01x05 - Crimson Eyes

[bunniefuu]

[MALE ATTENDANT 1]

Your Highness.

What will you do

about the matter

of Princess Eliza?

[SETT] Her nation

will pay for her crime.

She tried to take my life.

[MALE ATTENDANT 2]

And when will you meet

with the Princess of Fortna?

-[door shuts]

-[both gasp]

Neena.

[NEENA]

It's Sett!

It's Sett!

And Neena!

Indeed.

Just us two.

You are the only one I love,

my little bird.

-Now, what is your prediction?

-[Neena cooing]

Will Fortna's blue bird

sing well?

[NINA]

Bastea is a Galgadan territory

to the kingdom's west.

That's where the first

prince's castle is located.

This future king

has quelled three rebellions

and conquered two nations.

He's come to be known

as "The w*r God."

Apologies.

Prince Sett is away

on business.

Huh?

[NINA]

Seriously?

I've been waiting to see him

since this morning,

and it's already

really late in the afternoon!

Punishing your poor belongings

won't help matters.

Yeah, you're right, Hikami.

Sorry.

[HIKAMI]

It's fine.

Let's get you

out of those stiff clothes.

[NINA]

Of all the people from Fortna

who brought me here,

only Hikami stayed behind.

[FORMER KING]

You are allowed to keep

one lady-in-waiting.

I will send

someone I trust with you.

[NINA]

Everyone else here

Please excuse us.

[NINA]

is from Galgada.

Pardon.

I'd like to know when I can

see the crown prince.

[NINA]

Wow. Ignored.

[COURT LADY] Your wedding is

more than half a year away.

You may do

as you please until then.

Feel free to explore

the castle grounds

if you so desire.

[NINA] Have they never heard

of eye contact here?

And no one told me

that last part!

Still, that's good to know.

♪

How do you do?

Uh

[NINA] What do I know

about this prince guy?

Nina's Imagination.

Well, his name is Sett.

He's strong enough

to be called a "w*r God."

So he must be really muscular!

But apparently,

he's scary and hard to read.

They say he has

silver hair and red eyes.

Like a rabbit?

Oh,

and he's the same age as Az.

[NINA]

Nope, stop it!

I can't think about that.

[SETT]

Neena.

Neena.

[NINA]

Someone's calling me?

[SETT]

Neena.

-[Neena screeches]

-[gasps]

Hey! Stop!

What are you doing?

[Nina screams]

[SETT]

Neena!

[NINA]

What?

[NINA]

Silver and red, wow.

He looks like

he's made of porcelain.

[NEENA]

Sett!

Neena.

[NINA]

Huh? Sett?

-But I thought

-[sighs]

Well, what do you know?

Your eyes truly are

a deep shade of blue.

Though you're free to roam,

I never thought

you'd come this far.

[SETT] The priestess-princess

of Fortna has a curious streak.

[NINA] So, this is the first

Prince of Galgada.

Wait, so he is here?

And he chose

to miss my audience?

Wait a minute.

You owe me an apology!

[NINA]

Back up. Don't get mad.

I need this guy to like me!

It's a joy to meet you,

Prince Sett.

Truly, an honor.

My name is

Princess Alisha Seth Fortna.

Then, Neena was

your childhood name?

Huh?

You responded to it

when I called it out earlier.

That's right!

Nina was my childhood name.

[NINA]

What even is that?

Her name is Neena, too.

And you both have blue eyes.

-[NEENA] This is Sett!

-Rascal.

-[NEENA] I'm a rascal!

-Hey, you need to calm down.

Enough!

[chuckles]

It's fine, really.

[NEENA]

Dummy!

You're a big dummy.

[NINA] I just have to grin

and bear it.

[Nina chuckles]

[NINA] She's such a mischievous

little birdie!

[SETT] It seems you are

an eccentric princess.

I am?

[SETT]

Your forehead is turning red.

I would hate

for it to leave a mark.

So, then.

In apology,

how's this?

Tomorrow shall be

your welcoming ceremony.

It will surely help you

adjust to the castle.

[Neena squawks]

[NINA]

How unexpected.

Maybe he's not so bad.

[sighs]

[NINA]

This same starry sky

also shines over Fortna.

It's been more than

half a month since I left,

but I still feel disappointed

when I wake each morning.

