Escape from an Ancient Civilization Ch 116

Chapter 116

Thought it would all be over once that man’s head was taken. Yet the aftertaste of conquest lingered longer than expected. The length wasn’t the problem. The problem was that the aftertaste was being offered to Nataek as well.

“Today we shall hold a grand feast! Everyone, gather in Agade!”

The very person who laid the groundwork for the revels was currently bedridden with injuries, and yet—a feast? Nataek knew perfectly well it made no sense to postpone the banquet because of Medeus, but knowing it didn’t stop his bile from rising.

“Messenger of Inanna, much toil has been yours. It would have been a finer thing if Inanna’s hero were present here as well.”

Samuagon generously understood Medeus’s absence. Since he was understanding anyway… perhaps a little more forbearance could be asked.

Even if he attended, Nataek knew he would be too worried about Medeus to focus. Sitting like a sack of barley in a hall overflowing with joy would only be an eyesore to Samuagon.

“Ensi. There is something to say.”

“What matter is so heavy that it halts thy tongue? Speak freely!”

In the end, Nataek bowed his head and pleaded.

“Though today be an auspicious day, neglecting Lord Medeus’s care would not be wise. Though the attendants serve him with sincerity, should I remain by his side and offer prayers to Inanna, would his recovery not hasten a little? I earnestly beg the breadth of your mercy.”

Lies flowed like water now. And a plea steeped in true feeling would not be turned away by Samuagon.

“My thought was shallow. Today’s glory is the fruit achieved through the hand of Inanna’s hero! Good. Let Inanna’s messenger go and attend him with all devotion.”

“Thank you, Ensi.”

Lest he be detained again, Nataek withdrew at once with the utmost politeness. The moment he passed beyond the Ensi’s sight, he quickened to a near run. As the sun leaned west, his shadow stretched longer.

It was just as he reached the quarters’ entrance.

“The Lion bade us most earnestly: please, just wait a little. I shall go myself and bring the Lion back to you.”

“So you speak thus to keep me imprisoned here?”

“No! That is not—”

Only a few lines, but enough to grasp the situation.

Look at that, look at that. Couldn’t even wait—now grabbing the wrong person to blame.

Nataek hurriedly threw open the door.

Creak—

“Lion!”

“Teresh…”

The attendant might not have seen it, but Nataek clearly caught Medeus’s expression melt in the span of a heartbeat. Fiercely raised brows sank like thawing snow as soon as they found Nataek. Strangely, each tiny shift in manner put him in a better mood. Nataek signaled to the attendant.

“You’ve done well. I’ll take over now—please return.”

“Y-yes, of course!”

Once the attendant hurried out, Nataek shut the door. Medeus’s anxious silhouette stood cast against it. Turning, Nataek looked him over quietly.

“Not even a full day—barely half—and you couldn’t wait?”

“…”

“Was there something you needed? Tell me, and I’ll fetch it.”

“…It’s fine now.”

The way Medeus dropped his gaze irked Nataek more than usual. He tipped his head, stepping into Medeus’s line of sight.

“How are you feeling?”

He reached out and set his hand to Medeus’s forehead.

No fever…? He seems better?

Earlier, even a brush had felt like touching a boiling pot. Now it was hard to tell whether he had a fever or not. Feeling the potion’s effects with relief, Nataek then touched Medeus’s cheek.

“The fever seems settled. How’s the arm? Hey—don’t move it. I’m only asking if there’s any throbbing or the like.”

“It’s nothing. The swelling seems gone.”

“Even so—don’t move it.”

If it was the potion’s effect, the external wound should be completely healed. But that was not something to let the ancients know. A wound cured overnight would be thought unnatural. Best to watch it for at least two or three days.

“Go lie down. The doctor ordered strict rest.”

“Going somewhere again?”

Medeus looked at Nataek with a pleading gaze.

…So he thinks I’ll tuck him in and leave?

He seemed better, and yet still showed the reactions of a fretful child. At least his mind hadn’t fully settled. Nataek gently took his wrist and led the way.

