I really like this series. I've bought the Del-Ray releases (only two volumes so far), and they have done a pretty good job on the series. The manga and the anime, while similar as far as story goes, are pretty different. Personally, I think the manga is waaay better.
Anyhow, the series may seem as goofy or life hearted, but it's actually pretty cruel at times. The princess is not your average heroine. She's pretty cold most of the time, and is definitely not a tsundere. The hero of the story is a total wuss. He has no strength what so ever but he doesn't wine or complain non stop, he just does what he thinks is right. As such, he's better in my book than most wuss heroes who just plain suck. There is actual death in the manga, and it happens quite a bit actually. I know this review kind of sucks, but hopefully it'll encourage you to read a couple of chapters.
Also, the anime reordered some of the events that occur in the manga. In the first two volumes, it was almost like watching the last 5 or 6 episodes of the anime.
The only thing I don't like about the Del-Ray release is that she's referred to as "Princess Hime". This is pretty redundant as "Hime" pretty much means princess, if it doesn't out right.