My Strange Savior - Chapter 86

Chapter 86

‘What happened yesterday?’ 

Kalion’s handsome face was clouded with concern, wondering what might have happened to Gia during the brief moment he was absent. 

Rey, too, couldn’t fathom why Gia was acting this way today, and both wore somber expressions.

The sound of utensils clashing echoed loudly in the silent dining room. Gia, who had eaten quite a bit despite being lost in thought, looked at her now empty plate when she regained her senses.

‘Pig.’

She sighed, looking at her satisfied stomach and the empty plate.

‘I can’t give up eating, even if I die.’

Gia shook her head with a fork in her mouth, indifferent to the emptiness of her plate.

“Gia, the master wants to see you after the meal.”

“Oh… really?” 

Her answer was subdued. Kalion, frustrated by Gia’s inexplicable behavior today, furrowed his brow.

“Rey, do you mind if the master has a word with your sister after the meal? It won’t take long. Okay?”

In response to Gia’s request, Rey nodded after some thought. Even in Rey’s eyes, Gia didn’t seem to be in a good state today.

“Thanks. You’ll be playing with the other sisters over there. Got it?”

The middle-aged maid who had taken care of Rey before Gia left smiled kindly when their eyes met. Rey briefly held Gia’s hand, displaying an unwilling face, before slowly moving away.

“Gia…”

“Yeah?”

“What happened today?”

As they walked down the corridor, Kalion asked the question he had been wanting to ask since before the meal.

“Today?”

“You don’t seem to be in a good mood.”

“Does it look that way to you?”

“Yes.”

“I’m supposed to be managing my expressions.”

“Are you feeling down today?” 

“Yeah. Sorry… I’ll probably be okay from tomorrow… maybe?” 

Gia concluded, unsure even herself. 

Kalion, contemplating Gia’s words, made a suggestion.

“How about going outside the estate? Maybe visit the market you went to last time, try some street food. What do you think?”

Kalion’s delightful suggestion made Gia’s ears perk up. The idea of Kalion wanting to go on a date with her made her heart flutter.

‘This isn’t something stupid.’

The thought of going out together would lift her spirits. However, she didn’t want to reject him. Gia’s hesitation lasted less than a minute.

“…Sure.”

As if afraid of looking too eager, Gia hesitated for a moment before reluctantly giving her answer.

With Gia’s consent, Kalion’s lips curled up. In no time, Kalion, standing in Oscar’s study, gestured to the butler.

“Lord Oscar, Master Kalion is here.”

“Please, come in.”

The butler opened the door with graceful movements. As they entered, the fragrance of tea wafted through the air.

“Welcome.”

Oscar, facing them, gestured warmly. Kalion returned the smile, matching the teacher’s face, which had become noticeably more relaxed since yesterday.

“I’m glad you came down safely.”

Gia, too, expressed genuine concern, knowing that Oscar, despite his age, might worry about injuries during the hike. Oscar, reading warmth in Gia’s words, responded with a kind smile.

“Thank you for your concern. I appreciate your accepting the proposal; it means a lot.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Not at all.”

Oscar, hearing about the acceptance through Kalion, acknowledged that it was not an easy decision for Gia and praised her.

“Well… I don’t have a family to uphold. If this can be of any help, I’m glad.”

Oscar suppressed his surprise at Gia’s candid words.

“Your sincerity… It seems I need to do my best to make this plan a success.”

“I didn’t mean to burden you…”

“Haha, it’s nothing. I’m just joking.”

Oscar lightened the mood with laughter. 

Extending the tea, he subtly examined the two, then went on to explain the detailed schedule. As Oscar spoke about the plans in detail, he emphasized that Gia, who was about to embark on the journey, needed to be well informed.

While explaining their plans, the butler’s voice interrupted.

“Master Gregory is here.”

“Come in.”

Gregory, who opened the door and entered, nodded in greeting.

“Why are you so late? Didn’t I tell you to come quickly?”

“I came right away.”

Gregory, who had been immersed in dragon research, responded abruptly to Oscar’s words.

“Do you have your meals on time?”

“Grandfather.”

Oscar, treating him like a child in front of others, made Gregory stop with a serious expression.

“Well, sit down for now.”

Oscar, looking at the three young people who would be the mainstay of this plan, cleared his throat.

“Many sacrifices may follow.”

Having roughly heard the plan from Oscar, Gregory also showed a worried expression mixed with concern at Kalion’s words. Kalion and Gia were no different.

Kalion was worried because he knew too well about the Emperor’s cruel temperament. On the other hand, Gia’s concern was more about the possibility that, even if she won in the political struggle, she might not be able to harm Morrison, the ultimate goal.

Morrison, who had become even stronger, was not someone she could face alone. Even if she poured all her strength, she wasn’t sure if it would be enough. It was complicated with political issues involved. 

She couldn’t understand why everything was so complicated. The journey ahead seemed challenging.

