Original subtitles

Say, Alec... About the music I'll be performing at the Holy Night's Banquet...

There's a list of potential songs for that.

But I have a narrow it down now... What kind of songs would you like, Chris?

You're always so relaxed, but seems like that won't fly this year, Chris.

Once the new year comes your marriage will be drawing closer, and you'll have a lot to do, huh?

Alan, try to stay out of His Highness' way.

All right.

Things are looking grave!

Alec, reject the application of the Dorud Company.

In that case, Earl Dauner will also be involved. That may pose a challenge if we don't lay the groundwork.

The bridge over Tessen River is the top priority.

Earl Dauner has been asked to send a budget application for the steel mines.

Er... I was talking...

Please, just listen to me.

What's the matter?

In accordance with the Holy Night's Banquet,

there will be prominent families from the Miseral Dukedom in attendance.

What's so awful about that?

It isn't Mintz who will be coming like usual.

Could this be good news, then?

Congrats, Glen!

This isn't a joke! It will be a 10-year-old young lady!

Above all, my mother is the most excited about it. She's telling me how she wants a cute daughter...

If she wants one so bad, her and my father should get to work.

Hold on, Glen. Don't elaborate on your family planning in the prince's office.

Glen, Alan. Leave.

Huh?

Just a little while ago, Lady Eisenach was lamenting over Glen's history of love affairs to my mother.

Now he's suffering the consequences.

It's about time we have more matters to discuss.

So this is how the womanizing ends.

Do you guys have nothing left of that spark of youth called "friendship"?

If you're going to help with sorting the documents, I'd be quite happy to give you counsel.

I don't mind either way as long as it's fun.

It seems like I'd have a hard time understanding the friendship of gentlemen as a woman.

Joking aside, it's a little tricky to come in at this time of the year.

Lady Elianna, you have a visitor.

If you'll excuse me, please.

Eli, is there something you're struggling with?

Well, I'm glad that everything is all right.

The "something" that His Highness mentioned...

is more of problem that I'm not accustomed to that has become a situation recently,

and is a truth that I cannot deny makes my steps forward grow heavier.

A Letter From the Pearl Princess

We apologize for the wait, Lady Elianna!

Please begin.

Lady Elianna, Today I have brought you the precious golden pearl.

And I have prepared a newly designed dress to go with it.

Please also take a look at this textile.

And this as well.

And this!

And be sure to consider this!

My issue is, deciding on which one from among the queen's attendants I will use...

Lady Elianna, how about we see how they'll look on you?

How do you like this one?

Or perhaps this one?

Does this one suit your tastes?

Er, well...

I hope the Lady is okay.

Just staying at the palace until the Holy Night's Banquet is over has her mentally exhausted.

Lady Elianna, has anything tickled your fancy?

Um...

If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

This sketch is decorated with fresh flowers, and it's based on the Yule flowers, right?

That is correct.

Yules are, in the ancient Gaelga mythology, a symbol of the maiden loved by the goddess.

While that goddess is a symbol of purity, she is also a goddess who prefers showy colors and designs.

So, how about making the neckline even deeper like a goddess' attire,

and adorning this part with lace that has a Yule flower design?

I see!

Lady Elianna, please give some suggestions to the Nash Company, as well!

Well. Didn't you just get some advice from her yesterday, Nash Company?

Same for you, Sinus Company. Aren't you always asking about the origins of jewels?

How dare you!

How dare YOU?!

Lady Elianna, I think this one would suit you best!

I would definitely choose this one.

Oh no, the dazzling red is much nicer!

Elianna, have you still not decided on your attire?

Though this is nothing new, it's still an inconvenience.

Elianna. The role of the crown princess is not to gain popularity by giving useful advice to the companies,

nor is it to be swayed by the words of her maids.

Yes, Your Highness.

That low-cut, golden yellow dress with the flowers.

Yes, Your Highness!

Is there a new silversmith design available for the jewelry?

