A God's Mercy (Apollo x OC)

Chapter 17

"A-Aegeus!"

The man's block-like brown face roiled, his large brows furrowing. His grip tightened uncomfortably against Melantriche's shoulder.

"You should not be buying inessential things." He eyed the honey seller with a disparaging gaze. "Especially not from such shady stalls."

Melantriche would have liked to know what about this lovely man's establishment could be seen as shady, but the man only smiled politely.

"And who might this be? A friend of yours?"

"Y-yes, something like that." Slowly, Melantriche pulled her shoulder loose, and Aegeus frowned at her, which she returned with zeal. "I was looking all over for you."

"Forgive me. I lost milady in the crowd. You can never know with this... town."

"W... well, you're here now, so that's all that matters."

"If you're ready, then we'll be going now." He tried to clutch Melantriche's arm again, but she stepped away. He didn't need to grab her, she wasn't an animal.

"Not yet, Aegeus. I was having a nice conversation with this fellow just now." She gestured to the very handsome honey seller whom she neglected to learn the name of, but it would be embarrassing to ask him now. "He was... educating me about the quality of honeycombs."

"Well, if you don't mind me saying so, Madam, as exciting as that sounds it seems highly unlikely to me that you'll be using such knowledge in the future. And," he added with a firm tone that made Melantriche quiver, "I think it unwise to strike conversations with men you don't know. It's unbefitting of your station, Madam."

Melantriche stole a glance nervously at the honey seller, who—thankfully—was still wearing a businesslike countenance as he stared back at Aegeus. She couldn't help but feel ashamed for some reason, though she didn't know exactly for what. She felt like a small child being scolded in public. Stupid Aegeus, he was embarrassing her!

"We weren't doing anything..." she slowly lifted the string of combs for him to see. "He was giving these to me for free..."

Aegeus scowled even more, as if that were even possible. "Isn't that convenient?"

"S-stop it. I won't have you badgering me, Aegeus." Melantriche said in as stern a voice as possible, straightening her back. "It's not in your place to criticize the places I go to shop, and c-certainly not what I buy. If you're so suspicious about this man's wares, even then you'd be there to watch over me while I eat them. So... quit worrying!" Damn. She stuttered. But she said what she meant, and that alone felt like something of an accomplishment... Aegeus stood back, his face hard as rock.

"Then... forgive me, Madam. I was out of line." He uttered quietly. He turned away. "I'll wait over there, at the entrance." He pointed, the he left. As soon as the man was out of sight, Melantriche let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. She pressed a hand to her thumping chest. If there was one thing she understood about herself now, it was that she hated confrontation. Hated it. She turned to the honey seller. He chuckled dryly.

"That was quite... tense."

"I'm so, so sorry about that. He-he doesn't mean any harm, that's just his, uh, his job..." she stared hard at her twiddling thumbs. "You're stall isn't at all shady. I-it's really quite nice, and you seem like an equally exc-exceptional fellow, so thank you."

"Ah, think nothing of it. I get complicated folks all the time. Why do you think I'm so suave, hm?"

Melantriche laughed softly. "Yes. Very gifted with the speech." Unlike me. "... W-well, it was very pleasant, talking with you. And thank you again, for these." She waved the honeycombs softly. "I'll be sure to enjoy them."

"Oh, I'm sure you will." The man batted a wink, his voice strangely dry. "Maybe I'll see you around sometime."

"Uh, yes..." No, that won't happen. "Um, goodbye!" She blurted, turned and rushed away like a waif.

———

The girl was gone now. His gaze lingered on the point in the street where he last saw her. As expected, she really was very cute. He propped his chin with his hand boredly. He sighed.

"A pity."

————

Told you it was gonna be quick. So this chapter's a bit short, but I think we all know what's gonna happen next. Or do we? Anyways I think the next chapter will be relatively short too. Maybe it'll come just as fast as this one?
Also, this chapter is dedicated to Witch of the South Winds, who even though I can't respond directly I'd like to thank very much for giving me such nice feedback. I don't expect people to be all over it, but it makes me really happy when I see people come back for more and even more so: cheer me on. It really helps. So thank you, Witch of the South Winds, for encouraging me!