There's no golden glow

of the moon here.

♪

[NINA]

I have to make it work.

To protect Az

and all of Fortna.

♪

[NINA]

What is this?

[SETT]

I present Klimina and Mea.

Princesses of vassal states.

And this is Princess Alisha

of Fortna.

You are all my potential brides

chosen by the King of Galgada.

[NINA]

What? Potential?

Our marriage isn't

set in stone?

[SETT]

Try to get along.

[NINA]

Right.

I get the feeling they aren't

onboard with that plan.

I guess this means

I'm in some strange competition

with these ladies.

Still, I won't lose!

My.

How yummy.

Don't you think?

Aren't these sweets

just delightfu--

[Mea screams]

Huh?

Please send us back home

to our nations at once!

[sobbing]

I beg of you.

Our people have

no intention of revolting!

-[Mea crying]

-[gasps]

How dare you behave

so boorishly

at this welcoming party?

You are being quite rude

to the Princess of Fortna.

That was uncalled for!

I pray you will forgive me!

It's okay.

Please don't worry yourself

over such things.

Let's all try to get along.

[thuds]

This farce is disgraceful!

A travesty!

[KLIMINA]

You do not truly consider us

your potential brides!

I cannot take it anymore!

What now?

Eliza felt the same way.

Do you wish to end up like her?

Well?

[both whimper]

[SETT]

No matter.

[NINA]

Who's Eliza?

[SETT]

We share this farce.

None of you have the intention

of marrying me.

-[gasps]

-[door opens]

[NINA]

It can't end like this!

-[NINA] No, wait!

-[KLIMINA] Princess of Fortna!

[NINA]

Huh?

You should know

he k*lled Princess Eliza!

Please be warned.

He thinks of us as nothing

but tools for

controlling our territories.

[KLIMINA]

We should flee. Together.

[NINA]

I'm sorry!

[Nina pants]

[NINA]

Even if that's true,

it doesn't change

what I have to do.

I only have one wish.

To become the Queen of Galgada.

It's the only way to save Az.

[panting]

[NINA]

Found him!

[NINA]

Prince Sett!

[Nina panting]

Tell me

why were the two of them

saying those things?

No. Wait.

Never mind that.

Hmm.

I wanted to let you know,

I would consider it an honor

to become your Queen.

And that's true no matter what.

♪

[chuckles softly]

[SETT]

If that is how you feel

then prove it

by performing your duty.

Huh?

[clatters]

[bed creaks]

[SETT]

A consort's main obligation

is carried out right here.

Wait.

[NINA]

Hold on a moment!

I'm not ready for that step!

Besides, you and I

aren't even married yet!

What difference

would half a year of waiting

make in such things?

You've no need to prepare.

[grunts]

[NINA]

This can't

be happening.

Let me go!

[laughing]

What did you intend to do

when you frighten so easily?

Such a thoughtless princess.

[SETT]

Why would I be interested

in someone as charmless as you?

I was simply toying with you

for saying that

you wished to become my queen

"no matter what."

Do not speak insincerely.

[SETT] Something happened

the day you arrived.

Princess Eliza grew

weary of my treatment

and turned a blade against me.

Her treachery

allowed me to finally deal

with a family primed

to sow the seeds of rebellion.

Forgive the long wait

for your audience.

You're a tool for

creating a righteous pretext.

And nothing more.

[NINA]

What Galgada is after,

I know full well.

[FORMER KING] Galgada seeks

any excuse to invade Fortna,

despite our efforts

to promote goodwill.

[NINA]

Somehow, I assumed

that it was only

their king's aim.

[NINA] I'll be introduced

to the crown prince

as his future wife, after all.

If we become close,

I'm sure we can

work out a compromise.

[NINA]

He's the one.

I had no idea.

Will you cross me and perish,

or will you wait

to die of despair?

♪

I can't wait to find out.

[NINA] He never intended to

treat me as a potential bride.

Is it even

possible to reach him?

-[SETT] Neena.

-[NEENA] Neena!

[SETT] Now. Run crying back

to your chamber,

princess.

[NINA]

Cry?

He wants me to cry?

The tears want to fall.

♪

[NINA]

But I refuse.

[HIKAMI] I hope

you're in better spirits.

Regardless, I must

insist that you eat something.

[NINA] I don't want anything

at the moment.

