Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 31
Translated by Elphie
“…Hold hands?”
“Yes.”
It was a straightforward response, like he had assumed there couldn’t possibly be any other thing he could have asked for.
“They say that’s the basis of purification.”
“Well, yes.”
Irene vigorously nodded, fanning her flushed face with her hand.
‘What was I thinking?’
Why did she assume he would lead her to the bed like that?
‘That’s something that never happened. It’s an event that never took place.’
In this world, only she would remember it.
Irene pressed her palm against the heated cheek. Despite that, the warmth didn’t seem to dissipate.
“But, are you really okay with this?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, it’s just that… I thought it might be against the rules of the temple to…”
A paladin visiting a woman’s room alone late at night and even attempting physical contact—it seemed strange no matter how you looked at it. This was something the past Michael would never do.
As Irene cautiously expressed her thoughts, he seemed to understand what she was thinking. His expression tightened slightly, as if acknowledging the awkwardness of his actions.
He then proceeded to say, “I understand that my behavior is likely to make you quite uncomfortable.”
It wasn’t just uncomfortable; Irene was starting to doubt if this person was really Michael.
“But… I couldn’t endure it any longer, and I ended up making this impolite visit.”
After saying so, Michael lifted his head to meet Irene’s gaze. In an instant, Irene felt her heart drop, a sensation akin to plummeting from a great height—a profound and distant fear. Behind his deep blue eyes, she sensed something more profound and unsettling.
“Irene?”
Was she staring too intensely? He called her name in a hushed tone.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Irene hastily snapped out of her daze, but the trembling in her body didn’t subside.
“But… when you said you couldn’t endure it… What do you mean?”
That particular phrase struck a chord with her. What couldn’t he endure?
“Oh, is it about that?”
Somehow, there was a hint of laughter in his voice, yet his expression remained as calm as ever.
“I just thought that since you’re clearly a paladin, you can cleanse a certain amount of magical energy on your own…”
So, this situation felt even more unfamiliar. Perhaps due to his devout nature, he possessed a level of spiritual power beyond that of an ordinary priest. While it couldn’t eliminate wounds like a purifier, it could still suppress magical energy to some extent.
So, Michael would always go to the prayer room alone after finishing dungeon expeditions, purifying magical energy with his own divine power.
“Normally, that’s true. However…”
Michael trailed off, glancing at the table. It seemed like he intended to share a more detailed story.
Sensing his intention, Irene invited him to sit, unable to leave him standing like that.
“If you don’t mind, why don’t we sit down and talk? It’s not comfortable to keep standing like this.”
“Thank you.”
“Would you like some tea or…”
“It’s fine.”
Trying to ease the awkwardness with a question, Irene received a brief response. Michael then headed towards the table in the center of the room.
Feeling a sense of urgency in Michael’s demeanor, Irene had no choice but to approach him directly.
As Irene attempted to sit, Michael pulled out a chair for her, making it easy for her to settle. He sat down across from her only after she was seated.
‘His manners haven’t changed.’
Since the appearance of dungeons, knights had become obsessed with rewards, neglecting their chivalry and focusing solely on hunting monsters. Many lamented that these individuals should be called hunters rather than knights.
Among the knightly manners, one that could now be considered outdated was Michael’s commitment to a chivalric code of conduct. His adherence to these old customs drew disdain and ridicule from his fellow knights, but admiration and longing from purifiers
‘That’s why I liked him.’
Irene had received little respect and hospitality under the Count’s rule. Even if Michael disliked her, his demeanor, reminiscent of how one would treat a lady, had made her heart flutter several times.
‘But not anymore.’
Even recalling old memories, there was no longer the same excitement. Everything seemed distant, and Irene simply acknowledged it.