My Strange Savior - Chapter 111

Chapter 111

‘This is how my Kalion should be.’

The heart that had been racing calmed down, and Gia fixed her gaze on Kalion while coaxing him. 

Looking past Kalion’s broad shoulders, she saw his mother, younger sibling, and even Madam, all holding hands behind the curtain, secretly watching the two embrace with teary-eyed smiles.

Uncertain about what had moved her, the Duchess wiped away tears with a handkerchief. 

Gia awkwardly distanced herself from Kalion. As she tried to step back, Kalion, unwilling to let her go, took a step forward.

“Look… there she is.”

“Yes?”

Closing his mouth and leaning in to better hear Gia’s murmured words, Kalion listened intently.

“Your… mother is watching us.”

“Oh.”

Only then did Kalion straighten up, separating himself from the support he had lent Gia earlier. The lingering sense of regret gradually faded away.

“Mother, how have you been? Ariana, too.”

Kalion’s formal greeting left little room for further secret glances, as the maids burst out from behind the curtain.

“Yes. You seem quite healthy, fortunately.”

“Hello, brother.”

Madam, who had reluctantly joined the group, neatly folded her handkerchief. The atmosphere between the long-unseen mother and child was colder than expected.

“Anyway, how have you been?”

“What do you mean?”

Observing Kalion sending Gia away, the Duchess narrowed her eyes. Her son, who had never paid attention to women, now started behaving unexpectedly. Despite finding it somewhat endearing, the Duchess bit her lip.

“Dresses that suit you and your partner, Gia.”

“Partner? I mean… Thank you for your concern.”

Gia, trying to dismiss the idea of being a partner, waved her hands, while Kalion, standing behind her, smoothly expressed gratitude.

Seeing Kalion openly embrace her in front of his mother, Gia felt dizzy. 

Wasn’t he supposed to be a character indifferent to such things? Astonished, she, who had expected Kalion to be nonchalant, couldn’t help but be flustered by his overt concern.

Regardless of time and place, jealousy from mothers-in-law towards their daughters-in-law was not uncommon. It was the same even in the shelter that barely survived with few people. 

People’s lives were similar everywhere, and those who lived through each day with the constant threat of death were no different.

Although it was a distant memory, Hyun-woo came to Gia’s mind. A fellow Asian, he was a remarkably normal person compared to other shelter residents. He lived with his mother and fell in love with Erin, also a Reinforcement human and a member of the defense force. 

Despite the ever-present tension due to zombies, their lives were no different from those of ordinary people. Gia, being a fellow Asian, sent her heartfelt congratulations to Hyun-woo.

However, Hyun-woo’s face, who hosted the wedding, became increasingly gloomy as the days went by. Seeing shadows darken his face, which should have been happier than anyone else’s, Gia began to wonder. It didn’t take long for her to realize that it wasn’t the typical joy of a man immersed in the pleasures of newlywed life.

Caught between the two women, Hyun-woo changed day by day, losing vitality in his face. Despite the dwindling numbers of people at the shelter, Hyun-woo continued to live with Erin, mourning his mother.

Rumors circulated that Hyun-woo’s mother vehemently opposed Erin, saying she wouldn’t stand idly by if they divorced. Younger women supported Erin, while those in the same age group sided with Hyun-woo’s mother. 

Among the younger women, there were foreigners, but also many from East Asia. They criticized Hyun-woo and his mother in unison, hurling colorful insults at Hyun-woo for abandoning his mother.

Gia had no particular thoughts, but the situation felt like a part of the sensational dramas middle-aged women watched in the morning.

In the end, Hyun-woo and Erin’s marriage, which started with support and opposition, ended abruptly within a year. Thanks to Hyun-woo, Gia, who had uncovered Erin’s true colors, couldn’t forget the words Erin left on her last visit.

“Gia… never get married. Especially not with a man who has a widowed mother… No.”

“Huh?”

“Just don’t do it.”

“Why?”

“If I say don’t do it, then don’t do it.”

There seemed to be swearing in the background. Erin, in a voice devoid of all soul, sternly warned Gia. The genuine concern in Erin’s words, not wanting another victim, was palpable. Erin’s dry eyes glinted as she gripped Gia’s shoulder.

“Marriage isn’t something you should do.”

“Uh…”

“Someday, if you think you can entrust your whole life to this man, that moment will come.”

“Uh, okay.”

“Just endure that.”

Erin’s murmurs seemed scarier than when she caught zombies, at least in Gia’s imagination.

“Just endure that moment… just that moment…” 

Erin’s mumbling had an eerie tone.

“Remember.”

“Yeah, yeah, got it. I’ll remember.”

Just turning twenty, Gia nodded cluelessly. It seemed like madness flickered in Erin’s eyes. 