Don't worry.

I'll find something to eat

whenever I get hungry.

[NINA]

It's silly,

but I only vaguely considered

the reality of what it means

to become Queen.

[NINA] I can't risk my life

like this to protect Az.

As much as I want to.

The way I imagined

all of this would go?

It was amazingly

shallow and naive.

I'm foolish.

Powerless.

Empty.

There's nothing I can do.

I failed him.

♪

[birds chirping]

[AZURE]

Nina.

Nina.

What's the matter?

[COURT LADY]

She's awake.

-I was in Galgada.

-[COURT LADY] It's about time.

[gasps]

Are you still waking up?

You never left Fortna.

[NINA] [crying]

Oh, Az.

I had

an awful nightmare.

I was foolish and powerless

and I couldn't save you.

I will not accept your excuses.

Now, then, etiquette is

your least favorite subject,

so we shall start there.

[NINA]

That makes no sense!

You're so mean!

You've always

been mean, though.

Our first meeting

was pretty bad,

come to think of it.

You could've been

a whole lot nicer to me!

I guess, I'll let it slide

since I like you and all,

but it wasn't all fun

and games, here.

[AZURE]

Indeed.

But isn't that

always the truth?

[gasps]

[NINA]

He's right. Life is tough.

I've had my share of hardship.

There were times

when I was powerless

to change things.

It wasn't unusual for me

to experience desperation,

or even despair.

If I'm being honest,

my life was

pretty terrible at times.

Even still, you kept smiling.

That was something

I chose to do.

I focused on the good,

'cause even the smallest joy

can fill your heart.

[Azure chuckles softly]

You see?

Nothing could keep you down.

[NINA]

My private little joys.

And the most

precious one of all.

They will always

be here in my heart.

Nina.

Let's take a long ride.

I know you hate

being all cooped up.

We'll go outside

and find more joy.

[NINA]

Yes. He's right.

I'll go outside

and find some small piece

of happiness for myself.

[gasps]

[NINA]

Az.

[birds chirping]

[stomach growls]

[NINA]

It's delicious.

That's a wonderful thing.

[NINA]

Not everyone has amazing food

prepared just for them.

I can die crossing him

or die of despair, huh?

[NINA]

Well

what if I don't

choose either path?

In any case.

For starters

[footsteps approaching]

Princess, I

[NINA]

I'll choose to smile!

[NINA]

Hello, everyone!

Huh?

What pleasant weather

we're having today!

[COURT LADY] It's a miracle

that she's unfazed

after meeting Prince Sett.

[MALE SOLDIER 1]

I accidentally reacted to her.

[MALE SOLDIER 2]

Before I knew it,

I was making eye contact.

[MALE SOLDIER 3]

It's difficult to ignore

those piercingly

blue eyes of hers.

Prince Sett is

presently occupied.

-You may not disturb him.

-Hm?

[NINA] You realize I can

see him lounging around.

His lounging time is

of the utmost importance.

Prince Sett!

I gotta talk to you right now!

[SHIGAN]

You may be a princess,

but you are still not permitted

to speak with Prince Sett

unless he speaks first to you.

[grunts]

Fine then.

I have a message.

I shall not cross him,

nor will he find

that I have fallen to despair.

What I will defy

are expectations.

[NINA]

I will become his queen

and someone who is

indispensable to him.

You fool.

There is no such thing

in this world.

Everything is dispensable.

We will speak

only when I seek you out.

No exceptions.

That is your sole warning.

Remove this little pest.

-[SHIGAN] Right!

-Wait! Hey!

[SETT]

Crude and foolishly honest.

Such a bother.

You should hurry up and break

just like all the others.

[NINA]

It's true.

He really is scary.

♪

His gaze is as

cutting as his words.

What do I do?

How long can

I keep going like this?

No way.

I can't get discouraged!

He wants me to break.

Don't think of him as scary.

That's just the way royals are.

No matter how many

bad things happen,

there's still

a lot of joy out there.

[thuds]

[ANNE]

Oh, please forgive me!

I wasn't paying attention.

Really. My fault.

Colin?

Who?

I knew someone named that.

We weren't related,

but we were like family.

I bet this would've

made him blush,

but he was actually

really cute.

Just like you.

Ah.

Say, um

Sorry to ask,

but aren't you a princess?

