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11[[quoteright:350:[[ComicBook/TheLegendOfZelda https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/excuse_me_1.png]]]]
12[[caption-width-right:350:"You called for a ''hero'', princess?"\
13"Yes! But, I guess ''you'll'' have to do."]]
14%%
15%% Caption selected per above threads. Please don't change or remove without approval from here:
16%% https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1404492079030138900
17%%
18
19->''"Why must everything you say to me sound like a criticism?"''
20-->-- '''Robin Hood''' to [[{{Tsundere}} Marian]], ''Series/RobinHood''
21
22Snarky loser hero meets snarky haughty heroine. They either fall in love, or they snark. Usually both.
23
24This is essentially a satire of the standard MagicalGirlfriend, which describes a beautiful, classy, good-mannered, loyal girl -- the logical result being she should be somewhat critical of her {{loser|Protagonist}} boyfriend. She makes no attempt to ignore the fact that he ''is'' the LoserProtagonist, and frequently calls him on it, criticizes him, and rarely if ever fawns over him like some FanGirl. She expects better from him and pushes him to improve, while still expecting to be taken care of. However, the guy usually takes it in stride, [[SnarkToSnarkCombat mocks her in return]], or just says the trope title.
25
26Expect a generous helping of AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther moments, to let the audience know why they should be supporting this couple. The idea is that the snarky loser will help the princess [[DefrostingIceQueen loosen up and be friendlier]], while the princess constantly holding the loser to a higher standard [[ThePowerOfTrust will eventually make him improve himself]]. Often appears in romantic comedies, depending on how satirical the story is.
27
28See also {{Tsundere}} and [[SheIsNotMyGirlfriend He Is Not My Boyfriend]]. Usually (though not necessarily) related to BelligerentSexualTension. Compare/Contrast ScrewYouElves and SurroundedByIdiots.
29
30If it involves an actual ''Princess'' Princess, see RoyalBrat.
31
32The TropeNamer is the ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfZelda1989'' cartoon, where Link would [[CatchPhrase quite often retort]] to Zelda's nagging with those words, though the line and its delivery (excluding the "princess" bit at the end) is [[ParodyDisplacement a direct reference]] to comedian Creator/SteveMartin's stand-up routines during the era.
33----
34!!Examples
35
36[[foldercontrol]]
37
38[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
39* The Goddess Pandora, the "heroine" of the manga ''Because I'M the Goddess!'', has that kind of attitude in her dealings with Aoi.
40%%* Narusegawa Naru in ''Manga/LoveHina'' to her on-off boyfriend Urashima Keitaro.
41%%* ''Anime/MyOtome'': Princess/Queen Mashiro Blan de Windbloom starts as this character type, but [[CharacterDevelopment matures and reforms]] over the course of the series. Partially {{gender flip}}ped, since the "loser guy" in her case is TheHero''ine'', Arika Yumemiya.
42* In the backstory of ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'', Nagi got some serious slaps from [[spoiler:his wife]] Princess Arika for his uppitiness. [[ChivalrousPervert He was kind of asking for them]].
43* True to a degree of Asuka and Shinji's relationship in ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion''. Asuka is often quite the {{Jerkass}} towards Shinji, but it is clear at least some of her meanness stems from the fact that she is attracted to him ([[CannotSpitItOut not that she would ever admit it]]), but views his passiveness, social ineptitude, and tendency to [[ApologisesALot apologise a lot]] as undesirable traits. It doesn't help that she views their guardian, Misato, as enabling these traits in Shinji by often telling him that he is good enough as he is.
44%%* Keigo Atobe from ''Manga/ThePrinceOfTennis''.
45* William and Miyako in ''Manga/PrivatePrince'' {{genderflip}} this, as he is the prince and she's the commoner with low patience.
46* In ''Manga/RozenMaiden'', the living doll Shinku believes the {{Hikikomori}} Jun is her servant, so she bosses him around and smacks him if he tries talking back to her.
