Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 101
Irene wondered for a moment if her eyes and ears were deceiving her.
Michael appeared completely normal. There were no traces of the miasma intoxication from that night. His eyes, too, were the same deep blue she was used to seeing.
Moreover, even though they were in a room, it was the same place where Reyna and Cynthia had been staying just moments earlier.
The two had only left for a while, leaving their papers on the table and their teacups still there. Even though they had stepped out, it was a place they could return to at any time if needed.
And yet, here he was, trying to kiss her.
“This…”
Irene, who had been about to say that this would be troublesome, unconsciously touched her lips with one hand.
The morning after he had come to her, Irene had let out a deep sigh upon seeing her reflection in the mirror. Her face had been a mess, and the worst part had been her swollen lips.
Of course, it was no surprise, given how much he had kissed and sucked on them until dawn, but the embarrassment was enough to keep her hiding in her room all day, avoiding others.
It wasn’t just her lips that hurt. Her jaw had been sore from his relentless kisses, where his tongue kept pushing deeper, to the point that she could barely breathe.
Although the pain eventually went away, the strange lingering sensation made it feel as though the ache remained.
The real problem was…
‘I didn’t hate it.’
Though Michael had acted with the intent of purification, Irene’s heart had started to stir.
He had clung to her all night, refusing to let go, as if they had been born as one. He had held her so tightly, leaving no space between them.
It was an oddly comforting warmth that had wrapped around her—something she had longed for in her past life.
At first, she had tried to push him away, but when she gave up out of exhaustion, he had only pulled her closer with joy.
The feeling of being completely enveloped in someone’s arms was, if she were to be honest, a deeply pleasant sensation.
It was as if a ship, after a turbulent journey, had finally reached the safety of the harbor, dropping anchor to rest.
Hesitant, Irene asked him in a small voice,
“Is it… difficult for you to resist because of the miasma?”
Even though she couldn’t see any visible signs of the miasma, that didn’t mean it had completely left his body. Maybe it had built up again during the two weeks he was away, traveling through different dungeons.
The more she thought about it, the more anxious Irene became.
When she looked at him with concern, he avoided her gaze and answered with a hint of embarrassment.
“Shamefully… yes.”
As she suspected. It must have been difficult for a revered holy knight to admit his suffering from the miasma.
Irene, remembering the sharp tingle of the miasma she had absorbed, placed both hands on his cheeks.
Then, she gently pulled his face closer to hers and kissed him cautiously.
To steal a kiss from a holy knight in broad daylight—it was a brazen act.
But this was only for the sake of purification, something the two of them had to do, and it was meant to ease his pain. That thought made the awkwardness fade.
Driven by the need to purify him as quickly as possible, Irene boldly pushed her tongue into his mouth.
Perhaps it was thanks to the countless times he had taught her that night, but Irene had no trouble entering his lips.
A fresh minty scent rushed in alongside a cool, tingling sensation, as if he had chewed on mint leaves beforehand, knowing this would happen.
Unlike the intense, heated kisses of that night, this one felt light and refreshing, prompting Irene to pull him closer by the neck.
Since they had already started anyway, it was best to finish the purification as quickly as possible.
For a moment, Michael remained still, accepting her kiss without moving.
But that moment didn’t last long.
Realizing what was happening, he soon wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her effortlessly.
Though Irene was slender, she was still a grown woman, and not particularly short. Yet, he lifted her as easily as if she were a straw doll.
Supporting her bottom with one arm, he placed his other hand behind her neck and gently pressed her closer.
Just moments ago, Irene had been standing on her tiptoes to kiss him. Now, with her elevated, she was able to look down at him while kissing.
It wasn’t just their position that had changed.
“Mm, ngh…”
It was almost as if he wanted to remind her who had taught her how to kiss that night.
