My Strange Savior - Chapter 110

Chapter 110

The dress, primarily white, showcased Gia’s slender neckline and rounded shoulder line, emphasizing her ample chest before flowing widely below. 

Intertwined with it, the subtly contrasting and harmonizing blue fabric added a mysterious touch. The beautiful dress, resembling a cluster of lilies, struck a perfect balance, neither excessive nor insufficient.

The hem of the dress, designed to maximize femininity, transitioned from white to a sky-blue shade as it descended. Whether it was the skill of the staff or Gia herself, she couldn’t help but admire her appearance. It felt like someone else. 

Gia nervously fidgeted with her hands, feeling unfamiliar with the transformed image.

Everything seemed delicate as if it shouldn’t be touched. She worried about ruining it. Breathing became cautious, and with each breath, her collarbone became more prominent, highlighting her delicate lines.

Her hair, already intricately woven by the staff, sparkled with small cubic embellishments at every touch. 

‘Is this really me?’

Every movement she made was echoed by her presence in the mirror. It felt like becoming a princess from a fairy tale her mom used to read to her before bedtime.

The fluttering emotions were not singular; various complex feelings intertwined, leaving behind a lingering bitterness. For a brief moment, she tasted the enchanted world of the fairy tale, a dream too blissful to be shattered forever.

It wasn’t something she could have just because she wanted it, or achieved through effort. Time was running out, with only four pills in her possession. A fortnight had already passed since she started taking them, leaving three pills left. It implied she had only three months remaining.

Her mouth felt dry as if she had tasted something bitter. She didn’t wish to be a princess, but if Kalion was the prince, she wanted to be a princess. 

She wanted to dream of a future with him. 

However, her small dream shattered effortlessly.

The fairy tale never concluded with Princess Gia meeting Prince Kalion and living happily ever after. Her blurry face distorted as if about to cry, but Gia tightened her facial muscles against the impending sorrow. There was something she had to do.

In a fleeting moment, tears hid their traces. However, her expression became even more resolute. 

As if determined not to falter, her determined expression did not match the dress at all, almost as if Gia herself thought it didn’t suit her.

“I’ll open the curtains.”

At the employee’s words, Gia climbed onto a small platform. It seemed like there wouldn’t be another occasion to wear such an outfit. 

According to Madam, the clothes to be worn to the palace would be completed by tomorrow morning. Along with Madam’s remark that the almost finished clothes coincidentally found their owner, she gladly handed them over to Gia.

Even the grandiose dressing room, seemingly unavoidable for the Duke Bowers’ commission, looked resigned. Gia cautiously held and fluttered the soft fabric in her hands. 

‘Even if it’s a matchstick flame… It should be fine until all the matches are used up.’

With a relieved heart, Gia slowly looked at the opening curtain. 

Even if she were to face a freezing end, chasing such a futile dream… The memories shared with Kalion inside were real. Wouldn’t that be enough? 

Gia gradually lifted her head.

“Uh…”

“Gia.”

Although she hadn’t even lit the match yet, Kalion was standing right in front of her. Audrey, Ariana, Madam, and the employees were nowhere to be seen.

Piercing red eyes were fixed on Gia. Affection frozen within them surged towards Gia like waves. 

“Uh, how…”

Flustered, Gia turned her head while clutching the skirt with her hands. Suddenly, it seemed that time had passed, and the outside began to dim.

Knowing Kalion’s schedule, who had said he wouldn’t visit the mansion today, Gia bit her lip. Kalion’s gaze, hotter than the sun, enveloped Gia.

One step, two steps. With each step Kalion took, the distance between them narrowed. Gia’s eyes wandered in the void. If Kalion had seen her beautiful self, it would have been fine, but he appeared so suddenly. Embarrassment overwhelmed her.

“Oh, no… I said I was okay…”

Her justifying eyes couldn’t find a foothold and shook, but Kalion’s steps didn’t falter.

“So…?”

Her voice grew smaller, lacking confidence. Gia couldn’t meet Kalion’s gaze and tightly closed her eyes. In a situation much more embarrassing than she thought, Gia’s face seemed to be burning.

Whoosh.

As if catching fire, her ears turned red. Coming to a halt, leaving only a hand’s distance, Kalion, standing in front, grabbed Gia’s cheek with a dazed expression.

The burning sensation wasn’t unique to Gia. Kalion, captivated by the enchanting sight of Gia, seemed to have his breath stolen away. 

“Beautiful.”

When she gently opened her tightly held eyes, a pair of searing red ones took her in.

“Truly beautiful. The most beautiful I’ve ever seen in my life.”

The voice that never ceased, low and heavy, resonated endlessly. Gia’s eyelids trembled at the voice that touched her heart and the accompanying gestures. Then, Gia’s long eyelashes fluttered like waves.