47* Sayoko from ''Manga/TentaiSenshiSunred'' is the girlfriend of Sunred, an ex-sentai hero who's unemployed. Despite being the one of them ''not'' capable of punching holes in concrete and running at the speed of sound, she's the one who does everything around the house, owns their apartment and stationary, earns a steady paycheck, and (with her limited spare time) tries to get Sunred to apply himself.
48* In ''Manga/Touch1981'', Minami constantly criticizes Tatsuya's laziness and immaturity and tries to coax him to give his best.
49* This sums up [[Anime/MazingerZ Kouji Kabuto]] and Maria Grace Fleed's relationship in ''Anime/UFORoboGrendizer'', which might be one of the (if not ''[[TropeMakers the]]'') earliest examples in anime. Considering that Koji is being [[IdiotHero himself]], Maria's behavior is understandable.
50* Ai Amano of ''Manga/VideoGirlAi'' twists this trope in that she acted like this despite not being supposed to be the "princess" or girlfriend, but still fell for the lovable loser Youta, whom she was trying to improve.
51[[/folder]]
52
53[[folder:Comic Books]]
54* This is ComicBook/AdamStrange's attitude towards ComicBook/{{Starfire}} when they're stranded in space in ''ComicBook/FiftyTwo''. ComicBook/AnimalMan [[FreudianTrio tries to act as a mediator]].
55* ''ComicBook/XMen'':
56** ComicBook/{{Sabretooth}} shows this toward [[Characters/GenerationX Monet]], with whom he shares a BelligerentSexualTension in ''[[ComicBook/UncannyXMen2016 UXM]]''. The first chapter has Creed making a joke after scaring a man to the point of soiling himself. Monet says toilet humor is expected from someone of his pedigree, before asking if the enemy is impressed by his everyman wit or enamored by her awesomeness. Creed responds that nobody's as impressed by her as she is with herself.
57** Another instance occurs during a Hellfire Club meeting.
58---> '''Psylocke:''' These people may look like elitist snobs but they'll chew you up, spit you out, and feed you to their young.\
59'''Creed:''' Speaking of snobs, why isn't Monet with us on this?
60[[/folder]]
61
62[[folder:Fan Works]]
63* ''Fanfic/ACrownOfStars'':
64** Asuka often expresses annoyance and dissatisfaction with Shinji behaving like a wimpy pushover who will not stand up for himself, will not push back when pushed, and apologizes for anything when she knows he can be better than that. Shinji is not a good snarker and usually, he ignores or lets her criticisms go, but sometimes he will retort.
65** Chapter 50 provides an example of this. Asuka complains about his lack of self-esteem and declares that she will turn him into a hero, and Shinji scowls: ''"So do I have no said on it?"''
66** Chapter 21 provides an example of Asuka playing her part:
67--->'''Asuka:''' ''"We travel to another world, hopscotch all over space and time, raise the dead, rocket around in the hottest mecha in the universe, and still all you say is 'I'm sorry.' I despair of improving you, Third. Am I going have to throw you in the lagoon like I said earlier?"''
68* ''Manga/Evangelion303'': Asuka and Shinji's relationship played like this during the first chapters before getting together. She would snark and he would snark back, usually in a milder way. Or [[http://eva303.smackjeeves.com/comics/911296/020b/ she would insist that he was now part of the elite so that he should act like it, and he would snark.]] [[http://eva303.smackjeeves.com/comics/918667/044/ Or she would be rude due to be upset, and he would snark.]]
69[[/folder]]
70
71[[folder:Film -- Animated]]
72* Jasmine of ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'' is a plucky rebellious princess who is very quick to deflate pomposity and tell those who appear interested in her only for her beauty and kingdom exactly what she thinks of them, such as Prince Ali Abahbawa (Aladdin's disguise). After his ruse is exposed and they are engaged, she continues encouraging him to act less like a street thief and more like a man who will become sultan.
73%%* Dimitri and Anya in ''WesternAnimation/{{Anastasia}}''.
