My Strange Savior - Chapter 112

Chapter 112

Kalion placed Gia’s hand on his arm. 

Naturally, as Gia raised her hand onto Kalion’s strong arm, her face turned red as she clenched her fist.

“Oh, I need to change my clothes.”

“I’ll wait.”

It was almost too much to ask her to undress, given how well the dress suited her. Kalion glanced at Madam standing behind with regretful eyes.

While Gia went to change her clothes, Kalion approached Madam.

“I hope you’ve prepared a dress that suits her… How much time do you need?”

As luxurious as the dressing room was, creating such outfits required time and effort.

“I think I can have it ready in about a week.”

“Make various ones. From casual wear to riding attire. Don’t miss anything.”

“Yes, will do.”

“It would be good to bring a catalog from the Christian jewelers when you come.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Kalion firmly asserted his willingness to spare no expense.

“Price is not a concern. Prepare the best for her. I trust Madam’s judgment.”

“Yes. I’ll do my best to prepare the best.”

Madam quietly responded to Kalion’s words and secretly rejoiced. To be able to create clothes for a woman with such a rare beauty, who didn’t even need a corset, and to be paid for it, was beyond her expectations. As a designer, her determination flared up.

In Madam’s heart, Gia had already established herself as the muse. Dress designs specifically for her were overflowing in her mind like a waterfall.

Even though Madam wanted to cling and ask her to wear them, she politely bowed her head to hide her torn smile.

“Oh? Is the alteration already done?”

Gia was being fitted into the first dress she tried on. The dress seemed to fit perfectly as if it had been tailored for her. Kalion’s ears perked up at the voice coming from behind the curtain.

Gia, who had finally gotten it because Audrey had insisted she had to buy it, shook her head in confusion.

“Yes. It was finished earlier. I did my best with the alterations. If there’s any discomfort, please let me know.”

“No, it’s comfortable.”

The modest dress, with a deep purple hue, was more refined than the evening gown. Every time the slightly exposed collarbone appeared, Gia exuded a mature atmosphere.

The dress adorned with lace here and there looked enchanting.

“Th-thank you.”

The jewelry from the Duchess was not just one or two pieces; it was adorned to complement her. On Gia’s transparent skin, a subtle pearl powder seemed to be applied, sparkling under the lights, enhancing her youthful complexion.

The rosy flush on her cheeks persisted, and the lipstick that beautifully tinted her lips was applied once again.

“You look stunning.”

Though she had heard these words dozens of times while changing outfits, Gia felt embarrassed. The praise was so flattering that she almost wished for a hiding spot if there were one.

She couldn’t remember when she last dressed up. In high school, she didn’t care much about her appearance, and after that, the zombie apocalypse made life seem bleak.

The shoes perfectly fitted to her feet made a click-clack sound with every step Gia took. It was unbelievable that she was now wearing pointed shoes, which she vaguely thought she would wear someday.

Would her walk look awkward? What if she walked like a newborn giraffe? Despite exerting force in her steps, the first walk in those shoes didn’t feel as confident as she expected.

Gia, standing on the pedestal, showed her discomfort all over her body, eagerly waiting for the curtain to be drawn. Kalion, who was peering through the cautiously opened curtain, was the only one she could see.

“Oh, um… Is it strange?”

“Absolutely not. How could it be?”

A wave of emotions overflowed from Gia again, like a surge of emotions from her eyes.

“It’s so beautiful.”

Adapting somewhat to the affectionate behavior of lovers, the staff, holding back their exclamations, looked at the two, slightly bewildered.

“Really. You two look perfect together.”

“How about trying a couple outfits next time?”

“Is there such a thing?”

Kalion reacted to the mention of couple outfits. Madam, who had been calculating in her mind, smiled brightly.

“Of course. It’s entirely possible.”

* * *

Kalion, who used to spend money like water, was stopped by Gia, who let out a sigh.

It seemed to take quite a while for them to reach the carriage.

“Why bother… I have enough.”

“I want to do it for you. And I made a promise, didn’t I? I’ll buy you the dress.”

In response to Kalion’s words, Gia squeezed the arm she was holding onto. Walking was not as easy as she thought. Leaning almost entirely on Kalion’s arm, Gia lowered her lips.

“You’ve liked me since then, or maybe you just said you’d buy it.”

“Huh?”

“I heard. A man buying clothes for a woman implies a certain level of mutual liking…”

Kalion stopped in his tracks at Gia’s words. Gia naturally stopped as well. She looked up at Kalion, who was gazing intently at her.

“Yes. That’s right. I’ve liked you since then.”

“Well, well.”

