IWBNAM Chapter 6 (Part 2)

For some reason, Kranaha burst out laughing. He finally released Nael’s wrist completely.

“Have a safe trip back, Chancellor. I’ll see you on the surface.”

“Right. I hope you lead your troops down well.”

As if no embarrassing conversation had ever passed between them, they exchanged polite farewells, and Nael left the room. His wrist still felt warm where he had been held, but he didn’t touch it. A heaviness settled in his chest.

* * *

Nael didn’t tell his close aides the details of the negotiation. He simply said that the conversation had ended with a satisfactory agreement. It was the same when he returned to Zerodel’s flagship. Even in the video conference with the military’s key personnel, he assured them that Kranaha wouldn’t be causing “that sort of folk game.”

Communication with Kranaha’s fleet was restored, and as the warships prepared to dock peacefully at the Tetra Military Base without any suspicious movements, everyone relaxed. As expected of Azani, they said. The capable Imperial Chancellor must have handled things perfectly.

At last, under the wary stares of those who still held doubts, the Spartacus also settled into the military spaceport of the capital planet. The man who had caused so many to worry boarded a shuttle with his aides, showing no sign of remorse. Their destination was the Imperial Palace.

Passing through the front gate draped with black mourning flags, they arrived before the main building, where officials stood waiting and saluted.

“We have been waiting. This way, please.”

Kranaha and his aides straightened their clothes once more, then solemnly entered a certain room. In the large and spacious chamber, only two special coffins stood at the center. They were transparent crystalline coffins that preserved the bodies within.

Inside them lay…

“Your Majesty.”

Kranaha was at a loss for words. Though he was a man of great courage, facing his sovereign’s corpse directly made his chest tighten. He had thought he had his emotions under control since hearing the news, but that illusion shattered here.

Just a week ago, His Majesty had been full of life.

He stood there for a long time. Majesty, my Majesty. Why do you lie in that place? Please rise and give your commands. You promised you would utterly subjugate those foolish republicans, did you not?

But it was over. Over forever. Any chance of sharing glory with the greatest conqueror in human history was gone.

Why… why…

Kranaha steadied his breathing and turned away. No amount of searching for responsibility would bring the dead back. The living would have to walk their own path.

“To the meeting room.”

He headed to the place previously arranged. Upon returning, they were to pay respect to the late Emperor and Empress at once, and then the Imperial Marshals would hold an emergency meeting. A schedule they would have to grow accustomed to. Future national affairs would be decided through the consensus of the Imperial Marshals.

“Welcome, Kranaha. I’m glad to see you alive again in reality.”

Graim, who had arrived earlier, greeted him with pointed words.

“I’m relieved we can reunite safely.”

Zerodel said with a gentle smile. They had exchanged video calls after communications resumed, but were only now meeting in person. Kranaha responded appropriately, then glanced toward the empty seats. Two seats were vacant.

“Valois is too badly injured; he must rest for a while.”

“I heard. His wife and son were wounded as well, weren’t they?”

“Yes. He’s suffering even more because of that. But it’s fortunate that all three survived.”

The conversation drifted into talk about the recent terror attack. Graim mentioned that Azani had nearly been killed as well.

“A kitten bomb?”

This was the first he had heard of it. Since the attempt failed, the information had not reached him quickly.

“If he had picked it up immediately, he would’ve died or been severely injured. He survived because he waited, thinking the mother cat might come back.”

“……”

Kranaha stroked his chin and fell into thought. Azani had nearly died. If he had died… what would I be doing right now?

If he had died. If he had died? If Azani had died, I probably would have…

“The Regent Chancellor is arriving!”

A guard shouted. All three men turned toward the meeting room door. Azani entered.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. The economic meeting ran late, so I couldn’t come immediately.”

Since the four had seen each other several times that day already, they exchanged only slight nods before sitting down.

“A stock market issue?”

“Fortunately, the after-market downturn is weakening. The stock market, which had been offering the greatest fire-sale discount in history, seems ready to quietly dial back the festivities thanks to the easing of uncertainties.”

Graim smirked. Zerodel chuckled. Kranaha shrugged.

“Well, let’s move on. The urgent matters we must address today are…”

They hadn’t gathered to interrogate Kranaha about past misdeeds. That was to be set aside. They were here to discuss immediate issues.

