History Main / BettyAndVeronica

* UsefulNotes/HenryVIII's wives. Katherine of Aragon, who sewed all Henry's shirts herself, gave money to the poor, and [[NiceToTheWaiter remembered all of her servants by name in her will]] is the Betty, with flirtatious Anne Boleyn, well known for her quick wit and short temper, as the Veronica. Then Anne Boleyn is still the Veronica but Jane Seymour with her old-fashioned values, modesty, and spotless reputation is the Betty. Later, Anne of Cleves, initially shy, fond of needlework, and popular with the people, is the Betty with Kathryn Howard, sexually experienced girl who enjoyed life and was unfaithful, as the Veronica. Catherine Parr, nurse to Henry, caring stepmother and household manager, actually came onto the scene later but the pattern still goes "Betty, Veronica, Betty" twice.

* ''[[https://m.fanfiction.net/s/11016375/1/ Keep Your Hands Off My Mate]]'' initially sets up an [[ExaggeratedTrope Exaggerated]] version, with [[Film/AlienVsPredator Alexa Woods]] being presented with a choice between living an ordinary human life with the sweet, artistic Brian, or leaving the planet with violent extraterrestrial Predator Scar. [[spoiler:It becomes a SubvertedTrope when Brian is revealed as a government agent, and whilst he genuinely did fall InLoveWithTheMark, her feelings for him die a quick death, and his employer leaves her so disgusted with humanity that she gives up on her species altogether.]]

* This is Ochako and Rumi's dynamic in ''Fanfic/IzukusProHeroHaremLife'', with Ochako being the sweeter Betty in an established relationship with Izuku and Rumi the aggressive and provocative Veronica who initially tries to seduce Izuku for herself. [[HaremGenre This being a harem fic]], nothing stops Izuku from loving and enjoying both of them, and the two eventually grow closer and more understanding of each other. Plus, GirlOnGirlIsHot.

* More famously, Creator/DebbieReynolds (Betty) vs. Creator/ElizabethTaylor (Veronica). After Liz was widowed suddenly in 1956, Reynolds' husband [[Creator/EddieFisher Edwin "Eddie" Fisher]] (father to Creator/{{Carrie|Fisher}}, and the best friend of Taylor's dead husband) left his family to be with Liz. The nation sided against Eddie and Liz until Liz came down with a near-fatal case of pneumonia.

Do be aware that fans like to exaggerate potential relationships; {{Shipping}} would not exist without it. As a result there are likely to be multiple instances of an OfficialCouple (vindicated by WordOfGod) that has some sort of {{Fanon}}-based "romantic rival" mirroring this trope. Even shows without such romantic entanglements in-universe can inspire Betty/Veronica debates amongst the {{Fandom}}; hence, [[Series/GilligansIsland Mary Ann/Ginger]], [[Series/WKRPInCincinnati Bailey/Jennifer]], [[Series/ThreesCompany Janet/Chrissy]], [[Franchise/ScoobyDoo Velma/Daphne]], etc.

** A rather infamous example is Elizabeth (Betty), Thèrése (Veronica) and Anthony (Archie). Anthony married the latter, but harbored feelings for the former. [[spoiler: Elizabeth won, but destroyed his marriage in the process.]] In contrast, there was also Anthony (Betty), Paul (Veronica) and Elizabeth (Archie).

* In "The Wooden-Clog Maker and the King's Daughter", the clog maker is in love with Guilemette, and both of them too poor to marry, when he receives a tree that has peaches in the middle of winter. He is diverted from her by learning the king will marry his daughter to whomever brings him peaches in mid-winter, and tries the {{Impossible Task}}s the king sets, but in the end rejects the princess for Guilemette.

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans2003''. Fans who ship Beast Boy/Raven will often portray Beast Boy as Archie, Raven as Betty, and Terra as Veronica. In fanfiction, Beast Boy will be more taken with the unstable, traitorous Terra, but in the end he will discover that he's loved his friend Raven all along.

** Tootie is the Betty, Trixie Tang is the Veronica. Timmy is initially torn between the two of them, and then learns Veronica Star is still after him. Timmy, Caleb, and Danny Phantom are not pleased with this.

* ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12312193/1/Crossroads-Between-a-Mermaid-and-a-Princess Crossroads - Between a Mermaid and a Princess]]'', features [[Anime/PokemonTheSeries Ash Ketchum]] as the Archie. Misty is the Veronica, being tomboyish, bold and quite willing to use her physical appeal to attract him. Serena is the Betty, sweeter and more feminine, [[ThroughHisStomach and of course uses her cooking skills to her advantage]]. It's played with since both girls are friends and actively help each other to make up for their shortcomings.

* ''Fanfic/HellsisterTrilogy'' has ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} caught between quiet, introvert, shy, kind-hearted and moral [[ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes Brainiac 5]] and rude, boisterous, cocky and shady Dev-Em.

* In ''Fanfic/TheOneILoveIs'', Shinji is Archie, Rei is Betty and Asuka is Veronica. Rei former is homely, quiet and feminine whereas Asuka is bold, hot-tempered and sultry. And both girls want the same boy.

* Samantha Echo's "I Wanna Shake her Hand" is a Betty and Veronica song from Veronica's point of view, in which Veronica is sizing up Betty in a sarcastic, passive aggressive manner. Betty is the wife of her married crush (Archie), who looks at her (Veronica) as if she is "a strange, forbidden door." The sexually frustrated narrator vacillates between feelings of jealousy and friendliness, which is particularly evocative of the trope namers, who were actually best friends when they weren't fighting over Archie.

* ''Theatre/{{Thirteen}}'' has Brett in a LoveTriangle with Kendra (Betty) and Lucy (Veronica). Meanwhile there's a friendship version of the trope where Evan has to decide between being friends with Brett and the cool kids (Veronica) or with the losers Patrice and Archie (Betty). Then there's a subtle one of Kendra liking Brett (Veronica) while being [[ObliviousToLove oblivious]] to Archie (Betty).

* In ''Theatre/{{Attila}}'', the sweet, loving and slightly weak-willed TenorBoy Foresto and the violent, passionate, EvilSoundsDeep enemy leader Attila for Odabella. Odabella loves Foresto, but some stagings imply that she isn't quite indifferent to Attila, either.

* In ''Theatre/PalJoey'', nightclub performer Joey (Archie) finds himself in a love triangle between Linda English, a young woman who has recently moved to Chicago from a small town (the Betty) and Vera Simpson, an older, married lady who is prominent in Chicago society (the Veronica).

* In ''The Shadow'' by Evgeny Schwartz (based on Creator/HansChristianAndersen's fairy tale of the same name), there are sweet, honest and helpful GirlNextDoor Annunciata and elusive, mysterious princess Luisa for Christian Theodore. He spends half of the play pining for Luisa, but ultimately chooses Annunciata.

** Fiyero and Glinda initially bond over their self absorption and love of living it large. They start going steady. Elphaba realises she loves Fiyero the day they rescue the lion cub, he starts to realise he has feelings for her... It sorts itself out for the best eventually. It's kind of hard to say which girl is the Betty and which is the Veronica, though. If we define the Betty as the humble, relatable one and the Veronica as the glamorous, enviable one, then Elphaba would be the Betty and Glinda the Veronica. But if we define this trope as "safe choice vs. edgy choice," then the adorable, popular Glinda would be the Betty and the fiery, freakish-looking outlaw Elphaba would be the Veronica. And then Elphaba and Glinda got WordOfGay'd. Yeah, it's complicated. It's usually safe to assume that EveryoneIsBi in a Gregory Maguire story unless explicitly stated otherwise.

** Swanhilda from ''Theatre/{{Coppelia}}'' is a little fiestier than most Bettys but she remains loyal and devoted to Franz, even when his gaze has turned to the seemingly bookish but mysterious Coppelia. Coppelia's beauty makes her the Veronica as it is what lures Franz into Dr Coppelius's workshop.

** ''Petrushka'' has the poor, titular puppet dressed in rags and raging against his master's cruel treatment (Betty) compete with the well dressed but violent Moor (Veronica)for the Ballerina's affections. [[spoiler: Their rivalry spirals out of control and results in a fight where the Moor kills Petrushka, much to the horror of the crowd.]]

* ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'': The roles are fulfilled primarily by Saber and Rin, with Saber as Betty and Rin as Veronica. The visual novel presents many other heroines which fit into the roles as well. Other variants include Sakura/Rin and Sakura/Rider.

** The series presents many other heroines which fit into this role as well. Other variants are Ciel/Akiha, Hisui/Kohaku, and others.

* Real life Betty/Veronica tensions = brunette, cute Creator/JudyGarland vs. fast, "SweaterGirl" Lana Turner, both in love with bandleader Artie Shaw.
* More famously, Debbie Reynolds (Betty) vs. Creator/ElizabethTaylor (Veronica). After Liz was widowed suddenly, Reynolds' husband Edwin "Eddie" Fisher (father to Carrie, and the best friend of Taylor's dead husband) left his family to be with Liz. The nation sided against Eddie and Liz, until Liz came down with a near fatal case of pneumonia.

* UsefulNotes/HenryVIII's wives. Katherine of Aragon, who sewed all Henry's shirts herself, gave money to the poor, and [[NiceToTheWaiter remembered all of her servants by name in her will]] is the Betty, with flirtatious Anne Boleyn, well known for her quick wit and short temper, as the Veronica. Then Anne Boleyn is still the Veronica but Jane Seymour with her old-fashioned values, modesty, and spotless reputation is the Betty. Later, Anne of Cleves, initially shy, fond of needlework and popular with the people, is the Betty with Kathryn Howard, sexually experienced girl who enjoyed life and was unfaithful, as the Veronica. Catherine Parr, nurse to Henry, caring stepmother and household manager, actually came onto the scene later but the pattern still goes "Betty, Veronica, Betty" twice.

* The Archie in ''Theatre/SixTheMusical'', UsefulNotes/HenryVIII, never actually appears in the show. However, his having to choose between his older, devoutly Catholic first wife UsefulNotes/CatherineOfAragon (Betty) and the younger, ambitious, and coquettish lady-in-waiting UsefulNotes/AnneBoleyn (Veronica) is a huge plot point in the songs "No Way" and "Don't Lose Ur Head". Once Catherine is out of the picture, HairOfGoldHeartOfGold UsefulNotes/JaneSeymourRoyalty becomes the Betty to Anne's Veronica.

Compare the admirable one and sexy one of the FourGirlEnsemble as well as the wife and seductress of TheThreeFacesOfEve. Also compare LightFeminineAndDarkFeminine (Betty and Veronica, respectively) and the MadonnaWhoreComplex (ditto). In a FourTemperamentEnsemble, Betty is most likely people-oriented/[[GoodIsBoring emotionally available]] ([[ThePollyanna sanguine]], or [[NiceGirl phlegmatic]]), while Veronica is task-oriented/[[IceQueen emotionally unavailable]] ([[AloofDarkHairedGirl melancholic]] or [[{{Jerkass}} choleric]]). In the case of a BustContrastDuo, Betty usually [[ACupAngst laments her lack of standing in that department]], while [[BuxomIsBetter Veronica flaunts hers]].

In a very small number of these scenarios, particularly in more recent times or [[ExoticExtendedMarriage exotic settings]], the hero might not ''have'' to choose, resolving the conflict with a OneTrueThreesome or a MarryThemAll ending. This is particularly prevalent in fan works.

* In ''Fanfic/BigHumanOnCampus'', Moka is Betty to Kurumu's Veronica for Tsukune.
* In ''Fanfic/BurningBlack'':

* ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'': Within the whole series, this role is fulfilled primarily by Saber and Rin, with Saber as Betty and Rin as Veronica.
** The series presents many other heroines which fit into this role as well. Other variants are Sakura/Rin and Sakura/Rider.

"Archie," "Betty," and "Veronica" can be any gender or orientation, though TheGentlemanOrTheScoundrel is a possible SpearCounterpart specific to the situation of a female Archie and two male suitors. Another male variant is RichSuitorPoorSuitor, with a rich but douchey Veronica and a poor but kindhearted Betty, or a wealthy but boring Betty and a spirited blue-collar Veronica. Sorry fellas, you can either have money ''or'' the girl.