Kalion spat out something, and it felt like he was getting too serious. The eyes that said he liked her to death were the same then and now, so why didn’t she notice it before?

Seeing Kalion with the same eyes as back then, Gia felt she might have been too obtuse. The temperature was the same, so why didn’t she realize it? Due to unnecessary embarrassment, Gia turned her face in the opposite direction.

Kalion, matching his steps to Gia’s pace, opened the door of the carriage. 

Audrey and Ariana were looking at the two with gleaming eyes. Feeling embarrassed, Gia was about to lift one foot to get in, but Kalion’s hand was quicker. Kalion, who held her slender waist, gently lifted Gia into the carriage.

Gracefully lifting Gia, Kalion carefully placed her inside the carriage. Just in case Gia tripped on the unfamiliar shoes and skirt, Kalion took the time to adjust the dress himself.

Watching the scene with their mouths wide open for a while, Audrey and Ariana tried to stifle their laughter by pretending to cough.

“Shall I ride along?”

Whether they heard the question or not, Lux, who was behind them, howled as if asking why he was taking the carriage and not him.

“Oh, no. It’s fine. Okay.”

Gia pushed Kalion away and closed the door of the carriage. Kalion, who found himself standing awkwardly in front of the carriage, blinked once.

Perhaps it was because the carriage was narrow. Without any suspicion, Kalion turned around and mounted Lux. As the carriage slowly started moving, Kalion’s gaze, like the trotting horses, never strayed from a certain point.

It was obvious.

Kalion unabashedly stared at the carriage Gia was riding.

Inside the now-moving carriage, Gia could only fan herself to cope with the heat. 

‘Is this why people carry fans?’

Even though it wasn’t the height of spring yet, the carriage, with its adjustable temperature, felt stuffy. Nevertheless, due to Kalion’s intense presence, Gia could do nothing but sweat profusely.

Helplessly, Gia had to endure the carriage ride under the watchful eyes of the two ladies. 

It felt like an ordeal for Gia, who was not accustomed to being scrutinized by others. Should she say something to Kalion, who seemed to be claiming the entire surroundings as his own? 

Gia rolled her eyes.

“You might be tired because of my son. It’s okay if you don’t pay attention to us.”

Even when Audrey spoke with gentle eyes, Gia couldn’t shake off the discomfort.

“Oh, uh… yes… sure.”

“Really.”

Ariana said with widened eyes. Gia knew it was genuine, but she couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

“Oh, I understand. I know you two are sincere…”

Knowing didn’t make it any easier. Gia couldn’t comprehend Kalion’s actions, enveloping her as if protecting a fragile glass figurine.

“I guess my son really cherishes you, Gia. He’s doing things he never did before.”

“Haha, well…”

Gia let out an awkward laugh. 

“But still, I…”

Audrey tightly shut her mouth, took a moment, and then spoke. 

“You look good.”

“Well, um…”

“Yes, you do. It’s not just good; it’s comfortably good to the point of satisfaction.”

Audrey felt content seeing Kalion, who seemed to have never desired or longed for something to the extent of wanting emotions, circling around Gia.

“Really.”

Ariana nodded in agreement at the side. 

“It looks really good, sis.”

“Thank you.”

Whether she should be thankful for this or not, Gia felt as if she were about to die from the sweat trickling down her back. 

Thinking that she should caution Kalion a bit tonight, Gia leaned against the carriage’s backrest.

* * *

Kalion, who had no interest in the carriage’s circumstances, slowly considered the situation. 

Could Gia handle the face-to-face meeting with the Emperor? Kalion, who had been worrying, suddenly blushed.

‘Really… beautiful.’

Even though Gia was originally beautiful, when she was dressed, she looked like an angel descended from the sky. Even if someone pointed out that he had fallen hard for a woman, Kalion had nothing to say. 

Was it a sin to acknowledge and call something beautiful?

Today’s Gia was so beautiful that she didn’t want to show her to anyone. Kalion didn’t even know that he had this side to him. Should he be grateful to Gia for making him aware of it?

Kalion stroked his chin and pulled his horse closer to the carriage. It seemed like being this close would calm his heart.

Regardless of what kind of life Gia had lived before, from now on, he wanted to show her only good and beautiful things. He wanted to cherish Gia to the best of his ability.

Thinking so, when he saw Gia in the dress, his lips sought her like a beast. In his dark inner self, Kalion could only be astonished. He covered his face with his large hands due to embarrassment. Despite the cold air, his face heated up.

‘It’s dangerous because you’re so beautiful.’

The graceful image of Gia lingered in his mind like a lingering scar. 

No matter what woman stood next to Gia in this world, it was clear where Kalion’s heart was heading. 

The man in love was becoming foolish in this way.