The funeral of the Emperor and Empress, the state funerals for the high officials and senior generals who had died. The investigation of the terror attack. The appointment of a new Sector Defense Commander, the handling of the deceased senior general’s fleet, the deployment of military forces at the front and rear, the redefinition of future relations with the Union, and so on.

They set general directions for now and agreed to refine the details through further discussions. The four Marshals concentrated quickly and managed to outline the major points.

“Let’s conclude here. These aren’t matters we can solve in a single day. I hope each of you consults well with your own staff. Then, I’ll take my leave.”

After finishing his words, Azani left the room first.

It had been a forced march of a day.

The three remaining Imperial Marshals all had the same thought. A lot had happened today.

“We won’t have a moment to breathe for a while. Well, the Chancellor will probably be the busiest of us all.”

Zerodel couldn’t hide his exhaustion as he rolled his neck from side to side.

“Hm.”

Kranaha leaned back in his chair and stared into empty space. Seeing that, Zerodel and Graim exchanged glances. He hadn’t said a single provoking word to Azani throughout the meeting. Considering how openly he had disliked Azani before, had he decided to set aside his personal feelings and cooperate because of the emergency? That was what the two of them assumed.

They would realize just how wrong that assumption was only after returning to their respective offices. They had given up on going home and were drowning in overtime work when a strange piece of news reached them.

“He… he asked for what? A bed request? Is that true?”

Graim stammered in shock. It sounded absurd.

“So they say.”

The aide who delivered the news couldn’t hide his own embarrassment and awkwardness.

Apparently, the rumor began spreading during the period when communication restrictions were lifted and Kranaha’s fleet began docking. The source was the senior officers aboard the flagship Spartacus. They whispered to junior officers, who told lower-ranking soldiers, who then carried the story across other ships, other fleets, and even to civilians.

Kranaha had not specifically demanded secrecy. Even so, the witnesses had silently agreed to keep their mouths shut. At first…

But secret-keeping didn’t last long. After all, this was huge. Kranaha had demanded sex from Azani. There was no way people wouldn’t gossip. What started as “you must not tell anyone” quickly turned into “you’re the only one who still doesn’t know? Do you have no friends?”

Graim finally understood what the negotiation had really been about. No wonder his friend had tried to avoid explaining it and brushed it off vaguely.

“This is… troubling.”

Could it be true? Actually true? But how?

“Could it perhaps have been some kind of advanced metaphor…?”

The aide carefully suggested what sounded like the least explosive explanation. Graim swallowed. In the meeting room, neither of them had shown any strange atmosphere. They had behaved politely and exchanged no meaningful looks.

“…Connect me to the Chancellor.”

He didn’t know. Better to ask directly.

* * *

Nael wore a blank expression. He had fully expected the rumors to spread, frankly, it was surprising they took this long. He had thought the gossip would explode before the meeting even started.

His aides had caused a tremendous uproar after hearing the news. Gilbert and Hessler were practically foaming at the mouth, yelling that he shouldn’t have gone alone, while the others looked at him with “that… didn’t happen, right?” faces and apologized for their failure to protect him properly.

He had barely calmed them down when Graim called. Nael answered in a dry tone.

“Don’t interfere in my private life.”

—Chancellor!

“To be honest, I’ve always wanted a younger boyfriend.”

—Don’t talk nonsense, you! Damn it, Marshal Azani. You don’t need to go that far. I’ll talk to that bastard Kranaha properly and…

“Don’t get involved. I’ve already made my decision.”

—Do you not realize what this will do to your reputation? The world is already buzzing. Just end it here. Then it won’t be a problem.

“My reputation has never been good. If it falls from the bottom, it can only fall onto the bottom again. And I’m not thinking of this as a sacrifice. I’m simply trying out a unique experience.”

—Azani!

Nael shook his head.

“It really is nothing, Graim.”

—…They will attach insulting labels to your name. Are you prepared to bear that?

“I’m fine.”

Nael gave a faint smile. Graim let out a long, frustrated breath. Fine? How could it possibly be fine? He would be mocked as a whore for the rest of his life.

—Azani.

“Thanks for worrying. Truly. But I am fine. So please, don’t say anything more.”

