Original subtitles

Eli...

Do you know much I love you?

How much I always want to protect you...

Do you want to go mad as much as I do?

I want you to know everything.

Lady Elianna!

I know you're in there! Be good and come out!

Now is definitely a bad time, I'm telling you!

Can I at least run away?

Lady Elianna! Every single time, the pests come just when we get to the good part.

Every single time, the pests come just when we get to the good part.

Is this the curse of the tanuki?

The Holy Night's Banquet Where the Butterflies Dance

Um...

I would like to have a talk with Elianna, just the two of us.

Lady Sharon, there's no need to be shy.

Lady Sharon, what do you need to talk to me about?

At the Holy Night's Banquet, please let me be Prince Christopher's partner in your place.

But it won't be for nothing.

If you would be willing to trade with me, I'll let you borrow this as thanks.

Could that... possibly be...

Yes, the ship's log of Captain Vigo, also known as the King of the Seas,

written by the man himself.

Captain Vigo...

Historically, he was first to accomplish the conquest of the eastern ship routes.

Because he died young and on foreign land

his name and achievements are given precedence over the reality of his voyage,

and he's become a legendary figure.

What tales of adventure did he record?

How could you propose such a thing, Lady Sharon?!

My grandfather said I could use it however I wanted!

There are limits to these sorts-

Lady Elianna.

What do you say?

I obviously cannot give this to you, but I can lend it to you while I'm staying here.

I know...

I cannot have it both ways.

Right... Of course.

I can't do that.

Yeah, your long silence and tears threatening to fall feel very tragic.

You're imagining things, Your Highness.

I have a fair idea of why you are so particular about your partner, Lady Sharon,

but is that something you've taken upon yourself to do?

Or is this the will of the Miseral Dukedom?

W-well, I...

Lady Sharon has taken it upon herself to do this.

Elen!

Please consider your position.

Lady Mireille even told you to watch your speech and actions, did she not?

But...

But, this is wrong!

My sister Mireille is the celebrated "Pearl Princess of Miseral"!

And yet...

She was married to a Count Lamond, who's 25 years older than her,

then he passes away in the blink of an eye...

and she can't expect to get a marriage proposal.

Because Mireille is the person that should be happier than anyone else in the country!

You mustn't take your anger out on books!

Come on!

This isn't working out because the bibliophile princess is here!

That's where Mireille belongs!

You care for nothing but books, right?

Then go hole yourself up in the library!

Lady Sharon.

I can't do that.

It's certainly true that I am a bookworm who has no interest in anything but books, but...

the feelings that I have for Prince Christopher are as real as anyone else's.

I could never give up my place next to His Highness.

Lady Sharon.

Are you trying to spoil the friendship

between Miseral and Sauslind with your own self-centered desires?

But...

We are beyond the point where you can get away with it by crying.

You owe Lady Elianna an apology.

Lady Sharon, it seems you have Elianna all wrong.

Eli...

When you had just become my fiance,

you sent away for books related to medicinal herbs from each country, right?

Why did you do that?

I was curious about the pharmaceutical knowledge of other countries.

Also...

I knew that the research into the remedy for the "Ashen Nightmare" seemed to be in a deadlock,

so I thought if there are remedies we have yet to find in other countries as well,

maybe I could discover something.

But that illness is already gone, isn't it?

It has only temporarily been resolved.

It may all happen again someday.

So you focusing on the Azul Region this whole time

was also due to research on the Ashen Nightmare?

That as well,

but in the fairy tales of the Azul Region,

there are a lot of stories about children without parents.

When I looked into it,

I learned that there were many villages

where the parents made a living away from home like in the Corba Village.

I thought it was sad that the families couldn't live together.

For that reason,

I thought it would be nice if there were something to base their lifestyles on in the impoverished lands.

But... there's not anything we can do about that, right?

We can't make everywhere in the country prosperous.

As the nobility, "we can't do anything about that" are words that must never leave our mouths.

The reason we are not exposed to the elements,

dress in beautiful clothing, and eat elaborate foods

is because that is all supported by the people.

Excuse me.

May I ask the reason the shells from the Corba Village caught your eye?

Originally, it started when I heard from my brother

that the pigments used in the wall paintings in prehistoric times were made from shells.

Then, you decided on Corba Village's Milulu clam?

Yes, but... as of right now, I haven't found any use for it besides in paintings.

