Woahhhh this was so bloody good!

This chapter was absolutely astounding. I love the relationship Ivan and Arthur have...But yet I can't help but be curious about Ivan's true feelings

Ivan, it was Alfreds voice again. I hate to have to tell you this… but Arthur…

Why do I have a feeling that Arthur will leave Ivan at some point...?

Maybe in Arthurs vision Alfred (who still cares for Ivan and doesnt want to see him hurt) hated being forced to tell Ivan that Arthur has left him...? And then someone attacked Arthur when he was running through the woods... Who knows...

The cryptic ending is cryptic. But then again, do we really always need that ending where everything is explained 100%? Thats just boring. Sometimes it is just better to let readers to use their own imagination. Great work!

Hmmm... Looks like Ivan is using the good old "divide and rule" tactic with his slaves whether he realizes it or not. By giving some slaves better positions than others, it eventually causes competition and bitterness between his slaves and because of it there is lack of solidarity; they cant really unite against their master in order to drive their own interests. So they are all more or less just working for their own best interests over those of the group. And it effectively prevents their chances for freedom. Kinda sad really...

"'That's not 'love'.' Arthur told himself. 'That's two wounded dogs licking each other's wounds. Ludwig has no tongue and Feli has half a brain, both uneducated slaves who share an understanding based on their environment.' That is the conclusion he came to to understand their behavior towards one another. 'Fools.'"

Thats really rude Arthur, just who do you think you are? Does Arthur seriously think he knows a damn about Feliciano or Ludwig? He just met them! He sits on his own personal pedestal making him seem higher and mightier than everyone else but personally I feel like it kinda makes him seem like a snob.

But at the same time, I think you have done excellent job with Arthurs characterization. He is cynical, calculating and selfish, but I cant bring myself to hate him, because he still seems like a real person. He is in difficult situation and he has never really had a chance to trust or connect with anyone, so who can blame him? He is just doing what he can. Even though I steer clear of people like him in real life, his tendency to judge is pretty common amongst humankind, I’ve heard. XD

Btw, it's funny that Ivan is basically a hopeless romantic even though he is powerful and cruel slave owner. Even though I do not approve all of his actions, it nicely humanizes and balances his character.

Sniff... This final was just perfect, open to possibilities but yet going into one conclusion, I was really amazed by this fics once I found it, I really sorry for not comment or favorite right away (I did saved the link in an archive but then I lost them) The topic was really unusual, stunning, realistic and dynamic to read, I would like to congrat you for this delicade work nvn.
I send you my best wishes!, Greetings and blesses

I like the vague ending. Some people would most likely be like "Wait. That's it? That's not it, we wanna see what comes next!"

Yeah, I kinda feel like that but I prefer this ending than any other ending you might have planned. I like the plot, the character development, and the fact that you didn't have Arthur and the slaves turn all buddy-buddy suddenly. I mean, if I were in the slaves' situation and we had to handle Arthur then Arthur suddenly becomes a high ranking guy, I wouldn't like it. In fact, I would be a little jealous of him...

And also, thank you for ending it with a "I don't know if I could love you or not" scenario. I kinda thought it'll be like Darker Than Morning, when Arthur loves Ivan to the point of madness, but this is a scenario which involves Arthur being very cold and NOT craving love, unlike the other Arthur in DTM, who wants to be loved by formerly Alfred, and currently Ivan.

I also like the way you could write Arthur in different forms, this Arthur is very different from DTM... well, they're both snarky and sharp-tongued but I tell you, if someone puts this Arthur and DTM!Arthur beside each other in front of me, after a few questions I would see who's who.

Anyway, I love it and I hope that you would make more stories like this in the future. Bye~!

*nosebleed shoots me to space*

Ohonhonhonhon~ Let Act I BEGIN.

Okay, I'm satisfied. I reaaaaally want to read the next part, so I'll just leave a longer review in the end. :D

Is the first time I read a RusEng fic, and I must say, I'm not dissapointed! You made a wonderful job here and this story has so many things I've never read before, not only the pair, but also the rivalry between Alfred and Arthur. Alfred can be really mean :O Really good story, I couldn't stop reading it! The way you made the plot develop is real, it doesn't have boring clichés because I was thinking "I hope Arthur doesn't fall in love like crazy just with some nice actions from Ivan", and no, it has more congruence, which is something very pleasant to read.

This was a good story. I'll admit, I think removing Ludwig's tongue was a tad much, but the storyline was strong, and the thoughts behind it was captivating. The occurrence of the childish names, like dumb-dumb had me laughing at the sheer oddity of seeming so out of place, but the rest of the story was magnificent. I wish it had been longer! I would have loved to see Arthur actually end out in love, but the way you left it doesn't seem cut or out of place. It was a great way to end with the choices you gave. Very good, very impressed!

Thank you for sharing your story with us!

So every now and then I check back to your author page to see if you've written any new RusEng stuff (my love for this pairing just keeps growing and it's worryingly high now XD) and to my absolute delight there was this little beauty! Some squealing may have been involved when I saw it. Anywho:

Your writing is wonderful, as always, and the characterisations were brilliant. The 'understanding' Master, the 'sassy and cruel' slave, hell, it was a great combination! And I was always torn between cheering Arthur on and sucking the air in between my teeth and thinking 'damn son you should stop before you get yourself killed'. The ending though, the ending was lovely. I was very worried of where it was going, especially thanks to the dream, but it seems that the shock has finally allowed Arthur to face himself and get more things without being so much of a dick (but still a bit of a dick, which is why we love him).

Thank you for writing this and I shall always be eagerly awaiting your next RusEng piece. Have a wonderful day

xx-animeXalchemist-xx

What a well written story, it is beautiful. And the way you portrayed the characters was so great I can't tell if Arthur is to be pitied or a complete asshole it is so good to see deep characters without them beig contradictory. very very good work Thank you for having lighten my evening.

I left a review on AO3 since it's where I read this fic but I felt compelled leave my thoughts on here too. Needless to say, I truly fell in love with this story. It's wonderfully written and brilliantly illustrated. It's kept me enthralled from start to finish.

I love the portrayals of all the characters, it is hard not to like them - especially the stubborn and proud Arthur Kirkland, who I fretted over throughout the story. I am glad Ivan was so understanding of his beloved snake and his resolve to make the aloof blond to fall in love with him was sweet and romantic. The ending was a relief for me, I am thrilled it ended the way it did; I couldn't have asked for more.

Once again, thank you for a fantastic piece of work, it was most enjoyable.