74* Princess Eilonwy in the [[Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon Disney animated version]] of ''WesternAnimation/TheBlackCauldron'', who patronizes Taran when she learns that he's not a warrior or a lord, but an Assistant Pig-Keeper. When Taran pats himself on the back for enabling their castle escape, she takes him down a few notches by reminding him not only that her knowledge of the dungeon passageways allowed him to break out of there, but that Taran's magic sword did most of the work.
75* In ''WesternAnimation/ThePrincessAndTheFrog'', Tiana spends half of the film trying to get Naveen to stop fooling around. True, Naveen is [[HiddenDepths a lot more competent than he lets on]] -- he's [[BrilliantButLazy just lazy]], which is enough to set a {{workaholic}} like her off.
76* Fiona in the first ''WesternAnimation/Shrek1'' movie. She wasn't exactly fond of Shrek saving her from her imprisonment in a dragon-guarded tower [[spoiler:and that the handsome human Prince Charming was to rescue her]]. Shrek himself initially intended to save Fiona so that he could be awarded back his swamp by Lord Faquaard. The princess isn't amused by Shrek's "uncivilized" ogre manners but [[spoiler:it turns out this is a front since Fiona is cursed on turning into an ogre every night.]] They eventually fell for each other and Shrek [[spoiler: saves Fiona from being forcibly married to Lord Farquaad]].
77[[/folder]]
78
79[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
80* ''Film/PrinceOfPersiaTheSandsOfTime'' has this between Dastan and Tamina since Dastan (as the adopted son of the King of Persia) should be higher ranked than Tamina (as princess of a smallish city-state). Sure, Dastan was born an urchin but after spending most of his life as a prince the interaction comes across as odd. He defers to her (when he's not [[GoGoEnslavement selling her to bandits]]) because he's a gentleman, she's overbearing and holds a grudge because he is the main reason that Persia was able to conquer her small city-state. The overbearing attitude was more or less an act because she nearly escapes (and kills) Dastan because of it.
81* ''Film/RingOfTerror'': Betty comes off as a bit of a nag after Lewis stands her up to attend a late-night class. But after conceding he had no choice (had he missed the class he'd have flunked out), she reveals the real reason she's unhappy with him: his FearlessFool act. She tries to justify it by observing that his lack of caution could drive him to do something dangerous, but this is couched in a throwaway line and then quickly glossed over. (Of course, she ultimately proves correct, after a fashion.)
82* Since ''Film/{{Spaceballs}}'' a parody of ''Franchise/StarWars'', it has a generous helping of this dynamic with Princess Vespa (of the planet Druidia) and Lone Starr. Creator/MelBrooks said he named the planet Druidia so he could use this one joke:
83--> '''Princess:''' I am Princess Vespa, daughter of Roland. King of the Druids!\
84'''Lone Starr:''' ''(groans)'' That's all we needed: a [[JewishAmericanPrincess Druish princess]].\
85'''Barf:''' Funny. She doesn't look Druish.
86* [[LovableRogue Han Solo's]] initial relationship with [[DefrostingIceQueen Princess Leia]] in the ''Franchise/StarWars'' films. Namely the first two, because by the third film they've softened to each other, and when they do snark, it's more in jest.
87* ''Film/TheWizard'': Corey and Haley follow this trope to the tee. He even compares her to Zelda (someone who always needs to be rescued and is the {{Trope Namer|s}}) and she takes that as sexist.
88[[/folder]]
89
90[[folder:Literature]]
91!!By Author
92* Creator/LloydAlexander:
93** [[BelligerentSexualTension The relationship between]] [[FarmBoy Taran]] and [[SpiritedYoungLady Eilonwy]] in ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfPrydain'', although the series is peppered liberally with AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther moments, mitigating this somewhat. She initially found him "fascinating" for being an Assistant Pig-Keeper in the original ''Chronicles of Prydain'' because she had never met an Assistant Pig-Keeper before. In fact, she held a persistently casual attitude towards most everything. Though there was an element of the stated trope present, she didn't judge him less for his station. [[spoiler:Except when she is BrainwashedAndCrazy.]]
