I am gay

Eight Hours Later:

“You came early,” Israel muttered when Daniel entered the training room. He was seated on the floor, gently slipping from a bottle of wine. Two untouched bottles remained in his front.

“My Lord,” Daniel bowed at Israel.

“Where are the rest? I mean Timber, Justin, and Frank. I thought you were all going to come together. Or aren't you brothers yet?” Israel furrowed his brows and raised his head to face Daniel.

Daniel was surprised to see the Lord's eyes red and swollen, and he wondered if he got into a fight, “Frank would soon arrive, he went to pick Timber. As for Justin, he said he would find his way alone,” he replied politely.

“Argh, Justin! He's always trying to act maturely. I have warned him many times to stop trying too hard,” Israel murmured and smiled broadly. “Would you care to join me before the rest arrive?” He asked Daniel.

“Humm, if it is allowed, then sure, why not?” Daniel replied with a nervous smile.

He didn't know why people were nice to him, and he was supposed to feel great about it, but it just made him feel bad. He was sad that they would all be mad at him if they found out his true mission, especially Frank. But he couldn't back down, he had to do this for his brother and mother.

Israel laughed at his shyness, “Stop acting like a stranger around me, feel free,” he advised when Daniel took a seat beside him. Israel handed him one of the untouched bottles, and Daniel collected it, muttering ‘Thank you.’

They both quietly sat down on the floor for a while. None of them spoke, but their minds were bothered.

Israel was thinking about Henry and the negative impact his kiss might have on their friendship. He was trying to figure out if he was ready to commit to someone else. But more than anything else, he wanted to know if what he was feeling was love, and he'd like to know how Henry felt about him too.

Daniel on the other hand was thinking about Lazarus. He couldn't explain what he felt for him, and he felt angry with himself for disappointing his brother. He knew he wouldn't only get killed if his motives was discovered, his brother could also lose his life, and that's what frightened him.

“Have you ever felt confused and unsure about what you want?” Israel asked, breaking the silence.

“Huh?” Daniel was surprised at the lord's question, and he gulped down half of the content of the alcoholic substance before replying to him, “I don't understand what you mean, My Lord,” he replied.

“Have your body ever wanted something, while your heart wanted another thing? Or have you and your heart want the same thing, but you can't afford it, not because of the cost, but because of personal conflict?” Israel asked.

Daniel laughed anxiously, wondering how he would answer the question. He had felt that way before, in fact, he had felt it many times. He was at a point in his life where he had to choose, and he wasn't sure about what he truly wanted.

“Your Majesty, I think it's fine if I say that I have felt that way before. At one time or the other, everyone must have felt like that. To be fair, I think the problem is with us, we tend to want something out of our reach, something we just can't have no matter how hard we try,” Daniel answered, thinking of Lazarus.

“Something out of our reach?” Israel looked surprised, and he nodded his head thoughtfully, “You're right, somethings are out of our league,” he agreed.

“I doubt anything is out of league for a Lord,” Daniel replied, and Israel burst into laughter.

“You're wrong, something isn't just out of the league but impossible. We can't always eat our cake and have it. It's not everything I want that I have. For example, if I want you, will you be submissive to me?” Israel asked, directing his question at Daniel.

The strange question caught Daniel by surprise, and he furrowed his brows, “You cannot want me, My Lord. I am nobody, I have no inheritance or possession. I am strange and weird. There's nothing I have to offer, that's why no one can ever want me. Moreover, I am a man,” he bowed his head in shame. Daniel had indeed lost all his parent's properties, he had nothing, not even money.

“I just used it as an instance. I didn't mean I wanted you. But, how you sounded made me more curious about you,” Israel said to him.

“There's nothing to know about me. I have no relatives,” Daniel replied, with a solemn voice.

“I am guessing you were banished from your previous country,” Israel retorted, taking a sip from his drink.

“No, not really. My parents and siblings are no more. They're gone, I am alone,” Daniel sounded so down as he remembered the way his brother protected him. “I was supposed to protect, but my cowardly behavior got to me,” he continued.

“Ohh, your story reminds me of what happened to Lazarus,” Israel confessed.

“You mean the king has lost someone dear to him before?” Daniel looked shocked.

“Why do you look so shocked? Doesn't he look like someone who can mourn?” Israel asked with a sarcasm-filled voice.

“Well…. He acts so toughly,” Daniel muttered, just enough for Israel to hear.

“Beneath every tough man or woman, there's a tale. Some people's stories might be pathetic, while some serve as a lesson. But everyone has a story to tell. Also, most of the tough people you see have a demon they're battling with. They hide their weak and insecure selves under a facade of strength,” Israel explained to Daniel like a wise soothsayer.

“Humm, your words are so wise,” Daniel reasoned deeply, “But I am curious though, what has a strong man like the king been through before?” he asked with raised brows.

Just as Israel was about to talk, the door was opened and Justin entered. He was surprised to see Lord Israel drinking with a commoner like Daniel, but he quickly bowed in respect.

“I guess it's a story for later,” Israel whispered to Daniel and stood up.

“Thank you very much for this rare opportunity. It was an honor talking with you,” Daniel stood up and bowed.

Israel smiled at him, and walked out of the training room, patting Justin's back.

“What were you talking about with the Lord? Let me guess, you were begging for money,” Justin's spiteful words echoed in the room, “I guess you don't know but Lord Israel is straight. He isn't interested in men, and can't bring himself to stand beside one,” he said with a jealous tone.

Daniel didn't want to reply to Justin, but he was tired of hearing the man insult gays like it's a shameful thing.

“I am guessing Lord Israel told you about his dislike for one's sexuality, right?” He asked with a plain tone.

“Mind your business, cunt!” Justin yelled at him with a depressed voice.

“What exactly is your problem with me and gay? If you're one, just say it. I wouldn't judge you. Or can it be that you're interested in me? Because the way you know what the king and his Lords like is very suspicious,” Daniel replied with a gentle voice. He wasn't trying to taunt or tease Justin, and he didn't care if he sounded like he was. All he wanted to know was why Justin was always targeting him.

“Interested in you?” Justin scoffed, and spit on the floor, “Even if I am given the chance to touch your body for free, I will kill the person that brought up the idea,” he said.

“Humm,” Daniel hummed softly, “That's exactly what I want to hear. So you're gay. Ahh, I should have known earlier. That's why someone would ask if you want to fuck a man. You will kill the person to have me for yourself. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me,” he said with a cunning voice and dropped the bottle of wine.

Justin looked shocked, he wanted to talk, to fight about his real sexuality, but he couldn't, because Daniel was right.

Daniel patted him on his shoulders, and whispered into his ears, “It will only be fair if I tell you one of my secrets. Guess what, I am also gay, and one of the courtiers is hitting on me.”

“What…?” Justin widened his eyes in shock. At that moment, Frank and Timber entered, accompanied by Lord Astro, Remy, and two other men.