Nina the Starry Bride (2024) s01e03 Episode Script

[NINA]
That fateful day,
I lost my name and former life
to replace a blue-eyed royal.
[AZURE]
Today, you shall die.
And then live
as Princess Alisha.
[NINA] Soon after,
he revived my true name.
[AZURE]
Nina.
Alone,
that is what I shall call you.
[NINA]
Just like that, I belonged.
I had no one in the world.
But then he said he needed me.
Onward! Hup!
Horsemanship
came naturally to her.
She learns quickly
when thinking isn't involved.
I love to ride!
Can I go beyond the palace?
And that was a rude
thing to say.
[AZURE]
You have the ears of a cat.
Permission denied.
It is not worth risking
your safety.
Are you worried after
what happened the other night?
Prince Azure, usurper!
[NINA] He was probably
one of that nasty
queen's henchmen.
Did he attack because
he thought Az
would take the throne?
I told you to forget
about what transpired.
It is behind us now.
[NINA] Something tells me
it's only just the beginning.
Hmm.
Wait. Where's Dytus going?
Returning the horse
to the stable.
Really, now?
♪
-Something wrong?
-Um.
There's no one
but us around here.
♪
We're alone.
Ya know?
Right.
Ni-na.
[whimpering]
Thanks!
[NINA] My true name
is our little secret.
Does it really make you
so happy
just to be addressed
by that name?
Mm-hm!
[NINA] It makes me feel
all warm and fuzzy.
Someone in the world
knows the real me.
Not too long ago,
I despised him.
Life sure is funny.
Night 3:
the night of dreams
What is this thing?
It's called a fita.
Making them is a popular
pastime among court ladies.
They're protective charms
from the south
woven with your wishes
and prayers.
And if I had to guess,
I'd say most ladies
make them with the one
they love in mind.
[NINA]
The one they love?
Nina.
[yelling]
[NINA]
Not a chance!
It's just that he calls me
by my real name.
I mean, sure,
he's a nice guy and all.
But it's not like that!
Is something wrong?
Not really. This was sudden.
[NINA] Besides, I'll be
married soon, so there!
I'll be married soon.
[COURT LADY 1A] Uh, I think
the prince should know.
A long ride?
Your ladies in waiting said
you needed a change of pace.
[NINA]
Hooray!
♪
I wanna ride. Let's go!
[NINA]
Nice to meet you!
[giggles]
You're too cute!
-Hey. Az, are you ready?
-[horse neighing]
What's wrong?
On second thought,
I cannot let you
ride by yourself.
We shall go together.
Huh?
Dytus.
We're using your horse.
You take the princess'.
Yes, sir!
[NINA]
So, we're riding together, huh?
W-w-w-what is this?
I might die of embarrassment!
It would be safer
if you moved nearer.
[NINA]
He sounds too close!
Oops! I'm so sorry!
That could have gone better.
[NINA]
Oh, wow.
It's like I can see forever!
Tell me, Az.
Have you ever got
to travel far away
-from your home?
-Perhaps I have.
[NINA] What's that building
with the red roof over there?
[AZURE] Hm.
That would be the royal villa.
Dwelling there at present
is the former king of Fortna.
I'm guessing
he's pretty distinguished
around here?
[AZURE] My great-grandfather
laid the foundation
for this land's prosperity.
To put it in your terms,
yes, he's far more
distinguished
than the current king.
He taught me much as a child
from 4 to 14.
I resented certain things,
but I respect him.
[NINA] That's the first time
he's talked about himself.
His great-grandfather must be
really important to him.
It's weird.
I can't help but wonder
what he thinks of me.
And how do I feel?
Are you in better spirits now?
Don't make the ladies
in waiting worry so much.
♪
Nina.
[NINA]
He's maybe a little special?
And kinda
How to describe it?
I know. He's important to me.
♪
Perfect! All done!
I'm going for a walk.
Princess? Wait!
-Don't go!
-She's far too quick.
[NINA]
It's gift time. Hey, Az
[DYTUS] You were right
about your horse.
