My Strange Savior - Chapter 79

Chapter 79

“Dress……”

“Oh, yeah. Why a dress? Will you buy one for me today?”

Morreta, with Oscar as its lord, was cut off from the rest of the city, which meant that, unlike the glamorous capital, there were only clothes that had gone out of style. 

Kalion shook his head because he didn’t want to give such ready-made clothes to Gia.

“I’ll go to the capital and buy it for you.”

“Why? Aren’t there any clothing stores here?”

“It’s not that…”

Nobles circulating in society did not wear ready-made clothes. They reserved custom-made clothes at famous clothing stores. 

Kalion, his sister, and his mother were no exception. Kalion, who wanted to give something precious to Gia, continued speaking after much consideration.

“The clothes here are all outdated.”

“Huh? I don’t mind.”

“I don’t like it.”

Kalion wanted to give Gia special clothes, not just something anyone could wear.

“Oh, okay… If you feel that way, I understand. But you don’t have to buy it for me.”

“I will buy it. Definitely.”

The dress that had caused a stir in society for a while came to mind. Was it a dress made from the powder of the blue sea? 

Even Kalion, who was not interested in the attire of young ladies, turned his gaze again because it was so dazzling. Maybe the princess had worn it. He tried to recall, but he couldn’t remember who wore it.

There existed only a fragmented memory that expensive dresses were brilliant and beautiful, matching their value.

The lace shimmering in the chandelier, swaying with every step, was as bright as stardust. It was so impressive that it remained embedded in Kalion’s mind.

How much more beautiful would Gia look in that dress? 

Kalion felt a sense of satisfaction as if Gia were already wearing it. As Kalion imagined it, the dress adorned Gia’s body, with her clear and white skin.

Thinking of Gia, with her face shining brighter than the sparkling dust, smiling beautifully, Kalion’s heart raced wildly, and his face flushed.

Bang! Turning around, Gia’s voice asking if it suited her echoed in Kalion’s ears as if she were already there.

Then Kalion would nod his head in approval as if he were a madman.

He should put a tiara with diamonds on her small, round head and adorn her cute earlobes and slender neck with matching earrings and a necklace. 

Then, Gia’s beautiful neck would stand out even more. Perhaps everyone at the ball would be captivated by Gia’s beauty.

‘It can’t be… No.’

In an instant, every man in the ballroom became Kalion’s enemy.

While Kalion was venting his frustration, Gia calmly enjoyed the food, not bothered by the turmoil around her.

‘Why is he like that?’

Kalion, who alternated between getting angry and calming down on his own, looked at Gia, who was chewing her food with composure.

‘Didn’t he sleep well last night?’

Although Gia didn’t know how she ended up back in her room, she looked at Kalion, whose eyes looked tired today despite having slept well and waking up refreshed.

“I’m going to see Rey later. Do you want to come…”

“I’ll go with you.”

Gia smiled at Kalion’s response, offering to accompany her without even listening. She felt relieved as if a great burden had been lifted. 

Gia, who had been muttering with some concern about Rey’s worries, opened her mouth wide and swallowed the food.

Instead of the sumptuous feast laid out on the luxurious table that could make one’s legs break, Kalion found Gia’s slightly bulging cheek more appetizing and bowed his head.

‘Crazy.’

It couldn’t be helped. It felt like his head, like a man begging for mercy, was twisted. 

To avoid unnecessary thoughts, Kalion pushed the food into his mouth. Unlike Kalion, Gia, who had been patting her growling stomach, stood up from her seat.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

With Gia’s decisive nature to quickly resolve the impending issue, she left the dining room without hesitation. Kalion followed closely, guarding her footsteps.

Knock, knock.

“Rey, your sister is here.”

Gia cautiously opened the door and called out. Whether Oscar had taken good care of him or not, Rey came bouncing out with fuller cheeks than before.

“Sister!”

Since they parted without a proper farewell, the joy of reunion was even more overwhelming. Rey, feeling the same way, jumped into Gia’s arms as if he couldn’t wait.

“Sister, Sister Gia.”

Rey’s voice, filled with longing, trembled as if it would burst into tears.

“Yeah, your sister’s here.”

“You left without saying anything…”

Seemingly resentful, Rey expressed his displeasure with a hoarse voice.

“Sorry.”

“Tsk. Sister… Do you know how much I worried and missed you?”

“Did you?”

“Of course!”

Thud. The scolding sound echoed. 

Seeing Rey’s face, which had grown clearer and taller like a child, Gia thought that he had been doing well all this time. Gia hugged Rey tightly, who clung to her waist, burying his face against her stomach.

“But I came back.”

“Well, that’s true… But next time, you can’t leave without saying anything. Absolutely!”

“What were you doing?”

“I was drawing.”

Perhaps because Oscar paid a lot of attention, Rey’s room was filled with toys suitable for children of his age.

“Drawing?”

When Gia asked, Rey took her hand and pulled her. Rey was eager to show her something. 

Gia, who was weighed down by heavy thoughts, was easily led.

