My Strange Savior - Chapter 114

Chapter 114

The lips of the approaching Kalion tickled her ear. 

“It’s okay, you don’t have to follow. Just do as you normally would.”

A soft laugh, hoping to ease Gia’s tension, accompanied his words. Gia responded with a slight smile to his voice.

Not eager to devour the food, Gia cautiously lifted her utensils. 

“I’m not sure if it will suit my taste.”

“Oh, it’s delicious.”

“Is it? You eat a lot, Gia.”

Audrey’s gaze casually shifted towards Gia. 

“Sister, try it. This is the dish the head chef of the Duke is most proud of.”

“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”

Gia carefully started her meal, observing the atmosphere around her. The Duke, seated at the head, was engaged in conversation with Oscar. On the opposite side, someone who seemed to be Kalion’s brother listened attentively to the adults, continuing the meal with Akin.

Glancing at Kalion’s brother, Gia took him in. He didn’t seem as similar as she had thought, but there was a similar aura. Were all people from the House of Bowers like this? They generally appeared genteel.

Indeed, when she first saw Kalion, she had a similar impression. An extraordinary composure seemed to be inherent in this household. Watching people exchange opinions with solemn expressions, Gia found that dishes had appeared on her plate unnoticed.

“Please, enjoy.”

“Oh, yes.”

Grateful for Kalion’s attention, Gia smiled faintly. How could Kalion’s character be so upright in such an excellent household?

She hadn’t directly met the next Duke and didn’t know much about him. However, just looking at Audrey and Ariana, she could sense their straightforward nature. It wasn’t easy to stay indifferent when a stranger was brought into social circles.

Yet, they welcomed Gia as if nothing was amiss. No, they even took care of details she hadn’t noticed, treating her kindly.

Even though she was only there for a short time, Gia could sense how gentle and warm they were. Different from her, the only blood relative left in the world.

Thinking this way, self-loathing crept in again. Unconsciously, there was a sense of inadequacy inside her, and she couldn’t easily let go of trivial matters. Comparisons were drawn involuntarily. The conclusion was always the same – Gia felt infinitely lacking in front of Kalion.

Bitterness filled her mouth as she ate the delicious food, more unpleasant than swallowing a bitter pill raw. As Gia’s eating slowed, Kalion’s gaze stuck to her attentively.

“Is it not to your taste?” 

Kalion asked with a concerned tone. Gia shook her head, denying it. 

“It’s delicious. Just, I’m being careful…”

“Why?” 

Kalion asked quietly, making Gia lower her gaze slightly. She didn’t want Kalion to worry more than he already would if he knew her true feelings. 

“Because your parents are here… I want to make a good impression.”

Gia’s gentle voice resonated in Kalion’s ears. Hearing this, Kalion’s face blushed in an instant. 

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yeah. So, please stop worrying about me.”

“Alright.”

Gia’s cautious behavior was due to her concern for him. The realization brought a wide smile to Kalion’s face. Ariana, who had been observing his reaction to Gia, subtly nudged her head in approval.

She never thought she’d ever see that side of her brother. Her brother was more of a wimp than Arianna had expected. Watching all of his senses tune in to Gia made her mouth water.

Ariana, realizing that witnessing a romantic scene might not be pleasant, quietly set down her utensils. 

“Why? Aren’t you eating more?” 

Gia asked when she noticed her not finishing her meal.

Observing Ariana leave food on her plate, Gia’s eyes followed with concern. 

“Oh, I’m full.”

She swallowed back the words that would have hinted at the reason behind her diminished appetite. Ariana smiled and wiped her mouth with a napkin. 

“Sister, please eat more.”

Surprised again by the eating habits of women in this world, Gia pursed her lips. It wasn’t just Yuria; even Ariana in front of her acted the same way.

Was she the only one who eats so much? Despite the uncomfortable atmosphere, Gia’s steadfast commitment to her meal seemed comical and then pitiful. 

“Thank you.”

Gia raised her utensils, responding with a soft voice. The mealtime passed without her noticing how time was flowing. After finishing the meal, the host suggested they move to the reception room. The host rose first, followed by everyone else.

“Is Rey okay?”

“I told you. He’ll be fine.”

Gia, reassured by Kalion’s words, took a calming breath and tried to walk more naturally than before. It wasn’t easy to walk gracefully in high heels like the Duchess, Ariana, or Yuria. The more she tried to imitate them, the more awkward she felt.

