Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 97
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If one were to pick the most splendid place inside the fortress, everyone would point to Princess Cecilia’s residence without hesitation.
She was already twenty-five years old.
Since dungeons usually appeared en masse once a year, this marked her fifth year in the fortress.
A first-grade purifier. That alone made her a figure deserving of reverence in the fortress.
Moreover, she was a purifier whose purification abilities were among the strongest, even within the individuals who were deemed Grade 1.
While there were other first-grade purifiers, they were naturally regarded as being beneath Princess Cecilia.
However, they didn’t seem to mind.
The princess had taken those two into her circle and treated them with the utmost respect.
One of her acts of generosity was allowing them to use this enormous residence, which was practically a mansion.
But today, it seemed she wasn’t in the mood for such generosity.
“You’re saying I can’t enter?”
Riosa furrowed her brows. She, like Princess Cecilia, was a first-grade purifier.
“Is something going on?”
“Well… it seems Her Highness has some pressing matters to attend to.”
At that moment, the sound of something shattering echoed from within.
“What was that sound?”
Riosa’s eyes widened in surprise.
The Princess Cecilia they knew was always quiet, gentle, and graceful.
Of course, she occasionally summoned low-ranking purifiers wandering the fortress to teach them their place, but even then, she would always smile and treat them kindly.
Such commotion from within her chambers was unexpected.
“It seems someone had a mishap. In any case, things are a bit chaotic inside, so I must ask that you leave for today, Lady Riosa.”
The princess’s maid, as always, bowed deeply with impeccable courtesy.
A servant wouldn’t dare block her path so forcefully on their own.
Clearly, the maid was following the princess’s orders. If that were the case, entering now wouldn’t do her any good.
“Very well, I’ll take my leave for today.”
Riosa turned away as if she had no further business.
But even as she left, her mind was racing.
What could have rattled the calm, collected princess so much?
‘There’s only one answer.’
Riosa moved toward the window and looked out. Across from the building they were in stood another with a similar structure.
Naturally, the top floor of that building housed a space almost as grand as Princess Cecilia’s.
Though the princess’s residence had a large reception hall and a space for small gatherings, the other residence enjoyed similar luxuries.
“Irene Rhodiam, was it?”
Unlike Princess Cecilia, famed for her first-grade purification power, Irene had once been ranked near the bottom as a Grade 10 purifier.
‘Or rather, she’s Grade 8 now.’
A purifier whose rank, once fixed, had changed twice. She even had the potential to rise further.
And…
“A new circle.”
The fortress, where power dynamics had been unshakable until the princess’s retirement, was now seeing a significant shift in influence.
Recently, the circle Irene had created was growing rapidly.
“Hmm.”
Complex emotions flickered in Riosa’s eyes as she gazed at Irene’s residence.
So far, there wasn’t a single first-grade purifier in Irene’s circle.
The highest-ranked member was Reyna Ortega, a second-grade purifier.
‘A novice who just entered the fortress this year.’
She lacked the experience to advise other purifiers.
The rest were a mix of third to fifth-grade purifiers, far too common.
To top it off, the center of the circle was only eighth-grade, hardly making it a proper group.
‘But Sir Michael is there.’
His presence alone could change the game.
Riosa began to ponder.
A circle with a military force as strong as all the knights combined—on her side.
Yet, lacking a proper purifier to lead them in the purification aspect.
‘If I were to join them…’
For a moment, several future possibilities flashed through Riosa’s mind.
Since their numbers were still small, the share of rewards would be far greater than what she had now.
And unlike now, where everyone worshiped the princess, she could be the most respected among the purifiers. Eventually…
‘Since Sir Michael has chosen his pair this year, there’s a good chance he’ll seek another pair next year.’
Once someone experiences purification, it’s impossible to break free.
Besides, since he had to continue subjugating dungeons, he would definitely need a purifier again next year.
If I can build a connection with him now…
‘Wouldn’t there be a good chance that I could become his pair instead of Princess Cecilia?’
