IWBNAM Chapter 3 (Part 3)

Maybe he would spend winter hopping between tropical resorts. A few days on a secret private island and a few days at a bustling tourist resort. Snorkeling in shallow coral-filled seas, feeding dolphins…

“Sir. My apologies for disturbing your rest, but the flower arrangement master has arrived.”

Just then, his personal secretary, Gaspar Garcia, announced the next schedule from outside. It was already three in the afternoon.

“Alright. Please show her in. And prepare a fresh pot of tea. It would be proper etiquette to serve tea personally to the one who will be my teacher.”

For the month he would be staying at the hot spring inn, he had arranged to learn Eastern cooking in the mornings and Eastern-style flower arrangement in the afternoons. Morning hot spring, meal, walk, morning cooking class, lunch, afternoon tea, flower arrangement class, dinner, walk, hot spring, and sleep around ten at night. That was his weekday schedule.

No one would complain if he relaxed however he wanted all day, but since he had come such a long way, he decided he might as well learn something useful, so he chose cooking and flower arrangement lessons. Making dim sum in the morning had been fun, but what would flower arrangement be like? The master he had invited today was said to be one of the most respected teachers in the Asia Province. It would surely be worth learning.

As a student, Lee Juwon stood up to show proper respect. A moment later, an elderly woman dressed neatly in traditional clothing entered with two assistants.

---

The Head of Security, Matthias Hessler, sent a look toward the personal secretary, Garcia. Garcia shook his head as if he knew nothing. The two quietly turned their heads back toward their esteemed superior.

In front of the table where the flower arrangement lesson had taken place, the retired Imperial Marshal Azani was staring at the flowers with a pensive expression. He said nothing and showed no emotion, yet he seemed displeased. His two closest subordinates instantly sensed it and tried to guess the reason.

“If there was anything unsatisfactory, please tell us, sir.”

In the end, Hessler, who was the elder of the two, asked directly.

“Mm.”

Lee Juwon reached out and gently brushed his fingers over a fresh cherry blossom branch. A beautiful bud had formed. In a day or two it would bloom in full elegance. But if plucked now, it would wither.

“The girls brought here as assistants… they seemed to be yūjo from Yoshiwara, were they not?”

When arranging the lesson, they were told the master would bring her disciples as assistants. But those disciples…

“We verified their identities, but…”

Hessler could not finish his sentence. His superior, still not looking at him, spoke calmly.

“Judging by their age, they must be apprentice yūjo. They probably weren’t officially registered yet. Still in training…”

In Lee Juwon’s mind, Azani’s knowledge surfaced.

On the outskirts of Lotus City, there was an area called Neue Yoshiwara. When Lotus first rose as a major tourist city, some suspiciously wealthy individuals pushed forward a project to recreate the famous pleasure district of ancient Earth.

A place of adult entertainment built in ancient Eastern style, befitting the image of the Eastern-themed tourist city. Not to be treated the same as cheap brothels. Come, to Neue Yoshiwara. There you too can enjoy the refined pleasures once experienced by the powerful of ancient Eastern realms.

In truth, it was nothing more than a high-end courtesan house wrapped in a fancy shell, but thanks to its exotic atmosphere and unique traditional culture, it remained immensely popular for a long time. Wealthy, high-ranking men of the Empire considered it a place worth visiting at least once.

Even those who normally considered non-whites filthy would behave as if ready to hand over their liver to a high-class Yoshiwara courtesan, desperately trying to earn favor. Having the honor of arranging an apprentice yūjo’s hairstyle was something one could boast about anywhere. Those who wished to flaunt their wealth yearned to become a regular client of a top-ranked courtesan who supposedly would not meet just anyone.

But even this once-splendid pleasure district eventually faced decline. Most of the aristocratic families who had been its biggest patrons fell into ruin after losing their power struggle with the current Emperor. Visitors did not vanish entirely, but the number of people willing to spend lavishly drastically decreased. And the new ruling group had little interest in the decadent entertainments of old. With the Emperor himself disapproving of such things, which subordinate would dare step foot there?

