My Strange Savior - Chapter 144

Chapter 144

“You look truly stunning.” 

Compliments continued endlessly. 

Blushing, Gia quickly lowered her hand when she realized she was about to touch her cheek. She became cautious not to stain the white gloves.

“We’ll leave you to it then.”

“Yes, I’ll be down shortly.”

After the maids left, Gia found herself alone in the quiet room. The dress, not difficult to move in, allowed her to lift the hem slightly with one hand as she took hesitant steps.

The unfamiliar shoes made her walk awkwardly. Gia, with one hand holding the frill of her dress, moved cautiously.

She retrieved the cure she stored in the bedside drawer, a gleaming silver vial that she caressed with her fingers. She couldn’t be sure if it was truly a cure that could heal her, but leaving it behind made her uneasy. 

She decided to keep it with her, a habit she developed since she only felt safe when her cures were within reach. Even during her time at the shelter, she always kept cures accessible or strapped them to her waist while sleeping.

Gia gazed at herself in the mirror, touching the cold silver vial thoughtfully. She pondered where to carry it. Turning her eyes around the room, she looked at a small bag on the table. Feeling uneasy, she hesitated for a moment.

She lifted her flowing skirt, revealing her thighs and the seam of the stockings that rose to her thighs. 

“I’m anxious about this.” 

Worried about any possible mishap, Gia looked at her gun holster.

“What if I just wear it? It would ease my mind a bit.”

Suppressing the uncomfortable feeling, Gia decided to wear her gun holster. She looked at her holster, placed where she would put her gun, and thoughtfully held the remedy there.

“This should be secure enough.” 

Gia shook it to test, and satisfied, she lowered her leg from the chair.

“Should I also take a dagger… Maybe that’s a bit too much?”

Holding a dagger in her hand, Gia hesitated. 

“Maybe that’s a bit too far.” 

Lowering the raised fringe of her skirt and adjusting her dress once more, Gia opened the door.

Under the afternoon sun shining brightly through the window, Kalion, as always, greeted Gia with a picturesque appearance.

As it was, the already handsome Kalion looked particularly charming today. Seeing him, Gia wondered if she should plug her nose. 

“Kalion…”

“You came out…”

The gaze of the two collided in midair. Their eyes, examining each other’s appearance, moved subtly.

Dressed in a navy blue evening suit, Kalion’s hair was neatly arranged. With his smooth forehead exposed, his impression became even more cool and handsome.

With each step Gia took, Kalion closed the distance between them in four strides. His hand reached out to where it could easily touch, and Kalion’s palm opened up.

“You look so beautiful, Gia.”

“You too.”

Shyly, Gia murmured a compliment as soft as an ant’s voice, her face hidden in embarrassment.

“You’re very handsome too…”

Kalion’s neck reddened at Gia’s compliment. Gia, who had been gazing at the dangling collarbone, extended her lips with a hint of challenge.

“Tsk. What if other women stare at you?”

“Th-that won’t happen.”

As if assuring that it would never happen, Kalion held Gia’s hand and looked into her eyes.

“I promise.”

“You…”

Seeing the anxiousness in the red eyes, Gia couldn’t help but express her concern.

“It’s mine, though.”

At Gia’s remark, Kalion’s face turned even redder.

“Yes, yes. You’re right.”

Kalion stumbled over his words.

“I… I belong to you…”

Without hiding his embarrassment, Kalion held Gia’s hand, and with an empty hand, gently swept away a strand of warmth from her neck.

“It’s yours, really.”

Without even considering hiding her flushed face, Kalion precisely declared, making Gia burst into laughter.

“I’m so possessive of mine. I can’t let go for a moment.”

“Please make sure of that.”

As a partner, Kalion, who now stood nervously by Gia’s side, controlled his pounding heart and led Gia.

“We might really expose everything at this rate.”

Walking down the long corridor, Kalion muttered.

“What?”

Kalion sighed as he spoke, and a sharp pain surged through his chest.

“That I like you.”

“Pfft… What’s that.”

“I have to hide our relationship for now… I’m not confident.”

Kalion’s uncertain voice and Gia’s pleasant laughter harmonized.

“Me too.”

Gia expressed her honest feelings.

“When I see you, my eyes become like this.”

The pupils of a woman who had just fallen in love sparkled in various colors as if twinkling stars were embedded in them.

“How do I hide this? Should I replace my eyes?”

At Gia’s whimsical words, Kalion’s laughter smoothly blended in. The desire to hold Gia right now overflowed from his eyes with a hot temperature.

“Look. You’re the same.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. Right now, your eyes are saying that you want to kiss me immediately.”

“Indeed.”

With a shy smile, Gia voiced her true feelings.

“I want to imprint everything about you.”

