For anyone who hasn’t seen it yet, there’s a special Christmas chapter by the artist, and it’s canon.
It gives a nice short peek of a future Christmas scene from the novel, a few chapters ahead of the webtoon (after a bit of development between the MC and ML, so spoilers)
She drew this before the webtoon’s official launch, and publicly posted here and her other socmed:
https://www.postype.com/@onhase/post/18297012
She did mention she might make it private anytime, so check it out while it’s still up!
Thank you. (▰˘◡˘▰)
You're welcome! ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶
Who are these characters? Ive only watched the anime
the characters are from a book that Pino is reading.
I have a different take on this for this book. I know a lot might be expecting a chasing arc to happen, so
SPOILERS AND LONG POST
Personally, I don’t think Ebony Castle ever needed a “chasing arc” in the usual tropey sense. You know, those long, drawn-out stretches where the ML spends chapters groveling and suffering to win their love interest back. This story simply isn’t built that way.
I can understand why some readers, especially early on, might feel frustrated with Tristan. At first, he doesn’t come across as enthusiastic about helping Eden at all, and it’s true, he isn’t. He’s a stranger to Eden, he’s straight, and he’s still recovering from years of accumulated stress and medical issues tied to his noble heritage. He’s sick of everything, burned out to the core, and has chosen isolation as his only escape. This context isn’t fully revealed right away, so in the early chapters, it’s easy for readers to see only Eden’s pain and conclude Tristan should “do more.” I think that’s partly why some people crave a chasing arc. Because without Tristan’s backstory upfront, it’s harder to grasp the weight he’s already carrying.
But even without knowing all that, imagine suddenly becoming the key to a stranger’s survival, knowing you’ll have to commit to helping them for a lifetime, with sexual intimacy involved when you’ve never been attracted to men before. That’s not an easy switch to flip.
But fom the moment Tristan realized he had feelings for Eden, back in the mansion, dating in London, even before the breakup, he’d already given up everything for him. Yes, part of it was for Eden’s treatment, but even without that, Tristan was already selflessly in love. He sacrificed his desire to stay off the grid, stepped back into the public eye, and took on the weight of his noble title and CEO responsibilities, the very things that had exhausted and sickened him long before Chapter 1. All because he chose Eden. So he could be close enough for Eden to reach him when needed. So he could fully support Eden’s piano career. So he could be there for him and really be a part of his life. From the moment he fell in love, Eden was his reason to live.
After the breakup and a two-year time skip, Tristan’s feelings hadn’t faded. But by then, they’d each found their place, Eden thriving as a pianist, free of treatment, and Tristan finally living somewhere no one knows, with the peace he’d wanted since the beginning. He didn’t “chase” Eden at that point because he believed Eden belonged in the spotlight, a world Tristan could never step into without disrupting it, and he was happy just hearing of Eden making a name for himself with his piano. It’s how they met in the first place: Eden determined to heal so he could take on the classical music world, and Tristan really did everything to make that happen.
So Tristan goes on with the peace and quiet he'd finally found. He did not chase Eden further not because he’d stopped loving him, but because he knew his own presence, bound to a chaotic, burdensome world, could only hold Eden back. And yet, he couldn’t completely let go either. He left small clues to his whereabouts, something Eden could follow if he ever wished to. In the end, Eden did. And that I could say is another thing he's given again to Eden: giving the choice for their future.
To me, that’s not lack of effort at all, it’s maturity. Life isn’t always glitter and grand gestures. Sometimes love is in the quiet choices, the sacrifices that don’t need an audience. If you look closely, both of them really did sacrificed a lot for each other. There are moments where you can almost feel the exhaustion in them, worn down by the extent of what they were willing to do for the other.
I’m glad the author didn’t put them through more suffering by forcing in the typical chasing arc you'd often expect. I was honestly satisfied without it. Ebony Castle isn’t just about that genre at all! It’s about two people who truly loved each other, but also had their own struggles, goals, and reasons to walk separate paths for a time. Eventually in the Epilogue, they still chose each other, and for me, that's like a cherry on top of an already great narrative.
Of course people will always have different opinions, but this is my two cents. My fingers are tired, and I'm gonna go shut up now
I read the novel myself and I wholeheartedly agree with your perspective. The story is wonderfully different and I personally would not change a thing about it.
P. S. Your "rant" was a great read, thanks for taking the time to write it. I think you really got the essence of the story!
Very well said.....
Likewise, thank you for taking the time to read all that! I love this story with a passion, I actually reread it after completing the first time. I just wanted to catch every detail and get to know these characters as much as I can. I'm so glad it resonated with you the same way!
Now that Publang has announced the official English release, I'm really looking forward to seeing what new nuances and details their translation might bring.