And then, just when its survival was becoming uncertain, the retired Imperial Marshal Azani came to Lotus.

“I will look into the matter immediately. My apologies, sir.”

The moment his superior mentioned the Yoshiwara yūjo, Hessler quickly grasped the situation. He bowed deeply in apology.

“There’s no need to apologize. Being an apprentice yūjo is not a crime.”

He knew that Yoshiwara’s high-end establishments placed master-level teachers with the young girls they intended to raise as top courtesans, teaching them various refined arts. Calling them disciples was not entirely inaccurate.

Most likely, upon learning that the master would be meeting the retired Imperial Marshal, the brothel owner had begged her to bring the girls along as assistants. They were delicately raised girls; perhaps meeting him even once might create an opportunity. If things went well enough for the Imperial Marshal to perform an apprentice’s first hair-setting…

“We will advise the master to replace the assistants.”

Garcia spoke from the side. Lee Juwon gently shook his head.

“No, it’s fine. I don’t want it to look like I care.”

Even so, he was irritated. It was strange. In terms of mental age, they were practically the same age, yet he felt no romantic interest whatsoever. The moment he saw the blonde, blue-eyed Western girl and the black-haired, black-eyed doll-like girl following behind the master, he instantly realized who they were and what their hidden goal was. It was natural for his guard to go up.

“Sir.”

Garcia opened his mouth, feeling he needed to say something. Lee Juwon continued, as if telling him there was nothing to be so serious about.

“Well now. It seems this Azani has been acting too lightly these days. There are people trying to use beauty traps on me? Do I look that easy now?”

It was so unprecedented that he even found it refreshing. He had seen countless pretty women approach his unmarried colleagues, but never once had it happened to him. Fine, whatever. The problem was the age. If they had at least been professional women in their late twenties, he might have been willing to have tea. But younger than that…

“We’ll be more careful from now on.”

“Good. Make sure nothing troublesome happens.”

Lee Juwon raised his right hand. His subordinates recognized it as a dismissal and quietly withdrew. Left alone, he sat in a nearby chair and let out a sigh. He felt a bit tired.

He just wanted to enjoy a normal retired life, yet the world simply wouldn’t leave him alone.

As a high-ranking figure, temptations would continue. People scheming to use him would appear endlessly. Living comfortably and alone had been impossible from the start. He could not predict how many people would act foolishly over a simple gesture or word. The thought left a bitter taste.

‘There isn’t a single person who believes your retirement will last.’

A few days earlier, during a video call with Gilbert, he had complained a little, and his former closest aide laughed as he relayed everyone’s reactions.

“I have absolutely no intention of reversing my retirement.”

‘Yes, yes. I have no doubt about that, sir.’

“Really? An answer that inspires great confidence. I am truly delighted.”

‘It is an honor, sir.’

Lee Juwon frowned. His former subordinate really had a thick skin.

“It’s only been barely over a month since my retirement. I can’t expect too much. I merely intend to spend my days quietly. One day they will believe my true intentions.”

‘Of course. While regularly checking the movements of all the key Imperial figures, that is.’

“Don’t tease me. I just don’t want to let my guard down and get caught by some ridiculous scheme.”

‘I understand.’

Gilbert answered with a serious expression. For all his smooth demeanor, he knew how to respect boundaries, which was why he had never been dismissed for impudence and had kept his place as a top aide.

“…No other concerns?”

Lee Juwon finally received the information he originally called for. Fortunately, it seemed no one was planning to meddle with him yet. He had not fallen from power due to some great crime; he had stepped down peacefully of his own will. Anyone who rashly stirred trouble now would be unable to handle the consequences. Even a resentful enemy would have no choice but to watch and wait for a while.

‘Unless you attempt to return, no one will move first. The Imperial center is very peaceful right now.’

