Volume 7 appreciation post ...... i think it being disregarded as the volume where nothing happens is a huuuuge shame. spoilers below for 7 and everything before it!
sure unlike other volumes there's no looming threat here. considering they did just go through one of the worst threats to the kingdom yet in 6. one that Anis needed a year to recover from (a year!), and Euphie's no better in the mental category after the harrowing experience of Anis almost dying on her which she starts getting nightmares of.
So it made sense for their relationship to develop from relative immaturity around one another to a relationship where fear is no longer sidelined but an everyday occurrence. in 7 we see Anis is gentler with Euphie, and Euphie is trying to be less hyper dependant on Anis (emphasis on trying), which Grantz notices as well and, out of ambiguous intentions, lectures Euphie on the importance of Anis as her replacement for the kingdom in the case that anything happens to Euphie. she doesn't take that well, but she does agree with him.
She did however lose it when he takes this further to separate them by assigning Anis as the leader of the magicology city development project:
and that was our bi-volume reminder of how well he knows what he's doing. and how much of an asshole Grantz can be for what he sees as righteous. in case we forgot.
He's a much more bearable asshole though than the noble from the ministry who outright tells Euphie she should marry after Anis passes away and that she should have children. regardless of the indecency of the action I really really really liked the discussion surrounding it and I always remember it as one of my favorite discussions of homophobia, traditions built on patriarchy, and the blatant disrespect these very powerful women still go through. what the noble said about continuing the royal bloodline wasn't wrong in terms of tradition, and we are made aware that neither Euphie nor Anis had told anyone that they plan to end royalty at them, so the noble wasn't at fault for that part only at least. the problem, and what escalated the situation, was that he desired Euphie for himself, disregarded Anis entirely and deemed her unworthy of being Euphie's partner, and most importantly thought he could win Euphie over because she's a woman.
which obviously didn't go well for him. and the funniest thing about this situation was the domino effect that started with Euphie's irritation with this man. causing poor Halphys to get married on such short notice.
I just really liked that part. I like the assertion from Anis's side that neither her nor Euphie felt the want to have children. i feel it's too normalized in yuri to expect the pairing to want to raise children together just because they're women so this was refreshing. and again I like my yuri realistic with the way that not everyone will accept a same sex relationship especially if the story revolves around revolting against most tradition gradually.
Anyway Anis's assignment as leader developed into her being in charge of her own knightly order and gaining a shiny new title that (in My Opinion) suits her (much) more (in a sexy way) than princess and is now KNIGHT COMMANDER!!!! .... WHICH she doesn't take very well. initially:
Because the responsibilities she had as the first princess were (due to consequence) close to none (most of the time). in fact we've seen her exercise abuse of authority using the title. she never really had much of an attachment to the princess title (beside the guilty reincarnation thing).
but this time, the role she was given entailed major responsibility that was irregular. being commander, Anis knew, meant she was responsible for people's lives, and that was where she really really thought this whole thing should be reconsidered.
And this is my favorite theme of the volume! Anis grows up in her way of thinking, and attempts to let go of the free way she'd lived her life.
Because Anis, she finds out, is no good at depending on others. she has always liked to oversee things from beginning to end, and trusted very very few people with her pursuits and ideas. and most importantly, she always made sure that only she got hurt in the process, and not anyone else. the best way to do that was to take on any chance of pain herself instead of asking for help or relaying the task to anyone even remotely capable.
But the position of knight commander was just what it was: a commander, and one who's obviously very important that the knights are obligated to die for. which Anis again really reeallyyy doesn't like the thought of. understandably!
So we see Anis gets acknowledged as young. and arrogant. and kind. like. thats literally whats said
And it gets Anis thinking about her position, desires, and reception, which is what the whole volume is about! i love when characters get introspective, especially about their relationships with everyone else. and in this volume, we are introduced to how Anis lives her new life among new people day to day, and how she slowly lets them in as close companions, especially in the hinterlands.
