NAIDA AND RUBINA: WHAT'S BEHIND THE MASK - 26
By Gerdha & Joe7
(first article: here; previous article: here)

ANALYSIS ABOUT RUBINA

THE PAST: BOAT TRIP

According to dialogue 4, at the time of the boat trip on Fleed, Duke was clearly unaware of the organization of his engagement with Rubina: therefore, his father had not yet informed him about negotiations. This is really strange, considering that Rubina had been on Planet Fleed for, at least, several days, because she already knows Duke Fleed and he had invited her on a boat trip.

Please note that Rubina, however, is aware of the purpose about her journey on Planet Fleed: it seems that the two fathers (King Vega and the king of Fleed) had a different level of trust on their respective children.

However, Key Tomiyama's intonation (Tomiyama is the voice actor of Daisuke in the original japanese version) cannot leave doubts about the total surprise of Duke Fleed about the news of the engagement/marriage. Duke Fleed's answer to Rubina is interesting, because he declares that this marriage is not possible for some reason.

Rubina: He said it was to make me your bride.
Duke Fleed: (astonished) But this is impossible!!!

What kind of obstacle could Duke Fleed speak about? He was Planet Fleed's legitimate heir, Fleed was one of the most important realms in the known universe, then it was perfectly logical for him to expect sooner or later to be involved in a political or organized marriage. So it's really incredible that he considers this marriage to be "impossible" with the legitimate heir of the Vega Empire. It is however a fact that Duke Fleed's reaction to the news that Rubina gave him is instinctive: he replies without thinking for a moment. Consequently, his words, in a certain way, concern his thought, what he really believes. Why does Duke Fleed think he "cannot" marry Rubina? It is very likely that, at that moment, he was already (secretly or not) engaged to Naida, so his first instinctive reaction to the news of the arranged marriage is to say that it was not possible for him to marry Rubina.

She then asks him:

Rubina: (astonished) This is impossible?! So you don't love me, do you, Duke?

The word "love" does not correctly express the meaning of Rubina's question about Duke Fleed's feelings. The Japanese word used here means "to feel affection". Rubina seems to suppose that Duke Fleed feels something for her. So, considering the general situation described in the scene, we could hypothesize that someone (probably the King of Fleed) had spoken to the Princess about Prince Duke's supposed interest in her, without the young Fleedian being aware of this strategic move. Not only by his words, but also through the tone of voice used by Kei Tomiyama, we can see that Duke is embarrassed:

Duke Fleed:(embarrassed) I didn't mean that, Rubina.

Rubina: So, what do you think about me?

Duke Fleed: (even more embarrassed) W...well... (he leaves the sentence suspended and turns right. Only after some seconds, while the boat is shown sailing in the distance, he answers) You are beautiful like that flower.

Key Tomiyama's intonation cannot leave any doubt about Duke Fleed's total embarrassment, while he is facing this unexpected situation with Rubina. Duke Fleed is completely shocked by the revelation of the marriage plan. Even Rubina is shocked by his reaction. Then, Duke is completely embarrassed by the situation he has created. He has immediately understood, from Rubina's reaction to his comment on "impossible marriage", what was happening behind the scenes and he tries to re-adjust his position with her in some way.

However, given his readiness to understand the situation, Duke Fleed had evidently thought it was possible that his family could have engaged him by force without his knowledge. Duke Fleed, in fact, after the first instinctive moment of surprise, does not show any further wonder in front of the news. This may explain the strange attitude of Duke Fleed in ep70. Finally, according to Tomiyama's interpretation in this scene, there is no doubt that, speaking of Rubina's beauty, Duke Fleed is only trying to remedy about his previous words of rejection. Anyone who owns the Japanese version can verify it.

(to be continued here)

HERE ALL THE ENGLISH LINKS ABOUT GRENDIZER

Edited by joe 7 - 16/4/2020, 13:52