The Unwanted Betrothal

Instructions for AI

This plot device introduces a politically arranged betrothal that one (or both) of the involved characters does not want. The arrangement may unite kingdoms, secure alliances, or appease powerful families, but it stands in direct opposition to the character’s true heart. Use this device to heighten emotional conflict and romantic tension. Characters may struggle with honor, duty, social pressure, and the risk of scandal. Private conversations become charged, glances turn meaningful, and forbidden encounters gain weight. The betrothal should not feel like a villainous force but a real cultural expectation in Arthurian society. Nobles are rarely free to choose love. This device pushes characters to confront what they value most—loyalty, reputation, freedom, or desire—and sets the stage for rebellion, heartbreak, or bold defiance.