My Strange Savior - Chapter 95

Chapter 95

Ttok-gak-ttok-gak.

Yuria’s steps became increasingly nervous and heavy as she walked on the marble floor. The pointed heels of her shoes, stomping on the marble, seemed to represent Yuria’s state of mind.

“Haah.”

As she exhaled, a warm breath escaped. Yuria’s insides were as restless as her external appearance suggested. Yuria, who had prepared herself from dawn to see the famous Lord Kalion, opened the door roughly.

Yuria, who had thrown her jewelry onto the bed, sprawled on the sofa. The calm demeanor from earlier was nowhere to be found. Yuria’s spread legs and outstretched hands on either side of the sofa were undeniably rebellious.

Shoes dangled from Yuria’s white toes.

“Didn’t he say he had no fiancee or anyone he was dating?”

Yuria, with her alluring hair gathered to one side, protruded her lips in dissatisfaction. Today, it seemed like the information was quite off. What else could it mean if they weren’t dating? Yuria kicked off her shoes, feeling annoyed that she had woken up early for nothing.

Thinking of Gia, who used to praise her beauty, Yuria snorted. Remembering Gia’s innocent face, Yuria’s expression softened.

“I do know I’m pretty, though.”

Recalling the time when she sincerely admired herself, she couldn’t help but find her previous attitude amusing. Yuria’s eyes, a light sky blue, rose in admiration but quickly sank again.

She felt like getting angry alone. The other party didn’t seem to have the will to fight. Moreover, Kalion seemed to regard Yuria as less than a roadside pebble.

For an ordinary man, even if he couldn’t do anything to Yuria, he should have looked at her at least ten times. But Kalion only had eyes for Gia.

It was the same in the reception room earlier. When Norman asked a question and Gia seemed uneasy, Kalion’s large hand covered the back of her hand, as if it was only natural for him to be there.

Yuria awkwardly cleared her throat, embarrassed that she had ignited her fighting spirit alone.

‘They… are they really in that kind of relationship?'”

When Yuria led the knight brigade to embark on a punitive expedition, she had never heard the news of Lord Kalion having a woman.

‘Did he mention Gia?’

Thinking that Gia’s attire was more unusual than expected, Yuria scratched the sofa with her finger.

Different from ordinary women’s clothing. Despite wearing pants, the confident Gia seemed somewhat enviable to Yuria. 

Gia’s light attire, in contrast to women wearing voluminous skirts and pointed shoes, was noticeable compared to what Yuria was wearing.

Yuria’s heels were red and swollen because of the new shoes that didn’t fit well. The tight corset accentuated Yuria’s slender waist and ample chest, but it wasn’t easy to breathe.

As for the skirt, with a stiff whalebone added, it made the skirt look rich but made it uncomfortable to sit comfortably.

‘I think it was something like a knight in that world.’

In Yuria’s eyes, seeing a female knight for the first time, the sense of struggle was erased, and a faint curiosity arose. It was different from what she vaguely imagined. Seeing it today, Gia looked like a man ready to fight with a sword.

Memories surfaced of when she imitated her brother and got scolded by her father for wielding a sword when she was young. It was an area not permitted for women. Gia effortlessly broke down that barrier.

Could Gia wield a sword and conquer something in the entire world? Yuria’s imagination unfolded endlessly with envy.

“Is she really strong?”

Yuria had never actually witnessed Gia’s combat, but based on the letters her father had shared, Gia was strong enough to confront dragons. Pursuing heinous criminals in their world from the outset, Gia must be formidable. Though Yuria didn’t like admitting it, her curiosity grew deep within.

Having climbed the treacherous Mount Noflan, if the stories were true, Gia might be even more remarkable than Yuria had imagined. The person who called her pretty sparkled her eyes toward Yuria. 

The more she thought about it, the less unpleasant it felt, and Yuria rested her chin on her hand.

Now in a position where she needed to find a suitable marriage match, Yuria felt it was a waste of herself. A fiancé like Kalion was a rare find. However, Yuria wasn’t foolish enough to cling to something that wasn’t hers.

It was just wounded pride.

‘Let’s just watch quietly. I wonder what will happen to the princess?’

What would the princess, who had been eagerly anticipating the day Lord Kalion would come, think when she saw this? Perhaps like a dog chasing a chicken. Yuria, not fond of the princess, pursed her lips and drew an imaginary line.

“It might be more interesting than I thought.”

Even with just the imagination, Yuria let out a small laugh. She quickly covered her mouth with both hands, wary that someone might overhear.

Thinking about the imperial princess, who flaunted her unlimited power behind the Emperor, Yuria’s lips trembled. It was a woman named Gia, not her, who had put a punch in her smug face, but a punch was a punch nonetheless.

