My Strange Savior - Chapter 87

Chapter 87

Why did he assume that they would ride together in a horse?

Kalion frowned in disbelief. In Kalion’s imagination, Gregory and Gia were already riding together in a secretive and enclosed carriage.

‘Oh, no.’

Was the carriage such a dangerous means of transportation? It seemed too narrow for a man and a woman to be together. Even as he was drawn to Gia, Kalion’s imagination became more serious.

“He just fell asleep.”

“Oh, really?”

In response to the maid’s words, Gia glanced at the child visible through the door. Gia’s face softened at the sound of the child’s breathing.

“Then please tell him I came and went. I’ll be back before dinner.”

How to use the remaining time wisely. Gia, who had escaped from childcare that was not even in her palmistry, looked at the absent-minded Kalion.

“Hey.”

“Oh… Gia.”

“Yeah?”

Sparkle. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. He had suggested going to the village earlier. 

Gia, excited about the idea of eating something delicious and doing something like a date, forced herself to swallow her laughter.

“Would you like to learn horseback riding?”

“H-horseback riding?”

It wasn’t the story she wanted, and Gia’s face darkened all at once. The more she tried not to show disappointment, the stranger her expression became.

“Do you not like it?”

“Uh… no.”

Even if she didn’t like it, this time, Kalion grabbed Gia’s hand and pulled her away.

“I’ll prepare it in the gentlest way possible. Since you have a good sense of exercise, you’ll learn in half a day, or even faster than that.”

Being dragged by the enthusiastic Kalion, Gia swallowed tears inside.

‘No… this isn’t what I had in mind.’

The dates she dreamed of when she was young were not like this. The dates she had only imagined, thanks to the zombie virus that broke out before becoming an adult, remained only in her imagination.

Walking through the park, holding hands with the man she liked, strolling the streets, and even going into a cafe when it got tough to have a cup of coffee and a sweet dessert.

She didn’t even wish for such a sweet atmosphere.

“Hiing.”

The crying voice and the pungent smell of the stable shattered Gia’s excited heart.

Whether Kalion’s horse recognized its owner or not, it leaped around the stable, scattering dirt around. The soul gradually leaked out of Gia’s eyes.

Unaware that her lips were about to cry out, Kalion carefully asked the stable keeper which was the gentlest. Since his favorite woman had to ride, it had to be the safest. Behind the careful words of Kalion, Gia’s face, standing behind him, cooled.

“This horse seems good.”

“Yes. It’s an excellent choice.”

Gia laughed. Her stomach crumbled as she watched the two laugh. Gia’s delicate heart, which wanted to film a romance, scattered like petals in the wind.

‘Alright… What the hell is this… damn romance on my fortune!’

Kalion’s face, giving a one-act speech about horses seemed unusually lively today. After all, it was supposed to be horseback riding that Gia was trying to learn. 

Of course, today, Gia had dreamed of a different situation, but the forced satisfaction of being together brought about a strange emotion.

“You’re doing well.”

Gia’s shoulders rose slightly at the praise of her crush.

‘Why am I even liking this… This is crazy.’

Gia, who was annoyed because it wasn’t the type of date she wanted, found herself blushing at Kalion’s praise. It was so absurd that she rolled her eyes.

“That’s right, straighten your back.”

Gia straightened her back as instructed, wondering if this was right. If there were qualifications for Yu Gia’s horse riding trainer, Kalion would undoubtedly be in the top tier.

“Well done, well done.” 

Encouraged by Kalion’s applause, Gia, fueled by the cheers, showed determination with her small body. Kalion applauded and cheered three times for Gia’s horseback riding posture on the already established course.

“Very good.” 

Seeing her flawless movements, it was as expected. With this level, she could probably ride a horse better than a carriage. Satisfied, Kalion pressed his nose against her shoulder and affectionately stroked the head of Lux, who was snorting.

“Do you want to run too?”

Creak, creak.

At Kalion’s words, Lux seemed ready to bolt at any moment, moving its hooves.

“Gia.”

“Yes?” 

Gia, riding a brown mare with a calm expression, slightly pulled on the reins in response to Kalion’s words. Kalion, looking proudly at Gia, who skillfully controlled the horse’s direction, climbed onto Lux.

“I have been to a place I saw last time. The view is beautiful. Would you like to go together?” 

With the wind in their faces, Gia’s bitten-off words disappeared into her mouth. It fits so well, almost as if she had the temperament of a rider. Gia tucked her hair blown by the wind, adjusted the reins, and spoke.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.” 

The two, gradually increasing their speed, rode away from the castle on horseback.

* * *

“Wow…”

Gia, standing on the flat plain with a wide view, brushed her fluttering hair behind her ears. She jumped down from the horse, which stood in a place where the scenery, reminiscent of Morreta, could be seen at a glance.

“It’s quite a nice view, isn’t it?”

“Yeah… it’s good.”

At Gia’s admiration, Kalion smiled faintly and dismounted from his horse. Lux, the mare next to them, playfully nudged her nose. The two horses, not minding each other, sniffed each other’s scents and grazed on the grass that grew on the melted snow.

