My Strange Savior - Chapter 106

Chapter 106

A woman with a balanced blend of gentleness and strength looked at Gia with a kind expression. 

The gaze felt strangely warm, adding to the already misunderstood fatigue. Gia wasn’t sure how to handle the situation.

“Why don’t you rest for a bit, and then we can have a meal together. We’ve been too much, haven’t we?”

Gia shook her head, saying it was okay.

“I’m sorry. It’s been a long time since we had guests. Can you understand?”

“Yes, of course.”

In response to Gia’s answer, the middle-aged woman signaled to a young girl sitting nearby. With her mother’s gaze, the girl slowly stood up and approached Gia. 

Though she had black hair like Kalion, her eyes seemed to resemble her mother’s, revealing a hint of blue.

Kalion’s family welcomed Gia with faces identical to Kalion’s. Ah, this must be Kalion’s sister. The atmosphere exuded a familiarity similar to Kalion.

When Gia looked at her, the face that looked like a high school student brightened. The girl, holding the edges of her skirt, greeted them with a clean and clear face that seemed untouched and pure.

“I’m Ariana, Kalion’s younger sister. I’ve heard a lot about you from my brother. I’ll guide you to the place where you’ll be staying for a while.”

Enchanted by the girl’s warm voice, Gia stood up as if in a trance. What did Kalion say about her? Embarrassment flushed Gia’s face again.

In reality, even without asking, Spencer’s words echoed in her ears. Rey, who was beside her, naturally took Gia’s hand and stood up.

“Yes.”

Guided by the gentle voice of Ariana, Gia walked down the corridor and stole a fleeting glance at Ariana’s back, the epitome of a serene woman.

Ariana, though still in her teens, was destined to become a remarkable beauty once she reached adulthood. Inheriting the superior genes of her parents, Ariana possessed a captivating appearance that would not go unnoticed anywhere.

Having seen Kalion’s parents, Gia could now guess where his handsome face came from. It seemed Ariana was no exception. Gia nodded in acceptance and continued to follow her.

“Isn’t my brother quite taciturn?” 

Ariana asked Gia with a soft voice, breaking the silence of the path.

“Well…” 

Gia hesitated to answer, realizing that his initial impression of Kalion was no longer accurate.

“It seems not for you, Lady Gia. He even left a letter to me, specifically asking me to take good care of you. He’s not usually like that.”

Feeling special treatment from Kalion was not unpleasant. Realizing that Kalion, recognized as indifferent by his family, was affectionate towards her in a limited way, Gia’s heart fluttered without any specific reason.

Ariana smiled knowingly, not asking directly but acknowledging Gia’s feelings. Her smile, like sunshine breaking through, looked adorable on a girl of her age.

Kalion’s family turned out to be genuinely nice people, even better than Gia had thought. Perhaps the impact of inadvertently being exposed to the drama playing on TV every morning, thanks to the caretaker, had influenced her perception.

“I didn’t expect such warm hospitality. It’s not that tiring, but…”

Gia trailed off, feeling awkward about creating unnecessary trouble.

Ariana widened her eyes in surprise, asking what Gia meant with her gaze.

“No, no. It’s our fault for not considering how challenging your journey must have been. We were quite curious about you.”

“Me?” 

Gia wanted to know what was written in the letter, especially since Kalion wasn’t around to ask. Spencer mentioned that he saw only the last paragraph, but even as he passed by, he hinted that the letter was filled with stories about her.

“It’s intriguing, isn’t it? An older brother who seems uninterested in dating or marriage falling for a girl.”

“Uh, ye… yes.” 

Gia uttered a strange sound. Embarrassment flooded her face, making it even hotter. 

How could it get any warmer here? 

Overwhelmed by the stifling feeling creeping up her throat, she attempted to unbutton her collar to cool down, but Gia soon withdrew her hand.

Can’t afford to appear unkempt. Gia nervously fiddled with her hands.

“Is my brother treating you well?”

“Yes? Yes, of course.”

Eyes sparkling with curiosity about her brother’s love life, Ariana gazed at Gia. In the innocence of that look, Gia could only stutter. Despite all the talk about how well and affectionately Kalion treated her, Gia’s face wasn’t thick enough to endure the praise.

“I never thought my brother would be in a relationship. Oh, please don’t mention I said that.”

Ariana, with a sly smile, let out a light laugh.

“Uh, sure.”

“Even if any young ladies try to approach, he always responds indifferently. Looks like they were all after him.”

There was a hint of discussions about her mother and brother in Ariana’s usual talks. Ariana, who had blurted out what mothers commonly discuss, shook her head.

“So, I gave up on matchmaking early on. My brother’s stubbornness is no joke. His personality is so stubborn that if he says ‘no’ once, it’s as good as dead.”

“Oh… I see.”