“Lean on me more.”

“Am I making you laugh right now?”

“Not at all. You look beautiful.”

Gia had to let out a laugh at Kalion’s sincere face, which didn’t hide a hint of injustice.

They soon entered the reception room, and people took their seats one by one. Unlike during the meal, the tension dissipated. Laughter couldn’t be found as it was a discussion on how to approach the Emperor.

Oscar had prepared the conversation with the Duke through a letter, as there were no hitches in the discussion. 

“His Majesty will undoubtedly use Gregory to have the dragon’s heart. Gregory is the only one who can refine the dragon’s heart.”

The Duke had a serious expression at Oscar’s words. 

“We can’t push through as recklessly as we did last time. We should be cautious this time, considering what Myers chose.”

“I agree with your words, but… We can’t just sit back and do nothing.”

Kalion’s brother, Derek, spoke, and the Duke stroked his chin in thought. 

“From now on, we have to move cautiously while watching how His Majesty acts.”

Many nodded in agreement with Derek’s opinion. Although public opinion was currently against them, they couldn’t predict how the Emperor would respond. He was known for his cunning strategies, making it uncertain which direction he would take.

“His Majesty wishes for Gregory and me to stay in the Imperial Palace.”

The Duke sighed at Oscar’s words. 

“He probably doesn’t want to reveal the key to healing his illness. Moreover, he won’t allow two failures. His condition is worsening day by day.”

No one criticized the Duke for his blunt statement. 

“For now, we’ll go into the palace and observe the situation.”

If Oscar and Gregory were to enter the emperor’s palace, it wouldn’t be as easy as before to meet and exchange information. Even discreetly sending letters outside the palace required caution, as it fell under the emperor’s watchful eyes.

“Considering that Kalion has also stepped down as the commander of the knights, it won’t be easy to move around the palace. We’ll need to find someone who can come and go freely without being noticed by the Emperor.”

At the mention of resigning from the commander position, Gia widened her eyes. Kalion, seeing Gia’s expression, reassured her with a slight pat on her back.

“Since I made it a condition for a while, it will take a few months. His Majesty probably intends to finish refining the dragon’s heart within that time.”

“Ugh… To face Morrison, a product made from a dragon’s heart is essential.”

Oscar sighed and rubbed his forehead at Kalion’s words. The emperor’s actions, focused solely on himself, were frustrating.

“For His Majesty, curing his illness is more urgent than facing Morrison and his monster invasion. By the way, can the refined dragon’s heart cure the emperor’s illness?”

Derek asked, and Gregory lost in thought, stroked his wrinkled chin.

“In theory, it’s possible.”

Gregory’s words silenced everyone.

“Does His Majesty know about it?”

“Probably. So, he must have pressured the master before. This time, he’ll do whatever it takes to put the heart into his hands.”

“Right. For now, Gregory should pretend to be making efforts to show results in the direction His Majesty wants.”

Gregory nodded at the Duke’s words. Appearing obedient while plotting for the future was advantageous in many ways.

“Have we identified Morrison’s whereabouts?”

Oscar swallowed his deep concern at the Duke’s question.

“We’ve released people everywhere, but there’s no other news. He’s likely hiding in the Hagria Mountains.”

At Oscar’s words, Derek furrowed his brow and asked Gia,

“What do you think?”

The people’s gaze shifted toward Gia at Derek’s question.

“I…”

Gulp.

As everyone’s attention focused on her, Gia’s tension heightened. Should she speak her mind? 

Gia glanced at Kalion for guidance. His crimson eyes looked at her gently, as if encouraging her to speak comfortably.

“Well, I think… the possibility of Morrison being in the mountains is almost nonexistent.”

“How can you be so sure?”

Despite the Duke’s sharp gaze, Gia’s shoulders shrank, but she soon continued with conviction.

“I’ve spent over nine years chasing after that guy. In the world I come from, no one knows him better than I do.”

Gia’s words, spoken in her elegant dress, were quite gritty and sharp. It was a known fact among everyone present that Gia was here seeking vengeance for her father. Gia continued with a determined expression.

“For nine years, I’ve relentlessly pursued him day and night. The guy I know doesn’t stay in one place for long. He moves as soon as his whereabouts are discovered. A cunning person. I didn’t come to this world just to sit quietly and be a victim.”

Everyone listened attentively to Gia’s confident words about Morrison. 

They couldn’t dismiss lightly the words of someone who knew him best, especially now.