Help!
Deal with it, Mimi!
I never thought you'd do this to me!
How could you, Aida?
What are you talking about?
I'm doing this for you!
Liar, liar, liar!
SQUEEZE
Do all ladies really endure this?!
Yes. It's essential to making dresses look good.
The lace on the sleeves should be a bit longer.
Let's have it remade.
What? This is fine. It's long enough.
No. I'll accept no compromises.
Okay.
With the ball approaching, Aida's training became intensely brutal...
is an exaggeration, but seeing how hard she worked
made me realize just how big a deal it was in high society.
Always a Catch!
Knight Captain
Episode 11
The One That Got Away Gets Dragged Into Romantic Trouble
I've drawn up a guest list for the ball.
It's tentative, but could you look it over?
You're inviting that many guests?
Of course.
I don't see Lord Ireneo's name.
We're not inviting him.
What? Why not?
It's Prince Renato's decision.
It doesn't make sense not to invite him.
Didn't you go around apologizing for him?
Yes, it wasn't easy.
And I'm still not finished.
But he seemed pleased about Aida and Prince Placido's engagement.
Oh? Renato?
Where are you headed?
To a private meeting.
Oh, I know.
You're going to see Mimi, aren't you?
Since you're in a hurry, is it related to the ball?
Is it a dance lesson?
Excuse me.
Lucky. Mind if I join you?
I'd rather you didn't.
Aw, you're no fun.
I want to dance with Mimi.
Excuse me.
In any case, Ireneo is off the guest list.
Why does Prince Renato hate Lord Ireneo so much?
Instead of worrying about Ireneo,
I should be focusing on learning to dance perfectly.
It's a shame my family and friends back home
will miss the biggest day of my life,
but I'll let them know what happened once it's over.
Good night.
Could you deliver this?
For Mimi's sake.
As you wish.
As I just explained,
today's ball will end with a thank you from Prince Renato.
Once the king and queen retire, we'll send off all the guests.
The final guests should leave after midnight, and...
Mimi, are you listening?
I sure am.
But there's so much to remember.
Everything that comes into this ear pushes something out the other side.
Squeezing into this corset made me smaller, so it doesn't all fit.
There you go again.
Can I go outside?
I think some cool air will clear my head.
Don't let anyone see you.
The star of tonight's ball shouldn't be seen wandering around.
Okay.
Some guests have already arrived.
What's she doing?
She's behaving oddly for a guest.
Is she lost?
Oh, there she goes.
It'll be fine. I'll come right back.
I totally lost her.
Those eyes...
I hope she's just lost whoever she came with.
Oh, you.
Oh?
Mimi?
Lord Ireneo?
What are you doing by the annex?
The annex?
Yes. The castle's over there.
When did I get here?
What does that mean?
I'm looking for someone.
I've been here the whole time, and I didn't see anyone.
I see.
Lord Ireneo, why are you...
Oh, right. He wasn't invited.
I thought I'd at least soak up the atmosphere of the ball.
Mimi, make sure you eat the peach tarts at the ball.
Peach tarts?
Yes.
The royal pâtissier puts all their effort into making those tarts.
They're probably delicious.
Probably? Lord Ireneo, you've never tried them?
I've seen them,
but I didn't have an appetite at the time.
I've never eaten one, but everyone says they're good.
I figured at least you could enjoy them.
I'll go get a tart.
What? But...
I'll be right back.
Wait here.
Peaches, peaches...
I need a hand over here!
Okay!
Those must be them.
I'm so excited.
Indeed.
Terrible news!
We're short one peach tart!
What? How?
The guests will be so disappointed.
There must be a glutton among the guests.
This smell...
No, it couldn't be.
Lord Ireneo!
I got one!
Wow, you actually brought me one?
Thank you, Mimi dearest.
You're welcome.
Send someone down to come get it.
Since you're already here, why not stay for a bite?
I appreciate the invitation, but I need to head back.
Just one bite.
Please?
