Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 170

And Irene…

“Michael? He said he’d return to the fortress today. I’ll let him know when he does.”

Now, even when he wasn’t present, she naturally referred to him as Michael.

On days when he was set to return, she would spend her time pacing by the window, glancing outside.

When he did return, she would naturally approach him.

‘It seems something significant must have happened in the dungeon.’

Though it had been a month for everyone else, they claimed to have spent much less time there—and yet their closeness had grown in an instant.

‘They must have had feelings for each other all along.’

Still, Cynthia couldn’t help feeling a sense of unease.

‘But Sir Michael is a holy knight.’

A man often described as the embodiment of the scriptures. They would remain paired for this subjugation period, but once it ended, wouldn’t he have to return to the temple?

‘On top of that, there are already plenty of people vying for his attention…’

Cynthia worried that Irene might be hurt by all of it.

Suppressing her concerns, Cynthia knocked and entered Irene’s room.

“Oh, Cynthia, you’re here?”

Irene hastily stood up, trying to tidy the table.

“Are those dungeon-related documents? Just leave them.”

“No, it’s not that…”

Irene laughed sheepishly as she continued putting away the books.

Irene often buried herself in the archives, poring over dungeon-related records. For her to say it wasn’t dungeon-related piqued Cynthia’s curiosity.

She glanced at the titles of the books Irene was tidying.

Western Continent Missions, A Basic Guide to the Arjance Mountain Range and Surrounding Cities, 180 Scenic Spots Along the Southern Coast…

Cynthia’s eyes widened as she read the titles.

“Irene, are you planning a trip somewhere?”

The books Irene was tidying were all guides to famous locations across the empire.

There were even introductory books on various kingdoms.

From the looks of it, Irene seemed ready to embark on a grand tour of the entire continent.

“It’s not really a trip… I’m just thinking about where I might live after this subjugation period ends.”

“Oh, right. You said you were adopted into your family.”

It seemed not enough to call them estranged. Her relationship with them seemed colder than with strangers.

Irene had never explained it in detail, but Cynthia could infer the strained relationship from the dismissive attitude of the servant who occasionally came looking for her.

“Have you decided on a place you like?”

“Not yet. There’s so much to think about. And since I’m not going alone, I have to ask that person as well…”

Irene trailed off abruptly, quickly gathering the books as if to change the subject.

“So, what brings you here? Is it about the gathering? Or has someone else signed up to participate?”

Cynthia hesitated for a moment, debating whether to ask about the mysterious person Irene mentioned.

In the end, she decided to keep her curiosity to herself.

She figured she already knew the answer and didn’t want to make Irene feel pressured by prying.

She’ll tell me eventually, Cynthia thought.

Irene now openly introduced Cynthia to others as her friend. Surely, before she left the fortress, she would confide in her.

Pushing aside her curiosity, Cynthia focused on why she had come.

“Have you heard the rumors circulating around the fortress today?”

“Rumors? What kind of rumors?”

“Something about Wilhelmina.”

“Wilhelmina? She was missing—has she been found?”

“Well… you could say she’s been seen, but not quite found… Apparently, a maid in the purifiers’ quarters claims to have seen her last night.”

“What do you mean? If she’s been seen, does that mean she was still in the fortress all along?”

“Well… The maid said she saw Wilhelmina standing at the end of a hallway, her back turned. But when she slowly turned around…”

Cynthia shuddered as she spoke.

“She said Wilhelmina didn’t have a face.”

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