She wasn't faking it, she just didn't die. She doesn't value her life at all 'till this very point were something changed after she was said something that shakes her enough to go against her imposed destiny.
Even so, at the very end she still felt hopeless, and this is were Hornet came in swearing she'll rescue her whether she likes it or not. Her last laugh is genuine, filled with happiness. It's at that very point that both princesses fell in love. Whether it'll bloom to a romantic one will depend on Cherry. One thing to keep in mind is that we have been looking at Hornet internal talk hinting at a longing for love and how she gave up on it because she is so long lived... well, here is a magical being that will never die, and it's made of fluff which in her journals bring out her feminine side.