94** Alexander seems to have liked this trope, as we also see it from Joy-in-the-Dance toward Lucian in ''The Arkadians''. The idea that her treatment of him masks romantic feelings seems absurd to him at first, but to the other characters [[EveryoneCanSeeIt it's obvious]].
95
96!!By Work
97* In Creator/DavidEddings' ''Literature/TheBelgariad'', this is Garion and Ce'Nedra's relationship condensed down to four words. Unsurprisingly, she's pissed when she finds out that he isn't just a farm boy, but the long-lost heir to the Rivan Throne and hereditary Overlord of the West... in other words, ''more'' royal than she is. Belgarion has the foresight [[spoiler:to find a way to make them equal in status to preserve his own sanity after the marriage]].
98%%* Josua and Vorzheva's relationship looks like this for most of the first and second books.
99* Kitai of the ''Literature/CodexAlera''. She wanted to [[MagicalNativeAmerican bond]] with a ''horse'', and continues to remind Tavi at relatively regular intervals. She doesn't just look down at him for personal reasons, but also detests his ''species''. She snarks it up with some of the best and, yes, they do eventually fall in love. She gets a QuipToBlack to end out the series that doubles as this trope. It's also a mild gender-flip: [[spoiler:Tavi's royalty, Kitai's just the daughter of the head of one tribe, and her people's diplomat (appointed by Tavi)]].
100* Priscilla in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's NarrativePoem "Literature/TheCourtshipOfMilesStandish". Her snarky, "Why don't you speak for yourself, John?" has even achieved meme status.
101* The titular heroine of ''Literature/DaisyMiller'':
102-->'''Winterbourne:''' I wish you would flirt with me, and me only.\
103'''Daisy:''' Ah! thank you—thank you very much; you are the last man I should think of flirting with. As I have had the pleasure of informing you, you are [[DoubleEntendre too stiff]].\
104'''Winterbourne:''' You say that too often.\
105'''Daisy:''' If I could have the sweet hope of making you angry, I should say it again.
106* Aravis to Shasta in Creator/CSLewis's ''Literature/TheHorseAndHisBoy''. This defines their relationship from the very beginning. Their first words to each other: "Why, you're only a girl." "And you're only a boy. A rude, common little boy. A slave probably who's stolen his master's horse!" The LemonyNarrator even jokes about this at the end, when he tells the readers that they continued to affectionately bicker and eventually decided to get married so they could continue to do so more conveniently.
107%%* Precious Stone is this to Literature/JamesBond at the start of the ''Literature/YoungBond'' novel ''Literature/HurricaneGold''.
108* Arya of the ''Literature/InheritanceCycle'' tries to do this to keep Eragon at bay, because even though he's an adult by human standards, by the standards of the semi-immortal Elves and Dragon Riders he's the youngest of kids. She's the child of the queen, groomed for leadership, her people's diplomat, a warrior, and he's a moonstruck fledgling rider who is their only hope and doesn't need the distraction. In retrospect, she's right and he's still finishing puberty.
109* Mort and Ysabel of ''Literature/{{Mort}}'' ([[TheGrimReaper Death's]] apprentice and his daughter, respectively) bicker and insult each other regularly, to the point where a scene that consists entirely of them both insulting each others' appearances is used to show they're ''warming up to each other''. They save the world a couple of times, and eventually marry and have an extremely snarky daughter.
110* In ''Literature/MyYouthRomanticComedyIsWrongAsIExpected'', this is a notable element of the chemistry between [[FirstPersonSmartass Hachiman Hikigaya]] and [[DeadpanSnarker Yukino Yukinoshita]]. Although compared to the average person, it's debatable if Hachiman is a loser. Still with Hachiman compared to Yukino this trope is likely to apply. Yukino is described as incredibly beautiful, a strong first academically, and, in Hachiman's words (LN), the "epitome of nobility". On the other hand, Hachiman is described as having an [[FishEyes unpleasant]] [[PerpetualFrowner appearance]], academically variable at best, and socially awkward.
