Original subtitles

CAPITAL CITY ARTWAUR

Milady, stay close to me so you won't get separated.

That's the capital city for you. Truly a big city.

You can hold my hand so you won't be lost.

But your hands are carrying our luggage.

Then you can settle with my sleeve...

No, I'm good. Let's get going now.

Milady! You're making me lonely!

This is it.

Milady, we're here.

Are you okay?

Gosh, she just left like that...

Was that...

NIA LISTON: THE MERCILESS MAIDEN

A pleasure to meet you, Lady Nia.

I am Julian Lordheart, the director of the Ice Rose Troupe.

I am his little sister, Lucida Lordheart.

It's a pleasure to meet you as well. I am Nia Liston.

Is it safe to assume that I will be joining your troupe as a temporary member?

Yes. Having witnessed your performance on the magic vision,

I really hope you'll join us for the upcoming play, Lady Nia.

I understand.

For starters...

Please stop addressing me as "Lady" Nia.

But...

I am simply here since I was commissioned to be an actress.

From now on, please think of me not as the daughter of the Liston family,

but as Nia the actress working under the troupe's director.

Got it.

Hope we get along, Nia.

The pleasure is mine to have.

You're exactly as I imagined you would be.

That's why I'd like to chat with you.

I see. So there's another reason for my invitation here, isn't there?

Actually...

EPISODE 2: A JOB AT THE CAPITAL

You're late, newcomer!

You...

The girl from back then...

I'm Nia Liston. At your service.

So she's the next one...

Will she be okay?

You might be some noble's daughter, but right now, you're just a newcomer.

Newcomers should at least come early and clean this whole rehearsal room!

I'll keep that in mind.

Good grief... This is why I hate amateurs.

To tell the truth, for our upcoming play, The Girl Who Fell in Love,

we're going to cast a newcomer in the lead role.

That's the role of a widow who abandons her child, right?

Yes. She's a no-name now, but eventually, she'll become our poster girl.

She's talented and gutsy.

Obviously she's brimming with motivation. Problem is...

She's too motivated, putting pressure on everyone, correct?

Yes. This has put pressure on the child actresses who co-starred with her.

A lot of them have quit because of her.

So you decided to find a child from outside who could handle her...

Yes. We had you in mind when figuring that out.

Since you were always so calm on the magic vision,

maybe you'd be able to face her.

Besides, your reputation is going up in the capital.

In other words,

you want me to play the co-star of a leading actress who's been running in circles,

and use me to boost the profile of an unknown newcomer.

Nia, would you be willing to go along with these dirty adult schemes?

Do as you please.

I'll just be doing my job.

If I succeed, my reputation and popularity in the capital city will soar.

When that happens, that means I get to contribute to the spread of the magic vision.

I knew it.

Indeed, you are just as we expected.

What are you doing this early?

I was cleaning the room.

Alone? By yourself?

Yes. It's the newcomer's job, as you say.

Naturally.

Sharro White.

I'll be in your care, Miss Sharro.

Morning.

Hello.

Good morning.

Oh, yeah, yeah. - Please do.

We're going through the script now, newcomer.

Please do.

Have you read the whole thing?

Yes, many times.

Though I am an amateur, I still want to give it my all.

Just so you know, it's not enough to just memorise and say your own lines.

Acting is something that comes out of the interaction with your co-star.

Duly noted.

Please do.

Good grief, this is why I hate amateurs.

Hey, what was that just now?

I don't think I messed up the dialogue, though.

Why do I have to look after such an amateur...

It's not just about not making mistakes.

I am your mother trying to abandon you.

With a mother like that, it'd be unnatural for the words to just fly out of your mouth, right?

Indeed...

Act with more emotions.

Act with more emotions...

Everyone's taking this seriously, after all. I don't want some amateur to hold us back.

Um, could you please move?

This takes me back.

Cleaning the training ground is an expression of respect

for everything related to martial arts.

I guess it's also the same for theatres.

Milady...

Yes?

Should we kill that girl already?

Don't.

Also, return that tool at once.

That vile woman keeps complaining at you like she's some big shot...

It pisses me off!

Don't sweat it.

At least let me help you with the cleaning!

It's my duty.

Milady! You're making me lonely!

So emotional, aren't you? Maybe you're a better actress than me.

Wait for me, Milady!

Wait, Mother...

Wait, Mother. Why would you say that...

Morning, everyone.

Good morning.

Let's start today's rehearsal. We'll do some stretching first.

Okay!

Do you need a push?

No, thank you.

How can you even do that?

That's because flexibility is an essential part of martial arts.

Come on, don't be a stranger.

Hey, don't... touch!

Owwww! - You're so stiff!

Stop that! - So stiff!

Yeesh... Let's practice the dialogue now.

You're not going to say it today?

Say what?

"Why do I have to look after such an amateur?"

Yeesh, what an annoying kid.

I guess she's starting to feel a little more at ease.

Come on, let's do this, Nia.

Okay.

Wait, Mother!

Let go, Sachute.

I am no longer your mother.

