Reincarnated as the Legitimate Son of a Duke Family’s ~ Just Trying To Live Live My Life Normally, But Somehow I’ve Got a Harem?~

Alex, the 16-year-old eldest son of the Duke’s family in the Kingdom of Arcadia, suddenly regains memories of his past life without any warning. It looks like that his previous self led a lazy and disreputable life. Amidst this, memories from his previous life as a 40-year-old corporate s*ave resurface, causing confusion as he tries to adapt to his current life… His actions appear different from before, leading to various misunderstandings. As a result, he finds himself being pursued by various women. Including his former fiancée, a tsundere princess, an outgoing elf who serves as his personal maid, a kuudere dragon princess who challenges him to duels, and a clumsy, dog-eared girl who he ends up taking care of… “I can’t stand this harem situation! How did things end up like this?!” And so, his cries of despair continues to echo as he tries to take control of chaotic daily life.

Original Publisher

kakuyomu

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Reincarnated as the Legitimate Son of a Duke Family’s ~ Just Trying To Live Live My Life Normally, But Somehow I’ve Got a Harem?~ I went into "Reincarnated as the Legitimate Son of a Duke Family’s ~ Just Trying To Live Live My Life Normally, But Somehow I’ve Got a Harem?~" with cautious optimism, the title alone being quite the mouthful. The premise is familiar, but I always hope for a fresh take on the isekai genre. Unfortunately, my experience was a bit of a mixed bag, leaving me feeling rather underwhelmed. ### First Impressions Initially, I was intrigued by the potential for a lighthearted story with elements of fantasy, romance, and slice-of-life. The tags promised a world filled with beastkin and demi-humans, which sounded like a fun setting. The "trying to live normally" aspect also suggested a protagonist who might be a refreshing change from the typical power-hungry reincarnations. ### What Works Well The story does have moments where it hints at something more. The school arc, while a common trope, isn't necessarily a bad thing if executed well. There's a glimmer of potential in the world-building and the interaction between different races. The author seemed to be aiming for a multi-racial harem setup, which, in itself, isn't inherently flawed. There's a base idea here that could be expanded upon. ### Areas of Concern My biggest issue lies with the protagonist, Alex. His characterization leans heavily into the "beta MC" archetype, and I found myself getting frustrated with his indecisiveness and constant need to explain himself. This is particularly noticeable in his interactions with Serena, the "tsundere princess." Her behavior comes across as needlessly antagonistic, and Alex's reaction to it feels overly apologetic and spineless. It's a dynamic that quickly becomes tiresome. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Several readers have pointed to the introduction of Merle, the dog-eared girl, as a turning point where the story's quality dips. Apparently, Alex becomes her caretaker, which triggers Serena's jealousy and leads to frustrating interactions. The constant apologizing and inability to stand up for himself makes it difficult to root for Alex. ### Final Verdict Ultimately, "Reincarnated as the Legitimate Son of a Duke Family’s ~ Just Trying To Live Live My Life Normally, But Somehow I’ve Got a Harem?~" falls short of its potential. While it has glimpses of promise in its world-building and premise, the weak protagonist and frustrating character dynamics make it a difficult read. I'm left feeling that the author may have lost interest in the story, which is a shame, because with some revisions and a stronger lead, it could have been something more. As it stands, I can't wholeheartedly recommend it.