“Where would I go? This way.”

He drew Medeus to the bed and pressed him down to sit.

“I’ve the Ensi’s leave—permission to miss the banquet. He told me personally to tend to Lord Medeus. Even should I wish to go elsewhere, I cannot.”

“…Truly?”

“Yes. Truly. So recline, please. You mustn’t be moving about like this.”

That way, there’s one more reason to cite later: lying abed all day helped you recover faster.

When Medeus tried to sit stubbornly, Nataek bundled him into the bedding, shooing his legs under, pressing his shoulders down, propping the pillow. Only after tucking the quilt over him did he smile in satisfaction and take his temperature again.

Looks like he’s almost well. Ha… what a relief.

As his chest loosened, a sigh of relief escaped. Hearing it, Medeus hesitated and spoke.

“Why the sigh? Is it so hard… being here?”

The voice, less steady than usual, sounded like a child testing the waters. A question from nowhere. Nataek looked at him, baffled.

“Hard? I’m just sitting here. What could be hard about that?”

“…being… with…”

“Pardon?”

The voice was too quiet to catch. Nataek leaned closer.

“Please say it once more.”

He dipped his ear near those red lips; the wavering voice rolled off the tongue and hesitantly spilled its contents.

“Being… with me.”

Being… with him? Is he asking if it’s hard to be with him right now?

If being with someone is “hard,” there are usually two reasons: mental torment, or physical toil. That might have applied in Uruk when Nataek served as Medeus’s attendant. Not in this peaceful room in Kish.

“Sigh… Why would you think that?”

“…”

Medeus offered no reply.

What on earth do you take me for? This much is the least I can do for you. If even being cared for like this makes you self-conscious, what then? I could do so much more…

Wait. More what? Do what more?

Nataek’s face slowly stiffened as his thoughts wandered beyond mere nursing. Medeus, oblivious to the daydreams passing behind those eyes, fell visibly crestfallen. Tugging the quilt to his chin, he said:

“You… don’t have to stay. As you said, I won’t leave these rooms for a few days. You can go without worry.”

That jolted Nataek back to himself. He answered loudly, firmly.

“No!”

“What’s ‘no’?”

“I—well… It’s not that it’s troublesome, or difficult, or that I don’t want to be here.”

“…”

If I leave him be, this idiot will push me away again.

Unacceptable. In a hurry, Nataek lay down beside him.

“It’s true. I can even fit in a nap—what’s not to love? Is it you who dislikes my being here? Because I don’t. I like it—very much.”

“Why… would I dislike it? I don’t.”

Whew… Good. Leave it to him to make a man tense up the moment the mind wanders.

Nataek tucked the quilt snug around Medeus and patted his back.

“If you don’t dislike it, don’t try to send me away. Get a bit more sleep—”

Then he felt a gaze from below. Drawing out the last word, he glanced down at his own chest. Snapping back to himself, he realized he was holding Medeus close, patting him like a child.

Gods! Am I mad? What am I doing, coddling a fully conscious man like this?

They say the first time is the hardest. Once done, it had already become habit, slipping out unconsciously. Medeus looked slightly startled, but soon smoothed his face back to calm.

“S-sorry. I didn’t realize—”

But the apology died at once. Medeus’s strong arm had wrapped around Nataek’s waist. The feel of his brow pressed to Nataek’s chest was as vivid as bare skin.

“It’s all right.”

The low answer resonated out from Nataek’s solar plexus. As if on cue, his heart began to pound. With each heavy thud, a tingling like current spread through his body. The louder his heart grew, the more foolishly it boomed—loud enough to echo in the room. There was no way Medeus didn’t hear it.

Just as Nataek began to ease back, flustered, Medeus tightened his hold as if to crush his waist, then flipped them in one motion. Nataek’s view filled with Medeus’s face—and the ceiling.

Thud, thud, thud—

His heart hammered harder still.

What is… what is this situation?