This is the Sun Kingdom.
It's the country ruled by the Sun King who controls most of the world.
The capricious Sun King, Livius I,
called for a princess of the Principality of Rain, who possesses the mysterious art of calling the rain.
For better or worse, this is the girl who was selected: Nike Lemercier.
Through sun and rain, wet and dry, what fate awaits them?
So for tonight, enjoy it at your leisure.
That's our King Livi! Picture perfect!
As usual, no retouching necessary!
E-Excuse me...
could you turn up the corners of your mouth a bit more?
Smile, sir. For the good of the country.
In what way is this "for the good of the country"?
The royal family bulletin only comes out once a year.
Many of the citizens look forward to it.
Consider this a way to deepen your bond with your people and smile.
But where is the Princess?
Just a bit more, Princess Nike!
Call on your womanly spirit!
Princess Nike, endure it!
I can't! It's choking me to death!
Silence!
Those who call themselves the royal family must at all times practise superior dress and decency.
I am the Sun Kingdom's top designer, and if you are going to wear my designs,
you must conduct yourself in a manner befitting a queen.
Posture!
Kindly lose five more kilograms before the engagement ceremony.
Five kilograms?!
Tell the chef that starting today, he must remove all carbohydrates from Princess Nike's meals!
W-Wait a minute!
What's this "engagement ceremony" stuff?
I know about the wedding ceremony, but-
It is a traditional, sacred rite that is held before the wedding ceremony.
It's also known as "the Exchanging of Suns".
The man and woman each bring a ring and exchange them, to formalise their engagement.
Wow, fashionable.
Pardon me.
How are Princess Nike's preparations progressing?
Lovely!
I guess you can dress up anything!
That was unnecessary.
kokoro no oku de taita tomoshibi
心の奥で 焚いた灯火
With the light burning deep within my heart,
tayasazu massugu hashiru yo
絶やさず まっすぐ走るよ
I run straight ahead to not let it go out.
hiroi sekai de yatto mitsuketa kimi to iu kiseki kawari wa inai
広い世界で やっと見つけた キミという奇跡 代わりはいない
In this huge world, I finally found it. The irreplaceable miracle called "you".
nagai nagai yoru ga owari wo tsugete
長い長い夜が終わりを告げて
The long, long night came to an end,
hikari terasu asa ga hajimaru youni
光照らす朝が始まるように
as if a morning basked in light was starting.
tonari de warau
となりで笑う
I'll smile next to you.
kimi wo tohshite
キミを通して
The things I feel through you...
ima kanjiteru utsukushii mono tachi ga
いま感じてる 美しいものたちが
All these beautiful things I'm feeling right now,
sekai wo irodoruyo
世界を彩るよ
they colour the world.
sagasou bokura no shinjitsu
探そう ぼくらの真実
Let's look for our truth.
My, my, my!
I thought I was looking at a goddess!
Is this really our Princess Nike?!
Beautifully drawn, aren't they?! Absolutely delicious!
Though I think they drew them bigger than the real things...
Only bored housewives read the royal family bulletin.
Your presentation to the citizens is coming up.
But there are many things to be done before then...
I've finished all the complicated behind-the-scenes nonsense.
If nothing comes up, things should go just as I planned them.
Come in.
Pardon me, sir.
There is something I must inform you of right away.
It is...
That's all?
Princess Nike. Princess Nike!
Just don't tell that pompous ass.
I love you, Jaina!
The public engagement ceremony comes only once in a lifetime.
Do you intend to abandon my masterpiece and wear off the rack?
It's heartbreaking...
Princess Nike! Come to the office at once!
It's an emergency!
The engagement's been cancelled.
What on earth?
The Ministry of the Priesthood did it.
Ministry of the Priesthood?
They are the state's highest organization...
...for managing the rites for various gods, including our country's patron deity, the Sun God.
Weddings in the royal family...
...must have the approval of the Ministry of the Priesthood.
But they have made the decision to not approve of his marriage to you.
But why?
The reason they gave is you being of a foreign ethnic group.
It's ridiculous. That means nothing in this country.
It's just a pretext.
Historically, there have been other lawful wives from foreign ethnic groups.
I'm the one they don't like!
Why don't they like you?
They may bear a grudge for how he took an axe to the degradations
of the Ministry of the Priesthood when he first ascended the throne.
They said that if we insist on them accepting you,
you must undergo the Rite of Illumination.
Illumination?
It's a ritual where you must retrieve a special ring to be used...
...in the Exchanging of Suns, which is consecrated in an underground temple.
The underground temple...
...is one of the most perilous parts of our country,
located in the depths of a dangerous valley.
Countless princesses have lost their lives there.
Because of that, the custom fell into decline two reigns ago, but...
I'll do it.
Didn't you hear what he said?
If I do this illumination whatever, he'll accept me, right?
So, I'll do it!
It's not that simple.
Accepting the trial would mean acknowledging that...
