01x10 - The Villainess and the Past

[bunniefuu]

[WILL]

I thought it was about time

[WILL]

I thought it was about time

I told everyone

what I know to be true.

I'm going to talk about

my boring past.

And about the future

of Roana, as well.

[WILL]

To start,

my little brother

is Luke Seeker,

the current king.

And I'm Will Seeker.

[REBECCA]

What?

[ALICIA]

That was him.

Grandpa Will, huh?

So, now's your chance

to come clean.

If you're the king's

older brother

tell us why you're here.

Mm. Of course,

I'll reveal everything.

♪

[WILL] My life before Roana

was very different.

I was the first son

of the previous king.

Sadly, my mother died

right after giving birth to me.

Most young children

would've still been

in their mother's warm embrace,

but I was already devoted

to the study of magic.

I reached level 80

by the time

I turned ten years old.

[snaps]

♪

My, Your Highness

is a true prodigy,

quite magnificent!

No, one who would lead

a country

must possess greater power

than this.

♪

[WILL [YOUNG]]

Should I?

Might as well!

But how?

A level 100 spell?

Yes, it worked!

[gasps]

No, get back!

[WILL [YOUNG]]

Help, I can't control it!

[explosions]

[WILL] My life was spared,

but unfortunately,

I lost my ability to use magic.

One year

after that fateful day,

my half-brother Luke, was born.

[Luke [baby] crying]

[FEMALE MAID 10A]

Is it acceptable

for a low-ranking noble

who isn't even married

to give birth in the castle?

[FEMALE MAID 10B]

They made a special exception

in order to produce an heir.

Because Prince Will is,

you know.

[FEMALE MAID 10A]

Yes, yes, I know.

When he lost his ability

to use magic,

he lost the throne.

[leaves rustling]

♪

My deepest congratulations,

Your Majesty.

You'll make a fine king.

You don't have to address me

like that.

[WILL [TEEN]] Father has

made it clear that it is my job

to always support you

and I have every intention

of doing just that.

And I am quite confident

that I can be an asset to you,

as well.

Well, of course.

I know no one as astute as you.

I will need your help.

Now, to work.

With a new ruler

must come new policies.

I know I can trust you.

The three of you

have never let me down.

[WILL] The four of us

handled all planning

related to matters

of government

and Luke

would give his approval.

It was a most productive

arrangement or at least,

it was for a time.

[LUKE [TEEN]]

Brother, a moment.

Hmm?

Listen, about these documents.

Aah, I'm glad you read them.

In order to advance

our kingdom further,

power should be split

between the Five Great

Noble Families.

I trust our thinking

was clear to you.

Yes, but I can't sign this.

Huh?

Such division of power

would have negative effects.

Mother is very certain of that

and I agree with her.

All right. I'll work on

the policy more. I can--

-[LUKE [TEEN]] Just stop!

-Huh?

What's the matter?

I've made up my mind

that I won't approve this!

And also, I don't need you

to boss me around,

you're not the real king, I am!

[WILL] That was the last time

I ever saw Luke.

A moment

that's burned into my heart.

[running footsteps]

[MALE SOLDIER 10A]

Will Seeker!

You are to be

exiled immediately

for plotting to assassinate

the King of Durkin!

Nonsense! I'd never do that!

[shatters]

[rain splattering]

[whimpering]

[WILL [TEEN]]

Rain?

[whimpering]

Hey, man, what'd you do

to end up here, huh?

Huh? Who's there? It's dark.

Is there no light here?

Where am I?

Looks to me like someone

gouged your eyes out.

You must've done something

really awful

since they just tossed you

out here.

Roana isn't the kind of place

you can ever leave.

Huh?

[screams]

[fire crackling]

You once told me of someone

who overestimated their magic

and it destroyed

their entire life.

The truth is the conceit

I spoke of was my own.

Big deal. That doesn't make it

okay to frame you.

Seems odd.

I mean, to just cast out

the king's brother like that?

Unfortunately, no record

exists of my banishment.

The official story

is that I went missing.