111* Ysabelle the squirrel maiden acts this way toward Vesper the bat during the first half of Creator/RobinJarvis' ''[[Literature/DeptfordMice The Oaken Throne]]''. Their species are [[FantasticRacism sworn enemies]], and she finds him repulsive. He sees her as nothing but an "uppity tree worshipper." As they get to know each other, however, they fall in love.
112* Subverted (and gender-flipped) in ''Literature/PrideAndPrejudice''. Darcy ''thinks'' this is what's going on with him and Elizabeth when she makes "lively" comments in response to his haughty opinions and thinks there's a growing attraction between them. Turns out it's all on his side; she really does think he's a total prat. (Which, once she spells it out, motivates him to be nicer.)
113%%%%* ''Literature/TheRiftwarCycle''
114* Louie and Melissa in ''Literature/RuneSoldierLouie'', as Melissa constantly criticizes Louie and tries to turn him into a 'champion'.
115* Marguerite Blakeney and her husband, Lord Percy Blakeney, of ''Literature/TheScarletPimpernel'' fame. She fell in love with him and agreed to marry him despite his foppish ways because she could sense there was some depth there. But after their marriage, those depths have apparently evaporated, and she's married to [[UpperClassTwit a complete airhead whose most pressing concern is fashion]]. ([[SecretIdentity Or so she thinks...]]) She doesn't hold him to a high standard anymore -- she just mocks him openly to their friends. Percy doesn't fight back in his own defense, because he loves her, but does not trust her.
116%%* In ''Literature/{{Stardust}}'' Tristran and Yvaine start off like this. This is not surprising given ''[[EngagementChallenge why]]'' she's stuck with him.
117%%* ''Literature/SuperPowereds'': Nick and Alice
118%%%%* In ''Literature/TheUnderlandChronicles'', Gregor seems to love mocking Luxa's stiff conduct and all that.
119%%* Faile tries to do this to Perrin in ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime''.
120* In ''Literature/TheWitchlands'', Safi is rather more elegant and aristocratic, whereas Merik is a sailor, so when they're not [[BelligerentSexualTension fighting or kissing]], this contrast in sophistication causes squabbling.
121[[/folder]]
122
123[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
124%%%* ''Series/{{Angel}}'' had more of Cordelia in this kind of relationship with Doyle. She soon gets enough CharacterDevelopment to [[OutgrowTheTrope outgrow it]].
125%%%% Zero Context. What does Cordelia do and how does she outgrow it?
126%%* Penny from ''Series/TheBigBangTheory''.
127* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'': Both of Xander Harris's girlfriends, Cordelia and Anya, have a strong tendency in this direction given his general loserness yet competency in helping with the supernatural nasties. By the time he's going out with Anya, he's more competent at arguing back, and so the trope is lampshaded in dialogue.
128* ''Series/{{Cheers}}'': Diane often acts like this, much to Sam's chagrin. Most of their clashes tend to stem from Diane needling Sam for his BookDumb status -- and his typical predilection for women that Diane deems airheads/floozies.
129-->'''Diane:''' You're a [[{{Manchild}} rapidly aging adolescent]]!\
130'''Sam:''' Well, I would ''rather'' be ''that'' than a ''snob''!\
131'''Diane:''' And I would rather be a snob.\
132'''Sam:''' Well, ''good'' -- because you ''are''!
133%%* ''Series/ICarly'' episode "iDate Sam and Freddie".
134%%%%* In ''Literature/GossipGirl'', during their short-lived, but [[BelligerentSexualTension tumultuous]] romance arc Blair treats [[spoiler:Dan Humphrey]]
135%%* Lady Morgana from ''Series/Merlin2008'' in the first series.
136%%* In ''Series/OnceUponATime'', when Charming and Snow White get properly introduced for the first time, this is thrown around with abandon. Most of the time it's {{gender flip}}ped, with Snow being the one who nicknames him "''Charming''."
