Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 41
Translated by Elphie
Reyna and Felix felt awkward in Michael’s presence. Even though they hadn’t engaged in any particularly embarrassing conversation, they were still startled that someone might have overheard their discussion. In situations like this, it was common courtesy to give a subtle signal to indicate that one was nearby.
But there was no denying that Michael was lurking, as he couldn’t have possibly been unaware of their presence. Faced with the fact that the renowned paladin might have been eavesdropping, the two couldn’t bring themselves to say anything further. They couldn’t casually discuss etiquette with a knight of such high stature, after all.
Michael glanced at the two for a moment, then slightly bowed his head towards them.
Reyna and Felix awkwardly bowed in acknowledgement as well.
Then Michael turned around and walked away, like he had no further business with them. For a moment, the two thought about greeting him but soon abandoned the idea. It was understandable, given the stiff expression on Michael’s face as he turned away.
“…Did he miss the chance to make his presence known after arriving first?”
“Yeah.”
As Michael moved farther away and became completely out of sight, Reyna and Felix shared an uneasy laugh.
“Anyway, Felix. I understand your intentions, but I don’t want you to get hurt in pursuit of some trinket. So, this time, please…”
Reyna remembered the warning Irene had left them.
“Let’s assign ourselves to a different dungeon.”
* * *
Clack, clack.
Irene’s steps felt heavy as she headed back to her lodgings. The stares she had gotten on her way back weighed her down.
‘I thought things would have been different this time around.’
Once again, judgemental eyes bore through her like they did in her past life—looks that seemed to view her as if she were a leech attached to Michael. The difference was that there was a tinge of envy in those stares that hadn’t been there before.
‘It must be because of the changes.’
Irene’s current lodgings were the same size as Princess Cecilia’s. Additionally, Tyrenia kept sending them all sorts of things, though she didn’t know how Michael assisted them exactly.
Thanks to that, Irene could wear warm, comfortable, and even beautiful clothes—a stark contrast to her previous life.
‘But best of all is the food.’
For each meal, the maids would diligently bring in several carts laden with food. Despite Irene insisting she didn’t need so much, the maids would claim that they were only following orders and always laid out an extravagant spread.
In the old days, she couldn’t afford butter and often had to ration a single piece of hard bread for both breakfast and lunch. The freshly-baked soft bread with generous amounts of butter and jam that was now in front of her felt like a dream.
‘Besides, I’m not the only one who’s full.’
Even though the maids were insistent and didn’t listen when Irene claimed that such quantities were inconvenient, there was only one way to ensure that there was no leftover food.
‘We had to eat together.’
Thus, Irene would separate the food for herself first and then asked the maids if they wanted to share what was left. At first, they adamantly refused, but after Irene promised not to tell anyone and reassured them multiple times, the maids reluctantly ate the food in the adjacent room.
Perhaps because of this, the maids, who were already quite polite, became even more accommodating recently. The changes were subtle – more flowers in the vase or the already tidy room becoming practically spotless after cleaning.
‘That’s a good thing.’
Regardless of how it happened, Irene was going to be staying in the fortress for longer than she thought, so it couldn’t hurt to be on good terms with the people who saw to her comfort.
Irene entered the hallway and turned the corner.
“Irene! Where have you been?”
An unwelcome voice called from her doorway.
“Wilhelmina.”
Irene had to make an effort not to look displeased. Honestly, she didn’t mind showing it, but that would only provoke Wilhelmina and make her more bothersome.
“Do you have any idea how long I’ve been waiting here?”
“Waiting? For me?”
“Who else would I be waiting for? More importantly, there’s something we need to discuss inside, but the maids wouldn’t let me in without your permission.”
Saying this, Wilhelmina cast a disdainful glance at the maid standing beside her.
“Good. Now that you’re here, you can say something to them. That way, it’ll be easier for me to come in even when you’re not around.”
Wilhelmina demanded, as if it were a matter of course.
Irene swallowed a laugh at her attitude—acting as if what was Irene’s was hers.
‘Should I just kick her out?’
Irene could guess why Wilhelmina had come here. She was most likely acting on Princess’s Cecilia orders to check up on Irene.