Nina the Starry Bride (2024) s01e06 Episode Script

[wind howling]
[panting]
♪
[HIKAMI]
Prince Sett.
What business do you have
with the princess at this hour?
Her wound festers
and she has a fever.
Yet there is no need
for concern.
Though it will
certainly leave a scar.
[chuckles]
I did not inquire.
You are not only rude,
but quite impudent.
Were you not adequately taught
to kneel before royalty?
[HIKAMI]
Forgive me if I was remiss.
Please excuse me
while I change her bandages.
Your appearance betrays that
you were not born in Fortna.
Are you from Lindorm,
or perhaps Starbia?
[SETT]
With her eyes closed,
she looks like
a sweet, frail thing.
She is an unusual princess.
[HIKAMI]
That is because she was raised
in the Astral Villa.
She has spent her whole life
unacquainted with the ways
of the real world.
Such was her fate as messenger
of Fortna's God of the Stars.
The one who governs
fate itself.
That is perhaps
why she is so reckless.
She truly does not know
better, after all.
♪
[SETT]
A God that controls fate?
[scoffs]
Such arrogance.
When our time comes,
even shallow cuts are fatal.
The God of the Underworld
does not bargain.
Prayers fall silent.
♪
[exhaling deeply]
[grunting]
Take that, Sett,
now you'll cry!
Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow.
What are you doing?
[NINA]
I had to fight that fight,
or I might have died
from the frustration.
[HIKAMI]
Your wound may have closed,
but it has not completely
healed just yet.
It's fine, you worry too much.
I'm gonna visit Sett
with this foul wound!
It's what I traded
to be his bride!
Prince Sett has left
the castle for the time being.
[HIKAMI]
He's off to conduct a purge.
The other two
potential brides fled home.
Their nations
will suffer a penalty.
One paid in blood.
♪
[NINA]
Their attendants?
Huh?
Every last one?
[ANNE] Yes, each potential
bride suffered terribly.
Everyone felt sorry
for those poor princesses.
I'm told watching their pain
was hard to bear.
♪
That one princess who died?
She actually turned
the blade against him.
And that's why
Please be careful, Princess!
You well know that bad things
can happen here.
You've already suffered
much on my behalf.
No need to worry,
I'm healed up and good as new!
You should know
I'm tougher than I look.
Come, Anne,
I told you not to go out alone.
Not so long as Prince Sett
is away from the castle.
[gasps]
She can't while he's gone?
But why?
[gasps]
Sorry, please forget
what I said.
[COURT LADY 6B]
I beg forgiveness!
Come with me,
you deserve to be punished.
[devious laughter]
[NINA] It's him,
that depraved guard captain!
[laughs]
That's it, cry harder.
How awful,
we've got to stop him!
[NINA]
Huh? What's this?
Everyone's just
averting their eyes!
[MALE CAPTAIN 5A]
Come on! That means now!
There's nothing we can do.
The guard captain is highborn
and may do as he pleases.
Huh?
[NINA]
So no one's going to help?
[MALE CAPTAIN 5A]
This way, hurry up.
[grunts]
[screams]
The pain is killing me!
[NINA] Ow, something's wrong
with the wound
Prince Sett gave me!
Please, I require your help!
You must take me
to my room at once!
There is no time to waste!
If we don't go right now,
I will surely perish!
[groans]
[gasps]
[HIKAMI] Once more,
you have left me speechless.
[NINA] But it's not
like I had a choice!
That guard captain is sick.
He's clearly
a danger to us all.
And I have got to find
a way to stop him.
[sighs]
You mustn't concern yourself
with the problems of others.
If you should incur the wrath
of Prince Sett again,
you will suffer.
I've thought a lot about
things Sett has done.
It makes me wonder if he has
some kind of code of honor
that he lives by.
[NINA] Nobody would
have batted an eye
if he had killed me that day,
but he still chose to spare me.
Sett certainly
likes his threats,
but as far as I'm aware,
the only person
he's actually killed
is the princess who turned
a blade against him.
Maybe he only kills those
who threaten his own life.
And he's specifically
cruel to us princesses.
He tempts us into violence.
So, I think now I've got it.
This is all
a contest of endurance.
♪
Can you win it?
