“Call me Byron. Just Byron. …you’re my queen now, are you not?”
What’s more important: the love interest, or their plot? I used to think it was the LI, but after the disaster that was Alyn’s Ever After route, you’ve really gotta wonder! So here’s the good news: Byron’s route isn’t nearly as painful to read as that train wreck. And the bad? It definitely falls short of its potential.
Our MC/Princess first encounters Byron in the forest after he saves her from some bandits. She’s immediately taken in by his good looks (can you blame her?). So maybe it’s a little awkward when she realizes he’s the king of Stein, aka Wysteria’s rival country, but I guess Byron must’ve gotten a good impression of MC somewhere along the way as well, because after something like their 3rd meeting, “Stein” issues “Wysteria” an offer of marriage – for political purposes, of course. Byron invites MC to visit Stein and think things over, and over the next few days/weeks, they get to know each other better. He comes across as a little cold and detached from everything, but he’s generally extremely kind to MC. One of my favorite moments takes place after MC realizes that her room and Byron’s are connected, and he suggestively matter-of-factly replies that he hopes this living arrangement becomes permanent. 😉
As time passes, trouble arises in the form of Byron’s deposed father – a former tyrant of Stein. Dude’s been spreading rumors regarding a Stein invasion in Wysteria, to great effect, and our unlucky couple is forced to temporarily abandon their marriage plans while everyone deals with the political fallout. At some point in time it’s even implied that Byron commits patricide (!), but things are never explicitly confirmed. Pretty ballsy of the writers, all things considered.
MC and Byron have to spend a lot of time apart from each other in this route, but every time they meet up, it’s pretty epic. Byron claims he’s an emotional noob, but frankly, I don’t buy it. Example: at some point, B lets MC remove his eyepatch, and proceeds to seduce the shit out of her before deciding to petition for MC’s hand again. Does this sound like the actions of an emotionally stunted man to you?! In any case, as with all honey/secret endings, this route ends on a happy note, with all the political shenanigans resolved, MC either wed or engaged to Byron (I can’t really tell), and lots of hickeys all around.
So the thing is, there wasn’t really anything fundamentally wrong with Byron’s route, per se. But post-patricide, things dragged a bit. I feel like the writers weren’t quite able to milk the epic Stein-Wysteria rivalry for all it was worth, and things resolved themselves way too neatly. Also, there were too many side plots distracting from the main story, from Nico’s useless drama which seems to show up in every single freaking route, to the random women who suddenly wanted to marry Byron towards the end of the story. All these problems would be easily overlooked if the writing were top notch, but… well. MidCin definitely isn’t going to be winning any awards on that front any time soon, is it?
But still. If you enjoy the total quiet-man-of-mystery trope that Byron embodies, you’re going to like the route. I did, even with all the flaws that I’ve mentioned. Byron’s route shines brightest when the plots/conflict take a back seat and he’s able to be true to his sexy self: marking MC Shingen-style as a promise to meet again, for example, or sending MC letters by falcon when they’re forced to go long distance. And one thing I really appreciate is how, after Byron and MC solidify their feelings for each other mid-route, neither of their feelings ever waver. At the end of the day, if nothing else, Byron’s route definitely showcases just why he’s such a fan favorite!
Choice quotes:
“You have nothing to apologize for. After all, you’re the only one I’ll be kissing from here on.”
Byron raised his free hand, unlacing the front of my dress, and pressed his lips against the soft skin between my breasts. “That’s the time limit for our promise. Before that mark fades away.”
“Didn’t you know? In Stein the wedding night lasts three days.” ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Personality: 9/10. Byron has some A+ dialogue at times, but poor writing hurts his character potential (he’d be a 10 easily with good writing).
Appearance: 10/10. He is stupidly hot, with or without eyepatch.
MC: 5/10. I didn’t really have a strong impression of MC, to be honest. Definitely a bit of a blank slate in terms of personality.
Plot/Payoff: 6.5/10. Not gonna lie – I think most MidCin MS plots are pretty mediocre. This one’s not great, but it’s not the worst, either. In fact, it’s probably the best out of the four I’ve read thus far (which isn’t saying much, but still)!
Personal enjoyment: 6.5/10. I’m definitely growing rather tired of the mediocre writing/plot quality. That said, Byron himself is magnificent!
Otome Reviews 