What can I say. Love— doesn't matter if it's twisted or not is still indeed love. I really adore the fact that Illic’s “love” for Sayan is not inherently romantic or platonic but something beyond what can be labeled. He despised how he was tormented during their earlier lives together but can't bring himself to let go of him. Even though Sayan’s will was to give Illic freedom after his death— it was something that made Illic upset rather than happy cuz in the end, doesn't matter how they started their relationship the two of them really did form a lifelong bond with each other. And losing your lifelong partner is a really painful nightmare. As an aromantic idiot (even tho it has nothing to do with the story) I really really really like how love is portrayed between the two, especially since I also have a different view of love outside the romantic and platonic box. I know Illic isn't the type to explicitly say or voice out his feelings since it's not really something that he's in tuned with but despite that he make do with his actions. He says he despised Sayan but hates the idea of losing him (and his beautiful face) wishing for him to get better and grow healthier. That alone is love in its purest form, if I do say so myself. I guess what they said about “the more you hate, the more you love” is true. LMAO. In the end, Sayan did genuinely love Illic and Illic in return did accept his love in ways that only he can ever understand (simply because Sayan is as always oblivious and remained convinced that Illic will never come to love him). Not that I'm romanticizing all the toxicity tho nor would I condone any acts of harassment or abuse irl.
What I also love with this manhwa is that for this kind of story, words and dialogues alone aren't enough for readers to actually understand the whole context of what is being portrayed but also relies on the actions of every characters as well as any other context clues that needs to be deciphered rather than having it spoon fed to the readers.
What can I say. Love— doesn't matter if it's twisted or not is still indeed love. I really adore the fact that Illic’s “love” for Sayan is not inherently romantic or platonic but something beyond what can be labeled. He despised how he was tormented during their earlier lives together but can't bring himself to let go of him. Even though Sayan’s will was to give Illic freedom after his death— it was something that made Illic upset rather than happy cuz in the end, doesn't matter how they started their relationship the two of them really did form a lifelong bond with each other. And losing your lifelong partner is a really painful nightmare. As an aromantic idiot (even tho it has nothing to do with the story) I really really really like how love is portrayed between the two, especially since I also have a different view of love outside the romantic and platonic box. I know Illic isn't the type to explicitly say or voice out his feelings since it's not really something that he's in tuned with but despite that he make do with his actions. He says he despised Sayan but hates the idea of losing him (and his beautiful face) wishing for him to get better and grow healthier. That alone is love in its purest form, if I do say so myself. I guess what they said about “the more you hate, the more you love” is true. LMAO. In the end, Sayan did genuinely love Illic and Illic in return did accept his love in ways that only he can ever understand (simply because Sayan is as always oblivious and remained convinced that Illic will never come to love him). Not that I'm romanticizing all the toxicity tho nor would I condone any acts of harassment or abuse irl.
What I also love with this manhwa is that for this kind of story, words and dialogues alone aren't enough for readers to actually understand the whole context of what is being portrayed but also relies on the actions of every characters as well as any other context clues that needs to be deciphered rather than having it spoon fed to the readers.