I found cuts
on the saddle as well.
-I'm glad you took mine.
-Huh!
Yesterday could have
gone very badly.
[NINA]
What?
Someone messed with his horse
to try and hurt him?
♪
[DYTUS] These attempts
are swiftly escalating.
I fear I cannot protect you.
Perhaps the former king
can help.
[AZURE]
There is no need for that.
While I've no wish
to die young,
if it's the will of the people
and benefits Fortna,
I shall lay down my very life.
After all, one cannot
change the star
they were born under.
♪
[NINA] I hate this "written
in the stars" nonsense!
That's enough!
[gasps]
You're snooping? Again?
You make it sound like
you're okay with dying!
Somebody is threatening
your life.
Aren't you going
to fight back?
What if you ignore this
and wind up dead?
Then, that's the end.
You can't say things like that!
My life's not worth much.
Less than you might think.
You're wrong.
That doesn't make sense!
If you're going
to throw your life away
♪
then what am I
doing this for?
Please.
Tell me.
Such things should be
none of your concern.
I suggest you focus solely
on fulfilling your role, Nina.
[gasps]
Don't call me that unless
we're alone, you idiot!
[DYTUS] Are you
all right, Your Highness?
♪
[NINA]
That royal jerk!
I can't believe him.
He doesn't care
if he lives or dies!
[KING]
Alisha. Hello.
-Huh?!
-What brings you here?
[NINA]
The king! Could he help?
I heard you felt unwell
during the Star Festival
and had to retire early.
What a shame you missed out.
[NINA]
Oh, right.
The king doesn't know anything.
And it's not like
I can tell him.
It's about the queen.
I am here for you should
you ever need me.
Marquis Lloyd is waiting,
Your Majesty.
[KING]
Time to play Shatar, at last!
[NINA] I can't rely
on the king for this.
So now what?
Who can I ask for help?
Who has the power to save Az?
There must be someone.
Huh!
How has your morning
been so far, Princess Alisha?
[gasps]
Has she run off again?
[panting]
[NINA] By horse,
it's a half-day round trip
to the former king's
royal villa.
[horse neighs]
[grunts]
♪
[groans]
Owie.
Oh, did I startle you?
It's okay. I'm sorry.
Didn't mean to fall.
I won't let it happen again.
Someone important
to me is in danger.
But you'll help me, won't you?
♪
[NINA] I know he wants me
to leave it alone,
but I won't lose anyone
else I care about.
♪
You intrude upon
my solitude without notice?
But never you mind.
You may raise your head, child.
[gasps]
[NINA] It's a pleasure
to make your acquaintance.
I am called
Alisha Seth Fortna.
I hear your power is great.
I come before you today
with an urgent request.
You're my only hope.
I beg.
Help me save Prince Azure.
On the night of the festival,
an assassin
nearly murdered him.
The other day someone
tampered with his saddle.
I worry if this continues,
he will surely die.
I see.
Yet, who would undertake
such treachery?
Respectfully,
I believe it is the queen.
She hates Azure and imagines
he would usurp the throne.
It was her.
Azure himself voiced
what you've shared?
No. He won't say
anything at all about it.
I'm here of my own accord.
Good. I knew as much.
That is how I raised him.
He is gifted.
Teach him one thing,
he understands ten.
He has grown
into the cornerstone
of this land.
Given that, there's surely
a reason he chose inaction.
It must mean he feels that
is what's best for our kingdom.
That's not it!
He does whatever he wants.
Don't you want him to live?
You must!
He'll die if you don't act!
Hm. Calm down and come closer.
♪
Closer still.
Oh. Sure.
I knew it.
You are not the real Alisha.
[gasps]
Gainan! Fohnam!
-Right!
-Right!
No!
I, uh
One raised in the Astral Villa
would never dare tread upon
the star crest as you have.
♪
Throw her in the dungeon!
And strip the imposter
of her royal garments!
[gasps]
[door thuds]
Your Majesty.
I have an update
about Princess Alisha.
Is she bawling shamelessly?
Wellnot exactly.
