Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 127
Irene was confused.
In the past, she would have thought that his answer reflected the mindset of a priest, one who believed that God was always with them.
But now, Michael was looking straight at her.
As if what mattered to him was only her.
His gaze was so singularly focused on her, almost to the point of obsession, that Irene swallowed dryly.
Words he had never said in her previous life.
So, in this life, whenever he said such things, she had desperately tried to convince herself that she was mistaken.
She was afraid that if she misunderstood his attention as affection, she would end up miserable in this life as well.
But she was tired of grappling with these thoughts alone.
If he had changed from how he was in her previous life, she wanted to confirm it for sure.
Irene gathered her courage and asked,
āI… I donāt know how to interpret what youāre saying.ā
In the past, she would never have dared to ask a question like this, for fear that he might look at her as if she was speaking nonsense.
After asking, she immediately regretted it.
What was she thinking? He might just dismiss her, saying there was no way he would see her as anything more than a purifier he needed for temporary help.
Still, still…
āWhen I see how youāve been acting lately, Iām confused. You have no reason to care about me… but when you treat me this way, I start to think Iām someone important to you…ā
Irene wiped away the tears that unexpectedly streamed down her face.
She was constantly surprised, excited, and then hesitant because of how different he was compared to her previous life.
There were times when he still seemed distant, but whenever she was in a difficult situation, unlike before, he would step in and offer his hand.
Watching him do this made her thoughts of quickly earning enough to break their pairing and leave the fortress fade.
And she started to wonder if she could stay by his side a little longer.
Even though she had told herself a thousand times since being reborn that this would be the most foolish thing to do.
At the same time, she felt resentment.
Why hadnāt he treated her like this before?
If he could act this way, why had he been so cold back then…?
Silently, tears trickled down Ireneās cheeks.
Seeing this, Michaelās expression clouded. Though Irene was the one crying, it was as if the pain was his to bear.
Hesitating over what to do, he made a decision and lifted his hand.
Michaelās long fingers traced Ireneās face.
His touch was reverent and careful, like that of a priest tending to a holy relic, as he gently caressed her face.
āYouāve gotten dirty here.ā
He said softly, wiping away the trails of her tears with his thumb.
A few strokes would have been enough to clean them, but Michaelās hand did not leave her face.
He brushed her cheekbone, pressed gently beside the fine hairs on her skin, and finally, as if this were the last place he needed to touch, he pressed his fingers against her lips.
A place that wasnāt dirty at all.
Irene accepted his touch without questioning it.
After caressing her face for a long time, Michael spoke.
āIām sorry for confusing you. Itās all my fault. If I had said something just a little earlier…ā
There was deep regret in his voice.
His lips trembled as if he was struggling to speak, and then he closed his eyes and opened them again.
There was no longer any hesitation in his gaze.
As if he had made up his mind, he spoke firmly.
āYou are my pair. My partner recognized by the empire, by the laws of humanity. Is it wrong for me to cherish someone like that?ā
As he whispered, Michael placed his lips on the places he had touched.
Like a diligent student, he retraced the path of his touch, starting from the beginning.