I can stay for a little while.
Sorry. I'd feel so lonely eating by myself.
Come in, come in.
Always a Catch!
Hooray!
Let's dig in.
It's so good.
I knew I was right.
Thanks for the food.
Well, I should go.
Wait, wait, wait.
At least let me thank you.
These wines are hard to come by.
I've got two kinds. Try them.
Choose whichever one you'd like.
I've never had alcohol before.
What? You're kidding.
Aren't you the adult daughter of a duke?
A Noble Lady's Delights
You must've had drinks at banquets and parties.
We're very health-conscious, so we always drink vegetable juice.
What's vegetable juice?
Exactly what it sounds like. It's juice squeezed from vegetables.
That sounds like quite the beverage.
I-In that case, you must try these delicious wines.
It's best to start with something good for your first wine.
Really?
It's good.
GLOW
Really? I'm glad.
How about this one?
Let me see.
Prince Renato, forgive me.
I have grave news.
Tell me later.
Some important guests will be arriving soon.
Actually, it's related to those guests.
How refreshing.
Wow, you can really drink.
Which do you prefer?
They're both good, but I prefer the second bubbly one.
Really?
Then I'll give some to the queen so you can enjoy it together.
Together? What about you?
Everyone hates me.
Or...
Will you make me feel better?
You won't get anything by teasing me.
CLENCH
Except for a painful experience. Literally.
SHUDDER...
I'm sorry. Please don't hit me.
You're a bit silly, but I don't think you're a bad man.
Sounds like you really trust me.
Why is that?
The other day,
I heard about your upbringing while having tea with the queen and Aida.
I was suddenly no longer my family's heir,
so I know what that's like.
You, too?
My experience was nothing compared to losing the throne.
Were you disappointed when it happened?
Honestly, I didn't mind either way.
The only trouble was failing to live up to everyone's expectations.
Lots of people wanted you to be the heir.
It made me somewhat relieved to come to Rubini.
I see. That must've been hard for you.
But your situation is different.
You're still technically in the line of succession.
Mimi, where did you go?!
She couldn't have gone far dressed like that!
You can't apply common sense to Mimi!
Have you found Mimi?
No, not a trace of her.
Where could she have gone?
I haven't seen her since she went out on the balcony for some fresh air.
This height wouldn't stop Mimi.
The line of succession, huh? I think I'm third in line now.
And any children you couples have would push me farther down the line.
You behave in a way that pushes people away
for the princes' sake, don't you?
To prevent a faction war within the family.
Mimi, did you come up here just to ask me that?
I suppose.
I couldn't ask that in Prince Renato's presence.
No, of course not. You're not just being plain old friendly.
W-Wait a minute. It's not the kind of friendliness you're thinking of.
Oh, really? Then what is it?
It's not what you think!
Lord Ireneo...
Finally... I finally found you...
Zaira? Wh-Why do you look so scary?
It's her.
So she was looking for Lord Ireneo.
While I wasn't looking...
Wh-What's the matter?
While I wasn't looking, you made advances on that girl!
I asked you to get rid of her!
What is she still doing here?
What? Hold on. What's going on?
I even interrupted your tea party with the queen.
Was she behind the attack on the queen?
How dare you seduce Lord Ireneo?!
I wish you'd just go away!
Oh, no. She has a weapon.
Watch out!
Mimi!
Oh, no. The wine...
Is she here for me?
You'll pay for this!
I haven't seen Lady Maria today, but I've smelled her.
Smelled her?
Yes. The smell of the perfume I gave her came wafting through that door.
Based on what Lady Rosalia said, perhaps she delivered it to Ireneo.
Could it be?
Raimondo, bring the knights!
Yes, sir!
I should've restricted Ireneo's movements sooner.
It's my fault for thinking I shouldn't take drastic measures without evidence.
Mimi!
Ireneo, you bastard! What did you...
I won't let you lay a finger on Prince Renato!
Drunken fist?!
What's going on here?
