Your Highness, Didn’t You Say That I Wasn’t Cute? Novel Review
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By あきたこまち, おうぎまちこ
2021
Description
From a house on the verge of a downfall, Celine is unsociable and plain. Her childhood friend, Crown Prince Alexei, tells her she’s “not cute” but dotes on her nonetheless with various gifts and attention. Celine’s feelings towards him are complicated…
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Publication Information
- Original Publisher
- syosetu
- Original Language
- japanese
- Type
- Web Novel
Your Highness, Didn’t You Say That I Wasn’t Cute? Review & Spoilers - Novel Translator
My Thoughts on Your Highness, Didn’t You Say That I Wasn’t Cute?
This one-shot was definitely… a choice. With its adult themes and josei tag, I went in expecting a certain level of maturity and nuanced character development. What I got was… something else entirely.
First Impressions
The premise intrigued me: a Crown Prince who constantly tells the female lead she's "not cute." I was curious to see how this dynamic would play out. However, the execution left much to be desired. The story felt rushed, and the characters, particularly the male lead, came across as deeply flawed in ways that were more off-putting than endearing.
What Works Well
Honestly, finding positives in this story was a challenge. The European ambience was nicely sketched, and the writing itself wasn't terrible. The translation seemed decent enough, allowing the story to flow without too many jarring moments. However, these minor aspects couldn't save the core issues.
Areas of Concern
My biggest problem lies with the male lead's behavior. His constant belittling of the female lead, masked as some twisted form of affection, felt incredibly abusive. The "negging" was relentless, and the fact that he later blames her for his actions only adds insult to injury. I struggled to understand how the female lead could perceive him as kind and generous when he consistently undermines her confidence, especially in public.
The power dynamics are also deeply unsettling. The male lead manipulates situations to his advantage, using the female lead as a pawn in his games with the nobility. His actions leading up to their first sexual encounter felt dubious at best, and the lack of clear consent raised serious red flags for me. The fact that he continued to insult her even during that intimate moment just amplified my discomfort.
Click "Reveal" to show spoiler content
Final Verdict
"Your Highness, Didn’t You Say That I Wasn’t Cute?" falls short of its potential. While the premise held promise, the execution is marred by an abusive male lead, dubious consent, and a rushed plot. I can't recommend this one, even for those who enjoy smut. There are plenty of other stories out there that offer both spice and respect for the characters involved.
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