[WILL] Only a handful of people

know the truth,

including Luke's mother,

who planned it all.

[REBECCA]

Why would she do that?

Well, when I look back,

Luke's mother coddled her son.

And it's quite likely

she turned him against me.

Do you think the king knows

about this, too?

I don't.

I assume Luke must still think

I simply went missing.

So, why hasn't he tried

to find you?

He turned against me.

He quite possibly

already hated me at that point.

He and his mother

were very close.

He sided with her.

Did anybody ever bother

to come looking for you at all?

[WILL]

If I'm being honest,

I don't think anyone

ever tried.

The three nobles

that I worked with

would have searched for me

if given the chance,

but I heard they were all

banished to Laval

before they could.

The fact that

you've opened up to us

about what happened to you

makes me think

you're finally ready to talk

to the king in person.

[both gasp]

That's exactly right.

It's important

that I see my brother.

A criminal from Roana?

No way.

Well, he doesn't have

a criminal record,

so why not deny it?

Claim it was a false charge.

[WILL]

It's bothered me for so long.

Forcing innocent people

to live here

just because this is where

they were born.

Such an appalling act.

I must talk to Luke,

so he can set it free.

Set what free? Roana?

That's right.

But first,

I must apologize to him.

It's important to me.

But he didn't even try

to find you.

[WILL] In my focus on

making reforms,

I failed to respect his pride

as king.

I thought I was giving

my all for the kingdom,

but what I was really serving

was my own hubris.

It's possible that the king

may be wishing

he could apologize to you, too.

That'd be nice, wouldn't it?

But first, there's someone else

I need to get in contact with.

And who's that?

-[WILL] Alicia.

-Yes, sir?

I was able to see the light

only because of you.

I owe you my gratitude,

so thank you.

[gasps]

There's no need for that.

Besides, what makes you think

I'm not just buttering you up

so I can take over this village

in the future, huh?

[both chuckle]

[chuckles]

[WILL] You know, I don't think

I'd mind if you were.

[footfall]

[GILL] Pretty shocking to hear

all he went through.

Why would he tell us now,

though?

He seems fully intent

on facing his past.

Most likely,

so he can set Roana free.

I'm fairly sure

that's what he intends.

That's why he decided to

tell us his whole life story.

Huh, I see.

I'm impressed with all

the changes in the village,

like the vigilante corps.

Yeah, it's totally different

from when I lived there.

It really is.

It's because the villagers

there can trust him.

He's trying to pave

a new path forward.

It's his way of living up

to their trust in him.

I'm in awe of everyone there.

I know what you mean, Gill,

I want to learn all I can

from them, too.

-[ANNA] Miss Alicia!

-[BOTH] Huh?

Can I help you with something?

We hoped you'd spare

a moment to let us tell you

how much we adore you.

And how much

we really hate Liz!

[NINA] She's a mere commoner,

but batting her eyelashes

got her into

the student council.

How infuriating!

Miss Alicia, surely you must

know what we mean?

[ALICIA] I don't like that

you're goading me

into agreeing with you.

[all gasp]

She got into

the student council

because she's exceptionally

talented.

But you're the one who argues

against Liz's opinions

every chance you get.

True, Liz and I don't think

the same way.

However, I willingly

acknowledge

that she's talented.

Sure, but her goody-two-shoes

act is annoying, right?

It's so irritating

how everyone fawns over her

even though she's just

a commoner!

If you really have

a problem with her,

why don't you go complain

to her about it?

[ALICIA]

And one other thing,

this boy is a commoner as well,

but he's smarter than

all three of you combined.

You see, a smart commoner

is better than a dumb noble.

[ALL]

Mm.

[laughs]

Did you see how horrified

they looked when I said that?

I think my villainess points

just went through the roof!

-[sighs]

-Huh?

[ANNA, NINA, ELEANOR]

Make us look super cute

and stylish to boot.

Get to it already!

[ALBERT, GALE, ERIC]

We clean up nicely, don't we?

No wonder the girls

can't leave us alone.