After that day, there were rumors that Erin had moved to the Eastern Shelter. Hyun-woo, on the other hand, ended up living with his mother and, according to the news, died in action during a mission. 

According to a colleague who went on missions with him, he seemed detached and unresponsive after parting with Erin. It was likely that it affected the operation.

It was a tragic ending. If the three of them had lived well together, Hyun-woo might not have met such a miserable fate. Although it had already happened, Gia couldn’t forget Erin’s final plea.

Erin’s voice, vehemently opposing marriage, echoed like a haunting warning. 

‘Then what should I do… Time is already set.’

Erin’s words, regardless of Gia’s will, pressed against her throat, reminding her that she couldn’t be with Kalion until the end.

‘Marriage with Kalion.’

Looking at the strong back blocking her way, Gia wondered if this moment was the very moment Erin had mentioned. 

‘The moment when you think you can entrust your whole life to him.’

Gia weakly tried to pull Kalion’s sleeve, but his large hand engulfed her fingers instead. Whether Kalion was unaware of the presence of his mother or pretended not to know, he held Gia’s hand and intertwined their fate even deeper.

“Ah, my, my.”

The lady next to them fanned herself, covering her mouth with the fan, and sighed. Kalion’s mother had wide-eyed amazement at her son’s appearance, and his younger sibling had a similar reaction.

Seeing Gia, who looked rather displeasing at first glance, awkwardly raised the corners of her mouth like a doll and let out a forced laugh. 

“Oh, no, this is… well…”

“Right… Right. Admirable.”

‘Huh?’ 

Gia’s lips, about to offer an explanation, sealed shut. What was admirable?

The rumor about Kalion turning blue might have some truth to it. The Duchess, who had spent sleepless nights worrying, was now more than satisfied with the current situation. She could breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that her son wasn’t turning blue and, more importantly, that he was a normal man who knew how to cherish his bride.

The issue wasn’t that Kalion was turning blue. Kalion was her child, and he had never shown emotional fluctuations. If the Duchess hadn’t witnessed this moment with her own eyes, she would have found it hard to believe for a lifetime.

There was no doubt that the young lady who brought about this change in Kalion was grateful. 

Moreover, she had already won the hearts of these women. It hadn’t been long since they met Gia, and although the Duchess didn’t know everything about her personality, for some reason, she felt that if it were her, Gia would make a suitable match for Kalion.

The Duchess couldn’t help but appreciate Gia for transforming the usually stern Kalion.

Kalion’s affectionate tone was directed towards Gia.

“Gia, have you had your meal?”

“Oh, um… not yet…”

Gia glanced at Audrey and Ariana, formulating her response.

“Since there are guests at home, let’s go and have our meal there.”

Audrey, casually tapping her chin, passed by Kalion and Gia. A meal with the future daughter-in-law, such joy couldn’t be missed.

Ariana, with a fist bump to Audrey, exited the dressing room.

Kalion looked at Gia. 

“Shall we go?”

“Le-Let’s.”

“Is it okay?”

“What’s not okay? And even if it’s not, what can we do?”

While Gia’s words were nonchalant, Kalion’s state became more serious.

“You don’t have to go.”

“Huh?”

“If you don’t like it, I don’t like it either.”

“Well, well. I just said something.”

“Even a passing remark… I won’t let it slide.”

Kalion’s hand, holding Gia’s, felt warm. Seeing his red eyes earnestly looking at her, Gia’s face turned as red as his eyes.

He doesn’t have to say he likes her; he can express it in this way. Watching Kalion act as if she was the only one visible, Gia felt a strange satisfaction emanating from the tips of her toes.

As if… she’s the priority. That’s why her heart keeps fluttering.

Even after putting everything aside, she felt more important to Kalion than his parents who had raised him. It made Gia’s heart float.

Kalion, you’re a strange man.

Kalion’s cool palm came to Gia’s reddened face. His touch, gently caressing her cheek, was incredibly tender.

“No… I also want to get closer to Kalion’s parents and siblings.”

“Really?”

“Yeah… because I like you. So, it’s natural for me to want to know more about you and your family.”

Gia’s voice trailed off in embarrassment. At that moment, Kalion’s eyes, full of emotions, flickered.

“Gia…”

Kalion’s two eyes staring at Gia sparkled with warmth.

“Thank you.”

What could he be thankful for? Kalion, expressing gratitude even for trivial things, delicately cupped Gia’s cheek as if it were precious.

“Thank you… I’m more grateful.”

Gia was eternally grateful to Kalion, who not only accepted the strange her who crossed dimensions but also filled her with the love she had never received in her life.

“Let’s go.”

“Yeah.”