...the Ministry of the Priesthood...
...was correct in refusing to permit the wedding.
In other words, accepting that I'm not like the people of this country.
They are not the only forces in this country who...
...think ill of His Majesty.
Are you prepared to face all of them?
This underhanded way of doing things...
...must be the work of Rani Aristes.
But don't worry.
Even if he sends every one of his retainers at me,
I will not allow the slightest harm to come to you.
So shut up and let me protect you!
Damn. I can't say a word back to him,
but I don't like just being protected.
I don't want to be a burden all the time.
That's the one thing I won't be.
He's still not asleep?!
Jeez... Always taking everything on his shoulders...
Livi. Take this.
A ring?
It is a ring of protection that was given to me...
...when I left my home town.
When you find someone you love, give it to her.
Then you take it, Sheila!
I could never love anyone more than I love you, Sheila.
So passionate.
But please, take it.
You never know what the future might bring.
A rare slip, for me.
Where to find the Priesthood?
They're usually in the eastern temple.
Do you have business with them?
I guess.
He told me to just sit tight,
but I really want to get a look at these guys.
But even the royal family can't enter the temple without permission.
It would be one thing for a servant like me, but...
Stare...
Okay! Now, if I cover my face with the scarf...
I'm the big sister of Mary, lady in waiting to the Priesthood.
I came to bring her a change of clothes and a letter.
Wait.
He found me out?!
You really developed an hourglass figure since the last time I saw you!
Get back to work!
Okay, time to get inside.
Fool! Look what you've done to my sacred vestment!
I'm terribly sorry!
Please, forgive me!
I'll strike you down for your insolence!
You're...
Princess Nike!
This power!
Princess Nike!
It's really her!
How dare you raise your hand against a woman!
Isn't this a house of God?
I don't want to hear that from some foreign princess!
Don't do it, Minor Rani Theus.
Forbearance is one of the teachings of God.
Y-You're...
Rani Aristes!
This is him?
Forgive me for not coming to welcome you, Your Highness.
Forgive the rudeness of my subordinate, as well.
You should be apologising to her, not me!
But your power is truly shocking!
I hear you can call the clouds and rain, as well.
Incredible.
Is this really the guy?
Not quite what I imagined...
Rain and clouds are ill-omened things which cover the sun.
We do not need them in this country.
Yes. You are an ill omen.
Yeah, this is definitely him!
You're pretty straightforward about all this.
If His Majesty were to find out, I'd be sent straight to prison, right?
There's no making amends with a king like that, either.
He made it clear when he chose a princess like you...
Just how much he takes after that peasant mother of his.
I've experienced a lot of hostility since I came to this country,
but this is different.
His Majesty's mother, the woman called Sheila,
was also a woman of some nation's ethnic minority.
People warned the previous king that it would be the cause of...
...ruining this country and urged him to dispose of her,
but he strong-armed his way into making her a concubine.
That child is now defiling the throne and ruining the country.
This is sheer malice.
He must have felt it all this time.
All by himself... in that little body of his...
His Majesty's blood disqualifies him from the kingship.
Livius I never should have been born.
Don't do it, Princess Nike!
You'll lose your position if you raise a hand against a priest!
Let me go!
I can't stand it. I can't stand it!
You should be grateful to us.
We're giving you a chance to do this properly,
so that you don't end up the way that woman did.
It's up to you whether you take it or not.
He's been hurt so many times,
and this time it's my fault.
Your Highness.
Let's go outside for now.
Your Highness?
I might... not be able to stay with him...
Regardless, I'll take you back to the palace.
Actually, um...
Would you mind making a stop on the way?
Amazing!
It's shining in the twilight...
This is the best time to see them,
but that's not what I wanted to show you.
That is.
Those children are all refugees or from other ethnicities.
Until recently, they were part of what were called "the lower classes".
The king quickly abolished the class system, but he never...
...actively concerned himself with this establishment.
But lately...
Hey! You're the queen, right?
You are, aren't you?
You know me?
You know, from this! I love reading it.
Is the king not here today?
Yeah, it's just me.
Has he come here before?
Yeah! He looked at the flowers for the longest time.
See? There!
I asked him "do you like flowers?",
and he said, "I don't know. Flowers really are just flowers."
Sounds like him.
But he says that looking at the flowers reminds him of you!
Not just flowers.
Wind, trees, the sun...
Everything in the world that never moved him before.
When he thinks of you,
he can see their beauty for the first time, he said.
They all say it.
King Livius has changed.
Thanks to Princess Nike.
As far as we're concerned,
you have more than proven your worthiness to be queen.
Thank you.
I want to repay those feelings.
I want to become worthy of them.
It's true. They really are beautiful.
Sheila?
Sorry. Did I wake you?
No, I was just lying down for a bit.
But what's that sweet smell-
What's all this?!
Isn't it nice?
Majesty! What has happened?
The kids at the orphanage sent them for you.