"Archie," "Betty," and "Veronica" can be any gender or orientation, though TheGentlemanOrTheScoundrel is a possible SpearCounterpart specific to the situation of a female Archie and two male suitors. Another male variant is RichSuitorPoorSuitor, with a rich but douchey Veronica and a poor but kindhearted Betty, or a wealthy but boring Betty and a spirited blue-collar Veronica (because [[SarcasmMode nothing simplifies a Love Triangle like throwing money into the mix]].)

* The ''{{Machinima/Anon}}'' series has a LOT of these storylines. With Chelsea (Archie), Kyle (Betty), and Tucker (Veronica) in the earlier seasons, as well as Dani (Archie), Ian (Betty), and Hunter (Veronica). The later seasons also has Ryan (Archie), Candace (Betty), and Miranda (Veronica), and this is even later flipped where Ryan becomes the Betty to Candace's Archie, introducing Damian as the Veronica.

** The titular character in ''Theatre/{{Giselle}}'' is the Archie to her childhood friend Hilarion's Betty and mysterious stranger Albrecht's Veronica. [[spoiler: Due to her being an [[IllGirl Ill Girl]] and dying of heartbreak, neither ends up with her. Albrecht does get to say a final farewell though.]]

* This dynamic is perfectly captured with the lyric [[http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/memphis.html "your debutante just knows what you need, but I know what you want"]]

One of the most common types of LoveTriangle, named after characters from ComicBook/ArchieComics, wherein the main character ("Archie") is caught between two love interests with drastically different personalities. "Betty" is the sweet, [[AFriendInNeed reliable]], everyday GirlNextDoor type (which could mean "kind of dull"), while "Veronica" is more alluring, exotic, and edgy, but has more of a mischievous or [[IceQueen icy]] personality (which could mean "kind of a bitch"). This translates to their physical appearances; Betty will be pretty but modest in dress, while Veronica will be MsFanservice in all her glory. As a rule, they will have different hair colors per the BlondeBrunetteRedhead trope.

Movies have lately come to a compromise with the {{Manic Pixie Dream Girl}}; cute and non-threatening, yet exciting and different. Video games with MultipleEndings get to TakeAThirdOption by letting the ''player'' choose who the hero ends up with. Comic book and TV show franchises tend to [[NegativeContinuity avoid definitive resolutions]] to prevent ContinuityLockout, so the question of whether Archie chooses Betty or Veronica will never truly be resolved.

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans''. Fans who ship Beast Boy/Raven will often portray Beast Boy as Archie, Raven as Betty, and Terra as Veronica. In fanfiction, Beast Boy will be more taken with the unstable, traitorous Terra, but in the end he will discover that he's loved his friend Raven all along.

* ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12312193/1/Crossroads-Between-a-Mermaid-and-a-Princess Crossroads - Between a Mermaid and a Princess]]'', features [[Anime/{{Pokemon}} Ash Ketchum]] as the Archie. Misty is the Veronica, being tomboyish, bold and quite willing to use her physical appeal to attract him. Serena is the Betty, sweeter and more feminine, [[ThroughHisStomach and of course uses her cooking skills to her advantage]]. It's played with since both girls are friends and actively help each other to make up for their shortcomings.

* ''FanFic/GreenTeaRescue''; Ochako Uraraka is the sweet, dependable Betty to Himiko Toga's eager, lustful Veronica centered around Izuku Midoriya as Archie. [[ForegoneConclusion As the first chapter shows,]] [[FirstGirlWins Ochako won.]]

* In the 2015 series ''Series/TheMuppets'', Kermit's new girlfriend Denise (cheerful, down-to-earth, somewhat adorkable pig whom Piggy sarcastically describes as "It's like you're dating my six-year-old niece!") is the Betty, and his ex Miss Piggy (same demanding, karate-chopping diva she's always been) is the Veronica.