Did you talk about that in front of my mother too?

Huh? Yes.

Lady Sharon, do you understand?

Elianna, during these four years, has advanced research on the remedy,

and searched for ways to enrich impoverished lands.

Even if she did not have the title of fiance of the crown prince,

I feel she would have done something.

That is precisely why the people of Sauslind stand behind Elianna.

But...

Then why was it so widespread that the Yule Lovers

are Your Highness and Mireille's love story?

It's because you two have loved each other since childhood, right?

That handwriting...

it's Mireille's!

I knew you two were still having intimate exchanges!

The "Yule Lovers" is a story about Your Highness and Mireille!

Eli! That isn't the case at all.

Sit down.

He's like a husband resigned to confessed to his affair.

And there's even hard evidence.

Glen, you seem like you want permanent residence in Miseral.

I'll get you just the paperwork you need later.

Why only me?!

About that love story...

I'm seeing a backstory to it.

Backstory?

I hear that dukes who treated Lady Mireille so coldly

also caused damage to the national interest in an accident at sea several years earlier.

They seem desparate to regain their honor.

And?

They set their sights on the popularity of Lady Mireille, known as the "Pearl Princess,"

who is also supported by the citizens,

and it isn't odd that they would consider using her.

Use... Mireille?

I see.

If Lady Lamond weren't a widow, this love story wouldn't be possible.

No way, Duke Lamond died... and not due to an accident?!

Now, I also haven't looked that far into it, and this is just specualtion at the most.

That can't be...

I get it!

My sister Mireille requested help from Your Highness in this letter, right?

Unfortunately, it isn't something as endearing as that.

It seems Lady Mireille has done her own investigating into this matter.

She seemed to notice my probing behavior.

We made deals and mutual disclosures and she decided

"We will settle Miseral's internal problems on our own, and there is no need for any help at all."

Well, it's quite a brave story.

At the same time, she says, "The one who is like a dear sister to me may cause a bit of trouble,

but I expect you will be tolerant of the fanciful tales of a child."

She concludes by saying

she sincerely congratulates me for the marriage with the daughter of the Marquis Bernstein, my first love.

I deeply apologize.

I will offer my apologies on Lady Sharon's behalf.

I'm afraid I must make an excuse, but Lady Sharon's mother is sickly,

and Lady Mireille is the one who has taken care of her since she was a child.

Consequently, that has lead to excessive behaviour, but we ask for your kindness and generosity.

This is like "The Piglet's Dimple"

Oh, I know that tale.

There was an orphaned piglet named Rue.

Rue was scrawny and looked unappetizing,

and the people around him didn't think he'd fetch a good price,

but a young girl who was orphaned just like Rue raised him and showed him kindness.

The girl fell in love with the son of a Lord.

Rue knew of the girl's desire to catch the boy's eye no matter what it took,

so he thought hard about it.

He knew what to do!

He would become the village's most delicious-looking pig and catch the eye of the lord!

It was all because he wanted to see the happy face of the girl who had dimples when she smiled...

So, what happened to the piglet?

It's a pig, so it got eaten in the end, right?

You are devoid of emotion, aren't you?

From that letter, I know that Lady Mireille even now still yearns deeply for Earl Lamond.

The actions you take on account of others will not necessarily produce only good results.

They wore on me as well this time.

Piglet... ah, pardon me, Lady Sharon, I will let you off the hook.

We thank you, Your Highness.

Now, Lady Sharon, let's go.

Who is he calling a "piglet"?!

She is very much like a piglet.

Ah, Elianna.

It's as if the room has instantly become more dazzling.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Yes, like-

You're like a single rose, just begun to bloom.

Oh, my.

Perhaps it is slightly too red.

There's still room for improvement.

My mother dyed that dress using the dye of the Milulu clam.

Oh?

I had it tailored by my personal designer based on what you said.

Whether or not the Corba Village and the Azul Region can become prosperous

depends on your publicity.

Give it your full effort.

Queen Henrietta...

It's all right if I occasionally make use of your ideas instead of Chris doing it all the time.

Do you hate that Lady Dauner tried to make a fashionable dress with Eli's idea so much?

Of course I do.

And you're responsible too!

Do you know of anyone who would just stand idly by as their own ideas were poached?

N-no...

And making such a tacky dress...

Since it originally was your idea, I had no choice but to agree it was nice...