Of course, a distraught Yuria coveted Lord Kalion’s company, but she was more eager to flatten the princess’ nose.

The sadness she felt at the thought of witnessing the scene of Kalion’s group entering the capital evaporated completely. Yuria dropped her shoe to the floor and stifled a laugh.

Though their levels didn’t quite match, Yuria thought she could get along better with Gia than she had anticipated. Yuria hummed a tune as she slowly removed the jewelry adorning her body.

* * *

Upon hearing that Rey was looking for her as soon as he got up, Gia stood up from her seat.

“I’ll come with you.”

Kalion, as if waiting, stood up. Gia looked at Kalion, who was like a guardian, and her eyes softened.

“It’s okay even if I go alone.”

Gia hesitated, looking at Akin, who was still sitting. As if sensing that, Akin also got up and offered a friendly smile.

“It’s alright. We can discuss the unfinished matters in the evening, and there’s time for us to go up again.”

“Thank you. Then, see you in the evening.”

Gia threw a somewhat sociable remark and, along with Kalion, left the greenhouse.

“It’s still fortunate.”

“Huh?”

“We have people to help us.”

“Ah… is that so?”

Kalion’s words subtly shook, as if it was not a welcome sentiment.

“Why again?”

“I just…”

Kalion ran his lips and exhaled a sigh, spitting out words like a breath.

“Even with Morrison’s matters alone, there would be enough worries. Adding the complicated political problems of this world makes me uneasy.”

Kalion’s sigh, which sounded like a confession, made Gia tilt her head.

“It’s okay. What can I say.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?”

“Even if it doesn’t concern you, Kalion, you work so hard and help me… To see you like this…”

As Gia guessed, the kind-hearted Kalion was again indulging in unnecessary thoughts.

“Why should it concern me?”

“But… nothing will be lost to you by catching Morrison. He’s just a target for revenge. Nothing more, nothing less. You could withdraw anytime… That’s why I feel even more sorry for you.”

The kind Kalion was always considering Gia first, as he always did. Calculating even Gia’s emotions that no one else cared about. It was typical of Kalion. Gia chuckled, playfully tapping Kalion’s stiff biceps.

“So kind.”

“Huh?”

“You. Among the people I’ve met, you seem to be the kindest, most sincere, and responsible.”

“Not really.”

Gia’s sudden praise attacked Kalion, and his face turned red without immunity. Sweet words from a woman he liked flowed like a melody. To keep his pounding heart from being noticed, Kalion clenched his fist tightly.

The more they were together, the more the desire to convey his feelings to Gia grew. He thought it would be okay as long as they were together. But as desires usually do, it was gradually swelling and silently taking root in the depths of his heart.

Though he had resisted wanting to unload a heavy burden on Gia, who would eventually have to return to her world, he didn’t know how long he could keep that up. Kalion’s arrogance, which had believed that the deepening connection between them would lead to a profound relationship, was gradually being broken.

Even now, Kalion’s hand, eager to touch Gia, squirmed without his control. Once he had experienced the soft texture of her cheek, there was no going back to the time when he didn’t know. Kalion, who had been watching Gia walking ahead, stopped in his tracks.

Could this fleeting emotion, like a breaking sunset, also shatter away? After resolving everything, could he forget her when Gia returned?

Kalion wasn’t sure. Even now, he couldn’t help but worry that someone might deceive Gia. His nerves were on edge, and just seeing Gia with another man made his eyes sharp.

Despite knowing that he was nothing to Gia, an uncontrollable greed reached out to him. Kalion, who had been recently feeling keenly aware of his childishness, couldn’t bear the thought of Gia discovering this embarrassing side of him. 

If Gia were to find out, he might break out in a cold sweat.

Even now, as Gia praised him for being sincere and responsible, Kalion wanted to say something. He wasn’t such an extraordinary person. He was someone who, despite knowing that she had to go back, entangled his heart, wanting to keep her from leaving. 

He wanted to confess his feelings to Gia, to keep her from returning to her original world, to become a coward like that.

“Kalion?”

Gia, who had been waiting for Kalion, standing there absentmindedly, turned back. Worries flooded in when she saw Kalion’s suddenly darkened expression. 

“What are you thinking all of a sudden?”

Even with Gia’s question, Kalion could only weakly smile.

“Another strange thought?”

The sense of responsibility was overwhelming. What should she do with this kind Kalion? Gia grabbed Kalion’s wrist and shook it.

“Let’s go. Rey must be waiting.”

“Yeah.”

Gia’s touch was comforting. The complicated thoughts that had weighed on his mind evaporated with that single touch.

Now it was simple. How far down to rock bottom? 

Kalion wiped his dry face. When he was with Gia, he felt like the most pathetic man in the world.