Gia hesitated on which tone to adopt. Unsure of how to respond together, she held back from talking about Kalion, whom she liked. For no reason, she fidgeted with her fingers, wiping the sweat running down her palm on her thigh.

“So, who might take away that man… I mean, my brother. It wasn’t just my mother and me worrying about it. Still, it’s such a relief that you appeared just like this. Otherwise, my brother might never get married, and… Huh. Let’s just say you didn’t hear this conversation.”

Gia had heard enough, so she forced a smile.

“Sis!”

Rey’s suddenly raised voice was filled with excitement. 

Uncomfortable with talking to unfamiliar people in an unfamiliar place, Gia blinked and looked at Rey, who was holding her hand and gazing up at her desperately.

“Huh?”

“Are you dating the knight? Are you getting married?”

“What?”

Interrupted by Rey’s sudden enthusiastic question, Gia stopped in her tracks.

“Why?”

Why… why indeed? Unable to find the right words, Gia stood with her mouth agape. Just as she was about to speak, Ariana, who had turned around, came back.

“Oh, didn’t you know? Lady Gia and my brother Kalion are in a pink….”

“Hmm, hmph.”

“Oh my, oh my. Hey, why are you doing this?”

Ariana wasn’t the only one surprised by Rey’s choked expression. Gia, too, filled with tears, quickly knelt in astonishment at Rey’s contorted face.

“Why? What’s going on? Why are you like this? Is something bothering you?”

“Sis… hmmpf.”

In a short time, the sniffing Rey, with tears streaming down, cried out as if feeling unjust.

“You agreed to marry me!”

“Oh my.”

Ariana’s eyes lit up with amusement at the newcomer’s blunt confession.

“Me? With me?”

“Sis is going to marry me!”

“Wasn’t that…….”

Seeing Gia, who had no recollection at all, Rey couldn’t hold back and finally shed tears sadly.

“Sis is a liar!”

“Oh, no, it’s not that Sis is a liar. I really can’t remember…”

“I hate you, Sister!”

Standing as if nailed to the spot, Rey cried loudly, and Gia, trying to comfort him, sweated profusely. Only then did she recall Rey’s determination to marry her while drawing a picture.

She thought it was just something kids of that age often say. But it turns out it was this sincere. Sweat beaded on Gia’s forehead, who had become the merciless crusher of a man’s innocence.

“I… I was like that. I was really bad.”

“No, sis! You weren’t bad!”

What was she supposed to do? Gia sent a pleading look to Ariana. With the hem of her elegant dress held in one hand, Ariana hesitatedly sat near Rey.

“Girls usually don’t like guys who cry.”

“C-cry.”

At Ariana’s casually thrown remark, Rey bit his lower lip to hold back tears.

The determination of a boy who had just turned eight not to shed tears was evident on Rey’s face.

Is this such a big deal? 

Gulp. Gia’s gaze, swallowing her saliva, busily moved between Ariana and Rey.

“Your name is Rey, right?”

“Yes, hmp.”

“It’s not like he’s going to marry her anytime soon, is it?”

“Yes.”

What is she saying to a child? While not even understanding the predicament of being in a situation where marriage is an unthinkable dream, the family members act as if she were already going to marry Kalion. 

Should she clarify this? Gia supported her forehead with her palm at the thought of the dizzying future that made her lightheaded.

“That means there’s still a chance.”

“A chance?”

Don’t agree! Don’t agree. Gia watched in horror as Ariana spat out the ridiculous words in a very serious manner.

“Yeah. If you become a better guy… who knows.”

Who knows what? Marrying a child like this is a crime even when you’re grown up. Gia, caught between the two, wanted to become a handful of ashes. Gia’s hands trembled.

‘Why is shame always my share?’

Shame, never experienced by anyone, rushed over Gia like a tidal wave.

“That chance might come sooner than you think.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. If you want to seize that chance, what do you think you should do?”

Please, stop being serious. Stop talking. 

Gia, crying inside, wanted to cover Ariana’s pretty mouth that was opening wide.

Although she looked similar to Kalion in appearance, she was a completely different child. When Gia realized the huge misunderstanding about Ariana, it was already too late.

“What do I need to do to make that happen?”

Rey, mimicking Ariana like a parrot, had almost become a devoted follower. Unfathomable trust overflowed from Rey’s eyes.

“You need to prepare to seize that chance.”

“Prepare?”

“Yeah. What do you think my brother is like?”

“Um… He’s really strong. Handsome… and he seems rich too.”

The innocent statements continued.

“That’s right. Why do you think Miss Gia met him?”

“Because he’s strong, handsome, and rich!”

As if stating the correct answer, Ariana patted Rey’s head with an air of satisfaction. 

Don’t act satisfied! 

Gia, silently pleading, was already beyond the concern of the two.