His Majesty the Emperor was in good health. The Empress’s unborn child was growing without complications. The Four Active Marshals were firmly holding their positions, and the Senior Generals were fulfilling their roles faithfully. The civil officials were performing their duties well. There were no economic problems, and the recent tensions with the Union had quieted.

Everything was flowing smoothly.

Relieved, Lee Juwon nodded. It was an age of peace. Of course, once the campaign to subjugate the Union began, things would get noisy again, so it was only a temporary rest.

‘Preparations for the conquest war are steadily underway. If a justification is presented, the army could march within a month. Be prepared. If that happens, no matter how much you shout that you love your unemployed life, His Majesty will summon you back.’

“Hmm.”

Lee Juwon recalled his conversation with the Emperor. His Majesty had said:

‘I will keep the Chancellor’s seat vacant for you.’

Yes. War was the issue. If a war with the Union erupted, it would be a total war aimed at complete conquest. Would the Emperor let a capable man idle away his days at home while the Empire mobilized everything it had?

Azani’s “retirement” was, in truth, nothing more than an extended vacation.

‘You’re making your distaste very obvious, sir.’

“Because I like a life of doing nothing.”

Lee Juwon grumbled. Doing nothing was the best. He had already planned out how he would spend his days relaxing. He didn’t want to go back. Absolutely not.

‘If His Majesty decides you are truly needed, he will find a way to call you back and put you in the Chancellor’s seat. I’m not worried. When that day comes, please don’t pretend not to know me. Call me to your side, sir.’

“Stay loyal to your current direct superior, Gilbert.”

‘What a hurtful thing to say. The Minister of Military Affairs doesn’t see me as a real subordinate anyway. He probably thinks of me as something he’s borrowing temporarily. Anyway…’

Having delivered all important information, Gilbert shifted to personal chatter. He told him how some officers, amazed by a certain retired marshal’s beauty, had formed a secret fan club, or how a former Chief of General Staff’s casual fashion had become a trend, or how the delinquent youths whose names and faces became known across the Empire because a certain retired high-ranking officer attended their trial were now publicly crying and begging the bar owner for forgiveness.

“That’s enough. End the call. None of that is useful.”

Lee Juwon curtly ended the call.

‘Rest well, sir. I’ll contact you again later.’

The video connection closed after Gilbert gave a perfectly crisp salute. Leaning against the back of the sofa, Lee Juwon went over what he had heard. Fortunately, nothing seemed to be changing anytime soon. He could continue like this for now.

‘Yes, for now.’

He hoped the Union wouldn’t provide a justification for invasion. Without a cause for a large-scale conquest war, His Majesty couldn’t easily order an attack. That would be best. War only ruined the lives of the common people.

And most importantly, he had no desire to return. He didn’t want to go back to that stressful life. He was happy living comfortably like this.

If there were signs of war, was there some way he could disappear for a few months? Maybe claiming illness would work.

‘I hope I’m worrying for nothing…’

There was also the possibility His Majesty wouldn’t summon him. His so-called colleagues would surely oppose it with all their strength.

‘I’m counting on you, Kranaha.’

He pictured the man whose face always twisted with open hostility whenever Azani was mentioned. He would be the one most violently opposed to Azani’s return. So may he do as hoped. If he didn’t want to lose these sweet idle days.

---

The leisurely days passed quickly. Before he knew it, another day had gone. It felt like he had only been at the hot spring inn for a few days, yet somehow April had passed and mid-May was approaching. The cherry blossoms, the pride of Lotus City, had long since fallen. Instead, the wisteria flowers were in full bloom. Under the wisteria pavilion, Lee Juwon recalled his past life with a face full of longing.

One weekend in May, he had hopped on a bus to Muju with his friends on a whim. He wanted to visit the wisteria-covered schoolyard mentioned in the Korean language textbook. A friend asked why they had to go all the way there when there were wisteria spots in Seoul too. He answered:

‘To chase romance, obviously.’

