Nina the Starry Bride

Nina had a rough start to life, orphaned and stealing to survive, only to be abducted for her unusual lapis lazuli eyes. But to her surprise, her captor, Prince Azure, ordained that she would live the life of a princess...specifically, that of the recently deceased princess-priestess, Alisha, who had her same eyes. Despite her changing fortune, Nina won't give up her old life without a fight. Azure might just be the one to finally match her wits, but how much can she trust him? And can she stop the feelings budding in her heart, knowing she must eventually marry another...?

Nina is a poor orphan with deep blue eyes the color of lapis lazuli, just like the God of the Stars. But one day, she comes to the attention of Prince Azure, who wants her to serve as a double for the priestess-princess Alisha. Tragically, Alisha died three months before she was to be married off to the crown prince of the large neighboring country of Galgada. After being asked to learn etiquette, to dress like a princess, and to deceive an entire nation, Nina finds herself drawn to Azure. And Azure, likewise, begins to desire Nina—who was supposed to be only a pawn—for his own?!

Nina, the girl with eyes the color of lapis lazuli, is scouted by the second prince of Fortna, Azure, to replace priestess-princess Alisha, who died just before she was to be married off to the prince of Galgada. Azure, who has a similar background to Nina serving as the double for the deceased prince since he was a child, finds himself drawn to Nina and promises to find a way to break off the engagement. Unfortunately, to save Azure from the king himself, Nina swears she will become the queen of Galgada and leaves Fortna before Azure can object. But the crown prince of Galgada, Sett, known for his penchant for violence, might not allow this plan to come to fruition…

With the hope of protecting Azure, Nina swears she will become the queen of Galgada. Unfortunately, the crown prince of Galgada, Sett is not easy to influence. Rather, he is a wicked young man who has never known love. Nevertheless, Nina suggests loving her a try. While heading to the home country of Galgada from Bastella, Nina crosses paths with an even more dangerous beast…!!

Nina and Sett arrive in the royal capital of Galgada, only to be faced with a surprising turn of events. The king has decided to eliminate the current order of succession, and a war for the throne revolving around who will successfully take Nina as their bride breaks out. Even though Nina’s goal is to ultimately become the queen of Galgada to protect Azure, she cannot help but feel herself pulled towards Sett compared to his brothers. But then Azure arrives undercover as a messenger from Fortna?!

The king of Galgada has decided to eliminate the current order of succession, and a war for the throne revolving around who will successfully take Nina as their bride breaks out. While Nina is trying to become the queen of Galgada to protect Azure, Azure arrives undercover as a messenger from Fortna and suggests that Nina return with him. Nina barely has time to process this before the Galgada Lion Festival gets underway. The fighting tournament’s many twists and turns lead to Azure and Sett crossing swords!

With the line of succession in question and Azure urging Nina to return to Fortna, tensions rise in Galgade after Nina’s lady-in-waiting Hikami poisons Sett. Sett survives, but Nina is suspected of the assassination attempt. She is sent away to the far-eastern prison of Griffigeld, where it is said that no one ever leaves alive. Can Nina prove her innocence?

In the nick of time, Azure arrives at Griffigeld Prison to rescue Nina and her comrades. But breaking out of prison proves harder than breaking in, as Warden Raccar uses all his twisted power to keep the princess in his grasp. And with every second they waste, Nina’s fiance Prince Sett comes closer…his cold heart broken, and all his love for Nina turned to vengeance…

As Nina faces the jealousy-crazed Prince Sett, the confrontation ends with Sett’s psyche shattered…and Nina blind! Aided by Azure and Sol, the blinded princess begins the long journey home through hostile territory to Fortna. But first, they must pass through Minerva, the port city of pleasure-loving Prince Bidoh. Is the decadent prince friend or foe?

At long last, Nina and her friends escape Galgada and return to Fortna. But the kingdom is not the same as they left it, and neither are they, now that Azure is king! While Azure is newly burdened with royal duties, Nina wonders what place there is for her…or for “Princess Alisha,” the woman she is pretending to be…in this strange new Fortna. And meanwhile, dark forces plot against them…not the Galgadans, but something closer to home…

Nina’s secret is discovered! Disgraced and thrown into prison, Nina meets the real Princess Alisha and the power behind the throne, the Astral Priestesses, who tell her the shocking truth. Is Nina really a “star person” with magic powers? Can Sol, the smartest of her companions, figure out a way to rescue her? And what is the secret that makes King Azure unable to save her…the heartbreaking secret of Nina’s eyes…?

Lost in the wilderness, banished by the man she loves, Nina tries to cope with the unbelievable truth: that her power as a Star Person can unconsciously dominate minds and cause miracles…or disasters. Her path takes her to Starbia, a merchant city where money is everything, and where the greedy but kind-hearted Lady Himea gives Nina a place to stay. And just when Nina feels most alone, she is surprised by the return of not one, but two men from her past…

We’re getting an anime adaptation!! ? Winner of the 46th Kodansha Manga Award, Shojo Category!! The super-popular fantasy romance with over 1.9 million sold! Nina, the girl with the lapis lazuli-colored eyes, goes to Galgada disguised as the dead Priestess-Princess Alisha to be married in order to save Azure’s life. But then, diplomatic relations between the countries are broken off, and Nina is convinced to return to Fortna by Azure, who is now king. Azure considers how to free Nina from her role as “Alisha,” but things are turned upside down when the real Princess Alisha arrives, ending in Nina’s banishment. In the depths of despair, Nina is saved by Sett, and she decides to find a way to fight against fate. Seeking clues about the “Star People,” her party heads for the quietly beautiful valley of “Elsforbia.” But all that awaits her there is harsh reality… Nina, Azure, Sett…their feelings clash, and the story takes an unexpected turn. Cut through cruel fate with your own hands in the thirteenth volume of this palatial fantasy series!

In search of clues about the “Star People,” Nina and Sett went to the subtly and profoundly beautiful valley. There, they learn of Azure’s dark determination. Nina is perplexed by the change that has overcome him, but she swears she will find the “real” Azure. Meanwhile, Sett, who has been watching over Nina for so long, begins to consider the meaning of his staying by her side?!

The story has finally reached remote Lindorm!! Working separately from Sett, Nina infiltrates the palace of Lindorm in order to find one of the “Star People,” the key to unlocking the truth that Azure concealed. But the prince of Lindorm is waiting for her as if he knew she would come! What scheme lurks behind his cruel smile?! Now a hit anime!! The super popular fantasy manga with over 2.4 million copies in print!!