[humming]
[GAINAN] It seems
she is humming joyfully.
[NINA] I thought a genuine
dungeon would be a lot scarier.
But it's a lot like
my old home.
Anyway
I need to make sure
the others are forgiven.
I made this mistake
all on my own.
I'll take the fall.
Then, I'll ask him
one more time
to protect Az at all costs!
He won't be in the best mood.
If only I could do something
to make a good impression.
There's gotta be a way.
Ah!
Say that again?
As you wish.
[NINA (SONG)]
Cleaning, cleaning! ♪♪
[GAINAN] She is inexplicably
and happily cleaning her cell.
What's the meaning of this?
[GAINAN] We have no idea
what she's playing at.
It could be bad
if someone unaware
of the situation noticed.
Indeed.
Threaten her a bit.
[humming]
You've been sentenced.
You will be ruthlessly flogged
a hundred times tomorrow.
Really? Thank you!
[NINA] That means
they're not beheading me.
You're all too kind!
Sorry.
Uh?
[groans]
[FORMER KING]
It seems you slept rather well.
[NINA]
Yes, thank you!
Like a rock!
Huh!
[NINA] I didn't think
he'd see me again so soon.
This could be my last chance.
I can't mess it up.
Your Majesty!
I humbly beg you
to save Prince Azure!
That is what you say to me
upon release from the dungeon?
Do I not deserve
an apology for your deception?
[NINA]
Of course. I'm terribly sorry.
I accept any punishment.
But in exchange,
I ask you to forgive
all others involved.
They are good people.
They use you in service
of their own interest.
So, why sacrifice
your life for theirs?
I owe them for giving me
somewhere to belong.
Besides, once you live
with someone,
they become your family!
Hm.
Living together
makes you family, does it?
Well, then
You said you
wanted to save Azure?
Uh, yes!
But I need your help.
Use your influence
to stop the queen
from threatening his life!
I do not possess
that kind of power anymore.
[gasps]
These withered
legs no longer move.
One day the poison
will spread and stop my heart.
I am dying.
I can no longer affect
this world.
[NINA]
What now?
However,
Alisha could do something.
Huh?
[FORMER KING] Your position
is actually quite powerful,
"Alisha."
It was my grandson,
the current king,
who agreed to this marriage
with Galgada.
He was remiss.
That mistake began
this whole tragic affair.
You see?
Uh-uh.
[FORMER KING] Galgada seeks
any excuse to invade Fortna,
despite our efforts
to promote goodwill.
That is why they demanded
something so precious
as our priestess-princess.
If we refuse, they'll invade
due to a collapse of relations.
And if you marry,
they'll simply invent
some offense
and invade anyway.
It's terrible.
There's nothing we can do.
[FORMER KING]
It would seem that way.
♪
And yet, this situation
affords Alisha
great power in Fortna.
She holds its fate.
With determination
and iron resolve,
Alisha alone could save
Azure from the schemes
that threaten his life.
[NINA]
Alisha's the key.
I see.
What exactly do you suggest?
You must use your head.
A fool cannot possibly
protect anyone or anything.
[MALE GUARD 3A]
Stand down!
No one is allowed
inside at present!
It is him.
I did not dispatch
a messenger until noon.
How fast must
he have ridden here?
You hasty boy.
-[door thud open]
-Huh?
-[panting]
-[NINA] Az!
You should know
that girl showed up here
begging me to save your life.
I and I alone am responsible
for this whole scheme.
Please spare her.
She is innocent.
I'm not!
It's my fault he found out!
Silence now.
I will explain to him
as best I can.
[FORMER KING]
That is unnecessary.
I have grasped the situation.
Only my two attendants here
know of the matter at hand,
so you may worry not.
We will guard your secret.
Rest here tonight.
And you may both return
to the palace tomorrow.
[AZURE]
So then, you're not
That is correct.
I cannot remember the last time
I have been so amused.
♪
Right.
♪
Let's go.
[door opens]
Hmm.
You may reveal yourself, Dytus.
Yes. Sire.
That girl is an outlier,
isn't she?
