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Fingering through the neatly filed seeds, I look over his wares. Asparagus, lettuce, and more. “Do you have any daffodil seeds?”
I wish I could’ve held onto the daffodils from that day this past summer. Then I wouldn’t need to spend money on them. But sprinting out of the forest like a shade out of Hades, I know that bag is lost to the woods.
Sighing loudly, he stood. Hunched over, he cracks his back. “Oh yes. I do have some daffodils somewhere. give me a couple of moments.”
He riffles through his many paper packs for several minutes. Eventually he stretches holding a couple of packages.
“Looks like I have three sets. Would you like the whole lot?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Yes please.” I beam.
“Three bronze, one for each.” Smiling, I pull out my coin pouch and count out my coins, handing them to the merchant. “What’re you planning on doing with them?
“Planting. What else would I do with daffodils?” I grin as he hands me the brown packets.
The merchant watches me with a perplexed look. “You know what these symbolize, yes?”
When buying flowers, I don’t owe anyone any explanations. I put on a forced smile.
“They’re flowers. Therefore, they can mean whatever we want them to mean,” I tuck them in my bag. Giving him a curt nod, “Thank you.”
Turning around, the stranger and I stand face to face, a flicker of surprise passes across his features which is quickly replaced by a sheepish expression. His cheeks flushed with a tinge of embarrassment. He stammers incoherently.
“Can I help you?” I press my tongue into my cheek not caring to hide my annoyance. “You’ve been following me for some time now.”
He turns to look behind him and I smack his chest. “Yep, talking to you.”
Pressing my fists on my hips, I narrow my eyes on him. Today isn’t a day to get on my bad side.
“Well, erm—” Stammered the stranger. A solid blush crawling over his face. Yup, dressed smart but left his wits at home.
I raise an eyebrow as I wait for a proper explanation. His awkwardness only heightens my suspicions. The crowd bustling around us fades into the background as my attention remains focused on the enigmatic stranger before me. Something about him feels out of place in this festive atmosphere.
The golden-haired man finally finds his voice and offers a tentative response. “I- I- I apologize. It’s just that… well you seemed familiar to me. Have we met before?”
His question catches me off guard. Narrowing my eyes, I take him in. “You mean, before or after you disrespected Agatha in her own apothecary?”
The man grimaces. “Before.”
Sighing loudly, I mutter to myself Amber eyes and blond hair isn’t exactly a combo easily forgotten. “No, I don’t believe that we’ve met. I would remember someone with your color of eyes,” I reply.
“Likewise,” he replies. “Which is why I thought we have met before my little sunflower.”
Scrunching my nose in revulsion, I take a step back. His little pet name felt so possessive of a name to give to a complete stranger. My voice laced with caution. “Regardless, I don’t appreciate being tailed by someone. You know what day it is.”
“You’re right of course, I should’ve just asked immediately.” Fidgeting with his many rings on his hands, the stranger coughs to clear his throat. Cautiously, he raised his hands. “Anyways, while I got you here, I think I have myself all turned around. I was looking for a local to help me navigate this town… it’s different from the city that I'm used to.”
Narrowing my eyes, I take him in. “A city? Where are you from?” I was not aware of any cities for many leagues.
The golden-haired man examines me before answering, “Mount Cynthus, it’s an average sized city near–”
“Near the coast.” I purse my lips. “Yes, I have heard of it. Sorry, I can’t help you.” Not bothering to give him a reason. After all, he doesn’t need one. We’re strangers. I owe him nothing.
Turning away, I attempted to move quickly to a different area of the festival, but I was not quick enough. His massive hands wrapped are my slender wrists. “Please. You're a local, are you not?”
"Let. Go. Of. Me." I order sternly
The man doesn’t release me.
