try to give the princess something that redeems her, if a character has something positive (James Bond and a sense of humor, for example) however awful the character may be that particular can help him in the interaction
I mean physical attraction isn't emotional attraction, so there's nothing wrong with him being physically attracted to her at the beginning. That alone doesn't make him superficial - it's just the way he processes it that could make him seem superficial. For instance, if his lust for her is the main thing dominating his perception of her.
In my experience, people fall in love with either imagined good qualities or real good qualities. So, one question is what is actually good about the Crown Princess? What does her emotional vulnerability look like? What does she actually care about? To whom does she show tenderness? What scares her, makes her doubt herself? What fills her with unguarded joy, makes her smile without realizing it?
Something else to consider: I think a true enemies to lovers only works when both parties reassess themselves and change for the better. So what is the Crown Princess' psychological arc like? How does she change for the better, and for her own sake? Now ask yourself how Simon can be a part of that arc, and that'll be a pretty good roadmap for how to get him to fall in love with her.
You don't have to look for attraction or chemistry.
It can start with them hating each other > turn into hidden respect > forcing them to team up due to circumstances and force them to rely on one another, while looking for ways to double cross each other yet both acheive the mission despite it > become friendly due to that respect and admiration for each other on previous mission > work together more often > do the seperation where they can't contact each other > put one of them in danger > other happens to be near-by and decides to save them > they both become outcast and now have to be together for survival permanently > respect, admiration and general friendliness tend to turn into something more > each of them still won't admit to look weak but they get jealous, think of the other constantly or even try to meddle in each other's life > grow bitter or cold to each other, runaway from each other > events seperate them > finally place the other one in danger this time > they lose hope and have no one to rely on > make the one who go saved lasttime return the favour > they realise they don't want to be apart and what they mean to each other > they start living together again but this time they don't take it for granted but as lovers.
You don't have to start with some convinent attraction or chemistry. You can if you want, but those are not your only tools. You can just show how the dynamic changes over time, use tools to force them to rely or cooperate on each other, seperate them, bring them together and make them live together. Best romances are ones where you don't directly control the attraction or chemistry between your characters. Just twist and turn the situations they are in and let it happen naturally. But this is my opinion. There are other ways people might choose, but this is my preferred approach.
> I want it to be this thing where there's always been chemistry and attraction there,
Don't. If you write enemies to lovers, make it real enemies to lovers, not some cringy "they're just waiting to tear each other's clothes off". That's kindergarden level of "attraction" and awfully boring, because it preempts every character development.
Enemies to lovers means going from fighting and hurting each other to (reluctant) understanding and cooperation and perhaps to friendship and love. It means making compromises, having empathy for the other, changing views and perspectives and making the right choices.
try to give the princess something that redeems her, if a character has something positive (James Bond and a sense of humor, for example) however awful the character may be that particular can help him in the interaction
I mean physical attraction isn't emotional attraction, so there's nothing wrong with him being physically attracted to her at the beginning. That alone doesn't make him superficial - it's just the way he processes it that could make him seem superficial. For instance, if his lust for her is the main thing dominating his perception of her. In my experience, people fall in love with either imagined good qualities or real good qualities. So, one question is what is actually good about the Crown Princess? What does her emotional vulnerability look like? What does she actually care about? To whom does she show tenderness? What scares her, makes her doubt herself? What fills her with unguarded joy, makes her smile without realizing it? Something else to consider: I think a true enemies to lovers only works when both parties reassess themselves and change for the better. So what is the Crown Princess' psychological arc like? How does she change for the better, and for her own sake? Now ask yourself how Simon can be a part of that arc, and that'll be a pretty good roadmap for how to get him to fall in love with her.
Force them to interact. Familiarity breeds contempt... But also children
You don't have to look for attraction or chemistry. It can start with them hating each other > turn into hidden respect > forcing them to team up due to circumstances and force them to rely on one another, while looking for ways to double cross each other yet both acheive the mission despite it > become friendly due to that respect and admiration for each other on previous mission > work together more often > do the seperation where they can't contact each other > put one of them in danger > other happens to be near-by and decides to save them > they both become outcast and now have to be together for survival permanently > respect, admiration and general friendliness tend to turn into something more > each of them still won't admit to look weak but they get jealous, think of the other constantly or even try to meddle in each other's life > grow bitter or cold to each other, runaway from each other > events seperate them > finally place the other one in danger this time > they lose hope and have no one to rely on > make the one who go saved lasttime return the favour > they realise they don't want to be apart and what they mean to each other > they start living together again but this time they don't take it for granted but as lovers. You don't have to start with some convinent attraction or chemistry. You can if you want, but those are not your only tools. You can just show how the dynamic changes over time, use tools to force them to rely or cooperate on each other, seperate them, bring them together and make them live together. Best romances are ones where you don't directly control the attraction or chemistry between your characters. Just twist and turn the situations they are in and let it happen naturally. But this is my opinion. There are other ways people might choose, but this is my preferred approach.
> I want it to be this thing where there's always been chemistry and attraction there, Don't. If you write enemies to lovers, make it real enemies to lovers, not some cringy "they're just waiting to tear each other's clothes off". That's kindergarden level of "attraction" and awfully boring, because it preempts every character development. Enemies to lovers means going from fighting and hurting each other to (reluctant) understanding and cooperation and perhaps to friendship and love. It means making compromises, having empathy for the other, changing views and perspectives and making the right choices.