Escape from an Ancient Civilization Ch 164

Chapter 164

Among the green leaves and the white and yellow flowers, there was a black flower. The flower hung from the stem like a bell. Nataek quickly pointed to it.

“Is this flower, by any chance, a black bellflower?”

The flower seller looked down at the basket and nodded vigorously. Seeing the black bellflower, a brief conversation with Medeus flashed through Nataek’s mind.

‘So, what’s your favorite flower?’

‘Hmm… My favorite flower… I like the black bellflower.’

It was the flower that Medeus said he liked. The flower seller’s eyes twinkled as she looked at Nataek. To the seller, Nataek was just a customer buying flowers.

Nataek bent down to peer into the basket.

“Shall I pick one for you from this?”

“Is that all the black bellflowers you have?”

“We also have white bellflowers here! Mixing the colors will make the black ones stand out even more!”

White suited Medeus better than black. Imagining Medeus covered in flowers, a dog with flowers tucked between its fur smiling brightly came to mind. A smile involuntarily curled on Nataek’s lips. He pointed to the basket.

“First, give me all the black bellflowers, and mix in other pretty flowers nicely. Don’t worry about the money; pick the most beautiful ones.”

The flower seller’s strategy to “Capture the Fool in Love” succeeded. Previously mistimed, this time it hit perfectly. The seller smiled brightly, took Nataek’s hand, and led him to a building wall in the market. Sitting down there, she began rearranging the basket—placing the black bellflowers in the center, surrounded by white bellflowers, leaves, and colorful flowers one by one.

“I understand the desire to give a large and beautiful bouquet for great love. I’ll make the most beautiful flower basket in the world for you!”

Nataek crouched beside her and took out a silver pouch from his bosom.

“My lover likes black bellflowers a lot. It’s his favorite flower. Do you think he’ll be happy if I give these?”

The flower seller paused and looked gently at Nataek. Then she pouted and smiled so brightly that her eyes curved.

“In truth, flowers are gifts that enrich the heart more than the eyes. If we judged only by beauty, we could buy jewelry or expensive fabric, which can be resold for silver or shown off to others later! But flowers are not such things. Even knowing they will wilt quickly, they are given only for the joy of the receiver! For your lover’s happiness! So surely he’ll be glad. The thought behind the gift will come across even better. Especially if you picked his favorite flower! And one thing—if you surprise him with the flowers as a gift, he’ll be several times happier, don’t you think?”

Nataek was caught in thought.

“He’ll come here soon, and with such a large basket… how do I surprise him?”

The flower seller, as if she were Cupid herself, rolled up her sleeves for Nataek’s matter. She took the old cloth draped on her arm and covered the basket, then handed it to Nataek.

“If you do it like this, he won’t notice a thing.”

Her hands moved like a flying squirrel. At that moment, a laugh burst from Nataek’s lips. He spoke romantic words, but her actions revealed her to be nothing more than a skilled salesperson.

“Yes. Perfectly disguised.”

Even the seller was so pleased—the receiver would be even happier, right? She should be.

Imagining Medeus holding the flower basket, Nataek took out silver and paid. The flower seller smiled broadly and handed over the basket. A secret deal was made between the two crouching beside each other. They each took their benefits and smiled proudly. Suddenly, a large shadow fell behind them.

“…Teresi.”

Nataek slowly turned around.

“Oh, you’re here.”

The shadow’s owner was Medeus. Nataek jumped and hid the basket behind his back. Medeus’s burning gaze flicked between Nataek and the flower seller.

“What are you two doing here?”

The seller quickly pocketed the silver after finishing her business. Then she linked arms with Nataek. The scene unfolded before he could protest. She shot a gleaming look at Medeus.

“Today is an incredibly happy day for me. I met such a wonderful Sumerian! Have a happy day today, too. Thank you, Sumerian!”

She blew a kiss to Nataek and skipped away brightly.

“Uh…”

The sudden contact flustered Nataek. Veins bulged on the back of Medeus’s clenched fist.

“Teresi. You…”

“Misunderstanding, no.”

“What misunderstanding? What were you doing sitting side by side with that author?”

