Nina the Starry Bride (2024) s01e10 Episode Script

♪
I'm afraid I know nothing more
than you do, Princess.
[NINA] Just give me
your best guess, then!
Hmm.
Prince Azure
has ascended the throne.
And that is that.
♪
I'm worried.
Before your spring wedding,
I will bring you back
to Fortna with me.
I promise.
Trust in me.
♪
He can't really take me back.
[NINA]
It's madness.
He's endangering himself
for my sake.
Perhaps.
Yet, this never
should have happened,
your marriage
to an enemy nation.
[HIKAMI]
Not the astral priestess,
our blue-eyed princess.
May I presume that you know
the story of Fortna's founding?
Even children know that.
It's all about
the God of the Stars
and the Star Festival.
♪
[HIKAMI] Once upon a time,
there was a group of nomads
called the star people,
with the mysterious ability
to commune with the spirits
of all things.
They had piercingly blue eyes.
One day,
a girl of the star people
fell in love with a young king.
♪
Despite the objections
she faced,
she left her people,
and the two were married.
♪
With her wisdom and guidance,
the lands became fertile.
The winds calmed.
And the waters were purified.
They built a prosperous kingdom
called Fortna,
which flourished
for over a thousand years.
Ever since, sometimes
a royal of Fortna is born
with blue eyes.
♪
As you said, most everyone
knows that part of the story.
But there is more to it.
Why is it that
every blue-eyed princess
must become a priestess?
And why are they
raised far away
in the remote Astral Villa?
♪
The reason is that
they are believed to possess
a power of sorts.
♪
That is why
it makes perfect sense
to call off this wedding.
I do not believe it is only
for your sake, Princess.
♪
You must never be claimed
by anyone outside of Fortna.
[NINA]
That would make sense,
except I'm not
the real Princess Alisha.
[HIKAMI] That said, you needn't
do anything on your end.
[sighs]
[NINA]
So, nothing is expected of me?
Huh.
Az came to see me.
He hasn't forgotten me.
It fills my heart
with so much joy.
That gentle voice of his
and those moonlit eyes.
[AZURE]
Nina.
♪
[NINA] They resonate
all the way down to my toes.
But I still don't understand
any of this,
even though it's all about me.
♪
Things that concern me
keep on happening.
And yet,
I'm somehow in the dark.
♪
My heart feels heavy
and shrouded in fog.
♪
Homesick still?
What shall we do about it?
♪
Hi, Sett.
♪
[bird chirps]
[Nina sighs]
[Sett sighs]
You don't want these without
love behind them, right?
[NINA]
And then there's that.
Did he mean it?
Huh?
[screams]
-Hold on!
-[bird chirps]
-[SETT] What's wrong?
-Oh, let me explain.
[NINA] If there really
is love behind this,
I can't take it lightly.
I just have so much going on
in my head right now.
I'm feeling too overwhelmed.
[NINA] I can't accept his love
until I know how I feel.
It's far too important.
♪
Please wait until I can
work through it all.
All right.
What's acceptable?
Huh?
-[Neena whimpering]
-Oh, um
I guess we couldhug?
[gasps]
[whimpering]
[NINA] Wow,
it kind of feels like a big,
beautiful animal
has warmed up to me.
Why does he like me so much?
Huh?
Hey, Sett?
If I asked you
not to invade Fortna,
what would you do?
[SETT]
Fortna?
Actually, no, forget I asked.
[NINA] Become Queen of Galgada
and protect Fortna.
Charm the prince,
so he'll comply with my wishes.
Those were my goals
when I first came here.
But no longer.
Taking advantage of someone's
affection is wrong.
It's nothingreally.
The decision to invade Fortna
is set in stone.
[SETT] The throne is promised
to whomever marries
the princess of your kingdom.
Imagine this
a prince born of Galgadan
and Fortnan royalty.
The ideal tool for control.
Be aware.
They are not considering what
the Princess of Fortna wants.
[NINA] The weight
of his words is crushing me.
Breaking my heart.
This keeps happening.