Yes, it's right over here.

This won't do. Neither will this.

Can I become someone like her?

I'm exhausted.

Thank you so much! We look forward to seeing you again!

Elianna. You are the next crown princess of the Kingdom of Sauslind.

Continuing to be protected by Chris and only reading your books...

you're going to get yourself in trouble in critical moments.

Yes, Your Highness.

Once the date of your wedding is officially set, I will not allow you to be spoiled as you have repeatedly been.

Once you've become a member of the royal family, you'll need to learn to read what lies underneath a person,

and the art of quarreling with veteran deceivers.

On that point, I feel it's too late for you in terms of socializing. But you yourself know that, yes, Elianna?

Yes, Queen Henrietta.

I told you the other day. When it's just the two of us, what do you call me?

Mother.

Elianna, I also told you that you must not be embarrassed every time you call me "Mother."

It's as if I have forced it from you, isn't it?

Yes, I sincerely apologize.

In any case, today there is something of great importance I must speak to you about.

Yes, Your Highness.

Elianna, you remember the Ashen Nightmare from fifteen years ago, don't you?

It was a plague that originated in the northeast of Sauslind and produced a colossal amount of deaths.

This included your mother...

Right.

As is well-known, I also fell ill from this sickness, and I was quarantined from the palace for a period of time.

At the time, Chris was at the young age of seven...

Since there was some time between me marrying into the crown and Chris' birth,

many things were said about that by those around me.

You understand my intentions, right?

The problem that the current royal family of Sauslind is dealing with now,

is that the only direct heir is Prince Christopher.

Oh?

Originally, once His Highness ascends the throne,

the king's younger brother, His Highness Theodore, will relinquish his rights to succession.

However, the king's younger brother is still in his spot.

In fact, the court is divided into three factions: those who support His Highness Theodore,

those who favor His Highness Christopher, and those who remain neutral.

Perhaps the decision Prince Theodore himself made to take the position of head of the royal archives,

the farthest position from power, may have been made to avoid a struggle for the throne.

You mean a concubine?

But Queen Henrietta, what about the support of the Miseral Dukedom?

That country was quite ready to offer up one of its own duchesses to us.

Oh no...

Do you think that's awful? Is it too inconsiderate of me?

But that is the fate of women who marry into royal families.

Elianna. What you lack more than the social aspect, more than anything else

is the determination to marry into the royal family.

What happened to me could happen to you so easily.

As the one who will stand next to Chris, the crown prince of Sauslind,

do you have that determination?

Those words were a ripple in my chest that then became a huge wave called "anxiety"

and seemed to engulf me.

Looks like every lady here has been completely captivated.

That always happens when Elen is around.

More importantly, Your Highness, this was a while ago, but Glen is the one who destroyed the snow rabbit!

I heard it was a masterpiece made by your very hands for my big sister, Mireille.

Lady Sharon, that is something that occurred when I was five or six years old.

Maybe it was those around us who saw and remember.

Oh dear, I heard it from Mireille.

That's one of her treasured memories with Your Highness, and she still talks about it often.

Miss Mireille...

She's the Grand Duchess, also known as the "Pearl Princess" and the pride of the Miseral Dukedom,

known for her beauty and wit.

She is now married to the nobleman of the country and has stepped down from her position as duchess.

Since she's close in age to His Highness they've interacted since they were young,

and it's said that at one time she was a candidate for his fiancé.

I wish you could have invited Mireille to the Holy Night's Banquet as well, but...

she's still in mourning.

I can't believe her husband passed after not even two years of marriage.

As a citizen of an allied country, I offer my condolences.

I'm sure Mireille would feel better to know of your kindness.

Prince Christopher, will you comfort Mireille with the acquaintanceship of a childhood friend?

Lady Elianna.

I beg for your generosity concerning Mireille.

Lady Sharon, I am sorry for her loss, but condolences from Sauslind have already been sent.

If I were to be any more inconsiderate, it may bother her as she is still immersed in memories of her husband.