“We were talking. I was just buying something…”

But Medeus’s expression didn’t ease. Nataek firmly gripped the basket he hid behind his back.

Ha… Surprise gifts, huh?

It wasn’t a grand event, just something small to cheer him up. Yet even that was not easy. His relationship with Medeus had been full of ups and downs from the start. Unforeseen situations happened even more often.

Medeus held some herbs bought from a herbalist. He might have been sweating from running here. He bit his lip.

“This isn’t right…”

At Nataek’s sigh, Medeus’s dark brown irises fixed on him. Nataek took hold of Medeus’s wrist and pulled him along.

“Come see this.”

But Medeus planted his feet firmly and resisted. Nataek tried a second time to pull his wrist.

“I have something to show you. Quickly, quickly.”

Still unyielding, Nataek lightly lifted the basket covered with cloth to show it.

“Aren’t you curious about what we talked about?”

Medeus’s eyes snapped dangerously.

“Come on, tell me.”

Pulled once again, Medeus had no choice but to be led. Nataek stopped in a narrow alley beside a market entrance. As they left the crowd, Nataek displayed the basket.

“That woman, the flower seller from before. I was buying this to give to him…”

He cautiously uncovered the cloth; a few flowers fell even with the careful movement.

“I knew it. The flowers fall quickly.”

Disappointment filled Nataek’s face. Seeing this, Medeus’s furrow slowly softened.

“…Why did you suddenly buy flowers?”

Nataek took the basket from Medeus’s hand and set the empty basket down for him.

“You said you liked black bellflowers.”

Medeus, still shy from his anger, couldn’t fully smile. But even his pursed lips clearly showed he was feeling better.

“You bought this to give to me…?”

“I haven’t given you a proper gift before, right? So when the flower seller passed by, I quickly bought these.”

Medeus bowed and brought his nose to the basket to smell. The deeper he breathed, the more his face blossomed into a smile.

In that moment, all the worries in Nataek’s head vanished instantly. Medeus holding the basket was far prettier, cuter, more lovable, and heart‑throbbing than he’d imagined.

Ha… I wish I could take a picture of this.

Without a camera, the moment felt so disappointing. If only he had a phone, it would have been perfect for a profile picture.

He soothed his disappointment with imagination: capturing this moment of Medeus, choosing the best photo, and setting it as his wallpaper and messenger profile picture.

He pictured himself opening that photo any time Medeus wanted to see it, before sleeping or when bored. The image made him laugh again. Lost in this ridiculous fantasy, he didn’t notice Medeus starting to look at him oddly.

“Teresi. Why are you so cheerful?”

Ah.

Snapping out of it, Nataek met Medeus’s gaze.

“Nothing. Just…”

He was not the type to daydream much and was surprised at himself. To think of phones in the ancient world was absurd, and to daydream of a profile picture with Medeus was even more so. The vividness of the scene made it even more ridiculous.

Until recently, he’d never even thought of dating a man—and yet here he was, accepting Medeus so naturally.

I must really be smitten.

“Come on, what is it? Why did you stop talking mid-sentence?”

Medeus came closer. His solid body exuded a fresh scent mingled with the bouquet’s fragrance. His once sharp eyes were now gently lowered. Medeus twisted his head to inspect Nataek while still holding the bouquet close.

“What is it?”

Medeus urged again. Nataek finally let out a sigh mixed with a smile.

“Just because it’s pretty. I bought it because I thought it would suit you, and actually it does, so I feel good. You’ve let go of your misunderstanding, right?”

“Um…”

Pretending to hesitate, Medeus let his voice trail off and slowly bowed his head to Nataek.

“I cleared that up, but haven’t cleared my heart.”

Startled, Nataek looked up at him.

“How can I clear your heart?”

“Do you really want to clear my heart?”

“…Yes?”

Suddenly the flow felt odd. Blinking, Nataek just watched; Medeus’s drooping eyes grew heavier. Nataek hurried to answer.

“Of course. Isn’t that obvious?”

He didn’t know why the pretty bouquet had brought such a turn, but he said so. Medeus tucked the basket under one arm and grasped Nataek’s arm.

“Then I’ll tell you how.”