** ''La Bayadere'' (The Temple Dancer) has Solor as the Archie to Nikea, the titular temple dancer who makes him swear eternal fidelity to her over a sacred fire (Betty), and the spoiled, materialistic Princess Gamzatti (Veronica).

This trope is almost endlessly flexible. In a commonly-seen version, Betty is Archie's loyal comrade and usually his best friend, secretly pining for him while he ([[ObliviousToLove unaware of her feelings]]) is attracted only to Veronica, the sultry Ms. Unattainable who barely notices him. Since Betty [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy wants Archie to be happy]], she may even assist him in his pursuit of Veronica, even though we all know how much she wants him for herself. Another version begins with Archie already in a relationship with one of the girls when he starts to see the potential in the other: Veronica's excitement or Betty's stability. If an ArrangedMarriage is involved, Betty is the girl [[ParentPreferredSuitor the parents prefer]] and [[ParentalMarriageVeto Veronica is the one they reject]], especially if [[IWantGrandkids children are expected]] (because Betty is more likely to want them). When Archie meets Betty and Veronica at the same time — if they are sisters, for example — he will fall in LoveAtFirstSight with Veronica and only notice Betty after she had time to grow on him (for instance, on his repeated visits to their parents' house to try to woo Veronica).

One of the most common types of LoveTriangle, named after characters from ComicBook/ArchieComics, wherein the main character ("Archie") is caught between two love interests with drastically different personalities. "Betty" is the sweet, [[AFriendInNeed reliable]], everyday GirlNextDoor type (which could mean "kind of dull"), while "Veronica" is more alluring, exotic, and edgy, but has more of a mischievous or [[IceQueen icy]] personality (which could mean "kind of a bitch"). This translates to their physical appearances; Betty will be pretty but modest in dress, while Veronica will be MsFanservice in all her glory. And as a rule, they will have different hair colors per the BlondeBrunetteRedhead trope.

This trope is almost endlessly flexible. In a commonly-seen version, Betty is Archie's loyal comrade and usually his best friend, secretly pining for him while he ([[ObliviousToLove unaware of her feelings]]) is attracted only to Veronica, the sultry Ms. Unattainable who barely notices him. Betty, who [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy wants Archie to be happy]], may assist him in his pursuit of Veronica, even though we all know how much she wants him for herself. Another possibility is that Archie is already in a relationship with one of the girls when he starts to see the potential in the other: Veronica's excitement or Betty's reliability. In cases of ArrangedMarriage, Betty is the girl [[ParentPreferredSuitor the parents prefer]] and [[ParentalMarriageVeto Veronica is the one they reject]], especially if [[IWantGrandkids children are expected]] (because Betty is more likely to want them). When Archie meets Betty and Veronica at the same time — if they are sisters, for example — he will fall in LoveAtFirstSight with Veronica and only notice Betty after she had time to grow on him (for instance, on his repeated visits to their parents' house to try to woo Veronica).

Whom the hero will end up with varies according to medium, story, and the [[ValuesDissonance values of the time period and culture]] where the story was made. Traditionally, Betty stood a better chance, at least if the story had a HappyEnding, due to [[MadonnaWhoreComplex conforming to social standards]], while choosing Veronica would only lead the poor sap into [[DownerEnding ruin]]. Usually, the hero would [[WrongGuyFirst spend the story chasing Veronica only to realize that Betty was The One]] — complete with a convenient "appreciate what you've got" or TrueBeautyIsOnTheInside Aesop. (In extreme but fairly frequent cases, he would learn that Veronica was in fact [[SurpriseIncest his illegitimate half-sister]].)

Movies have lately come to a compromise with the {{Manic Pixie Dream Girl}}; cute and non-threatening, yet exciting and different. Video games with MultipleEndings get to TakeAThirdOption by letting the ''player'' choose who the hero ends up with. Comic book and TV show franchises tend to have NegativeContinuity over the long term due to constantly rebooting their origins to avoid ContinuityLockout.

