Secret of the Princess is a one-volume yuri manga by Milk Morinaga. Fujiwara, captain of the volleyball team and the most admired student in the school, accidentally breaks the principal's prized (and very expensive) vase while trying to kill a dragonfly.
The only student to bear witness to this incident is first year Miu, who she says she will do anything for if she doesn't tell anyone. Miu requests that they have a practice romantic relationship, to which a desperate Fujiwara readily agrees. Neither of them thinks of it as more than a practice relationship initially, and they both have different agendas behind their little dalliance: Fujiwara just wants someone to hang out with since her attractiveness means everyone is scared to approach her, while Miu is simply searching for her prince charming and wants to practice for when she meets him. Regardless, they hang out a lot, doing things like karaoke, watching movies, and eating lunch together. Miu even helps the zombie movie loving Fujiwara make some friends at the film club. But of course, they soon start developing real feelings for each other, and end up struggling a lot with it...
This manga has been licensed for publication in English by Seven Seas Entertainment.
This work provides examples of:
- Attractiveness Isolation: Because of how cool and pretty she is, no one has the courage to approach Fujiwara. It's only due to the unfortunate incident with the vase that she even makes a friend, and later, lover.
- Big Fancy House: Fujiwara lives in one, and has a strict maid living with her while her mom is overseas. Miu is honestly shocked at how big the house is and how rich Fujiwara must be.
- Closet Geek: Fujiwara's a downplayed example in that she's not actively hiding her geekiness, she just doesn't have anyone who she knows that shares her interests. One of her happiest moments in the story is being set up with a bunch of zombie movie fans and zombie themed bento.
- Coming-of-Age Queer Romance: Miu and Fujiwara start by dating as "practice" for a real (straight) relationship in return for Miu not snitching on Fujiwara over the broken vase. However, they both come to realize that they're gay and eventually turn their "practice" relationship into a real one, even moving in together.
- Gayngst: Per the standard for Milk Morinaga's works, both Miu and Fujiwara struggle with their feelings for each other, before they eventually get it out and start a proper relationship.
- Gayngst-Induced Suicide: Miu's Gayngst and belief that Fujiwara could never feel the same way about her nearly drives her to jump off the school's roof in front of the whole student body. It's only Fujiwara's quick intervention that stops her from jumping.
- Gay Romantic Phase: How Fujiwara and Miu start their relationship, before it develops into a proper gay romance. They both explicitly call it practice several times, before things develop into a proper lesbian romance.
- Gold Digger: Miu's mom approves of her relationship with Fujiwara, because Fujiwara is damn rich, and that's the only context we get.
- Love Triangle: A very brief one. One of Miu's classmates, on hearing that she's dating Fujiwara asks her to break up with Fujiwara so she can have a chance with her. Miu refuses, and the subplot stops there.
- One Head Taller: Fujiwara is about one head taller than Miu.
- Romantic Fake–Real Turn: Miu and Fujiwara's relationship starts off as a fake practice relationship driven by their own agendas (Miu wanting to practice for when she gets a guy and Fujiwara wanting a friend). True to this trope however, the fake relationship eventually turns into a real one after the two start to fall for each other.
- Talking Down the Suicidal: Fujiwara has to do this with Miu after the latter kisses her in the nurse's office then runs off to the roof and climbs over the railing, succeeding by making Miu admit her feelings for her, then sweeping her off her feet.
- Tomboy and Girly Girl: Fujiwara is a major tomboy, only wearing skirts as part of her school uniform, and at one point dressing like a man, even though her mom regularly buys her fancy gowns for parties and such (which go unworn). Miu, meanwhile, was taught to always look and act cute and girly, so she's always wearing frilly outfits and makeup.