In the peaceful atmosphere, Gia took in the cold air deeply.

“When did you come here?”

“Last time… I somehow ended up here.”

While taking Lux for a walk to cool his head alone, away from Gia’s constant presence.

“It’s a nice view.”

“Is it?”

“Yeah.”

Gia yawned and filled her lungs with the fresh air.

“I knew you would ride well.”

Kalion, with a face even more excited than Gia’s, nodded vigorously.

“So I get to ride a horse, too?”

“Yes.”

“I think Rey might want to ride in the carriage together.”

‘Darn it.’

Kalion, who hadn’t even thought about that, wore a defeated expression.

“Well… um…”

Seeing Kalion stutter, Gia shrugged her shoulders.

“But I did learn something.”

“Is that so?”

Kalion, feigning agreement with a completely indifferent expression, stood beside Gia.

“But just riding in the carriage might be boring… You might sometimes want to come out, so…”

Without even knowing what he was saying, Kalion rambled on. Riding a carriage wasn’t part of Kalion’s plan.

“Yeah, well… it might be useful somewhere.”

“Yes…”

Kalion’s plan crumbled into fine dust, scattered like dry leaves. Unaware of Kalion’s disappointment, Gia turned to leave.

“What’s her name?”

“Ah, it’s Lexi.”

“Oh… Lux and Lexi. They suit each other well.”

Despite knowing that Kalion’s face tightened with tension as he watched the two horses grazing in the winter meadow, Gia continued, as if she had heard someone say they looked good together. 

Kalion’s heart pounded as if he had heard that he and Gia matched well in love.

‘They even have a love life like horses.’

Recalling her situation, Gia swallowed the bitterness inside. It seemed unfair to be unable to choose who to like and harbor feelings for. The more she thought about it, the more she realized the inherent unfairness, making her mouth taste bitter.

Gia’s eyes sank as she watched Kalion leave to fetch Lux and Lexi.

‘I like him.’

She couldn’t even express her feelings outwardly. The unspoken emotions folded a thousand times. It seemed even paper couldn’t fold that much.

Gia knew it was wrong, but she couldn’t help but fall for Kalion. As Gia’s gaze followed Kalion’s slender back, it dropped to the ground.

Gia’s tightly clenched fist trembled.

‘It feels a bit unfair.’

Without confessing or showing herself, she had to fold her feelings. It was truly unfair.

Although she decided to like him secretly, an unreasonable desire crept in. What kind of woman would be by Kalion’s side?

The more Gia imagined, the more strength entered her fist, and her nails pressed into her palm.

“What’s wrong?”

“Huh? Nothing.”

Gia shook her head, denying that it was about her. Jealousy bubbled up in her stomach at the thought of Kalion being affectionate not only to her but to other women.

“Shall we stop by the market on the way?”

“The market?”

“Yes. How about buying something Rey likes?”

“Yeah… sure.”

Kalion’s consideration, even for Rey who had been left behind, made Gia’s lips twist bitterly.

“Let’s go.”

At Kalion’s urging, Gia leaped onto the horse.

‘Why is my conscience twisting like this when I know I can’t have it?’

It was all because of the affectionate Kalion. Gia, with a determined look, urged the horse forward. If she didn’t do this, it felt like she couldn’t live with the injustice.

Perhaps these idle thoughts would vanish with the biting wind. Gia, with a stern expression, led the way, and Kalion followed.

Knowing that Kalion might not easily accept a confession, Gia felt a deep sense of frustration at her inability to confess. Chewing her lips, they soon approached the market.

“Why are you running so fast?”

Kalion, concerned about Gia who had just experienced horseback riding for the first time today, quickly caught up. Nagging was a bonus.

“I just wanted to run.”

“It’s dangerous…”

Kalion retorted, his voice filled with frustration at Gia’s nonchalant response.

“Okay, got it. I won’t do it next time.”

Brushing off Kalion’s nagging with ease, Gia dismounted from the horse. Was teaching her horseback riding a good idea? Kalion, already regretting it, watched Gia ahead of him.

No matter how athletic Gia was, if she were to fall suddenly from a fast and high place… Just thinking about it made Kalion dizzy. Despite witnessing skilled riders fall from their horses multiple times, Kalion’s heart clenched at the thought.

Watching Gia riding precariously, Kalion couldn’t bring himself to shout. It was not Gia falling from the horse; it was almost his heart. Frustration filled Kalion as Gia, seemingly unaware of his feelings, casually responded.

Hastening to catch up, he saw Gia calmly enjoying the market. Kalion felt relieved, yet a bitter feeling lingered. Why did he worry so much when Gia seemed unfazed?

Gia, who was standing in front of a skewer restaurant they had been to before, was visible. Unaware of Kalion’s feelings, she seemed cute as she glanced around, occasionally stealing glances while waiting.

“Here it is.”

Kalion extended the bag he retrieved from his pocket, as if admitting defeat.

“It’s heavy. What if I spend it all?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Kalion gestured as if to say, “Do as you wish.” In response, Gia confidently extended all five fingers to the merchant.

“Give me five!”