"Archie," "Betty," and "Veronica" can be any gender or orientation, though TheGentlemanOrTheScoundrel is a possible SpearCounterpart specific to the situation of a female Archie and two male suitors. Another male variant is RichSuitorPoorSuitor, with a rich but douchey Veronica and a poor but kindhearted Betty, or a rich and kind but boring Betty and a spirited blue-collar Veronica. Apparently you can only have money ''or'' the girl, fellas.

In case this wasn't complicated enough, sometimes a ThirdOptionLoveInterest makes their presence known to shake things up even further. See CockFight for the almost-literal *ahem* SpearCounterpart.

Compare the admirable one and sexy one of the FourGirlEnsemble as well as the wife and seductress of TheThreeFacesOfEve. Betty might be the Light Feminine while Veronica is the Dark Feminine in LightFeminineAndDarkFeminine; if the MadonnaWhoreComplex is in play, Betty is the chaste one while Veronica ReallyGetsAround. In a FourTemperamentEnsemble, Betty is most likely people-oriented/[[GoodIsBoring emotionally available]] ([[ThePollyanna sanguine]], or [[NiceGirl phlegmatic]]), while Veronica is task-oriented/[[IceQueen emotionally unavailable]] ([[AloofDarkHairedGirl melancholic]] or [[{{Jerkass}} choleric]]). In the case of a BustContrastDuo, Betty usually [[ACupAngst laments her lack of standing in that department]], while [[BuxomIsBetter Veronica flaunts hers]].

One of the most common types of LoveTriangle, named after characters from ComicBook/ArchieComics, wherein the main character ("Archie") is caught between two love interests with drastically different personalities. "Betty" is the sweet, [[AFriendInNeed reliable]], everyday GirlNextDoor type (which could mean "kind of dull"), while "Veronica" is more alluring, exotic, and edgy, but has more of a mischievous or [[IceQueen icy]] personality (which could mean "kind of a bitch"). This translates to their physical appearances; Betty will be pretty but modest in dress, while Veronica will be MsFanservice in all her glory. (There's often an implicit -- or even explicit -- nod toward the MadonnaWhoreComplex). And as a rule, they will have different hair colors per the BlondeBrunetteRedhead trope.

Whom the hero will end up with varies according to medium, story, and the [[ValuesDissonance values of the time period and culture]] where the story was made. Traditionally, Betty stood a better chance, at least if the story had a HappyEnding, due to [[MadonnaWhoreComplex conforming to social standards, while choosing Veronica would only lead the poor sap into]] [[DownerEnding ruin]]. Usually, the hero would [[WrongGuyFirst spend the story chasing Veronica only to realize that Betty was The One]] — complete with a convenient "appreciate what you've got" or TrueBeautyIsOnTheInside Aesop. (In extreme but fairly frequent cases, he would learn that Veronica was in fact [[SurpriseIncest his illegitimate half-sister]].)

Compare the admirable one and sexy one of the FourGirlEnsemble as well as the wife and seductress of TheThreeFacesOfEve. Betty might be the Light Feminine while Veronica is the Dark Feminine in LightFeminineAndDarkFeminine. In a FourTemperamentEnsemble, Betty is most likely people-oriented/[[GoodIsBoring emotionally available]] ([[ThePollyanna sanguine]], or [[NiceGirl phlegmatic]]), while Veronica is task-oriented/[[IceQueen emotionally unavailable]] ([[AloofDarkHairedGirl melancholic]] or [[{{Jerkass}} choleric]]). In the case of a BustContrastDuo, Betty usually [[ACupAngst laments her lack of standing in that department]], while [[BuxomIsBetter Veronica flaunts hers]].

One of the most common types of LoveTriangle, named after characters from ComicBook/ArchieComics, wherein the main character ("Archie") is caught between two love interests with drastically different personalities. "Betty" is the sweet, [[AFriendInNeed reliable]], everyday GirlNextDoor type (which could mean "kind of dull"), while "Veronica" is more alluring, exotic, and edgy, but has more of a mischievous or [[IceQueen icy]] personality (which could mean "kind of a bitch"). This translates to their physical appearances; Betty will be pretty but modest in dress, while Veronica will be MsFanservice in all her glory. As a rule, they will have different hair colors as per the BlondeBrunetteRedhead trope. This love conflict is often a consequence of the MadonnaWhoreComplex.