You see, I only arrived here

three days ago.

In fact,

are you sure it's okay to be

talking to someone

as lowly as I am?

Believe me, they won't care.

I'm worthless!

Like a little pest.

[ANNE]

A pest?

Forget titles.

They're nothing!

Will you be my friend?

Come on, Anne!

Please say yes, please say yes,

please say yes!

Hm?

[chuckles softly]

Sure.

[ANNE]

If that's what you really want.

Ah!

You're my first female friend

in my whole life!

Really?

I'm so honored you chose me!

Huh?

[NINA] I became friends

with the new lady-in-waiting.

Isn't that great?

I'll learn all about her job!

[HIKAMI]

Why?

How's this?

I wanna thank her

with a hair ornament.

Do you think she'll like it?

Perhaps something plainer,

given her station in life?

Guess so.

But she could always sell this

if she ran into hard times.

[HIKAMI]

Princess.

It is most important

that you tread carefully.

You cannot afford to displease

the crown prince of Galgada.

Is this really for me?

Of course!

A gift.

Wha

But I have nothing close

in value to give you in return.

Why should that matter?

Plus, you're teaching me

all the workings of the castle.

I'm already relieved.

I assumed everyone around here

was under strict orders

not to talk to me.

No. As far as I know,

there's no rule forbidding us

from talking to the princesses.

[NINA]

Then I wonder why

they're all

treating me like that.

Maybe they don't

trust foreign princesses?

Hmm.

Well, if it's not

a royal decree, I can fix it.

[ANNE]

UmYour Highness?

Thank you.

This means a lot to me.

[NINA]

See? I'm happy.

[NINA]

It's nice.

All right!

Gonna do my best!

And say hello to everyone!

Wha

Now, where should

I find some joy today?

[ANNE]

I'm so very sorry!

[MALE GUARD CAPTAIN] You knew

it was one of Neena's feathers

and stole it!

No. That isn't true.

[NINA] [gasps]

That's Anne.

[ANNE]

It was very pretty,

but it was lying on the ground.

And so,

I thought it would be

thrown away.

I

And you think that gives you

the right to steal?

[ANNE] No, I would never

steal from anyone!

I swear,

I thought it was garbage.

[MALE GUARD CAPTAIN]

So, you're a thief who thinks

Neena is nothing but garbage?

[ANNE] That isn't it.

I'm so sorry. It was a mistake.

I beg your forgiveness!

[pants]

I'll take your arm.

You'll be forgiven once you pay

for your crime with blood!

-[gasps]

-[footsteps approaching]

Enough. Halt!

That's ridiculous!

This girl just arrived here.

There's no way

she could have known.

She'll be more careful

in the future.

[MALE GUARD CAPTAIN] Ignorance

is no excuse for theft!

Everything here

belongs to Prince Sett.

Even a tiny feather

that falls upon the ground.

[NINA]

Nonsense!

Then how do you

expect her to clean?

[gasps]

Prince Sett, do you agree

with what he's saying?

Even the dust on the floor?

Is that yours, too?

♪

You spoke?

Huh.

I don't recall

giving you permission.

You failed.

Fortna has earned

my displeasure.

That's not right.

Fortna isn't to blame.

[NINA]

Don't forget, I left Fortna.

I was sent here to get married.

I already belong to Galgada.

[SETT]

I see.

So, you're

a possession of Galgada.

Then I can cut you down

on the spot for your insolence.

As you wish,

if that will satisfy you.

Hmph!

Wait, Your Highness!

[sword clanging]

[slices]

[gasps]

Princess!

What just happened?

I bet you thought

I was bluffing.

[NINA]

The pain, it burns.

Am I going to die?

[SETT]

No need to worry.

You will live

if you're treated right away.

How could you?

You realize

she'll likely be scarred

for the rest of her life?

[scoffs]

Why should that matter?

I am the only one

who will see her body.

[breathes heavily]

There.

You just admitted it.

Right?

What now?

[groans]

You

You said you were

the only one who would see me.

So

I take it that means

you intend to accept me

as your bride

and make me your queen.

May I hold you

to that declaration?

[shudders]

You've made me so happy.

[thuds]

♪

♪

[SETT]

What is wrong with her?

This princess.

[NINA] "Night Six.

The First Princess."