Tags: Fantasy, Romance, Drama, Slice of Life, School Life

Sub-Tags: Otome, Character Growth

Amelia and the Problematic Princess

The Princess Who Will not be Wed

Escaping the clutches of a psychologically abusive ex and getting engaged to Sarge, the second volume of this romantic fantasy picks up with Amelia preparing to perform her first official duty. Travelling to the Kingdom of Janaki to escort Prince Est’s potential fiancée back to Bedeiht, it isn’t long after their arrival that trouble begins to rear its ugly head.

Whilst the betrothal to solidify relations between Janaki and Bedeiht is almost set, Princess Chloe has her aims set on other aspirations. In the interim, Chole’s heart has come to belong elsewhere, falling in love with a sweet talker named Alois.

A conflict between duty and free will could’ve come into play here as the big conflict of the first half. Whether the need for merging relations is worth overruling the inevitable trauma that Princess Chloe would suffer. This is circumnavigated, however, perhaps for the best, given that this series falls more towards light-hearted than serious.

The heart of the issue then; falls onto Alois’ shoulders. Much less a sweet talker and more skilled manipulator, his actual identity is that of the leader of the Beltz Empire, and he’s not come to the other side of the mountains for a peace mission. As one of the few magic users of the empire, he planned to use his powers of mind-manipulating magic to take over the Kingdom and get a foothold for further expansion. 

Discovering that Princess Chloe had been manipulated by a strong magic user leads to one of the few failings of the story. Having two characters suffer similar circumstances of psychological abuse, it is strange to see the author not dedicate a larger section of the story to Amelia helping Chloe through the emotional scars she’s suffered.

Survival in the Empire

Upon being caught in the act, the second half of the novel moves away from neutral ground as Alois’ magic sends Amelia, Sarge and Kaid over to the Beltz Empire.

Just hoping to survive until they can reach the safety of the border, the time both Sarge and Amelia spend together here is some of the most important in the series so far. With a huge stressor of a hostile environment, it provides a perfect opportunity to test the metal of their relationship, and with Sarge taken ill along the way, it gives Amelia the confidence that she can solve problems on her own as well.

Making it back safely after a few hiccups, the whole truth is revealed about Alois’ history and the horrible techniques of the empire. As a result, Alois is given a lighter sentence, whilst the Beltz Empire has an opportunity to change under new leadership.

Overall, whilst not providing as strong a mystery as its predecessor, the second volume in the Royal Rebound saga offers an abundance of strong relationship dynamics between Amelia and Sarge.

Furthermore, expanding the series into the Beltz Empire has opened up the truth on the speculation constantly provided over the two volumes. With a third volume confirmed it’ll be interesting to see where the author takes the series next.