The convoluted conflicts in this manga are such non-issues lol. Instead of acting as a stepping stool for character growth, they only hinder organic development and make characters even more annoying than how they already are. I don't like this dated style of writing, where there's absolutely nothing remotely interesting about the characters and where the story consists of only tiresome and stupid angst to drive it forward. It's just so bland and irritating.

I didn't really understand what all the fuss was about. I mean... NO ONE MADE a big deal about the uke's social status but himself, like he had some kind of inferiority complex or something (even the other people putting pressure on the seme were on the uke's side). I only felt bad for the seme who was on everyone's hate list and still had to make sacrifices and the uke basically did not (cowardly, pitied himself, ran away, made no efforts for his love). The story would probably be a lot better if the mangaka focused on their positions and external pressure to break them apart instead of just... (un)requited love and everyone blasting the seme for making the uke sad. There was no proper background explanation or depth anywhere. Oh and isn't it possible that masters at that time could take advantage of their position and take a servant as a (secret) lover? The relationship just isn't taken seriously by outsiders and frowned upon (for abuse of power), but since the seme had no parents to pressure him to carry on the family name or whatever anyway, they could've just lived on happily not giving a sh@t about other people. It seemed they were living in the countryside anyway.

I think probably I just couldn't understand everything (lack of setting). Couldn't understand all the fuss about the grandfather anyway or why the uke wouldn't tell the seme that he passed away.

Great art. Cliche story (I don't hate cliches, so this isn't bad). Great atmosphere and overall tone. Good pacing. Annoying characters and development. My rating and criticism might've been harsh, but the aim of this manga wasn't to be a fluffy yaoi manga, instead something that aimed for just a little bit more and failed that little bit imo.

... Last updated on August 12th, 2014, 10:21pm

It was good read but a little annoying. The plot was quite original and art is beautiful, it's a good story but it's also very Japanese - this place is somewhere in Europe and that's why it's a little annoying.
I mean all this shit about position, social status, income, titles... refuse to be lovers because of the position of beloved person... if it really was an European gardener/butler he wouldn't refuse to say "I love you too" because of the social status of his master and agreed to be his lover. Maybe especially because of his position! The gardener would know that because of the public opinion and noble family reactions the open gay relationship is impossible and that they must stay as a secret lovers. Also the resignation of the social noble status... oh please! something like that happened sometimes in Japan, it was possible in Japan because of the law rules, but not in Europe. In Europe there wasn't sth like that. It's a Jaspanese tradition, cliche of Japanese thinking written to Europeans.
On the other hand the rest of the story was fine and I like this manga after all.

... Last updated on June 19th, 2014, 3:08am

I liked this manga a lot!
It feels longer than it is (1 volume only), has a nice little story that might not be epic but doesn't feel lacking either.
I loved the historic setting, the outfits, manner of speech and behavior... it's very well done.
The art was... let's say artsy! It wasn't the typical and often sought after yaoi art with just gorgeous men and perfect bodies and a world where there's just no imperfections. The art did it's job of conveying the character's thoughts and feelings and I overall liked it.
I can see some people saying that it's not satisfying enough, especially without huge, explicit sex scenes but I found it was a little but shallow however it was working out just fine, including the ending; not the best manga ever but certainly a very entertaining read!

So if you wanna read something angsty with lots of tension and hurt, characters that like each other but cannot bring themselves to just throw it all away to be together, be sure to give it a shot!
If you are looking for a quick smut fix or gorgeous, slutty men then look elsewhere.

It could have been very good. The art is pretty and the master-servant setting does qreate good base for good stories. Usually that is. This story however lacked in many ways. The characters weren't introduced well enough to give them "depth" and they didn't develop during the story much either. On top of all, I did find the our main pair quite annoying. The uke was a bit too angsty and too concerned with their status. I was a bit sad that he accepted the seme only after he had given up his status and all. As if the uke didn't really love the seme as he was... Most of the time I just felt sorry for the seme as he did state his feeling, but the uke was too of a coward to respond to them.

All in all, it was an ok series. Some might like it more than me, but I've read so many series that I can say this is no where near the best ones.

... Last updated on January 18th, 2014, 5:20am

It was good. There is just one thing that not even really a complaint. The only people to give this a bad comment or rating were people like me, but a little more extreme. Those who support capitalism. Only reason I don't have a problem is because they can't have kids. They're living comfortable.

The beginning is a little confusing, with too many characters coming out of nowhere at the same time, and it bothers me that, among the side-characters (including the third-wheel) no one gets a solid, precise backdrop on which to support their role. Even on the part of Laurent and Arthur I felt as though there was something else lacking for them to glow as main characters, and after the first chapter or so their whole posture and discourse and intentions become a little too predictable, a little too superficial. But don't get me wrong, it was still a decent, if confusing, read. The ending was refreshing, and it's not really how you start but how you end that matters the most.

I have to disagree with most of the reviewers on a very specific point though: I didn't like the art. Even if the plot was not outstanding, I can assuredly say that if I stuck to this manga until the end it was only thanks to the plot. The art style was just too odd for me, didn't like it.

... Last updated on June 10th, 2013, 7:37pm

Really, really pretty. The plot could have been more interesting, although it does a good job making you upset. Why, Laurent, why? I kept thinking of ways they could be together without having to leave their positions, but at least it was a good ending. Though I wonder if I would have liked the story more if the author had played with the sadder ending.

... story doesn't deliver. After chapter 3 I kept reading only because of the art (have I mentioned already how beautiful it is? ) Story was quite good and had a potential at the beginning, but in later chapters characters' motives become vague, and everything they say or do seems to serve only as an excuse to prolong the story.

Overall, I'd say it's hardy worth a read, but it's more than worthy of looking at.

... Last updated on January 9th, 2011, 5:57am

The art is certainly beautiful and captured me right from the start, but I must say that the story was really confusing at times. There were many occasions, especially in the beginning, when new characters just pop up with a hasty introduction, and we never get to see the background or development of most of the characters in the story. Also, it's really hard to tell when the story all of a sudden jumps into flashback mode since there's not much change in the art when that happens.

For me, the biggest flaws in this manga are the confusing narration and the lack of character development. The storyline might seem cliché but it's still worth the read because of the art.

... Last updated on May 26th, 2010, 1:03am