♪
Pardon me,
I just need some fresh air.
[running footsteps]
[NINA]
It's not Sett's fault.
Stillwhy must I always
feel so powerless?
I've always been in the palm
of someone's hand.
My efforts are always in vain.
[crying]
[squawking]
[NINA] [whimpering]
I can't take it anymore.
[meowing]
Hmm.
How silly.
I don't get you two.
[squawking]
[doves cooing]
[NINA]
Whoa!
[gasps]
[wind howling]
[NINA] The city looks so small
from this big castle.
In fact, it looks
insignificant from up here.
But the city is actually
much bigger than the castle.
I can't forget that.
[inhales deeply]
I hate you!
I hate their jerk of a king!
How dare he treat me
like a tool!
At least, have
the decency to stop by
and see me face to face.
Don't ignore me!
-I hate me, too!
-[squawking]
Stop getting so depressed!
It doesn't matter
if I understand or not!
I already decided.
I'm going to protect everyone.
Right now, I should be fighting
the King of Galgada.
[indistinct chatter]
[MALE CIVILIAN 10A]
Step right up, folks!
[FEMALE CIVILIAN 10A]
Ooh, those look delicious!
[YOR] Former general Holt
will arrive in time, I assume?
[MALE HUNK 10A]
Yes, sir.
He's currently being escorted
here through back alleys.
[YOR] And the rumors
of royal succession?
[MALE HUNK 10B] I'm sure
the nobility is abuzz even now.
[footfall]
[chuckles]
Have you heard the rumor?
They're fighting for the
Princess of Fortna's hand.
Word has it that
whichever prince wins her
will secure the throne
and become the next
king of Galgada.
Stakes like that
are so exciting!
Uh, I mean, what a shock.
Prince Yor is scheming.
He intends to use this
tournament to his advantage.
[MALE GUARD 9G]
He has always lost in the past,
but perhaps he has something
up his sleeve this year.
[scoffs]
♪
[MALE GUARD 9G] We have
observed nothing of consequence
in the other wings.
The Fortnan messengers
have been silent as well.
♪
[all gasping]
[MALE SPECTATOR 10E]
My goodness.
[MALE SPECTATOR 10G]
Who's that?
It's the princess.
[gasps]
[indistinct chatter]
♪
[all gasping]
That's the princess?
Of Fortna?
[MALE SPECTATOR 10H] She's
as beautiful as a rare jewel!
♪
It is a pleasure
to meet you, my liege.
I am Alisha Seth Fortna.
And I humbly request
a brief moment of your time.
♪
First and foremost,
I wish to thank you
from the bottom of my heart.
I am honored to be
in a position to determine
our next king.
[NINA] I have heard that there
are those at this tournament
who wish to claim me
as a reward of sorts.
I will honor the traditions
of your great nation.
But in return,
I believe I deserve
a reward from the king,
if I may be so bold.
The king will consider
your request.
State your wish.
[NINA]
I won't let him ignore me.
I'll be fine.
I'm Princess Alisha, after all.
With a lovely smile
that will take his breath away,
I'll state my request.
Hear me, my noble king.
♪
Please grant me
the gift of Fortna!
♪
[King Noa laughs]
What an utterly
amusing thing to say.
[NINA]
Huh?
That voice.
Come closer.
Let me see your face.
I am Noa Halle.
King of Galgada.
♪
[NINA]
A woman?
That's the king?
You say you want Fortna,
is that correct?
You believe yourself
worthy of such a grand prize?
[NINA]
Worthy?
If there is meaning
to the value
others place upon me
then, yes.
It would seem that my worth
is rather indisputable.
[chuckles]
Come join me first.
Let us watch the tournament.
[footfall]
[NINA]
I've taken the first step.
♪
[chuckles]
[AZURE] I don't know
what I was expecting,
but asking for Fortna?
Wow.
Honestly
she thinks nothing
of my own plans.
Obstacles are meaningless.
She easily leaps over them all
to stand before me.
♪
I can't help it, I love you
Nina.