I learned a lot about you today.
Hey, I want to take that trial.
Weren't you listening?
To undertake the Rite of Illumination...
I'm going to face it all.
I'm going to make them accept me.
I won't give anyone cause for complaint.
But...
Nike, if you throw yourself in the face of criticism,
you won't escape unharmed.
If you stay behind me, I'll protect you.
I know.
I haven't forgotten what you said about not letting any harm come to me.
But I don't mind getting hurt.
Any harm that comes to me because of you...
...is harm that I need.
I want to share your pain.
So I want you to let me fight.
With you.
Hey! What's wrong?
I can't stand it. Knock it off!
You hear me?
I thought you'd be really anxious about this,
so I was going to take this chance to act all chivalrous!
What am I supposed to do if you do it instead, idiot?!
You really are completely lacking in charm!
Huh? Why's he mad at me?
But if you insist, I'll just have to do what you say.
Hey, Nike. Hold out your hand.
No, this one.
It's Sheila's ring.
I'm sure it will protect you.
Wear it around your neck.
It won't go on your finger until the ceremony.
Come back safely.
Sure. I'll be back soon.
Sovereign Daughter of the Principality of Rain, Nike Lemercier.
We shall now conduct your Rite of Illumination.
The entrance here will be sealed. No one can enter after you do.
You must find another exit from the temple by yourself.
The time limit is the morning of the state ceremony.
You know what you must do, correct?
Yeah. I go into the Sun God's temple and swipe his ring, right?
The ring should be consecrated within the Sun God statue in the deepest part.
Now go, and may God protect you.
Okay, here I go...
It's a maze in there. Keep your wits about you.
No need to worry!
Just trust in me and wait here.
I know you'll laugh in the face of any danger.
Just don't come back feral.
That's what you're worried about?
I trust you.
I'll be back soon!
It's darker than I expected.
He said to just follow the path down, but...
It's getting complicated, and I'm losing my sense of direction.
Which way?
I guess I should look at the map he gave me.
Entrance
Probably
around here
He's messing with me!
Entrance
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Normally, I could get a feel for it by how the air was moving,
but the air here is so stagnant and heavy...
I won't be able to call the wind if something happens.
Now...
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe...
Well, let's have a look.
That was close!
I guess I can't take this lightly...
Countless princesses have lost their lives there.
Yeah, this place would be impossible for a born-and-bred princess.
I'm sure it will protect you.
Yeah, I'm okay.
I'll come back, for sure.
Okay!
A bug!
Whoops!
I won't fall for that twice!
That's... the Sun God's Temple?
Wow, look at all the stuff down here.
That's the Sun Kingdom for you.
This is it?
The ring should be consecrated within the Sun God statue.
Consecrated inside?
It's here! This is it!
Now, finally...
It's empty? Why?!
He never intended to accept me, right from the start!
And this is way beyond not accepting...
Sacred rite, huh? What a joke!
I know how you feel, Highness.
Ever since Livius I ascended the throne,
he has done nothing but belittling us and the traditional retainers.
All he does is pointlessly cater to the common people,
abolishing the lower classes and otherwise threatening the structure of society.
This is bad. At this rate...
His tyrannical abuses of power have only escalated since you arrived.
Not only are you a princess of a foreign country,
you are a direct threat to us.
So I will end you here.
What will happen to Princess Nike?!
Only the rain knows the answer...
anata wo omou
あなたを想う
I think of you.
yoru subete nagedashitedemo
夜 全て投げ出してでも
Even if I have thrown all the nights away,
aitakute aitakute soba ni ite hoshii no
逢いたくて 逢いたくて 側にいて欲しいの
I want to see you. I miss you and want you to be by my side.
dakedo ima kujikesoudayo nomikomu tameikide mune ga itaiyo
だけど今 挫けそうだよ 飲み込む溜息で 胸が痛いよ
But right now I am about to fall apart and my chest is in pain with all the sighs I've swallowed.
anata mo onaji kimochide iru kana hitori janaindayo ne
あなたも同じ気持ちでいるかな 一人じやないんだよね
I wonder if you feel the same. I'm not alone, right?
shinjite mite norikoerareru destiny
信じてみて 乗り越えられる Destiny
Try and believe that we can get past our destiny.
futari no mirai tsukamu tameni ima ga aru to shitteru kara
二人の未来 掴むために 今があると知ってるから
I know that we have this moment to in order to grasp our future.
donna yoru mo dakishi meteru yo Memories
どんな夜も 抱き締めてるよ Memories
No matter what night comes, I will embrace the memories.
asa ga kuru made ni mata egao ni nareru yo ne
朝が来るまでに また笑顔になれるよね
I'm sure I'll smile again before tomorrow.
tsunagu ashita wo I will promise
繋ぐ明日を I will promise
I will promise that tomorrow connects us.
Next time
I promised... I promised I'd make it back!
If you disappear, too...
I'm... I'm the one who was wrong.