“Gia…”

Kalion, having seen the clear and fine brown eyes within, called Gia’s name and hastily took a breath. 

Would an angel descending from the sky look like this? It was almost a waste to look at her. What if her beauty blinded others? The dress that suited her so well might be regrettable for Gia, but it seemed she wouldn’t wear it after today.

Imagining Gia standing in front of others in this attire, a bubbling warmth surged within Kalion. Kalion internally apologized to Gia for his emotions. 

Was he such a clumsy person? Astonished by his new self, Kalion blamed Gia for the responsibility. It was all because she was too beautiful.

Kalion gently brushed Gia’s cheek. Gia’s head naturally tilted to the side, and it seemed to take the form of being moistened by Kalion’s palm. Although she seemed unaware, Kalion’s heart touched the ground and just rose again with that touch.

Watching Gia’s hand in his, an unknown emotion simmered within Kalion, filled with warmth.

One empty hand went beyond his will and brushed against Gia’s round shoulder, delicate like handling a glass ornament. Kalion’s hand became careful.

“Too…”

“Um, yeah.”

“How can you be so beautiful?”

“Well, it’s not that much.”

Kalion’s eyes were fixed on Gia with a look of injustice. As if hiding her face in embarrassment, Gia pressed her cheek more deeply into his palm.

“Other people might stare at you….”

“Huh?”

“It makes me angry.”

“What are you saying.”

Gia lightly hit Kalion’s shoulder. Is he making such a serious joke because they’re dating? However, Kalion’s expression didn’t loosen at all. He rolled his eyes as if a sworn enemy had appeared in front of him.

“Really.”

Kalion’s eyes, full of frustration, turned to Gia.

“Really… it makes me uneasy.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re too beautiful.”

Gia widened her eyes and looked at Kalion. Kalion’s extended hand was now naturally wrapped around Gia’s waist.

As they suddenly came close, Gia stared at Kalion. Gia, lowering her eyes along the sharp jawline, bit her lips in embarrassment.

‘Is this… Is this it? So, is it the timing to kiss?’

For the first time, thinking about kissing someone, Gia’s heart raced wildly. Gia, who used to show a disgusted look whenever she saw colleagues in the shelter engaging in messy activities, now had a different emotion in her eyes.

The tip of Gia’s chin pressed against Kalion’s palm, moved upward. Gia’s small whimper at Kalion’s continued gaze was soft. Not knowing what this atmosphere was, Gia’s mouth dried up.

Did she brush her teeth? What if her breath smells bad? Countless thoughts crossed her mind, and finally, her gaze landed on Kalion’s lips.

Kalion’s lips closed firmly in a masculine line, looking pleasing to the eye. What would it feel like when her soft lips touched those firm ones?

As Gia slowly lifted her heel, leaving only a few words and a short distance between Kalion’s face, they got closer. Their noses were almost touching.

Licking her lips with her tongue might seem too much, so she had to restrain herself. Gia, trying to prevent her tongue from slipping out to moisten her dry lips, lowered her eyes slightly.

Since Gia had seen and experienced a lot, even though this was her first attempt, she decided she had to skillfully lead Kalion.

“Gia.”

“Huh?”

“Not yet…”

Kalion hugged Gia tightly.

“This is enough for me.”

‘What are you saying? Crazy.’

Gia’s signals seemed to have been transmitted strangely. Was there a wrong frequency?

“I want to cherish you more than anyone else. So… So, I’ll endure it for now.”

‘Don’t en… endur… Is he crazy?’

Why endure? Gia intended to look at Kalion with a bewildered expression as if she had been slapped, but Kalion’s large frame completely covered her.

Since they had hugged before, it was quite familiar. However, today, for some reason, Kalion was holding Gia with an awkward posture, with only his arms around her upper body, possibly to avoid touching her chest.

Seeing Kalion making efforts not to touch her chest, Gia felt a mixture of admiration for his gentlemanly behavior and confusion about whether to applaud. It put Gia in an awkward position.

‘Oh, it’s not just for today.’

While Gia struggled with an incredulous expression, not leaning on him or being embraced, she awkwardly swept Kalion’s broad back with a posture that was neither here nor there.

“T-Thank you?”

Whether he didn’t notice the faintly raised voice or not, Kalion let out a deep sigh.

“I want to cherish you more than anyone in the world.”

“Uh… uh.”

Gia’s reassurance resonated faintly from the depths of her heart.

‘Don’t cherish me too much…’

For a moment, Gia, who had expected the first kiss with her first love, reacted absurdly to Kalion’s words of wanting to cherish and protect her. 

However, she soon put on a small smile, finding this aspect charming.