[bell chimes]

Finally finished with class!

Care to join us

for some tea, Liz?

Sure.

[JANE] Excuse me.

[ALL] Huh?

-Huh?

-Why are you here?

It's just, I hadn't apologized

to Miss Liz yet and I need to.

I know I caused her

a lot of grief.

An apology made of

empty words is moot!

-[LIZ] Wait.

-Huh?

It's I who should apologize

to you.

Please, forgive me.

Huh?

I realize it's all my fault

that you did

what you did, Jane.

If only I'd had

my act together.

You're much too kind, Miss Liz.

I'm really not, though.

That's the whole point,

we should forgive Jane.

Whatever you say, Miss Liz.

Sounds like it's time

for some nice tea.

That sounds great.

Jane, why don't you join us?

Huh? I'd love that.

Huh?

[ALBERT] Don't take advantage

of Liz's kindness.

If you want to

make it up to her,

never associate yourself

with her again.

[Jane gasps]

What's your deal?

[gasps]

[all gasp]

Please, Miss Liz,

we need to tell you

what we overheard.

Huh?

-[HENRI] Alicia!

-Huh?

I've been looking for you.

[ALICIA]

Well, shall we head home then?

We don't have time for that!

We've got a real mess

on our hands again.

Ooh, a real mess, huh?

Yeah, would you please

just come with me?

I'm always in the mood

for some trouble!

[MEL] Ali-Ali's about

to show us her moves!

Huh?

[GILL]

When did you get here?

Oh, I was actually here

before you, but who cares?

I can't miss

Ali-Ali being feisty!

Let me get my master!

No, please don't!

He can't keep his cool

when Ali's around.

She certainly is

an elusive girl, huh?

Well, let's go.

-Huh?

-Huh?

Huh?

[footfall]

Guess they're not

going home just yet.

Are they about to have

another quarrel?

Huh? You through?

You know it'll be more exciting

than playing catch.

[ALICIA]

Were you looking for me?

[all growl]

Alicia, dear.

Yes?

[LIZ] These girls

came to me earlier today

to let me know you've been

badmouthing me behind my back.

[ALICIA]

Really?

But they didn't have any proof,

so I decided to ask you

about it face to face

and I had Henri fetch you.

[sighs]

There's no mistaking

what we heard.

There's your proof!

-Yeah, that's right!

-Yeah, that's right!

[ALICIA]

Ahh, please.

[gasps]

Could you be more rude?

[ALICIA] If you're trying

to set me up

at least use something fun

like that Earth Magic again.

Not these flimsy lies.

Otherwise, there's nothing

worth fighting over.

Tell the truth.

Have you really been spreading

mean gossip about me

behind my back?

No.

Good.

I'll trust that

what you're saying is true.

But, Miss Liz,

wouldn't that mean

you don't believe us?

You should have heard

the things she said.

They were so foul

I can't even repeat them!

[ALICIA] Oh, dear.

I almost feel sorry for her.

-[FINN] About that.

-Huh?

Are you sure you three

aren't the ones

who said nasty things?

You're kidding!

Where in the world

did that come from?

Finn, can you tell me

what you heard then?

Right, well

let me just get straight

to the point.

Those girls said

some awful things

about Miss Liz to Alicia

and she set them straight.

[FINN] I saw all of it

with my own eyes.

The rest of this

is just speculation.

But I think they got mad

when Alicia called them out

for being so mean

and they tried to trap her.

[FINN] I bet that's how

they really do feel, too.

In other words, it seemed like

they were baiting Alicia

and pitting her against Liz.

They're bad apples

and rotten to the core, too!

Don't point at people

like that.

Okay!

But how boring.

I came to see

Ali-Ali tell them off,

but she didn't have to.

[MEL] They can't even play

the victim right!

That's enough out of you, Mel.

[ALICIA] As the villainess,

I should do something

to help move things along

and really push their buttons.

[all crying]

[ALICIA] Hey, you girls

are really sloppy, huh?

Are you hoping someone

will come to your rescue

if you just stand there

and cry?

