Reading that update[?] snippet and RPS article, if there is no form of relationship story between the protagonists in the game you could say Larian has been leading romance fans on ;-)
It depends on how one defines romance I suppose or what you were expecting and hoping for. We'll see what's what when the game's released, though personally I've never expected any detailed 'romance' content a la Bioware, but instead for the relationship between the two protagonists to be significant by reacting to player choices (arguing while adventuring etc) to help create our own unique stories throughout each playthrough with variation in how the protags get along. Which to my mind seems a hell of a lot better than any bioware-style romances if it's like how I am perceiving it. To what extent the systems Larian have implemented will matter I have no idea, though they seemed pretty proud of it back during the kickstarter.
If it is still possible for the protags to become lovers I wouldn't expect lots of romantic type dialogue and dialogue choices accompanying that (ie not the 'choose the right lines to further the romance' bioware-style), but rather it would probably happen more organically as a result of your game choices presenting that option if the protags are getting along well enough, 'to take it further' as Swen said in that RPS article. I don't expect it to be a focus of the protagonists' relationship - that would undermine the system - or much 'romance' content to speak of, but would expect it to be acknowledged with a bit of dialogue at a few points.
/speculation.
I'm probably not the best person to talk anyway as I haven't been playing the beta so haven't been keeping up with developmental changes in any depth.
If it's any consolation for anyone expecting more I would imagine there would be romance mods down the track as romances are pretty popular.
My personal opinion on the divisive and contentious issue of romances in cRPGs is that I would like character interaction to be explored more broadly than exclusive romantic content allows. I want to explore all different types of character relationships that do not merely pay fan service to my character, but tell the story of my companions in a way that's accessible to everyone, not just those romancing them. I don't want to have to romance a character to get to know them better (get their deeper story content) or become close to them.
That said, I am not vehemently anti-romance either. While I recognize that romances in cRPGs are very difficult to write organically with any depth, I can overlook how trite and 'gamey' they often feel and enjoy them for what they are - abstract flavour. Sometimes very abstract lol. I think resources are generally best spent elsewhere but will not be upset if they're included in a game because I know lots of people really like them. I will be sceptical of that game's character development though, yet at the same time will also hope that the romances will surprise me with quality and depth.
"Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that" - Leunig
