01x06 - The First Princess

[bunniefuu]

[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 k*lling 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 k*lled 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 k*lled

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 k*lling

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 sl*ve

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."