With a face full of anticipation, Rey sat Gia down on a chair and reached out a piece of paper on the desk.

“Ta-da!”

“Wow…”

Gia’s eyes widened at Rey’s drawing skills, not typical for a seven-year-old.

“It’s you and the knight.”

Next to Gia, dressed in black battle attire, stood Kalion holding a sword, and wearing silver armor. The drawing was quite convincing, and when Gia expressed her admiration, Rey proudly shrugged his shoulders.

“I’ll give it to you, sister.”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

“Thank you.”

Gia smiled and took a moment to appreciate the drawing she held in her hand. Despite the wobbly lines and sporadic coloring, Gia thought it looked comparable to paintings by famous artists.

“You drew so well.”

Gia found it hard to take her eyes off the heartfelt drawing by the child. The emotions welled up as she thought about Rey waiting for her to return.

‘You believed I would come back.’

A mix of apologies and gratitude overwhelmed her.

“Really… Thank you.”

“Sister?”

Gia’s nose turned red, and her eyes welled up as she looked at the drawing.

In response to Rey’s quivering voice, Kalion, who had been observing from the back, rushed over. Kalion knelt beside Gia, who was trying not to cry, and took her trembling hand.

“Gia.”

Kalion called her name, and for some reason, tears flowed even more. Gia tried to say she was okay but bit her lips, unable to form any words.

She had to deliver the disappointing news to Rey that they couldn’t find his parents. Trying to swallow her tears, Gia struggled to speak. However, the warmth from the choked-up throat prevented any words from coming out.

As Gia tried to pull herself together to share the sad news with Rey, she felt a warm hand holding hers. Kalion reached for her, and Gia’s small body surrendered without resistance to his embrace.

Kalion, who offered his embrace, shielded Gia’s face with her head against his shoulder.

“Hmm. Sorry, sorry, Rey.”

“Sister, what’s wrong? Where does it hurt? Are you injured?”

Rey’s innocent questions prompted Gia to lean against Kalion’s shoulder, still supported by his strong arms. Gia wanted to comfort the child, but instead, she found herself being comforted.

As Gia opened her mouth, attempting to explain the unfortunate news about not finding Rey’s parents, the hot lump in her throat prevented any sound from escaping. Tears poured out more violently with each attempt to speak. 

Why is she being like this? Gia silently scolded herself.

Kalion extended his hand as Gia struggled to stop her tears.

“You’ll hurt yourself.”

Kalion’s gentle touch, caressing Gia’s chin that had tensed up, was incredibly delicate.

“It’s okay, Gia.”

“But still… hic.”

Seeing Gia, who rarely cried even in the face of adversity, sobbing like she had committed a grave sin against Rey, Kalion couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

“Rey is surprised too.”

Upon hearing Kalion’s comforting voice, Gia’s sobbing gradually subsided. Gia stood up straight and took a deep breath to calm herself.

Rey, instead of being frightened by the sudden outburst, seemed to be infected with sadness, as if someone he cared about was crying. Large tears welled up in Rey’s big eyes.

“Sister, ugh. Don’t cry.”

“Rey.”

Gia embraced Rey tightly as he clung to her. Kalion quickly lowered his body to support their weight and prevent them from falling.

“Huuk. Rey, huh. Huh.”

“Sister.”

Rey’s face, who had lost his parents, looked up toward Gia’s. 

Countless obstacles would lie ahead for Rey, and his life would undoubtedly be difficult, painful, and challenging. Gia understood this because she had experienced it all.

It was evident that Rey found comfort in Gia’s embrace, and Gia’s tears wet his face, making his efforts not to cry futile.

“So you were leaning on me, Rey. That’s why it hurts so much.”

Only then did the reason for the unbearable pain in Gia’s chest become clear.

“I’m sorry, Rey. I couldn’t find your parents.”

“Parents?”

Gia’s hands, trembling uncontrollably, were almost overshadowed by the firm embrace.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Rey.”

“Mom… Mom. Dad.”

Rey buried himself even deeper into Gia’s arms. Understanding the pain of losing parents better than anyone, Gia could only hold Rey.

No words or comfort could heal the pain, Gia knew that. With warmth being the only thing she could offer, Gia held Rey tightly, closing her eyes.

Tears rolled down Gia’s cheeks, laden with emotions.

“Can I never see my mother again? Or father?”

“I’m sorry…”

Gia had no words to offer Rey. As she struggled to suppress the overwhelming sorrow, Kalion quickly reached out, holding her waist.

Kalion, embracing Gia’s slumping body, knelt and looked at the weeping Gia with sympathetic eyes.

Seeing someone so strong crumble, Kalion felt like needles were pricking his heart.

“Gia… Rey.”

As Kalion embraced the crying pair, his eyes became moist. 

Especially now that Gia, who had just realized the intensity of her emotions, was crying, Kalion felt as if the sky were falling.

Desperate to do something to comfort Gia and prevent her from crying, Kalion even hallucinated that the heavens were collapsing. 

Seeing Gia cry without being able to do anything made Kalion feel even more despairing.