As Oscar and Gregory exchanged passionate words, and Gia and Kalion looked on, Gia massaged her forehead and leaned against the sofa.

“Are you tired?”

“No… just worried.”

Kalion, who was debating with the other two, observed the tired Gia with a concerned expression. Gia raised her head at the words filled with concern.

“Would you like to go in and rest first?”

She had been playing and eating in a warm room for days; what could be so tiring? In Kalion’s caring words, Gia smiled faintly.

“Hehe.”

Oscar, who had been coughing discreetly while the two were whispering, finished the schedule.

“We will depart tomorrow morning.”

“Oh… yes.”

Gia nodded, and a thought crossed her mind. Kalion, who noticed it quickly, met her gaze.

“What about Rey?”

“Ah…”

Gia wouldn’t want to leave Rey’s side. Kalion, aware of this, pondered on how to handle the situation.

“Since we’ll be traveling by carriage anyway, it should be fine to take Rey with us.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Once we arrive at the capital, our family will take responsibility for Rey.”

As the word “responsibility” came out of Kalion’s mouth, Gia’s worries seemed to ease. Kalion wasn’t someone to make promises he couldn’t keep, so Gia smiled gratefully.

“Are you talking about that child?”

“Yes.”

Kalion responded promptly to Oscar’s question. Worried that Oscar might object due to the potential dangers of traveling with the child, Kalion swallowed hard.

“Very well. It might be better for the child to stay where there are people he knows. Losing both parents and all the villagers must have been heartbreaking.”

Oscar sighed at the harsh reality. The village was entirely wiped out, and the only survivor was the child. The guilt of not being able to protect the child as the lord wrinkled Oscar’s face.

“You have done your best, Master. Thanks to Gia, the child has found stability, so everything will be fine.”

Kalion lifted Gia with a warm smile. Receiving praise for such a trivial matter felt like chicken skin. Gia, not knowing how to react, extended her hand.

“I haven’t done anything. I couldn’t even save his parents…”

“Don’t think that way.”

Oscar’s compassionate gaze met Gia’s eyes, conveying an understanding of the guilt that lingered in her heart. Oscar comforted Gia, recognizing the burden she carried.

“Aren’t you giving the child the strength to overcome the misfortune?”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. It is.”

Feeling awkward, Gia scratched her cheek and glanced at the people around her. To digest the schedule starting early tomorrow, Oscar pushed the three to rest.

“Well then, rest well, Master.”

The two followed Kalion after paying their respects to Oscar. As Kalion was about to leave, he suddenly stopped.

“Come to the side.”

Kalion turned his body as if he wouldn’t move until Gia stood beside him. Yielding to his kindness, Gia stood next to him. Kalion’s soft laughter sounded overhead as if to say, “Well done.”

“Um…”

“Gregory?”

Gregory, who was behind them, cautiously cleared his throat. Hesitant, he stepped forward from the shadows.

Gregory, who had stood in a place where the sun didn’t reach, now stepped forward with eyes that had become even more brilliant. He seemed like a completely different person from when they first met. 

“The gun you gave me last time.”

“Gun?”

Even though she didn’t expect it, did Gregory make the bullets? As she looked up with sparkling eyes, Gregory clenched his fist and coughed.

“I haven’t made it yet….”

“Oh….”

“I have something I’m curious about. Can you spare some time?”

“Now?”

When Gia asked, Gregory nodded. At the sudden request for time, Gia’s head naturally turned towards Kalion. 

Kalion rolled his eyes at Gia’s face, which seemed to be seeking permission.

He didn’t want to give them their time alone. Kalion, who gave in to some unknown feeling, despite it being an important matter, raised his head seriously.

“Isn’t Rey looking for you? It’s been quite a while.”

“Oh, right!”

As Gia recalled Rey, Kalion, satisfied, agreed with her.

‘How childish.’

Ignoring Gregory’s gaze that looked at her with narrowed eyes, Kalion, who pretended not to care, gently pulled Gia’s shoulder.

Even if it was childish, there was nothing he could do. How could he ignore the intense sense of rejection that surged from within? 

Kalion, who had been pretending to be nonchalant, couldn’t ignore it now. Kalion pulled her away, urging her to get to Rey.

“Oh. Gregory, is it urgent?”

“It’s not urgent, but…”

“Since we have to go up to the capital together from tomorrow, can we talk in the carriage?”

“Yes. I understand.”

Gregory, who obediently nodded, disappeared, and Gia turned to Kalion.

“Let’s go quickly. Rey will be waiting.”

“Yes.”

Gia, dragging the absent-minded Kalion, moved her feet towards the annex.

‘Carriage. Carriage… Carriage.’

The word “carriage” kept floating around in Kalion’s head. It’s only natural for Gia, who can’t ride a horse, to ride in a carriage. 

Why did he miss that? 

A look of distress appeared on Kalion’s face.