He got cursed at for saying something so cringe, but the trip had been wonderful. They chatted, laughed, took photos, ate delicious food. Even the exhausted ride back home on the night bus had felt rewarding. It had been a purely good time. Truly good.

…He wanted to go back to that time. He wanted to live the life he originally lived.

He didn’t dislike the taste of power, but it didn’t feel like his life. So he kept thinking of his past life. The people he cherished, the happiness he felt, all of it was back there.

‘Azani’s past is too harsh.’

He tried to sift through Azani’s memories but stopped halfway. There had been good moments, yes, but the wounds were bigger, and he was afraid to look too closely.

‘My memories will support my future.’

He would use them as a foundation to build new, happy memories in this world. He could do it. The part about having no friends and no lover… he would ignore that for now. It wasn’t something he could solve immediately anyway.

In any case, living a month in Lotus City had been satisfying. If you’re burning through three thousand euros a day including lodging, it would be a problem if you weren’t satisfied. Slipping into his private open-air bath, then putting on a traditional outfit that alone cost several hundred euros to rent, sitting in an elegant Eastern-style tearoom drinking tea that cost a hundred euros a cup, and muttering things like “Life is lonely”… it all had its own strange charm.

Well, these days were almost over. He wanted to extend his vacation, but His Majesty’s gaze was stern, so he had to return without delay. Just yesterday, the Chief Secretary of the Imperial Palace had contacted him, asking to confirm the date of his return after the vacation.

‘I should buy souvenirs. If I offer them as a bribe, maybe he’ll be lenient…’

He also needed to think about how to behave during the elementary school tour. Should he just follow whatever the experts told him?

It wasn’t that he disliked children. The question was whether children would like the Azani Marshal. Given his notorious reputation, the kids would probably freeze up just looking at him. That would be funny in its own way. A retired marshal rejected by children.

He could already imagine the reactions.

‘Marshal Azani must be having a hard time (laugh), it’s nice to see him trying to get along with the kids (laugh), educational service is such a noble thing (laugh), for the sake of the future generation (laugh), please do your best (uproarious laughter).’

Well, whatever. He would deal with it when the time came.

Well, these days wouldn’t last much longer. He wanted to extend his vacation, but His Majesty’s watchful eye meant he had to return without delay. Just yesterday, the Chief Secretary of the Imperial Palace had contacted him, saying they wished to confirm the date he would be returning home after finishing his vacation.

‘I should buy some souvenirs. If I offer them as bribes, maybe he’ll be merciful…’

He should also think ahead about how to behave during the elementary school tour. Should he simply follow the advice of whatever experts were assigned to him?

It wasn’t that he disliked children. The problem was whether the children would like the Azani Marshal. Given his notorious reputation, the kids would probably just freeze up and stare at him. That, too, would be its own kind of comedy. A retired marshal rejected by children.

He could already imagine the reactions.

‘Marshal Azani, you’ve worked hard (laugh), it’s nice to see you trying to get along with the kids (laugh), educational service is such a noble thing (laugh). Anyway (laugh), for the future generation (laugh), please do your best (uproarious laughter).’

Well, whatever. He’d deal with it when the time came.

Lee Juwon stood up. Since it was the weekend and he had no flower arrangement class, he planned to spend his free time taking an afternoon walk.

He decided to walk the bamboo forest trail again today. Walking along the quiet bamboo path would surely help clear his thoughts.

“How would you like your dinner, sir?”

As he was about to head out, the attendant approached and asked about dinner. Sometimes he ate in the private building of the inn, and sometimes he went out, so the attendant always checked in advance.

“I’ll eat in the private room. Something light, just a simple home-style meal.”

After eating a few elaborate courses, he had grown tired of them and stopped ordering them. Fancy and rich dishes were only enjoyable once or twice; a modest home meal with rice, soup, meat or fish, and a few side dishes was far more comforting. The attendant bowed politely and stepped back.

“Honestly, don’t you think I’m a pretty easy guest to deal with?”

