Tags: Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life, School Life, Villainess, Shoujo

Sub-Tags: Misunderstandings, Otome, Conspiracies, Cute

A Prince Will Prove the Villainess Innocent!

A Heroine Problem

What would you do if your fiancée was wrongly accused of bullying the heroine? Do everything possible to prove her innocence, of course! With the light of his life suffering from an Otome-style slandering, it’s up to Prince Vincent to solve a twisting conspiracy and regain their happy-clappy love life.

Changing-up the setting is a good way to stand out when tackling the villainess subgenre. Lovestruck Prince takes this inspiration and chooses the villainess’ fiancé to fight against the Otome plot skeleton structure. It’s an angle that offers fresh ground to tread on, revealing the interesting effects of someone other than the villainess attempting to stop their doom. It also doesn’t hurt that the series comes with an intriguing mystery to unwrap. 

To save his Fiancée, Vincent must unmask the true nature of the “heroine,” Yulisse. Diving deep for a solution, it turns out her actions are more than that of a spoilt heroine. Blessings, curses and the strange spread of a libellous novel all point towards bigger forces at work. Vincent and his trusty right-hand, Harold, quickly figure out that certain noble circles are looking to take control of the throne.

The noble’s plot in question mainly encompasses a popular romance novel colloquially known as The Star Maiden. This novel is a useful tool, not only in-world but as part of the main plot device, acting as a catalyst for both the heroine’s blessing and the curse. It also goes beyond most within its subgenre, not choosing to explain away the heroine’s harem antics through Otome plot-armour but rather as a collection of powerful tool’s abilities interacting together.

A Fool in Love

“If only that spineless mudfish of a prince would confess to her already, they wouldn’t have to keep beating around the bush!”

Never has there been a more apt quote from a novel that explains the base misunderstandings of this series so well. The prince may well have been given with both hands in terms of looks and intelligence, but when it comes to interacting with Elizabeth, he becomes a blubbering mess. The romance between Elizabeth and Vincent is filled with saccharine moments and is framed in a way that is more than appropriate for two kids in love.

Their love often rubs off on others as well. Childhood friends Harold and Margaret are especially vulnerable. The two are right hands for Vincent and Elizabeth and often share cute moments together as they watch for their master’s safety.

Unfortunately, throughout the first volume, there are only a few scenes between Elizabeth and Vincent. It is understandable, given the nature of Vincent’s plan, but more cute scenes between Elizabeth and Vincent could only have been a boon to the volume.

Weaving conspiracies alongside cute romantic moments make Lovestruck Prince an engaging read. The series’ general comedic undertone and a change to the usual villainess formula draw the reader in before capturing them completely through well-thought-out plot devices and a cast of likeable characters you can’t help but root for. This is a series that I’d highly recommend to anyone, fan of the genre or not!