I don't have to win.
Just avoid losing.
He does not seem so soft
by my own estimation.
♪
[HIKAMI]
How can she be this brave
after what that monster
did to her?
Does she not value
her own life?
♪
Go, Hikami, I'm trusting you.
Assess the situation there
for yourself.
[HIKAMI]
I am trying, Sire.
But I do not understand
this strange impostor.
By the way,
as a foreign princess,
what do you suppose
my status here is?
[HIKAMI] Hmm.
I suppose you need to learn
to protect yourself.
This girl is no one's fool.
But she is brazen.
It has become clear
that you are incapable
of changing your ways.
Therefore, these skills
should prove useful.
[birds chirping]
[NINA]
Much better!
It's still a little
loose on me,
but at least I can
actually move now.
[ANNE]
Princess Alisha? I, um
Uh-oh. Having trouble
getting my clothes on, Anne?
I can't seem to fasten
the buttons on my chest.
Hmm.
I'm sorry, all of the
other ones are fine,
but it's way too tight
around my chest.
I try, but it's suffocating!
[ANNE]
Princess Alisha,
I don't quite understand
what you're planning to do.
This thing may be worth a lot,
but it's about
to become priceless.
-[gasps]
-[chuckles]
It's called killing
two birds with one stone.
[grunting]
[MALE CAPTAIN 5A]
I refused your request,
and my word is law!
[MALE CAPTAIN 5A] [smirks]
That never gets old.
♪
Except it's better
when it's a woman.
♪
[MALE CAPTAIN 5A]
Is that a new lady-in-waiting?
[NINA]
Oh, wow!
This is such
a beautiful feather.
[whimpering]
[MALE CAPTAIN 5A]
Hey, stop right there!
[gasps]
It's a crime to touch
Prince Sett's possessions!
You're in serious trouble now!
You'll be punished!
[NINA] No,
someone help, he's hurting me!
There's no one to save you!
Not a soul in this place
would dare defy me.
You're wrong once again,
I would dare.
Blue eyes?
Princess Alisha!
Someone, help me!
This madman attacked
the first princess!
My mistake,
I would never harm you!
You call this treason
a mistake?
Behold, his handprint
still mars my skin!
You just said yourself that
touching Prince Sett's
possessions is a crime, right?
You're in serious trouble
and will have to be
severely punished.
[MALE CAPTAIN 5A] You're merely
the princess of a tiny kingdom.
Does a guard captain
rank higher than a princess?
You wretch.
I won't let you
get away with this!
Being the strongest one
is irrelevant.
[NINA] Use your
foe's strength against them.
Turn.
Master this and easily
defeat your enemies.
Focus on strategic targets.
[HIKAMI] All humans share
the same pressure points.
♪
You may be delicate,
but if you strike one
with intense precision
[grunts]
♪
[indistinct chatter]
It is your turn, guards.
Arrest this man at once!
Toss him
in the dungeon quickly.
Ah, Princess.
Consider what
Prince Sett will say
when he returns home.
I have, it will be lovely!
I'm not allowed to speak
to him first, after all.
How very auspicious.
Now, I have a good reason
to speak with the prince!
Even this horrible guard
has proven most useful.
[NINA] Please be sure to report
all of this to Prince Sett.
[laughs]
[MALE SOLDIER 6N] Could this
princess be different
from the rest?
[COURT LADY 6E]
Maybe if we befriend her
[MALE SOLDIER 6O] Perhaps we
won't have to watch helplessly
as she sinks into despair.
♪
Princess, here,
more fitting clothes.
I'll brew a nice pot of tea.
You don't have
a sweet tooth, do you?
[indistinct chatter]
Thanks!
[laughing]
[birds chirping]
[SOLDIERS]
Prince Sett!
Welcome back.
Hm?
What happened?
Something feels
amiss around here.
The very atmosphere
has shifted.
Indeed.
As it were
[whispering]
Is that so?
[MALE SOLDIER 6P]
There was a bit of a skirmish
in the Cousk Region.
[MALE SOLDIER 6Q]
Really?
[gasps]
What is your excuse?
You dared use my name
to have a man arrested.
Do you fancy yourself
the queen of this castle?
♪
I just did what had to be done.
