Cos being shifty is very realistic for a mix of typical human nature and such power imbalance
bc the point of using a historical setting in the first place is to explore classism/sexism/patriarchy/homophobia etc. it's not really as effective in the modern world bc of modern values and the concept of equality, however a historical setting is conducive to that end precisely bc it's a time period rife with all kinds of inequality... so even in stories with a healthy relationship and both leads are commoners, classism and sexism always present an obstacle to the relationship. and if authors want to write abt their rich, powerful, and regretful mls, what better setting to write this dynamic in than a historical one? since the setting/context can explain his behavior
this!!! ty for putting it so concisely
Why does almost all historical stories have the shittiest male leads?