But make sure you use the power you display when protecting others for yourself as well.

I don't believe that people who can't value themselves are able to protect others.

Yes...

Thank you very much, Mother.

I am scolding you.

Who are you thanking?

Yes.

Now, about Sara...

Yes?

I am also to blame for disobedience by a maid of the inner palace.

It seems like the one who leaked your words was from a frequent company visitor,

and was in communication with the Dorud Company.

The inefficiencies in the vetting process of those who frequently visit is also under my area of authority.

I must offer you an apology.

There's no need...

Sara was removed from the maids, and I have demoted her.

She'll be starting from scratch in her new position,

but when she returns, she must become your devoted maid.

Yes, Mother.

Had you only dealt with your own poliltical opponents from the start,

this would not have happened.

Oh, that hurt a little.

You dressing Eli up is merely an extension of your own interests, right?

What a tactless son I have!

If you are envious, you need simply and honestly admit that you are.

Pardon me?

Why must I be envious of my mother's interest in younger ladies?

How do I have an interest in younger ladies?

Elianna.

If you're calling my wife "Mother," what will you call me?

I'll call you "Your Majesty," Your Majesty.

Eli.

You can call me your refined and kind uncle, if you'd like.

Your audacity knows no bounds!

You're going to die a lonely death as the bachelor you are, Uncle.

It's taken four years of my life to get that name.

How about you take the same time as I did and earn it?

It took quite a lot to get that name.

Elianna.

I heard that recently, you used your influences in various ways for the Azul Region.

I commend you for those efforts, and I was thinking I would give you some kind of reward.

Oh, it was nothing at all.

Well, from the beginning of the year,

red dresses dyed with Milulu clams will no doubt be in vogue.

Your achievements will certainly become something huge.

You should stop being modest and accept it.

But we don't know if this will make life safe and secure in the Azul Region.

There was one other ink that you found, right, Eli?

Eh? Yes, but that was...

I've made use of it over there.

From next year on,

I want to make it one of the Holy Night's Banquet specialties.

That's why you should get your reward.

Well then, may I take a short rest when the Holy Night's Banquet is over?

A break?

Yes. Well...

I'd like to read some books.

Books?

Yes.

I've got a stack of many books I'd like to read.

There would be no greater reward than being able to take a break, Your Majesty!

Very well.

Lady Elianna Bernstein.

I grant you a vacation, and I vow to you not a single soul shall stand in the way of that.

Thank you, Your Majesty!

You are far too lenient with Elianna.

Well, not as much as I do you...

Eli... I'm sorry.

Hm?

I haven't kept the promise that I made to you at the beginning at all.

Lady Elianna.

You need only read your books by my side.

I decided for myself that I would be by your side.

There are things I ought to do to that end, so it's all right.

I've only made you put up with everything, and I am a disappointment of a prince.

Your Highness, you are a dashing prince.

You are a wonderful person, practically wasted on me.

You are the greatest prince to me, always and forever.

Say that once more, Eli.

I won't say it again.

I wish I could get a reward, too.

I want time with you, Eli.

Can I have that?

I wouldn't really mind...

Really?

Yes.

That's a promise, Eli.

Your Highness, is something happening here?

Yeah. It's a special touch for tonight.

Everyone,

I promise you all that this Holy Night's Banquet will remain in your heart for eternity.

Keep your eyes wide open and enjoy.

Put out the lights!

Ready, and...

Your Highness, what is this?

Nocturnal ink that you created, Eli.

There was a milky ink made from mixing the Milulu clam pigment with different minerals, right?

It was something that glowed in the darkness.

Do you remember the laboratory from the ghost commotion recently?

Yes.

When night falls, a ghost with a pale glow wanders around the laboratory.

That's what it really is.

This should surely become

a breakthrough solution for the substantial increase of the cost of fuel in the wintertime.

Eli, you always give me strength and push me forward.

Thank you, my bibliophile princess.

I'm pleased that I can help you, my prince.

Let's see these lights together again next year.

And I look forward to the new year with you, my soon-to-be wife.

Yes, I pray that the new year treats us favorably, my soon-to-be husband.

Eli, the weather's nice today.

Would you like to take a little walk in the courtyard?

In that case, let's go to the conservatory.

If you're reading your book next to me...

It's all right, Prince Christopher.

What book were you reading?

It's the most recent Eastern pharmaceuticals research.

There are some very interesting accounts of...