And. well. it's so fun to see Anis being just Navre and Gark's boss. when they know well how she's like. the part that always gets me is when she suddenly gets fixated on work and theyre understandably confused where this came from:
But overall she learns as much as Euphie that they should be less dependent on each other if they want things to go smoothly, and for that it's important to try to move on from any harsh past experiences.
..... thats easier said than done though and the results of these efforts are. well.
laughable.
but also so so SWEET!!!!!! its like the separation deepened their need instead of diminishing it, and I'm sure everyone would love to see how insanely lovey dovey they are in this volume. in fact I love this volume so much because it's probably the one where they're most open about their love for each other, and are very desperate to make it clear before they lose the chance to do so. You can feel how mature they have become about it since volume 5 (the last volume they actually had the chance to be lovey) and the comparison is crazy.
So I decided to use this space to mention my favorite euphiani parts of this volume in no particular ranking but definitely leaving the best for last
Compare this volume's opening scene to any other "waking up" scene in the other volumes. this one is insanely tender. and slow. and cozy. like how a safe chilly morning with your wife goes. Anis unusually waking up first . Euphie being too comfortable in Anis's arms to get up . Anis going for a morning kiss only to be INTERUPTED and UPSET because the morning isnt FAIR and duty CALLS and Euphie actually TEASES this and puts a finger to Anis's lips and . sorry this went on for so long this is just the Opening.
Euphie in Anis's lap the evening after Grantz reminds her she will have to separate from Anis if they actually want to see any progress happen . The way this scene begins with a cut like right after we see Euphie calmly responding to Grantz then we see her flailing her arms about in a series of complaints about him to Anis that end with her asking for a pat and Anis patiently listens and comforts her this was so Peak writing.
The drunk nighttime chat they have because Anis needs reassurance she's capable as commander and Euphie chimes in with how her father constantly reminds her she could fall ill or die and they need a plan B. like Um . well this scene was just funny all around but the part about why Anis got drunk in the first place despite hating the feeling was really good. also like:
Anis returning to the capital on the weekend and Euphie THROWS herself FROM THE BACLONY onto Anis because she couldn't WAIT 2 MINUTES for Anis to get to their bedroom (????????!!!!!!!! THAT HAPPENED!) and KNOCKS Anis onto her back and Anis asks if Euphie missed her to which Euphie doesn't even reply because what kind of question IS THIS!??
Honestly that whole reunion scene is awesome. they laughed together for no reason just because they were in each others vicinity. Anis reminded Euphie that she would be her captive if she wanted this and Euphie kissed her wrist. Euphie cries into Anis's neck because Anis's reassurances are getting to her too much and Anis thinks ok she looks so cute but what if she bites. Euphie stays glued to Anis even outside their bedroom and down the halls and Anis understand this well but the constant physical touch and Euphie's breath on her neck are FRUSTRATING her in the debatably GOOD way . which they take care of in like. the next scene :thumbsup: the buildup to THAT was really good and different and i Liked it
But nothing could beat the scene that happens right before Anis's departure. I think that was one of the scenes that solidified my obsession with this series and the ship itself and the first time I read it I actually cried of overwhelm and of how vulnerable and tender they were to the other while trying and failing to hide their weakness. the dialogue flows so well and so naturally and they admit eventually to already missing each other before they even had a chance to part. And it's so difficult to end the conversation they just keep going. because it's so difficult to let go even when you know you need to. even when you know it's for the better and even when both of you admit it it's still difficult! And Anis wishes at that point that none of this was needed and that she could stay in her wife's arms forever. the way they try to cheer each other up and Euphie's eventual plea ("What would you do if I asked you not to go?") makes me hit my head repeatedly. and they kiss and it's Anis who can't let go and pulls Euphie in more until they need to breathe and immediately she gives Euphie her behests and ends it with I love you because oh thats so crazy. h. how did this get published.
I think this is mostly all i had to say about this volume. or at least everything i could articulate into words. because there's so much else I just can't express and will carry in my heart to the grave. I love love love this series way too much and it feels like no matter how many times i watch or read it it never ceases to amaze me comfort me and make me warm!!!!!!! Thanks for reading this far :)
