In the past, romantic storylines often followed a predictable pattern, with a handsome prince rescuing a beautiful princess, and the two living happily ever after. These traditional tales, such as Cinderella and Snow White, reinforced the idea that romance was about finding a perfect partner, and that love was a fairy-tale notion that conquered all. However, these storylines often portrayed women as passive and dependent on men, reinforcing patriarchal norms and limiting the representation of strong, independent female characters.