—Then let me ask just one question, Azani. Did you… expect Kranaha to react this way?”

Graim asked cautiously. Nael hesitated for a moment before answering.

“A little. A very small chance.”

—You expected it?

“It wasn’t something I seriously considered. Why does that bastard lose his mind every time he sees me? Could he actually be gay? It was an analysis I jokingly entertained for a moment and then dismissed, but to think that would end up being the correct answer.”

Nael shook his head with a bitter smile.

—Azani.

“I don’t know how many times I’ve said this, but I’m really fine, so stop worrying. It’s just sleeping with someone, isn’t it? A minor thing. In the grand scheme of things, it’s an extremely trivial incident. And it’s efficient.”

—Azani.

“If I just shut my eyes and take him for one night, countless people won’t have to tremble in anxiety. Look. They entered the capital planet as if nothing happened, and the stock market is already reacting positively, isn’t it?”

—……

“Go back to work, Graim. I’m ending the call.”

Nael spoke gently with a slight smile. Graim, looking as though he still had more to say, gave a silent bow before disappearing from the screen.

“Hm. I don’t know if one night will be enough.”

He muttered belatedly to himself. Well, and if it isn’t, then it can’t be helped. Think positively. It would work out somehow.

This shocking and sensational rumor spread across the entire capital planet overnight. By morning, no one was unaware of it. The reactions were intense. All fears about Antigonos’s “folk games” vanished entirely.

“Is it real?”

“Since when did he have a thing for him?”

“The Empire’s a joke.”

“Even trashy dramas would get cursed out for writing something like this.”

“The world’s ending.”

Amid the uproar, the people involved behaved completely calmly. Kranaha, through his butler, sent an invitation to Azani’s residence, and Azani’s butler delivered the prepared acceptance letter.

Azani left early in the morning for the palace on Saturday and worked there until returning home at 6 p.m. He changed into civilian clothes, got into a car, and headed to Kranaha’s mansion.

He arrived at 6:50, exactly ten minutes before the promised time.

Kranaha, waiting with the household staff at the front of the mansion, personally opened the car door for him. Azani thanked him politely for the invitation and handed over a bottle of wine he had brought as a gift to Kranaha’s butler.

Kranaha respectfully motioned for him to enter. With graceful steps, Azani walked inside with the host, and the door closed behind them.

* * *

The meal was excellent. Their private chef, formerly from a famous five-star hotel, prepared a colorful course meal using fresh ingredients. The two shared relaxed conversation while dining.

Kranaha spoke about how he had purchased the mansion, and Nael listened attentively, praising his refined taste.

He found it surprising. The mansion didn’t match Kranaha’s image at all. It wasn’t an imposing or rigid structure, but a Mediterranean-style stone house that used many simple wooden pillars. It was similar to a Tuscan villa, and without realizing it, Nael felt himself relax.

“Do you like my home?”

Kranaha asked.

“If I had known a property like this was on the market, I’d have bought it immediately.”

Nael answered honestly. Aside from the Azani family estate, in terms of pure personal taste, he liked this house quite a lot.

“I didn’t buy it with your preferences in mind, but I’m glad. It’s a place you’ll be visiting often, so it would be troublesome if you disliked it.”

Kranaha finished his wine leisurely. Nael wiped his lips to signal the end of his meal. He didn’t react to the comment about visiting often, he had already assumed this wouldn’t end with just one encounter.

“Let’s take a walk. I want to show you the garden.”

Kranaha suggested a night stroll. Nael accepted without hesitation.

“The garden is beautiful.”

The moment they stepped out the back door of the main house, Nael was genuinely impressed. The rumors of its beauty were not exaggerated. It was nothing like a typical mansion garden. It looked as if someone had taken a portion of a rural valley and shrunk it down behind the house.

Instead of a rectangular swimming pool, there was a natural, irregularly shaped pond-pool. On one side, long stacked stones formed a stream and a small waterfall. On the other, gravel and sand created a shore. A sunbathing area sat beside it.

Behind the house, facing the pond, there were cooking facilities and a bar table, along with a dedicated firepit for camp-style meals. It had been designed so one could enjoy the feeling of a forest campsite without having to travel anywhere.

“If you sit over there, you can rest while listening to the water. And that’s not all. What you see now is only a part of it.”

