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…

Welcomed into the palace of Starbia, Nina and Sett meet an old friend and go on a new journey: to the windswept valley of Elsforbia, where legends say that the Star People once lived. But can even Sett overcome the dangers and magic of the buried “Gravestones of the Gods?” Meanwhile, aided and influenced by the true Star Princess Alisha, Nina’s beloved King Azure sets out on his new ambition: to conquer the world!

After the revelations in the caverns of Ellsforbia, Nina begins to feel her power grow…and her feelings change. Is King Azure, now a ruthless conqueror, the same man with whom she once fell in love? Riluca, the kindly Queen of Starbia, sees Nina’s distress and gives her some romantic—and life—advice. Meanwhile, Prince Sett, Nina’s most powerful and faithful protector, receives a desperate plea from his homeland: return to Galgada to save it from Azure’s army!

In search of clues about the star people, Nina heads to the desert realm of Lindorm…where rumor says that a star person like herself is imprisoned. A friendly troupe of traveling dancers gives Nina the chance to infiltrate the royal palace, even if it means that both her companions, spoiled prince Toat and faithful Hikami, will have to put on women’s clothes! But beneath the sands lie danger and dark secrets…secrets tied to the past of Hikami, as he returns to the land where he was born…

As the palace erupts in chaos, Nina, Hikami and Toat escape down an underground tunnel, where someone unimaginable awaits them…Enoch, the first friendly star person Nina has ever met! At long last, Nina learns the secrets of her people, including the strange bond that connects Nina to Alisha, and who—or what—is behind the evil priestess’ meteoric rise. But are they already too late to stop Alisha—and her pawn, King Azur—from plunging the world into war?

Welcome to your new cage, Beast God. After absorbing the Beast God into his body with his strong will, Azure fights to keep the god’s power from swallowing his mind. And all to protect what is important to Nina. Elsewhere, when Nina learns of the destruction of Bastea Castle, she sets out for Galgada. She had long wished for a reunion with Azure, but their meeting becomes a crossroads in their fate…?!

“I will not let you be sent to your next life again. Your end will come here with me.” Nina rushes to Galgada and reunites with Azure, but the Beast God has already taken over his body. Obsessed with Nina, who resembles the Star Goddess, the Beast God toys with her. While negotiating with it, Nina finds a clue to the “true Azure.” It’s a shimmering star with a name meaning “love”…?! Over 4,000,000 copies sold! Don’t miss the 18th volume of this mega-popular romantic fantasy adventure!

“Could I kill Nina if she asked me to?” When Nina calls his true name, Azure regains control of his body from the Beast God that took it over. They were finally able to speak to each other from the heart, but then Azure tells Nina that when the time comes, he wants her to seal away the Beast God…along with him. In order to avoid that scenario, Nina decides to go on a journey to search for a different solution. But right when she does, she has an unexpected reunion with Sett. The lonely fate of the Star Princess and Azure and Sett, who wish to free Nina from it. What will they choose?! Over 4,400,000 copies sold! Don’t miss Volume 19 of the mega-popular fantasy romance!