The backstory is meant to give insight on HOW Sol and Brian became lovers. From the rough life Brian had before Sol came, to Sol and Brian’s rough start, to learning to trust and communicate better, to trust, to love, to wanting a brighter and better future, to the creation of their own Nation. This should sound familiar because this is the same story Ian and Sol are dealing with currently. They are just putting the steps out of order. We are meant to LEARN about the personalities and development of Sol and Brian in the past that mirror/compare to the present with Sol and Ian. The political drama is just fluff to set the setting and mood to keep us busy so it’s not a one dimensional backstory. Why should you care about Brian? Because Brian and Ian share a connection that started with Brian. Without Sol being here with Brian and infusing him with magic so he can reincarnate with his memories of his past life carrying over to his future lives, we probably wouldn’t have Ian who is Brian’s reincarnation. They are different people with the same personality in different time periods going through similar hardships. The goal of the story is about the journey of falling in love again after a long time apart and testing if the feelings still remain the same after so long. I also don’t get why people hate Brian so much and put Ian on a pedestal. THEY ARE ONE AND THE SAME. THEY ARE CONNECTED. Ian is currently misunderstanding the situation and Sol forgot how to communicate like a lover because it’s been a long time. Brian is just Brian. Deceased. Period. Point blank. Now please just try and enjoy the story. Or skip it, we don’t care! Just stop posting the same stupid “bring back the present story” comments! There is a reason to the madness. Seriously, the author can’t even setup the first stage leading into the tragedy later without people complaining.