But-

I understand that you are trying to cheer her up.

Glen is a lucky man to have found such a kind-hearted and promising partner.

Truly.

I'm sure everyone will envy our family for being blessed by the graces of the goddess of good marriage!

In any case, I wonder where my son has gone off to.

Lady Eisenach, you're causing me some trouble as well.

You must have fired my mother up too with that excitement.

Something about the joy of a having a daughter and so forth...

Oh my... I'm afraid you don't understand, Your Highness.

Daughters are such lovely things.

I don't need anyone to tell me how lovely Eli is, though...

I wish my mother to refrain from participating in this.

Well, looks like Your Highness and Lady Elianna are quite the happy couple.

You're just like the "Yule Lovers."

The "Yule Lovers"?

It's an extremely popular love story in our country right now.

Oh! What's the story?

Well...

I think it was the love story of a prince and the flower maiden that was loved by the goddess.

Let's go and see it if they make it into a play in the future, Elianna.

When we go, I'll come meet you holding a Yule bouquet.

Y-Your Highness... um...

You are my precious fiancé, after all.

You two are the perfect pair!

I apologize. I must return to my official business.

I hope you will forgive me for leaving midway.

Oh no, please do what you must, Prince Christopher.

I'll see you afterwards, Eli.

His Highness said he'd see me afterwards,

but I was so wrapped up in official duties and the prince was busy with official duties,

we didn't see each other.

I am most grateful for your invitation, Queen Henrietta, Lady Elianna.

Welcome, Earl Becker.

It's an honor for me to meet you as well.

Lady Elianna. It's a shame Prince Christopher couldn't be your escort this evening.

Yes. His Highness is quite busy with official business.

I do hope you both are in good health, Queen Henrietta, Lady Elianna.

That's a signal from Queen Henrietta that I should be wary of her.

How do you do, Lady Dauner? And I welcome your daughter, Lady Matilda.

My Queen, I have had a dress designed by my daughter tailored for tonight.

My daughter's dress was also designed by Matilda herself.

I had no idea that my daughter had such talent.

What do you think? May I ask your honest opinion?

Is that a Yule flower?

It may look a bit eccentric, but the idea isn't bad I suppose.

Matilda is also well-versed in the history of Norn,

and she came up with the design of the Yule flower which is popular over there.

Our family is just starting the process of negotiating with a major company to purchase the Yule flowers.

I have no doubt that this will also be useful for our relations with Norn!

That is promising. Lady Matilda, would you like to play a role in diplomacy?

My talentless body is always humbly willing to be of service to my country.

However, the best I can do is to continue the bloodline so as not to distress the one to whom I am married.

My dear daughter has mastered the art of being a lady!

My Queen. Though this is presumptuous of me,

would you be willing to add my daughter's design to Your Majesty's attire?

I have confidence that she will be able to prepare something that suits Your Majesty's wishes.

I shall consider it.

Seems the insects are thriving.

Shall we take action?

Well...

Let's wait and see.

Elianna. Your hair has been mussed. Please go fix it.

Yes, Your Highness.

Please call me when you would like to return.

Queen Henrietta has given me time to think alone.

Perhaps so I won't expose my pathetic face at the seat of the guests of honor.

It's neither my imagination nor a coincidence...

Lady Dauner and her daughter's dresses are based on a remark I made the other day.

How about adorning this part with lace that has a Yule flower design?

This means there's someone leaking information about me.

Perhaps they think I'm not worthy of standing next to Queen Henrietta and the prince, pathetic as I am?

Lady Elianna?

I'm going to get a bit of the night breeze.

I must keep it together.

I think I have the answer Your Highness was seeking...

Me? And what question were you awaiting an answer to, Lady Knight of Miseral?

You are sorely mistaken for striking out at me. I am simply the messenger.

She accompanied Lady Sharon...

From Lady Mireille.

She is of the same opinion, Prince Christopher.