Kalion, bending down, closed his eyes and naturally found Gia’s lips. His clumsy tongue pushed into her open mouth.

Kalion’s body pressed against Gia’s as if wanting to devour her breath. Gia, holding onto his stiff jacket, also leaned against his strong body. She felt the large hand gripping her waist.

In a breathless, prolonged kiss, Gia couldn’t conceal her regret. She wanted to etch everything about Kalion into herself.

“Gia, we’ll be late at this rate.”

“Yeah, I know.”

Breaths mingled as their noses bumped into each other. The lipstick that the maid carefully applied in a bright red color moved from her lips to Kalion’s.

Gia’s thumb moved along the edge of Kalion’s lips.

“So.”

Gia’s breath clung to Kalion’s lips.

“Don’t like it?”

“No.”

Kalion’s upper body, responding without a gap, pressed Gia firmly. Every hitching breath had to be his. Now, feeling time running out, Gia clung to Kalion more urgently. Kalion, embracing Gia, comforted her with a gentle pat on her small shoulders. Their kiss lingered.

After the makeup from Kalion’s lips shifted back to Gia’s, their lips finally parted.

“I’m going to get in trouble with my handmaiden sister.”

“That’s true.”

Kalion chuckled at Gia’s words.

“Shall we go?”

“Yeah.”

Unable to wait any longer, Gia, escorted by Kalion, took hesitant steps forward.

“But let’s not make it too obvious. The Duke also has his reputation.”

Kalion’s laughter echoed in response to Gia’s words.

“Yes. I’ll make an effort.”

Even if she can dream of happiness for just three days?

Looking at Kalion standing beside her, the focus blurred. Swallowing back the tears that wanted to flow, Gia lifted the corners of her mouth.

‘For three days, I’ll be as happy as anyone can be.’

Determinedly making a promise to herself, Gia held Kalion’s hand firmly.

‘I have the right to do so.’

Granting herself the right, Gia confidently stepped forward.

Sorry for leaving Kalion alone, but Gia tried to think selfishly, even though she felt guilty.

‘Sorry, Kalion. That the woman you like is so selfish. I’m sorry for being a woman who only thinks about herself.’

Trying not to look in Kalion’s direction, Gia focused on her steps.

‘But still… can’t I leave you for last?’

Her futile inner thoughts didn’t reach Kalion right next to her.

‘I’ll save your world somehow.’

To fully enjoy this theatrical happiness.

Gia’s trembling smile seemed like it would curve downward at any moment.

“Stay close to me at the banquet, right by my side. Got it?”

“Yes.”

With tightly sealed lips, Gia intertwined her arm with Kalion’s strong arm.

“I want to stay like this, closely connected.”

Kalion’s lips twitched at Gia’s cuteness.

Heading to the entrance, carriages were lined up. Among the two carriages with the Duke’s crest, the door of the one at the back opened.

“Lady Gia.”

“Sister.”

Audrey and Ariana were already inside, waving their hands at Gia.

“Both of you look so beautiful today.”

“Oh, who’s talking?”

Seeing the dressed-up Gia, Audrey waved her hand dismissively, while Ariana complimented her beauty.

After this exchange, Gia, holding Kalion’s hand, boarded the carriage.

“I’ll take the front carriage.”

“Yes.”

“See you later.”

The carriage door closed, and the wheels started rolling. It didn’t feel bad, almost like becoming a princess in a fairy tale. Gia decided to be grateful even for this small dream.

To prevent the sadness from seeping out, Gia folded it neatly inside her heart and casually chatted away as if nothing was wrong.

After a while, the carriage reached the palace, and it came to a stop with a clatter. The door opened, and the first to offer a hand was the duke. 

Naturally, Audrey took his hand and walked out of the carriage. Next, Derek extended his hand, and Ariana took it since Derek hadn’t chosen a partner. In the empty carriage waiting for them, Kalion’s strong hand reached down. Gia, with a happy smile, shook his large hand.

“I’m already jealous.”

Kalion, who helped Gia down from the carriage, whispered in her ear.

“Why?”

“To the men who will look at you.”

“Me too.”

Seeing Gia’s playful face, Kalion’s laughter deepened. Could it be this happy? It felt like the happiest moment since the zombie crisis.

With the imposing sound of the gatekeeper announcing their entrance, the doors to the banquet hall opened. As they entered, the curious gazes of the people in the hall were drawn towards the Duke’s entourage.

Kalion noticed Gia’s stiff shoulders under the curious glances, so he turned his body slightly, trying to shield her from the stares. In response to this considerate gesture, Gia’s lips curled upward in gratitude.

Despite the curious glances from the crowd, Gia didn’t feel as intimidated as she thought she would. Perhaps it was because Kalion was by her side, providing a silent source of strength.