137* Caleb and Hanna from ''Series/PrettyLittleLiars'' dynamic as a couple fit this trope at the beginning of their relationship. Caleb even calls her "princess." She thinks it's pretty hilarious.
138* ''Series/RobinHood'':
139** As quoted at the top of the page, Robin notes that everything Marian says to him sounds like a criticism.
140** Allan-a-Dale's [[http://oi44.tinypic.com/2rlyxyp.jpg priceless reaction]] to Kate snapping: "My ''NAME'' is ''KATE''!" by way of an introduction. His expression qualifies.
141* On ''Series/SchittsCreek'', FallenPrincess socialite Alexis Rose spends the first season annoying/attracting hunky granola guy, Mutt Schitt. Bickering and eventual kissing ensue.
142* ''Franchise/StarTrek'':
143** The Daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed! For non-Trekkies, that's Lwaxana Troi, [[TheEmpath Deanna]]'s mom, first appearing in ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration''. She marches around the ''Enterprise'' and [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine Deep Space Nine]] like she owns the place, and looks awesome doing it. At least once per appearance, she says her full title when letting some unfortunate schmo know who they're dealing with, in a way that would evoke the local equivalent of "Well, excuuuuse ''me'', Princess!" if not for the diplomatic incident it would cause. She ''wants'' to be Picard's love interest, but he isn't interested... though she claims otherwise, [[PsychicPowers and she would know]]. It's made all the more hilarious that Lwaxana was played by Majel Barrett Roddenberry, and therefore literally owned the place (the idea, anyway). Later appearances have her blow through the titles like she's sick of saying it, generally when she honestly expects people to ''not'' be impressed. Her introduction to a certain constable in ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' does spring to mind...
144** Kaitama the First Monarch in the ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'' episode "[[Recap/StarTrekEnterpriseS02E011PreciousCargo Precious Cargo]]". She starts off as a kidnapping victim in a box. When she is removed by [[MrFixit Trip Tucker]], she spends the episode being this to him while they escape from the kidnappers, leading to the inevitable squabbling, torn clothing, and passionate clinching.
145%%* Donna from ''Series/That70sShow''.
146[[/folder]]
147
148[[folder:Theater]]
149* Roxane of ''Theatre/CyranoDeBergerac'' is an intellectual who needs a guy with eloquence and creative genius, and if you can't deliver, she'll show you the door.
150%%* OlderThanSteam: Beatrice in ''Theatre/MuchAdoAboutNothing''.
151[[/folder]]
152
153[[folder:Video Games]]
154%%* The ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights'' mod ''VideoGame/TheBastardOfKosigan'' has the player's relationship with Alex look something like this.
155%%* Creator/BioWare seems to like this trope.
156%%** If female you can do this to Anomen in ''VideoGame/BaldursGateII'' as well.
157%%** ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'': If the player character is female, she can do this to the hunky pilot Carth. If the player is male, then he can have this dynamic with Bastila.
158%%** Silk Fox in ''VideoGame/JadeEmpire''.
159%%** If male, a bit of this is present with Ashley Williams in ''Franchise/MassEffect'', though she usually follows up her snarks with an overly formal "[[WithAllDueRespect Sir!]]"
160%%** ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'': A lot of the back-and-forth banter between Shepard and Liara in ''Lair of the Shadow Broker'' looks like this.
161%%** The Smuggler player character and Risha in ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'', in homage to [[Franchise/StarWars the source material]].
162* ''Franchise/BlazBlue'': [[LittleMissSnarker Rachel Alucard]] is a firm believer of ToughLove it seems and acts out this trope towards the entire cast, but ''especially'' [[TheProtagonist Ragna the Bloodedge]]. There is almost no conversation between the two that doesn't devolve into SnarkToSnarkCombat. While Rachel does care about him, [[CannotSpitItOut she absolutely refuses to admit to such]] and implying she does is a BerserkButton for her. For his part, Ragna ''does'' have a few issues he needs to get over as well.
163* Almost every girl Jimmy from ''VideoGame/{{Bully}}'' takes interest in, [[spoiler:with the exception of Zoe, though she is definitely snarky]].
