That fits in a general sense. Although, it's not what I truly crave for: intense, tragic but hopeful sweet. In Paladins in Troubled Times, the main girl approached the main lead as a spunky, adorable, mischievously willful thief who helped him out. And since then, they spent a brief time together, and the male lead sense that she's something he can trust and count on. She developed feelings for him as they spent time together and it's the same for him, albeit not that strongly yet, but still.... A number of events and drama happened, and to get down to it, the main girl betrayed him and indirectly caused the death of his godfather who raised him (she didn't killed him, but her betrayal let the enemy into his home which, was a sect located on top of a mountain.
His godfather's death wasn't something she wanted or expected, but either way, it turns out that she was on the enemies' side all along. Unknown to the male lead, she had reasons and she's kinda torn between two people she loves (did it for her brother whom she loved dearly) to betray him, but it's something he'll never be able to accept even if he did knew (her brother is an ally of the rebel leader, someone the male lead is fighting against). And so, he vowed to get revenge for his godfather, and he was serious about it. When he met her again, he tried really tried to kill her, but he wasn't strong enough as her martial arts was stronger at the time.
Even though he hated her now and wants her dead, she never stopped liking him. They make a deal, he gets to fight her 3 times (once a day), and if he can't beat her by the third day, then he'll give up, but if he can, then she won't resist him killing her. So, he trains from a manual that's rightfully his since it was his father's (was a great swordsman), and every evening or so, he fights her. With every attempt, his attacks became more and more furious, but he also grew closer to beating her until finally he became strong enough on the third try. He had the chance to kill her then, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
During the period when he was training, her personality was half as it was before she betrayed him and half melancholic but determined. She also cooked for him for the three days he trained and fought in order to keep up his strength, showing that she really cares for him. Confused, upset, and conflicted. the male lead's budding feelings that he had for her grew greatly within those 3 days. Even though he didn't killed her when he had the chance then, he said claims he won't let her off the next time.
After that, numerous things happened and she ended up saving him a few times, and despite all that, he holds an abrasive and standoffish personality towards her. But that slowly and eventually fades away as the story goes on, of course. But how the drama is done between the two, in that they're both tormented by the fact they like each other, but can't be together. This is shown more strongly in the main girl who gets seriously upset and depressed, lashes out and drowns herself in alcohol. The kicker here is, the male lead seems her in these states, and in his heart, he knows it's true love that she has for him, and that also is true for him in the end.
Guuh, sorry for wall of text. ANYWAYS, thanks for that rec. it might not be what I really want, but it has the theme. It might have potential to become intense.
