Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 64
Translated by Elphie
“I think it would be more appropriate for you to be the head, Reyna.”
Normally, the strongest purifier would naturally be the one to lead the circle. Irene couldn’t understand why they wanted to entrust the role to her when a 2nd grade purifier like Reyna was also there.
“But you have more knowledge, Irene! I’ve always known you were different, especially when you gave us advice on that advanced dungeon. The more I talk to you, the more I realize that you really do know your stuff.”
Cynthia echoed Reyna’s words, “That’s right. I also felt that Irene has a wealth of knowledge about dungeons and demons.”
“That’s…”
“And you’re Sir Michael’s pair,” said Reyna. “Just that alone will attract a lot of people to our circle.”
Cynthia continued, “From what I’ve heard from the maids, many of the purifiers in the Princess’s circle are unhappy.”
“Unhappy?”
“Yes. The Princess doesn’t ask much from the stronger purifiers, but she demands payment from the lower and mid-level purifiers in the form of membership dues.”
Cynthia then recounted the stories she had heard from the maids.
The Princess’s desired payment was not clearly specified in terms of amount or percentage. Usually she would ask for a portion of the reward, but if the other person had a fine gem or rare metals, she would want the whole thing.
Naturally, everyone was dissatisfied with her demands, but no one dared to speak up.
However, unable to voice their complaints in front of the princess, they often vented their grievances in the privacy of their rooms, especially to their pair or to purifiers in similar situations.
The maids would hear their grumbling behind the scenes.
“Those who complained secretly hoped for the creation of another circle. In such a situation, if Sir Michael is in attendance, a lot of people would likely participate.”
Irene paused for a moment.
‘This is becoming much bigger than I thought.’
Though she had turned her back on the Princess, she had no intention of actively opposing her. But if she were to create her own circle and become its head, it would be a direct challenge to Cecilia’s influence in the fortress.
There was no way the Princess would look favorably on such actions.
‘I tried to avoid her as much as possible.’
Even if Irene didn’t fear the Princess as much as she did in the past, Irene still preferred to avoid antagonizing her whenever possible. Running away might seem like a cowardly choice, but logically, she was simply being practical.
But…
When Irene closed her eyes, she could still remember it clearly—the Princess looking at her as if she were no more than a bug at her feet.
Suddenly, something welled up deep within her chest.
Why did she ever do to deserve such contempt from her? Was it because of her low rank? Was it because she was Michael’s pair?
None of those justified the way the Princess openly despised her.
‘Besides, now that I’ve turned my back on her, she’ll probably find fault with me at every opportunity anyway.’
It made it harder to live in the fortress.
‘And if Reyna was the head instead of me…’
Reyna and Felix planned on staying in the fortress for only a year and not come back next. But that’s just their dream, and there’s a good chance that they’ll return to the fortress again for further dungeon expeditions. If that happens, the Princess would never leave Reyna alone.
‘But if I take on the role of circle head and attract all the arrows of resentment…’
Perhaps next year, if by any chance that Reyna changed her mind and joins the Princess’s circle, she’ll feel more comfortable.
‘It doesn’t matter if I take the blame for everything.’
Since Irene was going to leave anyway, she thought it might be better to take all the arrows of resentment with her.
Irene looked up, and there they were—Reyna and Cynthia—staring at her nervously.
If things had happened as they did in the past, Reyna would have lost her pair and left with her family by now. Cynthia, too, would have quietly lurked in a corner of the fortress, her face dark and no one speaking a word to her.
But now, both of them were looking at Irene with faces full of anticipation.
Irene had changed, too.
Before, she would have locked herself in the corner of her room, thinking of this fortress as her prison. Now, she was sitting in the sunshine in the company of people she could call her friends.
“Okay.”
Irene decided.
“Let’s give it a try.”
Here she was, deciding to give her best to do this right.