164%%* Adell and Rozalin from ''VideoGame/Disgaea2CursedMemories''.
165* ''Franchise/FireEmblem'':
166** Clarine of Reglay in ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBindingBlade The Binding Blade]]'', especially in regards to [[FragileSpeedster Rutger the myrmidon]] and Lance the cavalier. She eventually warms up to them and to the female Archer Dorothy, not ''always'' putting status before everything. (Rutger admits in their A Support that he likes her better like this. Awwww.)
167** Serra from ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade'', who is very similar to Clarine, but is actually quite more straightforward and blunt. [[spoiler:She's also ''not'' a noblewoman, her personality stems more from [[StepfordSmiler years of loneliness and]] ParentalAbandonment.]]
168** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheSacredStones''[='s=] L'Arachel is this in spades, thanks to her {{Tsundere}} and prideful tendencies. Helps that she's a GenkiGirl and a LordErrorProne, with a dash of ChurchMilitant. The combination results in an... ''[[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} interesting]]'' personality.
169** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'' has Maribelle, the daughter of a count and the local LonelyRichKid. She has a good heart ''and'' quite the pride, so several of her Supports are made of this. Especially those with [[MasterSwordsman Lon'qu]].
170* ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'': Canderous refers to Bastila specifically as "''You spoiled little Jedi princess.''" Because of this, Canderous/Bastila is an ascended CrackShip, popularized when a fanfic writer (who writes romance novels professionally) [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1652394/1/After_the_Fall took a whack at it.]]
171* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
172** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'': Princess Ruto starts berating Link as soon as they meet, and forces him to ''literally'' carry her out of Jabu-Jabu's belly. Then she gets both [[{{Tsundere}} huffy and blushy]] about how the Third Elemental Stone is also the Zora Engagement Ring.
173** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'': Link and Midna's dynamic starts out with Midna constantly belittling him and treating him like a servant, while he glares (and as a wolf, even growls) at her in return. By the end of the game, they manage to warm up to each other and have become close friends, though there's still some loving snark on Midna's part.
174** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'': This incarnation of Zelda is much like [[WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfZelda1989 her cartoon counterpart]], being aloof and haughty towards Link with a dose of InferioritySuperiorityComplex driving the snark -- Link's ease at tapping into the powers of his previous incarnations was a constant reminder of her own repeated failures to do the same. Link taking this behavior in stride, combined with his saving her from Yiga Clan assailants, causes her to have a JerkassRealization and she warms up to him.
175* In ''VideoGame/LostHorizon'', Kim isn't as impressed with Fenton as he is with himself, often snarking at his unusual strategies and complaining about the problems she's had as a result of leaving Hong Kong with him. He, for his part, keeps trying to offload her as if she's a [[TheLoad helpless liability]]. They get together in the end anyway.
176%% If the above BioWare examples are ever reinstated on this page, move this example there.
177* The eponymous ''Franchise/PrinceOfPersia'' (in his 3D incarnations) has this sort of a relationship with the various female sidekicks he works with.
178-->'''[[VideoGame/PrinceOfPersiaTheSandsOfTime Farah]]:''' (''if the Prince sheathes his sword while enemies are in range'') WHY DID YOU PUT YOUR SWORD AWAY?!
179%%* ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss''
180[[/folder]]
181
182%%[[folder:Web Animation]]
183%%* An unusual reversal is found in ''WebAnimation/MattNDusty''. [[spoiler:Mandy initially glances over greetings to Matt, but eventually joins him, Trey, and Parker Bradley in their circle of friends.]]
184%%[[/folder]]
185
186[[folder:Webcomics]]
187%%* ''Webcomic/BrawlInTheFamily'' features this trope as [[http://brawlinthefamily.keenspot.com/2014/09/23/597-meet-me-at-final-destination-part-3/ one of the few times Link actually speaks.]]
188%%* In ''Webcomic/CucumberQuest'', Princess Parfait has this dynamic with the BLT Trio, especially Tomato.
