Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 53
Translated by Elphie
The person who was ridiculed stood there dumbfounded, not knowing what to do. Queen Cecilia dismissed her with a wave of her hand and summoned a servant to show her to her seat. Sure enough, the newcomer was ushered to the corner seat where Irene had once sat in the past.
And that was that. People went on with their conversations as if nothing happened. It was like she was invisible – no one spared her a second glance.
After enduring their sneers and the dismissal that followed, the newcomer seemed to grasp her place in this gathering. Initially flustered, she now lowered her head in shame, trying to make herself small. She found herself isolated in this enormous gathering, unable even to summon the courage to sip the tea placed in front of her.
Irene felt her fingers grow cold at the sight. The deep despair and sorrow she had once experienced in a similar situation resurfaced vividly in Irene’s heart. To be ignored and laughed at by others, and eventually to be left alone, unnoticed by anyone, as if she didn’t exist.
It was something she remembered so clearly.
Something she didn’t want anyone else to have to go through.
As these thoughts overwhelmed her, Irene found herself standing up unconsciously.
“Miss Irene?”
As she stood abruptly, Cecilia looked at her with a questioning gaze.
“I’m sorry, Princess Cecilia. I wanted to continue our conversation, but suddenly I’m not feeling well. I think I need to leave,” Irene excused herself.
Irene spoke with an unabashed and confident tone, not feeling the slightest bit of regret if the surrounding purifiers could hear her.
“Oh, well, right…”
Cecilia nodded, unable to say anything in response to the brazenness of the statement.
“Thank you for your understanding, Princess. I’ll take my leave now.”
Irene nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then promptly rose from her seat and walked away. She deliberately stumbled right next to the woman who sat in the seat closest to the entrance and farthest from the princess.
Pretending that it was a genuine mistake, Irene grabbed the woman to steady herself.
“I’m sorry, but could you please help me a bit? I suddenly feel dizzy…”
“Oh? Uh, sure!”
The 7th-grade purifier saw Cecilia take notice and helped Irene out. Although the maids rushed to help moments later, Irene politely declined their assistance, expressing gratitude but insisting that they could manage on their own.
Once she was sure no one was following them, Irene released her grip and straightened up. The other woman was confused on how she should react to Irene’s clearly feigned pain.
Irene said with a smirk, “After all you’ve done for me, it would be rude to just let you go. If you don’t mind, would you like to join me for a cup of tea?”
With that, the woman glanced in the direction of Princess Cecilia’s chambers. It was the place filled with people who had mocked and ignored her just moments ago. She bowed her head deeply as she realized why Irene had gotten her out of there.
Irene took her unresponsive hand and headed for her room. It was a strangely gratifying feeling—like Irene had rescued the past version of herself.
* * *
Drip.
As the golden tea flowed into the cup from the teapot, its delightful aroma instantly filled the room. The somber expression on the woman’s face seemed to brighten a bit at the scent.
Irene looked at her.
‘Cynthia Myers.’
That was the woman’s name, a Grade 7 purifier staying in the room where Irene had once resided.
After taking a sip of the tea, she looked more relaxed and said, “Did you bring me out because you felt sorry for me?”
Irene considered denying it, but she changed her mind and decided to acknowledge what she had done. If she were in Cynthia’s shoes, she would probably prefer a straightforward admission. It seemed like the right choice.
Cynthia, who had been staring at the floor, raised her head to meet Irene’s gaze. Her face was filled with exhaustion and self-loathing, reminiscent of the times Irene had looked at herself in the mirror in the past.
“You didn’t have to do that, ma’am… I don’t think Princess Cecilia probably would have liked that.”
Irene knew. Nevertheless, she chose to take Cynthia away from that place.
“I know.”
“But still, you took me out with you.” Cynthia fidgeted with her teacup and spoke in a soft voice. “…Thank you.”
