Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 106
After finishing her other requests with Reyna, Irene hurried toward the temple within the fortress to keep her promise with Michael.
The temple was situated in the northern corner of the fortress, honestly, one of the most remote places in the area.
âItâs probably because theyâd rather not deal with them, though they canât exactly expel them either.â
The temple might be a bothersome place to some, but they couldnât get rid of it.
Many knights still stopped by before entering the dungeon to pray for a safe return.
Additionally, the temple was responsible for handling the bodies of those who died in the dungeons.
âStill, they seem to have a lot of land since theyâre tucked away in this corner.â
The temple grounds included a grand temple building, lodgings for the sick, and even farmland, where they practiced cultivation according to their faithâs teachings.
Being in the remote part of the fortress allowed them to spread out and enjoy various facilities.
Irene looked around as she entered the temple. Although she had wandered around the fortress alone in her previous life, she had never visited the temple before.
âI couldnât even look in this direction back then.â
Unlike other pairs, Michael didnât stay in the accommodations provided by the fortress.
Despite the soundproofing, he would make a face as if he had entered the most lewd and filthy place in the world whenever he heard the moans that escaped the walls.
Ever since the night of their initial pair bond, he had never set foot inside the building again.
Instead, he had told her he would stay in the templeâs prayer room and asked her to come there if anything happened. But she had never gone.
âI almost did, once.â
One day, after a butler sent by the Count took away all her money, she had intended to ask Michael when their next dungeon raid would be and had headed toward the temple.
There, she had encountered a temple priest.
She asked where Michaelâs lodging was, only for the priest to respond with one question: âWho are you to be looking for Sir Michael?â
Normally, she would have been more cautious, but in her desperation, she had blurted out that she was his pair.
The moment those words left her mouth, she saw a look of deep contempt cross the priestâs face.
Then, as if he had suddenly remembered, the priest said that Sir Michael wasnât in the temple that day and told her to return to the fortress. The coldness in his voice and expression made it clear to Irene.
She realized that she didnât belong there.
Since that day, Irene had never so much as glanced in the direction of the temple.
âAnd yet here I am, returning like this.â
However, she still had no idea where his prayer room was located. As she wandered around the temple grounds, she soon spotted a priest and approached him.
âExcuse me, could you tell me where Sir Michaelâs quarters areâŚ?â
Just as she began to ask, Irene froze mid-sentence. The priest she had grabbed was the very same one from her past life, the one she had asked about Michaelâs location.
âMay I ask who you are to be looking for Sir Michael?â
The same question as before left Irene momentarily speechless.
She could easily pretend to be someone else, and the priest would likely show her the way. If she were unwelcome, Michael would turn her away regardless.
ButâŚ
âI am his pair.â
Unlike in her past life, Irene stood tall, raising her head with confidence.
Back then, perhaps she had clung to him, but not anymore. This time, it was he who had held onto her.
So⌠there was no reason for them to show her contempt now.
As soon as she spoke, the priestâs expression changed.
For a moment, she wondered if she would receive the same treatment as before. But to her surprise, the priest broke into a bright smile and bowed his head slightly.
âMy apologies for not recognizing such an esteemed guest. Please, follow me. Allow me to guide you to his quarters.â
He led the way with a completely different attitude from what Irene remembered.
More than ever, in that moment, Irene realized just how much had changed in this life compared to the last.
