This is the Sun Kingdom.
It is the country ruled by the Sun King, who controls much 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.
Better or for 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-sama! 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 once a year.
Many of the citizens look forward to it.
Consider the bond with your people and smile.
But where is the Princess?
Just a bit more, Nike-sama!
Call on your womanly spirit!
You must endure it, Nike-sama!
I can't! It's choking me to death!
Silence!
Those who belong to the royal family must always
show excellent dressing and etiquette.
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 formalize their engagement.
Wow, it's pretty stylish.
Pardon me.
How are Nike-sama's preparations coming?
Lovely!
You look good in pretty much anything.
That was unnecessary.
Presented by Anime-Koi
kokoro no okude taita tomoshibi
There's a fire burning deep inside my heart
tayasazu massugu hashiruyo
I'll continue heading straight, never letting it blow away
hiroi sekai de yatto Mitsuketa
I have finally discovered that in this broad world
kimi to iu kiseki kawari wa inai
You are a miracle and there's nothing that can replace you
nagai nagai yoru ga owari wo tsugete
You're the light that shines among a sunrise
hikari terasu asa ga hajimaru youni
And brings an end to my sleepless nights
tonari de warau kimi wo toushite
I take a glance at you as you smile
ima kanjiteru utsukushii mono tachi ga
And I can suddenly feel all the beautiful things
Sekai wo irodoru yo
Filling my world with color
sagasou bokura no shinjitsu
Let's go search for our own truth
Well, this a sight to behold!
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 thing...
Only bored housewives read the royal family bulletin.
Your presentation to the citizens is coming up.
However, there are still many things to be done before then...
I've finished all the complicated behind-the-scenes nonsense.
If nothing comes up, everything should go just as I planned.
Come in.
Pardon me, sir.
There is something I must inform you of right away.
It is...
That's all?
Nike-sama. Nike-sama!
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...
Nike-sama! Come to the office at once!
It's an emergency!
The engagement's been canceled.
What do you mean?
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 Deity.
Weddings in the royal family
must have the Ministry of the Priesthood's approval.
But they have made the decision not
to approve of his marriage to you.
But why?
The reason they gave is because you are of a foreign ethnic group.
It's ridiculous. That means absolutely 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 ax to the degradations of the
Ministry of the Priesthood when he first ascended the throne.
They said that if we insist on their accepting you,
you must undergo the Rite of Illumination.
Illumination?
It is a special ritual.
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 miasmic 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, they'll accept me, right?
So, I'll do it!
It's not that simple.
Accepting the trial would be 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 method
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 any 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 being protected all the time.
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?!
Geez... He's always putting a heavy burden on his shoulders...
Livi. Take this.
A ring?
It is a ring of protection that was given to me when
I left my hometown.
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.
That doesn't happen often.
Where to find the priesthood?
They're usually in the eastern temple.
Do you have business with them?
I-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...
All right! Now, all I gotta do is cover my face with the shawl...
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 to 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.
Self-control is one of the teachings of God.
Y-You're...
Rani Aristes!
This is the guy?
Forgive me for not coming to welcome you, Your Highness.
Forgive my subordinates rudeness, as well.
You should be apologizing to her, not me!
But your power is truly shocking!
I hear you can call the clouds and make it rain.
That's incredible.
Is this really the guy? He's not quite what I imagined...
Rain and clouds are ill-omened things which cover the sun.
There is no need for them in this country.
Yes. You are an ill omen.
Yeah, this is definitely him!
You're pretty up front 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 goes to show 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
ruination in this country and urged him to dispose of her,
but he forced 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 aboveboard,
so that you don't end up the same 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...
R-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 either come from a different ethnicity, or are refugees.
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, 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.
Those ones there!
I asked him if he liked flowers and
he said "I don't know. Flowers really are just flowers."
Sounds just like him.
But he says that looking at the flowers reminds him of you!
What?
Not just the flowers.
But the wind, trees, and even 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 proved 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?
Your Majesty! What's wrong?!
The kids at the orphanage sent them for you.
I learned a lot about you today.
Hey, I want to take that trial.
Didn't you hear a single word we said?
To undertake the Rite of Illumination...
I'm going to face up against 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. None 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 Deity's temple and swipe his ring, right?
The ring should be consecrated within the
Sun Deity 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.
He's messing with me!
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
Entrance
is probably this area
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 again!
That's... the Sun Deity'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 Deity statue.
Consecrated inside?
It's here! This is it!
Now, finally...
It's empty? Why?!
He never intended to accept me from the start!
And this is way beyond not accepting...
Sacred rite, huh? What a joke!
I know how you feel, Your Highness.
Ever since Livius I ascended the throne,
he has done nothing but belittle 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...
Thinking about you, I call out your name
anata wo omou yonde
I'd throw away everything to be with you
subete nagedashite demo
I just want to see you
aitakute aitakute
I want to be by your side
soba ni ite hoshii no
But I feel like I'm going to break down
dakedo ima kujikesou dayo
My chest hurts
nomikomu tameiki de
from the sigh I'm suppressing
mune ga itai yo
And I'm wondering if you feel the same way, too
anata mo onaji kimochi de irukana
Feeling that I am not alone now
hitori ja naindayone
You'll overcome it; just believe in destiny
shinjite mite norikoerareru destiny
So that we can grab the future for the two of us
futari no mirai tsukamu tameni
We'll continue to live on
ima ga aru to shitte iru kara
While holding onto these memories as the nights go by
donna yoru mo dakishimeteruyo memories
So that I can smile before the morning returns
asu ga kuru madeni mata egao ni nareruyone
The water and rain that's taking us to tomorrow
tsunagu ashita wo ame to misu
Preview
I promised... I promised I'd make it back!
If you disappear, too...
I'm... I'm the one who was wrong.