How do 'forced arranged marriage romance novels' usually develop the relationship between the main characters?
Well, in these types of novels, the main characters' relationship development usually starts off rocky. The forced nature of the arrangement means there's often a lot of initial tension. They might be from different social classes or have different personalities that seem at odds. But then, they are forced to live in the same space or interact regularly. As they do, they discover hidden depths in each other. Maybe one is really good at art and the other starts to appreciate that. There are also moments of vulnerability. For example, one character might share a past trauma with the other during an argument. These moments of honesty and shared secrets start to break down the barriers between them. And as time passes, they find themselves looking forward to seeing each other, and that's how the relationship evolves from a forced situation into a loving one.
Often, they start with the characters being thrown together by circumstances out of their control. For example, in many novels, it could be a family arrangement. At first, there's usually resistance from one or both parties. They might find each other annoying or just not interested in the idea of being with the other. But as they spend more time together, they start to notice little things about each other. Maybe they see the other's kindness or intelligence. Small shared experiences, like a walk in the garden or a dinner together, start to chip away at their initial resistance. And gradually, feelings start to develop, often without them even realizing it at first.
In 'forced arranged marriage romance novels', the relationship development typically begins with a sense of obligation. Since it's an arranged situation, the characters feel they have to at least try to make it work. They begin by getting to know the basic facts about each other, like their likes and dislikes. As they interact more, there are often misunderstandings at first because they are still strangers in a way. But these misunderstandings can also lead to deeper conversations as they clear things up. The authors usually make the characters face some external challenges together, like dealing with family expectations or social events. Through these shared experiences, they start to rely on each other, and that's when real affection starts to grow. For instance, in a novel where the couple has to attend a big ball together as a newly arranged married couple, they learn how to support each other in a social setting, and this can be a turning point in their relationship.