He was a danger to everyone.
[SETT]
So?
This is my castle.
It's your fault for letting him
do whatever he wants!
[thuds]
Next time,
I'll cut you to the bone.
[whimpering]
[NINA]
Remain calm. Stop trembling.
You will do no such thing.
I would never do you harm,
so there will be
no need for that.
-What do you mean by--
-[NEENA] It's Sett!
Sett is home! Sett is home!
With Neena!
Uh-oh, here she comes!
That's enough, calm yourself!
My arm is right here!
[squawking]
[SETT]
The divine messenger
with eyes of blue.
Hey, that really hurts,
you know?
[SETT] I shall henceforth
appoint you Neena's caretaker.
If you choose to accept,
I shall keep you near to me.
You may also refuse,
if you so please.
Make your choice.
♪
[NINA]
Oh, this is a challenge.
I accept.
It would be my pleasure.
♪
[NINA]
I won't lose!
Believe me, birdie,
Sett is a big jerk.
Nina. Big jerk, big jerk.
Hey, now, I said,
"Sett is a jerk!"
Nina's a big jerk, big jerk!
So annoying that she's clearly
not saying her name.
How is a bird so intentional?
[NINA]
Your favorite kind of seed!
[squawking]
[smirks]
You want it?
[whimpering]
-[screams]
-[NINA] Ow, ow, ow, stop it.
I was only kidding,
I didn't eat it.
See?
Stand down!
I require silence,
you are disrupting my nap.
Your birdie's the one
being so noisy!
[NEENA]
Sett!
Neena's voice
is like a gentle breeze.
You caused the cacophony.
♪
Sleepy Sett!
What's this?
Oh, well, we don't want you
catching a cold, now, do we?
Goodness, you must admit
that I would make
a most considerate queen.
[scoffs]
Quite considerate.
You make a rather fine servant.
[NINA] I haven't managed
any progress today.
I'm not losing,
but I'm definitely not winning.
I came here solely
to become queen.
That's the only way
to protect Fortna.
♪
Little did I know
that Sett thinks a queen
is nothing but a tool
for justifying conquest
in foreign lands.
♪
I was hoping I could spark
change in him,
but it may be impossible.
It's quite annoying
when you stare at me.
You are dismissed.
All right, that's fine,
I'll get out of your hair now.
But I will be back later
to take care of your bird.
[NINA] If only I had
more to work with.
[SETT]
Oh, right.
I nearly forgot.
We are going to Galgada.
And we shall be there
for a long while.
Ready yourself.
Huh?
What?
This truly is wonderful
news, princess!
He has never taken a woman
with him to Galgada before!
Perhaps this means the prince
is warming up to you at last!
Do you really think so?
Of course, you've charmed him!
We always knew
you could do it, Princess!
[groans]
[NINA] If you ask me,
it certainly doesn't feel like
Sett is warming up.
You are to be wed
in the coming spring.
An invitation at this time
can only mean
that they are curious to meet
the bride of the
future monarch.
They have undoubtedly received
all manner of reports.
[NINA] Hikami has a way
of saying things
without saying them.
Speaking of, you should know
the guard captain
has finally been replaced!
You are now on the precipice
of a critical juncture.
I'm on the where of a what now?
[Hikami sighs]
Well, parental approval
is important
to any successful marriage.
[NINA]
That's true.
If I want to protect Fortna,
my best bet is getting
his family to approve of me.
Understood.
The King of Galgada is stern.
It was the King
who expanded our nation
and led us to greatness.
[NINA] Sounds a lot like
Az's great-grandfather.
I don't know all the specifics,
but Prince Sett is special.
He has two older brothers,
yet he was the one chosen
to ascend the throne.
[NINA] So, Sett
is a crimson-eyed Muhulum?
Well, I don't know.
It is possible
that Prince Sett's attendants
could provide
the insight you seek.
We cannot speak to that,
and it is none
of your business.
[NINA]
I expected as much.
This leaves me no choice.
I'll have to get my intel
straight from the source.
This trip'll be great!
I can't wait
to meet his family.
There is the King, of course,
as well as all of his brothers.
[NINA] I wonder what
they're like, little birdie.
[squawking]
Neena is no pretext
for prattle.