Thank you! ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶
I completely understand. I have actually started to read the novel again myself, and I had finished it very recently. But first read I "inhaled" the story as I wanted to know what happens, so I feel I didn't pay enough attention to the details. Now, the second time, I feel like I get to savour it.
Excuse me .this is such a good review! And yes that's called maturity and true love. He love him enough to not hold him back .good job on this(๑•ㅂ•)و✧
A tear just ran down my leg
Wow, this was beautifully written.
I've read the epilogue of the novel, just the epilogue. And all I can day is, it suit the story so well, how the author thinks the ending is. The last scene where Eden ran to Tristan and they embrace each other. They may not be that expressive in words but on how they act
Beautifully said, you're a good writer or good at analysing stories.
Ate
Beautifully said. I couldn’t agree more. Mature stories that feel real and relatable will always stand above cliché ones that feel cheap or forced. This story doesn’t rely on constant sex scenes or contrived misunderstandings to stay interesting. The characters’ emotions are so raw they feel almost tangible. If readers are only looking for a quick dopamine rush, they’ll probably be disappointed but for anyone who wants depth, this is exactly it.
I'm too lazy to type a long comment but let me just say that I absolutely fucking agree with every single one of your lines in the comments.
Most of the manhwa authors or artists nowadays just ultimately follow the same cliche red flag to repentance through chase arc and then the uke and seme live happily ever after. I'm getting so so so sick of that. But this is finally a change that i needed.
Neither the seme nor the uke is the perpetrator here. They are both victims of different situations. Just by imagining myself in Tristan's shoes makes me understand his situation and truly how mature and kind he actually is. And he definitely doesn't need a chasing arc cause he didn't do anything that requires that. Eden and Tristan definitely needed to separate themselves for a while to find peace within themselves instead of one another, which imo made them even closer after they finally got together. Otherwise it would've just been the same old story of happily ever after without any realistic approach which always feels so empty. This and reunion by delsum definitely takes a realistic approach to the plot. I really liked what you said and the way you worded everything. Thank you
Thanks to everyone who shared such beautiful impressions about this book!
I wrote that long post after seeing some not really good takes on Tristan Locke - which is fair, the adaptation still in its early chapters. But as someone who genuinely loves how this character was written, it pained me to see all that when actually, he's a kind and sensible human being that just wasn't built perfect. He has reasonable flaws that make him feel more real, like someone you could actually meet outside the book - not just a character designed to fit current trends or appeal to the widest audience.
What first drew me to him is that Tristan is a mature man of class. His dialogue stood out to me, especially on parts where he is more vocal. He has a way with words that clearly reflects his noble upbringing and Executive experience. I think anyone familiar with hearing or watching people of that stature could recognize those traits in the way he speaks: well-spoken and intelligent. He's a great conversationalist that's also capable of expressing real emotion when it counts. He knows how to set aside his pride, acknowledge his faults and apologize. That’s not to say he never missteps. He does, as we all do, but the story doesn’t drag it out. We see him recognize those mistakes and respond with genuine humility. This man is no-nonsense (definitely for keeps mm).
When it comes to his actions, Tristan never fell short with Eden whether as a stranger or as his lover. As a stranger, he put aside his pride as a heterosexual, as a respectable boss, and as a once untouchable noble. He even set aside his own peace of mind just to give what help he could at the time. As a lover.. where do I even begin? It’s as though he gave up piece after piece of himself for love. He did everything he possibly could within the circumstances they were in, burning himself out physically and mentally in the process. Once again, he was surrounded by forces that sucked his life at every turn: politics, media, corporate, family conflict, nobility along with the people of England, take your pick. Even before they were officially together, he had already resolved to devote himself without expecting anything from Eden in return. Deep down, he had accepted the idea of loving one sidedly. He restrained himself, followed the protocols of nobility, and stepped back when needed.. until the confession happened
I absolutely agree with the responses, Ebony Castle isn’t a typical trope-driven romance. It’s a story that asks us to see people and life as they truly are, not through the lens of fairy tale magic. It takes patience, understanding, and a bit of maturity to truly appreciate. And that is exactly what made it a great read for me! Stories like this are my holy grail.
Beyond the romance, I also love how the author added in elements of the classics, whether in the atmosphere, setting, or the use of music. Each piano piece matched the emotions and moments nicely that now I can’t hear them without thinking of the scenes, and vice versa. If this novel were ever a film, I believe it would feel like one of those timeless classics you return to at least once a year. As a lover of the classics myself, this was such a treat.
I'm gonna stop now as it turned into a whole chapter again, but I really do hope this helps some readers re-think their views on Tristan and see him in a new light. Ciao
If I could like this comment as well, I would! Chef’s kiss!