♪
[AZURE]
The day you left,
I died.
What? We cannot bring
Alisha back here!
You know
that would be impossible.
Even so, we should
not have married off
the Astral Priestess.
The former king agrees.
The Astral Villa pushed back.
Did they not?
Based on an old legend,
I was informed that Alisha
had manifested
no such powers.
So, I married her off.
Your shield
would become a sword.
I would lead Galgada
to destroy Fortna.
[KING]
She may be my daughter,
but perhaps I should do
something about her.
Do you have a plan in mind?
I do.
Grant me the authority
to mobilize.
If you promise me
you will not interfere
with what I have planned,
I will bring her back home
and protect our kingdom
from Galgada.
I give you my word.
An absurd notion!
Why would I ever allow
such a thing?
Ah, wait just a moment.
[KING] This could kill
two birds with one stone.
I lose nothing.
You seek authority to mobilize?
Then it shall be done.
We have no choice.
I shall grant you the throne.
However, you have only
a year.
That is my condition.
You will be king
for just one year.
Give it your all,
and thendie.
♪
I accept.
That end has always
been my destiny.
And that means I have
nothing to worry about!
[laughs]
[AZURE]
The fool.
He really thinks
he can undo this decision?
[crowd cheering]
[AZURE]
I have decided.
Is that so?
Then Azure has ascended.
[AZURE]
Now
there will be
no holding back
♪
until I have seized
control of Fortna!
[crowd cheering]
[KING NOA] This tournament
of ours is a vicious battle.
For status and glory,
warriors representing
the princes' wings participate.
Princes and generals
are forbidden to enter,
so combatants may fight
without restraint.
For good reason.
In the past, the heir
to the throne was slain
in one such tournament.
No matter their strength,
princes may not enter
the arena.
Pardon.
But what is your relationship
with each of the four princes?
You're truly fearless!
[KING NOA] They are all the
sons of my dear older brother,
the late former king.
[NINA] Oh, so she's
the former king's sister.
I see.
When my brother
breathed his last,
the four of them
were still rather young boys.
Preparing the perfect
throne for them
then became my duty.
I seequite a task.
They're all a bit lacking,
after all.
Well, that's
quite a thing to say!
[NINA]
Please forgive my rudeness!
Though, it's true.
It did not take you long
to figure that out.
[KING NOA]
Bidoh lacks ambition.
Yor lacks intelligence.
Sett lacks the heart to lead.
And for many reasons,
Toat is unfit to be king.
It matters little.
That can be compensated for.
I will be Prince Sett's heart,
so worry not.
Such ambition,
I don't dislike it.
[NINA] She's imposing
even when she's smiling at me.
Candid, and yet,
still keeping her distance.
Why does something feel off?
Let us witness how this year's
fighters perform.
[NINA] I can't really discern
what kind of person she is,
but I'll protect
Fortna from her.
No matter what.
Wait, what's this?
I ordered you to bring
former general Holt.
A miscommunication?
[YOR]
Miscommunication?
Idiot!
That's the monster
who gleefully slaughtered
-dozens of defenseless
villagers. -[evil laughter]
You brought me Dogra Kett!
You will withdraw
from the tournament at once!
You'll sully the Black Wing
and Yor Att's reputation!
We cannot!
I'm afraid it's far too late
to back out now.
There's simply
nothing we can do!
This can't be
happening to me.
[MALE COMBATANT 10C]
PleaseI surrender.
[grunts]
[crowd screams]
[NINA]
This is awful.
And the winner is Dogra Kett,
the Black Wing's entrant.
Clear the field.
Yor certainly chose
a monstrous figure
to represent him
in the tournament.
He must really want to win.
I wouldn't be surprised to see
quite a few deaths this year.
Is that allowed?
His opponent had surrendered.
Should his sick behavior
really be rewarded?
♪
[KING NOA] Such brutality
is not encouraged,
but neither is it prohibited.
♪
In Galgada,
the mightiest will prevail.
Both life and death
are in the hands of the strong.
