Escape from an Ancient Civilization Ch 196

Chapter 196 Side Story 18

It had taken quite a while for Nataek to find this place. He had to make sure it matched today’s date, that its facilities were clean, and that it could accommodate his particular requests.

“Beautiful.”

Medeus let out a faint murmur of awe. The interior was filled with flowers and lush greenery. The furniture—chairs and tables—was all made of dark wood, and the curtains resembled the designs they had once seen back in Uruk and Kish. This was the result of preparations Nataek had made months ago, aiming to make Medeus feel as comfortable as possible.

“Do you like it?”

Medeus, his face flushed with delight, answered,

“Yes. How did you find a place like this?”

The scenery that so pleased Medeus didn’t exist anywhere naturally—Nataek had personally arranged for it. But he didn’t bother to explain that.

“I stumbled upon it. Thought coming here with you would be nice, so I booked it.”

Medeus came closer and wrapped his arms around Nataek’s waist.

“Thank you.”

The warmth of that embrace melted away the hurt and jealousy that had lingered within him like snow under the sun.

That’s right. If you’re happy, that’s enough.

Immediately afterward, the self-reprimand followed.

I can’t believe I was this selfish.

Realizing that part of him secretly wanted to be the only one in Medeus’s world, Nataek reflected deeply. Medeus had exposed a side of himself he’d never known existed.

“You can’t thank me for just this. We’ve got a lot more to do together from now on.”

With an affectionate hint in his words, Nataek held Medeus’s hand. But then Medeus pulled away, suddenly looking hesitant. Nataek tilted his head up at him.

Why’s he acting like this? It doesn’t seem like he dislikes it.

Today, Medeus was strange. And Nataek, helplessly swayed, felt his own moods rise and plunge like a rollercoaster. His spirit soared sky-high—then abruptly dropped as if pelted by hail.

Don’t tell me… did something really happen earlier when he went out with Junhee?

“Medeus, what’s wrong?”

“Teresi… actually…”

“Yeah? Tell me.”

Hiding his unrest, Nataek coaxed with a gentle tone.

“The truth is…”

Medeus faltered, like someone about to make a grave announcement. His hesitation only made Nataek more anxious. He held back the urge to pepper him with rapid questions and instead asked evenly,

“Did something happen before?”

“…”

The silence made Nataek’s heart lurch.

“Why—what is it?”

Unable to feign calm anymore, he pulled away slightly and gripped Medeus’s strong arm, asking in a low voice. Medeus studied him—his eyes, his face, his lips—for a long moment as though deciphering something carefully. Then his eyes widened, and he shook his head quickly.

“It’s not that something happened. Actually—actually…”

Medeus didn’t know the impatient streak of Korean temperaments, but Nataek swallowed dryly, summoning every ounce of patience. Then, Medeus dug into his coat pocket and pulled out a small plastic case.

“I wanted to wait for the right time to give this. But now feels like the moment.”

Slowly, he opened it. Inside lay a pair of rings. Stupefied, Nataek stared. Medeus extended the open case to him.

“I wanted to do something for you. Besides, remember how I broke your necklace when I first came here?”

He was talking about the Star Pendant, which had served as Nataek’s ID.

“So I thought I’d give you a necklace in return.”

“…”

“Remember the first day I met Lee Junhee? When you stepped into the kitchen at that house, I made a deal. Instead of money, I said I wanted to buy you a present. And I asked her to keep it a secret from you.”

“With Junhee?”

Medeus nodded.

So… he had taken that job to buy him a necklace. And Junhee had known.

But how had a necklace become rings? There had to be more to the story. In his mind, Nataek pictured Junhee, always quick-witted and sociable.

Could it be…

“But the shop Junhee took me to didn’t have Star Pendants. The kind I wanted was too expensive with what I was paid. I kept insisting I wanted to give you a necklace, but she told me—here, in this era, rings are even more meaningful. That it’s common and expected for lovers to wear matching ones.”

“Lovers…”

Hearing that word, Nataek’s mouth fell open. So Junhee had noticed their relationship. In fact, that was no surprise. Since childhood, she had always instantly seen through the lies he and Jungyeom tried to pull.

So she already knew.

They hadn’t been hiding it, but still, Nataek felt genuine gratitude. Just from how Medeus was now, he could already tell the tone of their conversation—Junhee hadn’t passed a single judgment or negative remark.

“She said things like this need atmosphere, the right mood. So I wanted to think of a better way, but…”

“Ah… you’ve gotta be kidding me…”

Nataek laughed, dragging his palm down his face. The one he had envied and fretted over turned out to be his own future self, the one Medeus had been planning to make happy. The “rival” was nothing but a lover who lived and breathed only for him.

“Ahh… Medeus…”

Nataek chuckled in self-mockery, lowering his hand to gaze up at him. Unaware of those earlier storms inside him, Medeus stood anxious and restless, peering down.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“Of course not. It’s because I was small-minded.”

“What? You’re never small-minded.”

Not even fully understanding, Medeus still argued back instantly, his face looking almost angry.

“Ah… damn. What was I even doing…”

Nataek suddenly lunged in, hugging him tight, swaying side to side.

“You silly puppy.”

“Silly puppy?”

“Yeah. My silly puppy. I’m never letting anyone else have you.”

Medeus didn’t understand, but replied with sincerity anyway.

“Even if you sent me away, I’d never go.”

And once more, Nataek felt his heart soar on wings. He had to admit it—Medeus was the only one who could drag his spirit down into despair and lift it back to the heavens. Grinning, he hugged him tighter, murmuring nonsense sounds.

As they swayed, they bumped against the door. Pulling back, Nataek extended his left hand. Medeus quickly slipped one of the rings onto his finger, though it was loose.

“It’s too big. They said I could get it adjusted.”

Still wearing it, Nataek looped his arms around Medeus’s neck.

“Let’s go together.”

At his radiant smile, Medeus broke into a broad grin of his own.

“Yes.”

“Thank you. I never imagined you’d prepare something like this.”

Glancing around the room, Medeus replied,

“Same for me.”

Fidgeting, he slipped the other ring onto his own finger, then tossed the case away across the floor.

“You can’t just throw it—whoa!”

Suddenly, Nataek’s body tilted. Pressed against the door, Medeus had twisted the knob and swung it open. Nataek stumbled forward, clutching his neck instinctively. Almost as if he had been waiting, Medeus caught him easily, lifted him by the waist.

His feet kicked at the air. Inside the room, furnished like a cozy living room, a large bed sat in the center. Medeus all but dropped him onto it, then climbed over swiftly. Only the warm orange lighting glowed.

“Teresi.”

Flat on his back, Nataek looked up at Medeus, cast red by the low light. Even in the dimness, he felt that hungry gaze. Medeus stroked his lips with a thumb, the metal of a ring brushing his jawline.

What were you thinking when you bought this? You hated relying on strangers. When you walked through an unfamiliar city, wasn’t it frightening?

Nataek was reminded of his own ancient past.

I used to worry constantly… what if we got separated, what if I lost you forever?

You must’ve felt the same, didn’t you?

Even if he had been afraid, his wish to give Nataek a gift had burned hotter, warming the metal ring against his skin.

Stretching out his legs, Nataek wrapped them around Medeus’s waist. As his body gave consent, Medeus eagerly pressed his lips to his.