I enjoyed every part of this story. The plot, the action sequences, the dialogue, the characterisation, the music (especially the music), the philosophy and the ending. Every single bit. What a beautiful and beautifully-crafted story.
(Did Trace leave the room when Napoleon visited because she knew Illya was in love with him and she concluded that he didn't love Illya back because he was as heterosexual as Illya had said?)
I was going to finish, but I have to carry on a bit more. The juxtaposition of the scenes where Illya is impressing everyone (including the reader) with all his skills and sangfroid and then the questioning of the smart, ill-tempered lady of the evening, embarrasses him and almost entraps him is fabulous, and all through the story there is more and more of Illya's personality revealed.
And at the end when Napoleon sends all the flowers in appreciation and Illya sends bolts for the doors and instructions, what a wonderful contrast and how brilliantly complementary as Napoleon and Illya are.
I was worried though about the handwriting. Does Illya just have messy handwriting or had THRUSH hurt him so badly that he still couldn't write clearly by the time the gifts were sent? (Yes, I know that's going outside the story, but I couldn't help asking.)