189%%* [[http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20101022 Tarvek]] to our ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'' (note that Agatha ''is'' a lady, but not a princess; Tarvek is a prince, but less important than Lady Heterodyne).
190* Amaltea from ''Webcomic/SwordPrincessAmaltea'' sometimes gets in trouble for being so arrogant and Ossian has to call her out.
191[[/folder]]
192
193[[folder:Western Animation]]
194* ''Franchise/AvatarTheLastAirbender'':
195** Mai and Zuko in ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender''. Hilariously enough, ''Zuko is the prince'', but Mai completely refuses to put up with his ill-temper, poorly-thought-out attempts at boring teenage romance, and being dumped because his father is an EvilOverlord and a HeelFaceTurn is the only moral option left to him. Zuko being a hothead, they end up having a very on-again, off-again relationship, but even when Mai is snarking to the point of cruelty, she is unwaveringly loyal to Zuko personally.
196** Deconstructed in Book 2 of ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'': [[EmotionlessGirl Eska]] treats [[{{Keet}} Bolin]] [[MistressAndServantBoy like a flunky]], and he quickly wants out. [[spoiler:And then, she [[{{Yandere}} tries to force him]] to [[AndNowYouMustMarryMe marry her]]. By the end of the season, it turns out Bolin really did love her, but her insanely overbearing, borderline sociopathic ways terrified him (as they did ''everyone'' but her own brother and father). She really did love him too, in her own... unique way. After some character development and both coming to terms with their own issues and each others', it looks like they can be together happily... Except [[BittersweetEnding now the twins have to go back to the North Pole to explain to their mother what a mess]] [[ArchnemesisDad their father]] made.]]
197%%%%* While they aren't in a love relationship Gwen Tennyson often would have this attitude toward her cousin Ben in the original ''WesternAnimation/{{Ben 10}}'' series.
198* ''WesternAnimation/{{Daria}}'': Daria's parents play this completely straight. Helen often gets frustrated with Jake and isn't afraid to lampshade how ridiculous he's acting; he, in turn, isn't afraid to snark at her or voice his frustration; they make out soon, however. It's even lampshaded by Helen's sister Amy, who congratulates Jake for putting up with someone as "high maintenance" as Helen.
199%%%%* In the ''WesternAnimation/DungeonsAndDragons1983'' series, Eric pulls this on Bobby after informing the pint-sized Barbarian that his pet unicorn, Uni, is hanging out with hot new guy Kosar.
200* ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'' has the eponymous character attempting to fix best friend [[{{Foil}} Ron Stoppable]]. Considering how pathetic he was through Season 1 and 2, she didn't go far enough.
201-->'''Kim:''' Last night he had to take off his shoes to count to 12; now he's taking a genius aptitude test.
202* The {{Trope Namer|s}} is Link in ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfZelda1989'' [[Series/TheSuperMarioBrosSuperShow cartoon]], in his most lackadaisical and snarky iteration. Zelda was a good mix of both this and the MagicalGirlfriend tropes, preventing him from getting too full of himself for being Hyrule's champion or lazing about.
203%%%%* ''WesternAnimation/SonicTheHedgehogSatAM'' has Sonic the Hedgehog, a SmugSuper with little patience and Princess Sally Acorn, the bossy {{tomboy|Princess}}ish DeadpanSnarker.
204%%%%* ''WesternAnimation/StickinAround'' has Bradley and Stacy.
205%%* Princess Ilana and her bodyguard Lance in ''WesternAnimation/SymBionicTitan''.
206%%%% This is Zero Context. WHAT kind of attitude is it? What are the details?
207* Thomas the Tank Engine was likely thinking this exact quote when Emily began trying to "advise" him in one episode of ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends''. Then there was that time she took over Gordon's express and began throwing her weight around. Not to mention that one time when she visited an old castle and proclaimed herself "Queen Emily."
208%%* Courtney and Duncan in ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama Island'' and ''Total Drama Action''.
209[[/folder]]
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