A most peculiar impostor.
And for that,
she will be the wind
propelling him forward.
[AZURE] You can see
the western horizon
so clearly from here.
I once adored this place.
[NINA]
He doesn't seem very angry.
Though his voice does
sound a little tired.
I wonder
if he was worried about me.
I assume you have something
you wish to say to me?
Me? Uh, I-I'm so sorry.
You could at least leave
a note saying
where you're going.
-Uh!
-[AZURE] What is it?
Golden eyes!
That's who you take after.
Your great-grandfather!
I noticed you didn't look
a thing like the king.
Now, I see the resemblance.
[wind whistling]
I have no royal blood
in my veins.
We are the same.
I am only a replacement prince.
[NINA]
What?
You?
It can't be true.
When I was a boy,
I was secretly
swapped for a prince
who died of illness.
Only the king, the former king,
and a few others know.
Our deception was complete.
Even the current queen
is unaware.
The young prince
was only four years old.
We could keep him out
of the public eye.
In a few years,
no one will notice
his changed appearance.
We can blame the illness.
I'll raise the child
at the royal villa.
We can't leave
such a vital task to him.
You will live
for this kingdom,
sacrificing everything for it,
never hoping for anything
else nor desiring more.
This is your destiny.
[AZURE]
My fate was not my own.
I was taught
that for ten years.
[MALE SERVANT 3C]
Though not yet grown,
Prince Azure is already
so wise and capable!
[AZURE]
I excelled at the part.
It fooled everyone.
You certainly enjoy
those foreign paintings.
[AZURE]
I longed to leave the villa.
It's a boy!
-A new prince has been born!
-Wonderful!
[AZURE]
A real prince, unlike myself.
As of today, you shall be
the second prince, Azure.
[AZURE (YOUNG)] Dytus,
am I no longer necessary?
[DYTUS]
Do not think like that.
You will be the king's advisor.
That is an important role
for our kingdom.
You're right.
Never hoping for anything else
nor desiring more.
[AZURE]
What does this make me?
They could have killed me
the day Muhulum was born.
That fact has never been
lost on me.
[NINA]
Az.
[AZURE]
I was merely a pawn.
I can't say that explains it,
but I saw others as pawns, too.
♪
That includes you.
I intended to kill
my princess stand-in.
We only need blue eyes.
Their gender
and appearance matter not,
for they shall die before
ever setting foot in Galgada.
[AZURE]
It would prevent giving Galgada
an excuse to move against us.
Blame for her death
would be placed
squarely on them.
However
[wind whooshing]
it turned out you were
no pawn, after all.
♪
From the moment
you went missing, I wondered.
What would I do
if you were truly gone?
I cannot lose
that tearful smile.
You're special.
There is only one of you.
-[whimpering]
-I won't let you die.
♪
Listen! You're not allowed
to go and get killed either!
I don't care
if you're not a true royal.
That's no excuse for you
to give up!
When Muhulum is king,
there will be plenty of ways
to still support the kingdom!
What's the harm in that?
I'll be a source of discord.
Even if that
is not my intention,
so long as others think that,
it could cause conflict.
Enough. I won't let you
throw your life away!
[AZURE]
Nina.
There! That's the reason.
You can't die on me.
No one will be left
to call me by that name.
I need you for that.
You could ask it of Dytus
and your ladies in waiting.
Shut up! I want you.
Who cares
if someone else says it?
With you, it means something.
Who cares
if you're not a prince?
Why can't you see
you're so much more
than that to me?
There's only one of you.
You are irreplaceable.
Nina.
♪
[AZURE]
Blue as the dawn.
Those honest eyes,
they weren't looking
at a prince.
Or at anyone else.
But right at me.
♪
Before, my life was empty.
There was nothing I desired.
♪
That-that was just
♪
Just a dream.
[NINA]
A dream?
[AZURE]
That is all.
[NINA]
A dream.
♪
Good night, Nina.
♪
[NINA]
That was not a dream.
It was real.
[NINA] "Night Four.
The Day of Departure."