing or two

from your mother!

[water splashes]

[queen gasps]

That was your fault.

You go and fetch it.

[NINA]

What is her problem?

[AZURE] I shall have a new one

brought to your room.

Oh, but I told you to fetch it

for me, did I not?

It is a hot day,

the perfect weather

for a nice little dip.

Hmm.

[water splashes]

[queen screams]

What is she

Uh,

Found it, Your Majesty.

The audacity.

You little

How dare you splash

your queen like that?

[water splashes]

[whimpering]

How right you are.

It is a most pleasant day

for a little dip.

[growling]

You've gone too far!

What are you doing?

Get out of my way!

I'm not finished here!

Let me go!

[QUEEN] Where do you think

you're going?

I'm not finished

with you, Azure!

[NINA]

I'm sorry.

She's awful.

I just had to.

[AZURE]

Come with me.

Dytus, handle the rest.

[DYTUS]

Sir!

[footsteps receding]

Um.

Don't be mad.

Sorry, I

I swear I only intended

to splash the queen, not you.

[whimpering]

Huh?!

[NINA]

He's so mad he's shaking?

[Azure snickers]

[NINA]

Was that

Is he laughing?

All right.

Now that's a relief.

[NINA]

What do you know?

I had no idea he could smile.

I don't get it.

I failed the audience,

and I was this close

to getting us all beheaded.

That went about

as well as I expected.

It's just like the queen

to try something.

She's predictable.

[NINA]

Huh?

It was convenient

that we were able to adjourn

before you were discovered.

[AZURE]

I shall grant your reward.

Anything you wish.

Whatever I wish?

[NINA]

Hmm.

Praise me!

[both gasp]

I want you to praise me

and I mean it.

That's my wish.

So make it feel special,

all right?

You must be joking.

Not to overstep,

but I believe she is lonely,

Prince Azure.

Please try to be kinder.

[gasps]

You did well.

I am proud of you.

[whimpering]

♪

[fire crackling]

[VOGUE] I heard

a rather interesting rumor

about Princess Alisha.

I think I'll look into it.

[fire crackling]

♪

[NINA]

"Night Two. The Lost Name."