[whimpers]
[KING NOA] The champion
receives a greater reward
than he deserves,
because he risks his very life
fighting to earn it.
[NINA]
I know what feels off now.
That smile of hers
doesn't reach her eyes.
This is the King of Galgada
who expands her territory
through battle.
♪
I must stay calm.
It's my only hope.
[KING NOA] Did you know
those messengers from Fortna
have been allowed to enter?
Perhaps they'll have
their turn against him.
[NINA]
Perhaps.
I can't wait to see!
[NINA]
She's trying to upset me.
But I know Az
can handle this threat.
The winner is Dogra Kett,
the Black Wing's entrant.
Prince Sett,
I must speak with you at once.
-Hm?
-In private.
[NINA]
Stay strong.
I have to endure this
and keep smiling.
[grunting]
Help me.
I can't stand the pain.
[groans]
You poor little baby.
Somehow still alive!
[NINA]
No, that's too far.
I won't sit back
and watch this!
May I stop the tournament?
Your request is impossible.
Sit down and watch, or else
[gasps]
Your Majesty?
Here's the thing.
Those orders?
I don't really give a damn.
Understood?
Hm?
[NINA] I will not
endure this injustice
or submit to what's written
in the stars.
-Princess Alisha, wait!
-Please, no!
This fight is already over!
Get him out of there.
But it would be too risky
to approach the wounded.
Stand aside.
I shall help him myself.
[Dogra grunts]
[Nina grunts]
[Dogra snickers]
[chuckles]
I never thought she would
go in of her own free will.
Is she stupid?
♪
[TOAT]
Dogra, you have one mission
and one alone.
I order you to kill
the Princess of Fortna!
[MALE HUNK 8G]
The Black Wing did not mean
for this to happen.
We requested
former General Holt.
I believe what he says.
Yet, this was no mistake.
We should notify
her majesty at once, right?
Is that all you had to say?
Do as you please.
[SHIGAN]
Thank you.
In that case, we will go
speak with the king.
Hold on.
I will tell the king myself.
I must fetch Nina, anyway.
Reporting this
is an afterthought, then?
Nina?
Who is that?
It's the Princess'
childhood name.
[MALE HUNK 8G]
I'm confused.
They do not have
childhood names in Fortna.
[SHIGAN]
What?
-[door slams open]
-[MALE GUARD 10B] Prince Sett!
[MALE GUARD 10B]
Emergency!
-It's the princess!
-Hm?
[panting]
[NINA]
I don't understand
why is he attacking me?
The princess is not part
of the tournament!
Run away!
-[grunting]
-Don't ruin my fun!
[NINA]
It's my fault
those brave men
lost their lives.
All humans share
the same pressure points.
Strike them, and you may
stand a chance.
It's a long shot,
but I have to try!
[grunts]
Even if it's hopeless
[yelps]
I can't afford to die here!
[AZURE]
Nina.
[NINA]
Az?
♪
I am this fiend's
next opponent.
Please stand aside,
my princess.
Get out of my way!
[swords clanging]
[Dogra grunts]
[AZURE] It's as though
his flesh is made of steel!
He seems to feel no pain.
What a hassle.
Yet, this must look
like a narrow victory.
[KING NOA]
That man is rather skilled.
I'd say he appears
to be struggling.
You're a fool,
he wants you to think that.
[KING NOA]
But I still don't understand
why that contestant
is trying to kill the princess.
[NINA]
He's saving me again.
Why does he keep
risking his life for me?
He'll die.
He can't fight and protect me.
[growling]
[NINA]
Az.
♪
What now?
What should I do?
[Hikami sighs]
I cannot do anything
with all these people watching.
♪
I didn't sense him.
[gasps]
♪
[Dogra grunts]
[gunshot]
[crowd gasping]
[thuds]
It's Sett!
♪
[AZURE]
Princess, are you all right?
Um, yes, I'm fine.
♪
[swords clanging]
♪
Did you forget?
I said,
"Touch her again and die."
[gasps]
[NINA]
"Night eleven.
The Love That Cannot Be."