Noticing Nael’s interest, Kranaha guided him proudly through the garden. Beyond the flowerbeds, deeper inside, they reached a secret door. Inside was a cozy mini-house. He showed that as well.

“How is it?”

Kranaha asked for his thoughts. Nael said all he could say was that it was magnificent.

“Why? Did my answer sound lacking?”

Kranaha suddenly stared at him, looking half dazed, and Nael spoke up in puzzlement.

“No, it’s just… you were smiling happily.”

“What? Sorry, I didn’t hear that properly.”

He couldn’t understand the murmured words and asked Nael to repeat himself, but instead, Nael changed his expression and spoke of something else.

“It seems the night has grown late. You should stay and sleep here, Chancellor Azani.”

Kranaha said this with an altered gaze. Nael looked up at him quietly, then nodded.

“If it is not an inconvenience.”

“There is no need to worry about that, Your Excellency. I consider it the greatest honor of my life that you have graced my home.”

His courteous yet deeply resonant voice echoed through the night garden. It carried a shadowed obsession and a heavy, simmering desire.

“You know how to flatter as well, I see.”

Nael replied calmly and walked ahead. Behind him, the beast followed with unhurried steps.

The host himself kindly guided him to the guest room. The servants who had been visible during dinner were nowhere near the second floor.

After telling Nael to wash and rest comfortably, the host left the room. Nael let out a small sigh, removed the emergency-call watch and set it on the table, then took out his communicator.

“It’s me. Are you still there? …Don’t do that, just go home. I’ll call you when I return tomorrow. Staying? Fine.”

His head of security and the guards had naturally followed him here. But since they had entered Kranaha’s domain, Nael told them to hand over their duties to Kranaha’s security team and go home to rest. Hessler refused. He seemed determined to be ready to rush over at a moment’s notice if called.

“Sorry, but there won’t be a reason for me to leave halfway.”

Nael set down the communicator with a wry smile and headed to the bathroom. He had prepared himself mentally.

What was the big deal about this?

He was simply going to spend a quiet, intimate time with a younger boyfriend for the first time.

“……”

But when he finished showering and went to dry his hair, Nael noticed his own hands trembling.

“Am I afraid?”

Nael clasped his hands together and looked at his reflection in the mirror. A man whose features were distinct from the Germanic white population, the Empire’s mainstream. Compared to others, he had a much softer, less masculine appearance. But he hardly looked feminine enough to be mistaken for a woman. So why was Kranaha…

Was it conquest? A desire for domination? Something along those lines?

Nael steadied his breathing and picked up the dryer. His hair fluttered in the breeze.

After thoroughly drying and neatly combing it, he stepped out of the dressing room. The homeowner had slipped in at some point and was standing by the window. Nael was not surprised. It was inevitable that Kranaha would creep in.

“A drink?”

Kranaha glanced back and asked.

“I’m fine.”

Nael declined and moved toward the bed. Seeing him sit at the foot of it, Kranaha drew the curtains closed.

“Do you need anything?”

“My security team said they’ll stand by all night. Make sure they’re not inconvenienced. Give them proper food as well.”

“I already told the butler. Don’t worry about that.”

Wearing nothing but a gown of his own, just like Nael, Kranaha walked to the bedside table. Nael heard the sound of a drawer opening as he took something out. Nael didn’t bother turning to look. It was surely items needed for the night.

‘What is life, really.’

It was absurd. Even after becoming an Imperial Marshal, getting tangled up with the wrong man was about to ruin his life. He really hated this.

“Oh, that disgusted expression.”

Did his inner feelings show outwardly? Kranaha approached with a sly grin.

“Kranaha.”

Nael spoke calmly.

“Say it.”

“I am a man.”

“I know.”

“I’m thirty-six years old.”

“I know.”

“Honestly, I don’t understand. You feel lust for a man in his mid-thirties?”

“Yes.”

Hearing the curt reply, Nael stared at him in disbelief. Madman.

“Are your questions finished?”

“Admiral Kranaha.”

Unable to endure it anymore, Nael stood up.

“Sit.”

He ordered with the threatening, humorless expression wiped clean from his face. Nael resisted for a moment before biting his lip and sitting down.

“Slowly move back.”

He gestured with his chin toward the head of the bed.

“……”