Please help me, Renato!
Ireneo, what did you do?
I didn't do anything, and it's not my fault.
TEE HEE
How could you say that now?!
What?!
You started all of this!
Yes, yes. It's all my fault.
OW OW OW
But I never expected this would happen.
What? You mean exposing Mimi to danger through your misconduct?
No, I mean her getting totally sloshed.
I meant to send her back after just one drink.
Oh?
Your Highness.
Zaira and her henchmen burst in,
but Mimi's drunk strength was extraordinary.
Perhaps suddenly moving made her drunker, but she chugged the whole bottle.
There was nothing I could do to stop her.
I see.
Your Highness, it's not safe to approach her right now.
Mimi.
Prince Renato?
Come here.
Prince Renato, I love you.
Mimi...
She fell asleep?
We were powerless to stop her, but you put her to sleep with a word?
Nice work, Your Highness.
Don't try to flatter me.
Especially not you, Ireneo.
And Lady Zaira. You'll tell me everything that happened later.
Yes, sir.
Renato.
I won't get to see the first dance, so let me congratulate you now.
Congratulations!
Thank you, Ireneo.
So...
just don't throw me in the dungeon!
We'll continue this conversation underground.
I'm begging you, please put me in the same cell as Lord Ireneo!
Hey, wait!
Please, no! I said I was sorry, Renato!
"Please, no?" How could you say that?!
I wish I could lock them up forever.
There's no time until the ball begins.
I know.
I'll take care of her.
Why are you following me?
It's my duty to always be at your side.
If I don't keep an eye on him, he could take her to his private chambers.
SMILE
I wouldn't do anything to Mimi when she's like this.
Of course not. I know that.
I'd heard she'd never had alcohol before, but I didn't think she'd get this drunk.
This is the first of my reports.
While issuing apologies, I investigated everyone I could.
Lord Ireneo doesn't seem to have been involved in the attack on the queen.
I'm not sure if that's good news or bad news.
I couldn't agree more.
I couldn't tell Mimi since the investigation was underway,
but we can finally put an end to this.
Right, because of the investigation.
So, how shall we deal with Lord Ireneo?
Ireneo's only crime is his lack of sincerity
in his relationships with women.
Fun, fun.
But without my knowledge, Mimi had drinks with another man.
I'll have to scold her for that.
Indeed. It was rather careless of her.
Your Highness, it's all right. I'll protect you.
Apparently Lady Maria exploded after seeing Lady Zaira yell at Lord Ireneo.
She must've mistaken him for you.
I don't know how to feel about that.
I'm sure Lady Maria will reflect on her actions after you scold her, so...
I know.
I must leave you for about three minutes to retrieve the second report.
I'll be back in three minutes.
That's three minutes, sir.
O-Okay.
Excuse me.
I'm glad nothing happened,
but I need you to realize how much your words and actions affect me.
Prince Renato, I'll protect you.
I can't wait to meet your parents.
I'll just have to be patient until then.
Prince Renato.
I love you.
Honestly...
Words can't express how I feel about you.
I love you more than anyone in this world.
I thought I'd look the other way for once,
but you went for the forehead instead of the mouth.
How surprisingly innocent of you.
Where's the report?! It hasn't been three minutes!
I don't know what you thought I'd do, but this would be our first.
There's no point in doing it unless Mimi's awake.
I admit defeat.
My apologies for doubting you.
Seriously?
Huh? Prince Renato?
Lord Raimondo? What's going on?
It's nearly time to dance, my sleeping beauty.
To Be Continued
Translation: Sho Stifler Timing: Mariana Martinez
Editing: Alicia Ashby Quality Control: Ashley Barboza
Final Quality Control: Michelle Tymon
I wonder what Prince Renato likes about me.
When I finally asked him, he said,
SQUEE
"That sounds like something couples ask each other,"
How I Punched My Way into Marrying a Prince
and now I'm even more confused.
Next Time
Oh, I spoke my mind again.