My Strange Savior - Chapter 109

Chapter 109

Audrey’s maternal instincts were telling her. 

There was a strong premonition that if she let go of this woman now, there would be no other woman in Kalion’s life.

Kalion had never asked anything of his mother Audrey, even as a child. Such a son sent a separate letter to her for the first time.

[I want to be with someone in the future. Please take care of her until I finish my work at the palace and return.]

As befitting her son, who was not verbose, there were no flowery words before or after, but the letter was filled with sincerity. Wanting to be with someone in the future. Her son was neither old-fashioned nor inexperienced.

Audrey vowed to do her best for her son’s happiness, hiding her laughter at the thought that this was an unexpected turn of events, especially since she liked Gia more than she had expected.

Gia, like an innocent child, had an aspect that was not weathered, but everything about her was clear and sincere. Audrey liked that.

Looking at the graceful and kind daughter-in-law who rolled her eyes and shook off her pretenses whenever they met, seeing a gentle and kind daughter-in-law made Audrey overflow with joy.

Moreover, Audrey could see that Gia liked Kalion. The revealed color of affection was so pure that Audrey hoped the two would connect well.

In this situation where the princess, so similar to the emperor, was eagerly eyeing Kalion, Gia was nothing short of the savior of their family. She had to make Gia a member of their family by any means necessary. Audrey, who had already completed the negotiations with Ariana, smiled elegantly.

Unconsciously, they arrived at the dressing room, and the carriage stopped on a quiet road.

Knock, knock.

“Madam, we have arrived.”

With the polite words of the coachman, Audrey knocked on the carriage door. As she did, the high carriage door opened wide.

Stairs were installed to make it easy to get off the carriage, and the coachman reached out carefully.

Even though the dress was fluttering, the two of them got off the carriage so naturally and effortlessly, as if it were second nature.

If that was a skill, then it must be a skill. Gia landed smoothly on the ground as if she didn’t need the stairs. Of course, Gia didn’t need the hand offered by the coachman either.

“Let’s go inside.”

At Audrey’s words, the maids behind quickly moved. The exterior of the shop, which handled the clothes of noble ladies, was also elegant and luxurious to match.

When the maid opened the door, a cheerful middle-aged woman with a good figure came forward with a welcoming expression.

“Hello, Duchess Bowers. My lady.”

The Duchess, who replaced greetings with a nod, stepped aside as if introducing Gia. In an instant, Gia felt a bit overwhelmed, and her hesitant foot stepped backward.

This kind of attention was never familiar to her. Usually, she would instinctively shrink away due to negative attention. Sensing this, Audrey reached out, gently pulling Gia’s arm and placing her by her side.

Ariana approached Gia’s side as well and naturally linked arms with her. In an instant, Gia, standing between the two ladies, was captivated by the flowing skirt of Ariana’s elegant formal attire.

Even though the women around her were weak and would likely crumble with just a touch, Gia stood quietly in her place, as she had no reason to act otherwise.

“Is this the person you mentioned?”

“Madam must have heard the rumors.”

“Oh, yes. Who wouldn’t know about that rumor these days? This foreign warrior who is lending his strength to the empire, isn’t it?”

“That’s correct.”

Audrey, standing beside Gia, proudly shrugged her shoulders as if asserting her superiority.

‘Oh, Warrior…’

How embarrassing can a person be before they die? Gia blamed herself for not precisely inquiring about the contents when Kalion spread the rumors. If Kalion said or done something, anything would have been fine, but Gia blamed herself for not asking for specifics.

“It’s truly an honor for this foreign warrior to visit our shop.”

While watching the madam express gratitude with a bowed head, Gia looked for a place to escape. She despised herself for feeling uneasy even though she was perfectly fine standing on the third floor of the building.

‘Ah… Please… Stop.’

Trapped in their world, the conversation among the three women continued, and Gia’s soul was gradually slipping away in real time.

The more she tried to eavesdrop on the conversation, the more the words pierced her ears.

‘Our Warrior,’ discussions about the good relationship between Kalion and the Bowers, and the growing narrative. Gia’s eyes became hazy as the story lengthened.

‘Please… Save me.’

With a suppressed desire to cry, Gia, lost in her thoughts, opened her eyes to find herself already sitting in what seemed to be a waiting room.

Staring blankly at the steaming tea, Gia snapped out of her daze and lightly slapped her cheeks. How many times did she lose consciousness in a single day? Her mental strength seemed to be draining as if she had engaged in a fierce battle, even though it wasn’t that intense.

“Oh, this would be nice.”

“Madam, how about this?”

“As expected, the Lady has an amazing eye.”

While trying on clothes, Gia seemed absent-minded, and the three people were seriously scrutinizing something as if it were important.

Glancing over, it looked like a catalog – several sheets of paper painted in vibrant colors. As Gia observed, the three people’s gazes focused on her.

“This one, I think this would be nice.”