You're getting the hang of it, but this line expresses the sadness deep within...

Milady.

It's time.

Oh, you're going to the filming?

Yes, for the usual career visit show,

and another errand, right?

Yes. It should be if it's for a short time.

Director, we can now promote our plays using magic vision.

Really?

Sharro, go for it!

Huh?

Wait! Get the outfit ready for her, and the makeup!

Coming!

I have to film my show now, so I'll be going.

Let's meet up later.

What? Huh?

I've never been on magic vision before.

Is there a reason to waver? You've finally won that leading role.

You really want this to work out, don't you?

Since you put it like that, no reason for me to turn it down, then.

NIA LISTON: THE MERCILESS MAIDEN

ROYAL PALACE PLAZA

ROYAL PALACE PLAZA And that's it.

Let's meet again at the next episode of Nia Liston's Career Visit!

And cut!

Nice, Nia! You rock!

We're moving to another set now, so sit tight.

Okay.

Here you go, Nia.

Milady, got a minute?

What's wrong?

Sharro White is surrounded by thugs.

I guess it'd be more stylish - I went to check on her since she's late,

to shoot in front of the theatre. - I went to check on her since she's late,

to shoot in front of the theatre. - and she's in the alley behind the theatre.

Got it. - and she's in the alley behind the theatre.

You're not saving her?

I am your exclusive maid and bodyguard.

That's for the best. You stayed loyal to me,

and picked me over Sharro.

But should you order me to save her, I will...

Hurry up and call for guards or militiamen.

Under... what?

Call for who?

Our future leading actress is in distress! Hurry!

Milady.

You're not actually going, are you?

What do you mean?

You're not going to save her, are you?

You're not actually thinking, "I've found good punching bags, oh-so-happy!" are you?

As if! Hurry up and go already! Double time!

Okay, off she goes.

Hurry!

Now she's gone for good, right?

Oh, jolly!

This is my first time getting excited since becoming Nia!

Huh? Where'd Nia go?

Dunno.

What's the deal? Let me go!

You're inviting us with that getup, huh?

We'll play real nice with you, missy.

Um...

May I join in?

Who's this brat?

Nia? Don't come any closer! Call someone!

Whoops.

Thanks to a stupid kid, our job just got easier.

You get us, right? Try anything funny, and that kid gets a snapped arm.

Don't!

Hey...

So, does this mean I'm officially involved now?

I can claim self-defence now, can't I?

Are you sure about this? If you don't grip it harder,

you'll snap my arm.

I think I prefer a stronger bunch, after all.

Well, I'll let this slide with your numbers this time.

Feel free to use knives on me. I beg you.

What's up with this kid?!

How dare you mess with us!

Come at me!

Ugh!

How dare you! You got a death wish or what?!

Run, Nia!

Oh, finally using the big thing? Nice!

Screw you!

Nia!

Huh? That's it?

What the hell...

Who is this brat?!

What a killjoy.

Who do you think we are?! Can't you see this symbol?!

Symbol?

Oh, are you with a mafia gang?

Does that mean there's more of you? They must be strong, right?

It's okay if you're only strong in numbers. Are there a hundred of you? Or more?

Oh, I don't plan on putting you down. Don't worry about that.

I just want you to get me more strong people to fight.

What the hell are you?!

Well...

I'll be seeing you again in two weeks at night. Better get it ready for me by then.

Promise me, okay?

If you don't keep your word...

I'll get angry.

Let's go, Sharro.

Sharro?

Yes.

Ice Rose Theatre Company, The Girl Who Fell in Love.

We'll be waiting for you at the theatre.

Cut!

Okay! That was perfect, Nia.

Thank you, Mister Benderio.

You too, Sharro. I'll be watching your play.

Okay!

Hey, what was up with you earlier?

What, you ask? I just saved you.

No way. You were tormenting them as if you were enjoying it.

You wanted to torment anyone you could, didn't you?

You wound me. I almost lost myself trying to save you from danger...

Put it however you want, the whole thing looked like saving me was an afterthought...

Never mind that, let's go back to the rehearsal room.

We only have little time before performance day.

Hey!

Let me express my gratitude at least.

Thank you.

Beating up the thugs and saving Sharro...

I actually felt both sentiments equally, though...

PERFORMANCE DAY

PERFORMANCE DAY I can't wait!

PERFORMANCE DAY Yeah!

PERFORMANCE DAY It's the one with the new actress, right?

Ice Rose Theatre Company, The Girl Who Fell in Love.

We'll be waiting for you at the theatre.

Everyone!

We've got standing-room-only seats for the opening night!

Magic vision really works wonders, doesn't it?

All right, time for the real deal now!

Let's give it our all!

Okay!

Wow...

The theatre is absolutely packed!

Are you nervous?

It's okay, as long as I'm with you.

Let's give it our all.

Though I am an amateur, I still want to give my best.

Leave it to me.

I'll look after the amateur till the end.

Let's go.

NEXT TIME: AFTER THE CURTAIN FALLS Next time: After the Curtain Falls.

NEXT TIME: AFTER THE CURTAIN FALLS