The thought crossed his mind, and he joked about it to Hessler, who had been following for security.

“Yes. I agree. As a guest, you are not difficult to attend to.”

“There’s something pointed in the way you said ‘as a guest,’ isn’t there?”

“When you were in office, sir, you were stricter and more demanding than anyone.”

“Hmm. I can’t deny that.”

Lee Juwon smiled faintly. That Azani fellow, looking at his work behavior, you could really feel how nasty his personality was. It wasn’t that he stole credit or took out his anger on subordinates, but he was definitely not an easy person.

“But I think it was necessary for someone of your position. Thanks to that, the military’s discipline stayed intact.”

“It wasn’t something achieved by Azani alone. His Majesty was there, and the influence of the other high-ranking officers was considerable too. You’re surprisingly good at flattery, aren’t you?”

“I simply stated my sincere impression.”

“Oh? I see.”

The corners of Lee Juwon’s eyes curved slightly. He didn’t hate hearing flattery.

“I mean every word, sir.”

“Alright. Don’t get so serious.”

“Sir.”

Just as Hessler seemed about to say more, looking a little wronged, an odd sound came from nearby.

Peep.

Both men fell silent and looked toward the sound. Somewhere in a corner of the garden that connected to the bamboo forest trail, they heard an animal’s cry. Hessler stepped forward, shielding his superior.

Peep-peep.

“That sounds like… a kitten crying.”

Cats didn’t always meow. Especially kittens often made chirping, peeping noises.

“Please don’t approach it just in case. I’ll call the others.”

Hessler called the guards. The security personnel who remained in the inn building quickly arrived.

“It’s definitely a kitten. No traps or anything unusual.”

One guard gently lifted some hydrangea leaves to show the inside. Lee Juwon widened his eyes at the sight of a tiny black kitten, small as a fist, sitting weakly.

Goodness, it looked like a little rice cake. Small and adorable.

“How did a kitten end up here?”

“I’ve heard that stray cats sometimes wander around the area. I will remove it immediately.”

“No, leave it.”

Lee Juwon stopped the guard.

“Are you planning to raise it, sir?”

Hessler asked. Lee Juwon shook his head.

“The mother must have been carrying it somewhere and temporarily hid it here. Don’t touch it. If it smells like people, she won’t take it back.”

This all-black kitten… too precious. That round little face, those spiky little tufts of fur, adorable.

“For now, let’s watch it. It may be better to leave some water and food nearby. We’ll wait for the mother to return…”

So this was fate with a cat. Even he was being chosen. How long were cats’ lifespans again? Fifteen years? Twenty?

“You can all step back. I’ll continue my walk.”

How long should he wait? Maybe three or four hours? Thankfully, it was warm spring weather. He would keep an eye on it, and if the mother didn’t come back, he would take the kitten himself. He’d wipe its fur with a damp towel, let it sleep, and take it to the vet tomorrow morning. Vaccinations, cat supplies, the works. It was still too young for neutering. Maybe he could let it have kittens later… A little one that resembled his old hamster Kkami would surely be adorable.

He had even named it already. Kkami, because it was black. People would probably assume it was a variation of the French name Camus.

“…Why are you all staring at me like that?”

He realized Hessler and the guards were staring straight at him.

“It’s nothing.”

The guards exchanged looks among themselves and stepped further away.

“You should just take it with you now.”

Hessler cleared his throat and offered the suggestion politely.

“I said I’m not planning to raise it.”

“Yes, sir. Of course.”

“What is that reaction supposed to mean?”

He had no idea why they were acting like that. Why did they think he was going to take the kitten? What did they think he was?

“There seems to be no danger, so you may continue your walk, sir.”

Hessler gestured toward the walkway. With a calm expression, as though nothing had happened, Lee Juwon walked ahead.

One loop around took about an hour. He returned by a different route, and when they entered the building, he glanced toward the direction where the kitten had been. The attendant standing nearby smiled and spoke.