Oh, hello, Prince Sett,
did you wish to speak with me?
Such a cunning creature.
Do you think this is a chance
to ingratiate yourself to them?
Yes, that's the idea.
You will fail.
They are not the sort of people
you expect them to be.
I'm not too worried!
My father and great-grandfather
were quite eccentric, too.
I'm sure if I try my hardest,
it'll be all right.
And the best part
about meeting your family?
I'll finally get
to know you better!
Don't forget, I am
your future queen, after all.
I want us to be closer.
This is a fine opportunity
to achieve that.
[SETT]
Family?
For royalty?
Come closer.
Kneel before me.
You were raised a priestess
despite being a princess.
At your nation's beck and call,
you were sold like a slave
and married off
to a foreign land.
You don't complain when
your intended spouse is cold.
Instead, you continue
to fulfill your duty,
without the barest hint
of resentment
or even mild displeasure.
Your utter devotion
makes me want to vomit.
♪
[NINA]
Huh?
Could it be that he dislikes
the royal way of life as well?
To be quite clear,
it's not devotion.
I chose this path,
it's mine to walk.
♪
[SETT]
She is fearless.
Undaunted.
Immaculate goodness.
Priestess of God.
The embodiment of God.
I see, you are all
that I despise
most in this wretched world.
♪
Things meant to be tainted.
[gasps]
♪
[smirks]
♪
[chuckles]
Has the princess
grown up a little?
[thuds]
[squawks]
Huh
Idiot, stupid jerk!
You're just so mean!
[NINA]
You dare ask if I've grown up?
What about you, you big baby?
You've never even
fallen in love before!
[NINA]
Wow, I-I screwed up.
How will I fix this?
I overreacted.
Not from anger
or frustration,
but from sadness.
Even stillI won't cry.
[crying]
♪
[NINA] It takes about ten days
to reach Galgada.
Are you still tired,
Princess Alisha?
Did something happen?
Huh?
[ANNE]
You seem so down lately,
it's got me worried.
I feel just fine, promise.
See?
-Ah?
-Ah?
Please watch your step
or you will risk a fall.
The roads are much
muddier than usual.
It was pouring down rain
until just yesterday.
Let's prepare.
It will not be long now
until we depart.
Depart?
Already?
The current conditions
warrant a detour.
It appears
there was a landslide
on the road we would
have normally taken.
♪
[NINA]
Off we go.
I'm glad I have
my own carriage.
[horse neighing]
My mind has been cloudy.
Just like the sky.
[rain splattering]
-[squawks]
-Don't worry.
There's nothing
to be afraid of.
I promise to keep you
safe and sound.
[MALE SOLDIER 6T]
Be careful, everyone!
Don't fall!
I hope Hikami and Anne
are doing okay out there.
[horse neighing]
[screaming]
[rain splattering]
[groaning]
Ah, ow.
Huh?
Did I slide down that cliff?
I'm lucky to still be alive.
Oh, ow.
Wait!
Neena!
No.
[squawks]
Neena, come back!
I can't help you
if you fly away!
Neena! Neena!
Oh, where are you?
Uh, it hurts.
Neena must be terrified.
I've got to find her
and tell her it's okay.
♪
Yikes, my dress
is drenched in mud.
Hikami will be angry with me.
Poor Anne,
I bet she's worried sick.
My shoulder's injured.
Why must these things
keep happening to me?
[exhaling deeply]
I'm suddenly freezing.
Have I done something awful
to deserve this?
My body's so heavy.
Huh, perhaps this is my
divine punishment
[thuds]
for striving to be queen?
That was bad.
Or maybe for lying to a God?
Am I lost?
I don't remember
which way I came from.
It's clear no one
is coming to help me.
It makes perfect sense.
I'm not the real Alisha,
after all.
Maybe I'll die.
Lost and without a name.
♪
I want to go back to Fortna.
♪
To go home
that's all.
♪
I just hope he'll forgive me.
His heart is all that I need.
Please, Az.
Huh?
What is it?
Something's there, I see you.
♪
Golden eyes.
♪
[growls]
[roaring]
[gasps]
No!
Az!
♪
[rustling]
[NINA] "Night seven,
The Great Nation's Dream."