“This one too!”

“Let’s start making the clothes you’ll wear right away.”

Amid their enthusiasm, Gia was led away by the store’s employees. As she was moved to the other side where curtains were drawn, Gia met the smiling madam’s eyes.

“Shall we begin?”

‘What, what are we beginning?’

Somehow, that smile felt too ominous. 

Gia pressed her lips together, swallowing her sob as she was dragged into the process by the store’s staff.

* * *

Putting on and taking off, then putting on and taking off again. 

Gia lost count of how many times this cycle repeated. Around the sixth or seventh outfit, Gia, who had given up counting, firmly held onto her fading consciousness.

Please, can they stop now? She wanted to shout, but every time the curtain opened, the bright smiles of Audrey and Ariana made the words vanish from within her.

Despite liking them so much, she wondered if wearing a few more sets of these clothes was necessary.

Standing still like a mannequin, the employees effortlessly dressed her. The silk touching her skin was incredibly luxurious. 

Even to Gia, who was new to wearing clothes in this world, it was clear how sophisticated and soft the fabric was. Blushing with embarrassment, she realized how much more elegant she looked.

The curtain rattled. 

When it opened, Audrey and Ariana eagerly gazed at Gia with expectant eyes. The two women, even more excited than before, didn’t spare any sighs or applause each time Gia appeared.

“Oh… Oh my. Lady Gia.”

“It suits you so well, dear. Really.”

Seeing the two of them covering their mouths with their hands, expressing admiration, Gia blushed as if to say she felt embarrassed. The confident attitude seemed to have vanished, replaced by a cautious demeanor as if she had truly become a lady.

“Shall we alter all the clothes you’ve tried on and send them to the Duke’s mansion?”

“Yes, madam.”

Staring blankly at all the clothes she had worn until now, Gia hesitated for a moment before finally reaching out.

“I, I only need one outfit…”

“Don’t make a joke of the Duke’s mansion, Lady Gia.”

Although Gia didn’t understand why having more clothes would make a joke of the Duke’s mansion, when Audrey pleaded with such an expression, Gia had no choice but to agree.

“Shall we try on the last outfit then?”

Gia’s refusal was never heard, and she disappeared behind the curtain once again.

Her hair, elegantly tied up, had been skillfully arranged by the hands of the employees. Looking at herself in the mirror, Gia felt unfamiliar. Did she have this side of her?

She appeared like a well-raised young lady, receiving ample love. Compliments about her smooth skin, a light powder on her face, and a touch of red on her cheeks. The first attempt at makeup brought life to Gia’s face. The glossy shine above her red lips was captivating.

Now appearing like someone ready for marriage, the employees clasped their hands against their chests, blushing. The staff, who had applied various things to Gia’s face, couldn’t help but admire their work.

“You look so good.”

“T-Thank you.”

“Really…”

The awe-struck employees were left speechless, mouths agape. Smiling awkwardly at the exaggerated lip service, Gia thought about how emotional workers in any world might have a tough job and forced a feeble smile.

Still, her face reflected in the mirror didn’t look bad. Thanks to Kalion, she has experienced a lot. 

Lost in thought for a moment, Gia’s mind drifted to Kalion. She wondered what he would say if he saw her like this. Seeing herself playing this aristocratic young lady game, even she finds it amusing. She hopes Kalion finds it beautiful.

During a brief moment of distraction, the jewelry around her neck changed. It wasn’t just the clothes; the accessories changed with each change of attire.

Unaware that Audrey had taken the Bowers family jewels with her on her departure, Gia touched the sparkling gem around her neck with her index finger. Perhaps a diamond? She didn’t know much about gemstones, but she knew they weren’t cheap. 

Even in this troubled world, gems held considerable value.

Diamonds were the only gem Gia cared about, having been preoccupied with the necessities of life. The necklace with a diamond the size of a fingernail might be simple, but it exuded an understated brilliance.

It sparkled iridescently every time it caught the light, and the matching earrings similarly radiated the same glow.

“Please raise your arm.”

At the employee’s words, Gia smoothly extended her arms to the sides. Doing this over ten times had made her accustomed to the motion.

“Oh, my, my.”

“Uh, Lady G-Gia.”

“You’re so beautiful.”

Madam, who had designed this outfit herself, was on the verge of tears.

“To see my masterpiece on such a wonderful owner, I… I could die without regrets…”

“P-Please don’t cry.”

Gia didn’t know what to do and asked the madam to stop. The madam, claiming to be emotional, dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.

Gia shifted her gaze to the mirror in front of her.

There, the Yu Gia who had fought against zombies and humans seemed nonexistent. She had thought all the compliments were just flattery, but looking at her changed appearance, Gia’s lips gently curved.

“Beautiful…”

The word “beautiful” slipped out of her mouth unintentionally.

“Don’t you think so?”

Madam looked at Gia, who was staring at the mirror as if entranced, with a proud expression on her face.