This trope is almost endlessly flexible. In a commonly-seen version, Betty is Archie's loyal comrade and usually his best friend, secretly pining for him while he ([[ObliviousToLove unaware of her feelings]]) is attracted only to Veronica, the sultry Ms. Unattainable who barely notices him. Betty, who [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy wants Archie to be happy]], may assist him in his pursuit of Veronica, even though we all know how much she wants him for herself. Another possibility is that Archie and Betty are already in a relationship, but then Veronica starts batting her eyelashes at Archie and causes friction between the couple. Alternatively, Archie and Veronica are already in a relationship, but she is emotionally distant and uncaring, paving the way for the sweet and attentive Betty. In cases of ArrangedMarriage, Betty is the girl [[ParentPreferredSuitor the parents prefer]] and [[ParentalMarriageVeto Veronica is the one they reject]], especially if [[IWantGrandkids children are expected]] (because Betty is more likely to want them). When Archie meets Betty and Veronica at the same time — if they are sisters, for example — he will fall in LoveAtFirstSight with Veronica and only notice Betty after she had time to grow on him (as, for instance, when he often comes to their parents' to try to woo Veronica).

** Swanhilda from ''Coppelia'' is a little fiestier than most Bettys but she remains loyal and devoted to Franz, even when his gaze has turned to the seemingly bookish but mysterious Coppelia. Coppelia's beauty makes her the Veronica as it is what lures Franz into Dr Coppelius's workshop.
** The titular character in ''Giselle'' is the Archie to her childhood friend Hilarion's Betty and mysterious stranger Albrecht's Veronica. [[spoiler: Due to her being an [[IllGirl Ill Girl]] and dying of heartbreak, neither ends up with her. Albrecht does get to say a final farewell though.]]

** ''La Sylphide'' (The Sylph) has James as the Archie to his dependent but sensitive fiancee Effie (Betty) and the free spirited Sylph who wants to spirit him away (Veronica). Similarly James is the adventurous, handsome Veronica to his best friend Gurn, the somewhat dull but dependable Betty with Effie as the Archie.

* ''Fanfic/AndTheStoryContinues'' has two examples of this trope.
** The first is a gender inversion, with [[NiceGuy Stephen]] as the Betty and [[UnscrupulousHero L]] as the Veronica for [[{{Tsundere}} Erin]]. Erin’s relationship with Stephen is light, flirtatious but mutually supportive, while the one she had with L [[spoiler:before his death]] in [[Fanfic/StoryOfTheCentury the prequel]] was [[BelligerentSexualTension turbulent]], ambiguous, and [[AMatchMadeInStockholm a bit problematic]]. Then to complicate matters, [[spoiler:L [[AndThenJohnWasAZombie comes back as Umbra]], a shinigami who remembers nothing from before but still has feelings for her nevertheless]].
** The second involves [[TheResenter Mello]], who is portrayed in this story as bisexual. His UnluckyChildhoodFriend Matt is the Betty, who [[UnresolvedSexualTension has had romantic feelings for Mello for some time]] but has resolved to keep quiet about them and support him no matter what...even if he personally doesn’t like what Mello is doing. Then there’s [[spoiler:Misa]] as the Veronica: having met some time between this story and the prequel, she and Mello have bonded over [[BrokenPedestal their disappointment with their idols]] and engage in an unhealthy FriendsWithBenefits arrangement with a dash of UnholyMatrimony. [[spoiler:Misa]] is not above rubbing it in Matt’s place that she's sleeping with Mello and he isn’t. And given [[{{Yandere}} her history]], she may have to do with why Matt refuses to act on his own feelings.

"Archie", "Betty", and "Veronica" can be any gender or orientation, though TheGentlemanOrTheScoundrel is a possible SpearCounterpart specific to the situation of a female Archie and two male suitors. Another variant is RichSuitorPoorSuitor, with a rich but douchey "Veronica" and a poor but kindhearted "Betty", or a rich and kind but boring "Betty" and a spirited blue-collar "Veronica". Apparently you can only have money ''or'' the girl, fellas.