When you do something

that cowardly,

then shouldn't you be prepared

to pay the consequences for it?

Unless you're trash.

[all gasp]

[LIZ]

Did you just call them "trash?"

I get it. These girls

made serious mistakes,

but calling them trash

is too much!

My, how very moving.

[LIZ] [whimpering]

Are you taunting me?

No, you've impressed me!

I don't think

I could bring myself

to defend mean girls

talking smack about me,

but I'm not a pushover.

-[ERIC] That's enough!

-Huh?

Why can't you see

that Liz's strength

is in being forgiving and kind?

Oh, wow, what brought this on?

[ERIC]

Liz actually intends

to keep these girls

safe from harm!

Trying to protect nobles,

even though they dislike her,

is what she does!

She's truly selfless!

Tell me how you protect

someone with mere words?

Come on!

What about that time

a wild wolf showed up

on the school grounds?

[ERIC]

Liz protected all of us!

She's the most

courageous person I know.

Huh, did you say a wolf?

[ERIC]

Yeah, what of it?

[scoffs]

How does an animal that

doesn't even live in Durkin

just randomly show up here

on our school campus?

Who even cares about that,

right now?

[sighs]

Well, this was boring.

[ERIC]

You're just leaving?

Eric, don't you think

you said too much?

[LIZ] Alicia, I guess

we are too different.

[ALL]

Ah!

I think that commoners

are completely useless.

I must agree with you.

From now on I'm putting all of

my trust in Liz the Saint.

You two are totally right.

They don't even realize

they're contradicting

themselves, do they?

Something about this

feels weird.

[HENRI]

Good grief.

[ALICIA] I should've known

that wasn't going to be

all that interesting.

-[GILL] Um, by the way, Alicia.

-Yeah?

They were telling the truth

about the wolf.

It happened while you were

studying in that shed.

What? How can that be?

Wild wolves only live

in Laval, right?

[GILL] I know it sounds crazy,

but it's still true.

That's interesting,

but that might mean it may

have been planted by Laval.

What would be

the point of that?

We're not involved with them.

Hmm?

[sighs]

Huh?

What if they were trying

to find the Saint?

It makes sense.

Based on the legend,

they'd likely consider her

a threat.

Sure, anything's possible,

but isn't that kind of

a big leap?

Isn't sending a wolf

pretty evil?

I should write that down.

It's definitely something

a shrewd villainess would do,

isn't it?

[gasps]

Why would you need

to get any more evil?

Because I intend to face Liz

on a much grander scale.

Even what happened today

was the same as always.

[ALICIA] That's the villainess

I knew before I got here.

A strong-headed woman

who always stays true

to herself and her ideals.

I think I've gotten

closer to that,

but I'm still far from being

a villainess

who'll go down in history.

And yet, Grandpa Will

has steeled his resolve

to take a step forward.

I need to forge

a path forward now.

-Huh?

-I'm borrowing Alicia.

[ALL]

Huh?

Wow, what is this place?

It's my personal hideout

within the academy.

[ALICIA] He really has his

own private room

on the school grounds?

Well, that's a prince for you.

[DUKE]

Alicia, leave my uncle

I mean, please leave

Will Seeker to me.

Huh, but how do you

Listen, I've tried to go visit

Roana long before you ever did.

The situation there is unjust.

They do need help.

That's exactly why I've kept

in touch with my uncle, Will.

Oh, wow.

How did I not know that?

But if that's the case,

do you have any idea

who Grandpa Will's friends

were back then?

[thwacks]

[gasps]

So close.

You don't need to worry

about any of this stuff.

Stop wasting your time

thinking about Laval.

What? But I

All I want is for you

to only think about me.

[ALICIA]

Um

I want to lock you up.

[both groan]

The only master I serve

is myself.

I won't let anyone

take my freedom from me.

[sighs]

Hmm.

So, you won't be a bird

in a cage, eh? Right.

How obsessed with you

do you want me to be?

♪

[ALICIA]

Geez.

That was way too close!