“The kitten is still there, sir.”

“Really? Looks like the mother is running late.”

Only an hour had passed. He needed to wait longer.

Acting as if he didn’t care, Lee Juwon accepted his dinner. When he saw that the main dish was grilled salmon, his heart clenched at the thought of the kitten. Kkami would probably eat salmon too. Since it was still a baby, he would have to pick out only the softest bits of meat. Would it be better to cook it first?

After finishing his meal, he wandered around the garden under the excuse of helping his digestion. Had the mother cat come by now? Were the humans lingering nearby keeping her from approaching? That would be bad. Would it? Why would it be bad? Would it really be so terrible? No, maybe it would be fine. It would be fine even if she didn’t come.

Just a little longer. Let’s wait just a little longer. Even a tiny animal loves its own baby the same way. He couldn’t bear to separate them. So three more hours… no, two hours. An hour and a half…

Unable to calm his excitement, he headed to the outdoor hot spring near the bamboo forest. Greeting a new family member after a bath sounded rather nice. Wearing only a thin bathing robe, he stepped into the water. He kept his ears open toward the garden. In the silence, he could still hear faint peeping sounds. Poor thing. Just wait a little longer.

Coming here was truly the right choice. He’d been resting well, and now something wonderful had happened right before his return.

A cat… how nice!

Azani had raised a hamster before, and now it seemed it would be a cat this time. People would laugh about it endlessly. He didn’t care. He wouldn’t pay attention. His Kkami would become the greatest superstar in the galaxy.

Oh, right. He should ask someone to record a video of the rescue. And take lots of pictures, and then…

Bang!

A sharp explosion sounded. Rocks and wood splinters flew up. Startled, Lee Juwon turned his head toward the direction of the noise. The accident had occurred in the garden where the kitten had been. Only a wall separated the hot spring from that area.

“Sir!”

The chief of security came running to check on him.

“What happened?”

Lee Juwon asked calmly as he rose. Hessler threw a towel over his wet body and helped him up the steps.

“We’re investigating. Please move to a safer area.”

“It sounded like a single blast.”

There were no further explosions. What caused it? Had a buried gas pipe ruptured? High-end gardens sometimes installed underground hot water pipes so that plants would grow well even in winter. Perhaps one of those had malfunctioned.

“I’ll go see.”

He walked toward the site of the accident. Staff members were running about in a panic, and guards were taking positions in preparation for further emergencies.

“The spot where the hydrangeas were…”

The area within a two-meter radius around the hydrangea bush was completely devastated. This was not the kind of damage caused by a gas or hot water pipe explosion.

“It was the kitten’s body that exploded.”

One of the guards reported what he had witnessed. He had been watching the kitten from a slight distance when, without any sign or warning, the kitten’s abdomen swelled and burst. The details would require investigation, but he suspected a micro-bomb had been implanted inside its body.

“A micro-bomb inside the kitten?”

Micro-bombs were designed to target something at extremely close range. In this case, the target was…

Lee Juwon’s expression turned cold. Someone had noted that Azani liked animals, and had used a kitten against him. Just as he had once pitied an abandoned hamster and taken it in, they must have assumed he would immediately pick up a helpless kitten the moment he saw it.

If he hadn’t given the mother cat time to come back, he would be dead now.

“Contact the Ministry of War. Inform them of the incident and ask if everything is safe on their end.”

If the attack targeted only Azani, then so be it. He had made countless enemies everywhere; such a thing was entirely plausible. But why was his chest so tight? His heart was beating too fast. He felt an ominous dread creeping up.

Why?

“Sir!”

It was then that his personal secretary, Garcia, came running with a deathly pale face, holding his device. Lee Juwon turned toward him. Garcia was competent, composed, and rarely showed panic. Yet now he couldn’t even breathe properly and was stammering.

“What is it?”

Everyone in the garden froze and looked toward them. Garcia’s face twisted as he forced himself to speak.

“His Imperial Majesty… has passed away.”