Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 216
Michael seemed to say something behind her, but it was lost amidst the noise.
And she didnât have the courage to turn back and ask him what he had said.
She feared seeing him relieved that they wouldnât be traveling together.
That day, Irene hadnât even been able to ride the carriage. The staff had insisted she pay for the ride.
In a way, it felt like a relief, so Irene walked all the way back to the fortress.
When she returned past midnight, there was no one to greet her.
Without even tending to her blistered and wounded feet, she rinsed herself in cold water and collapsed onto the hard bed.
Yet she didnât feel troubled.
She was just glad she hadnât returned with him.
The only reason she had accompanied Michael on this dungeon expedition was because he had suggested it after such a long time.
She had been excitedâŚ
âIf he didnât want to, he shouldnât have asked me to come.â
Though utterly exhausted, she couldnât sleep for a long time that night.
A few weeks later, when Michael asked her again to join him for a dungeon expedition, Irene declined.
She thought sheâd been rather tactful about it this time.
***
Recalling those moments from long ago, her shoulders drooped.
Even though she knew well that the Michael of today wasnât the same as the one from back then, she couldnât help but feel the sting of those past memories.
âBut why is he avoiding me now?â
Despite cherishing her so much now, whispering his desires softly, why?
Her resentment toward the Michael of the past turned into petty stubbornness.
So Irene deliberately leaned back into his arms, as if embracing him.
ââŚâŚ!â
Michael flinched visibly.
âIrene?â
Ignoring his startled voice, Irene deliberately nestled further into him.
The faint scent of his sweat mixed with his distinct scent, and it felt oddly comforting.
âSorry, the road is rough, so I keep getting jolted.â
It was a lie. Though it was a mountain path, the well-trained horse moved steadily without much jostling.
Even an obvious lie, Irene pressed herself against him further.
âLetâs see how far he pulls back now.â
But Michael continued retreating.
Determined, Irene leaned back further, refusing to yield.
Finally, he spoke.
âIâll⌠get off and walk.â
âWhy?â
Her voice, sharper than she intended, escaped without restraint.
âDo you dislike being touched that much? To the point where youâd rather walk than ride together like this?â
She knew that wasnât the case, yet her voice carried resentment.
It was something she had wanted to say to him long ago.
Perhaps thatâs why, even though she had meant to ask playfully, her words ended with a slight tremor of tears.
ââŚYou disliked me that much?â
It wasnât about now but the time long ago when he had avoided her.
Michael wouldnât understand what she was referring to, yetâŚ
ââŚDid you think I avoided you because I disliked you?â
Sensing the quiver in her voice, he extended a hand and pulled her into his embrace.
âNot once. If I ever gave that impressionâŚâ
He tightened his hold, pulling her closer.
Their lower bodies pressed together, and Irene suddenly became acutely aware of something⌠firm⌠beneath the fabric.
Alarmed, she tried to pull away, but he held her even tighter, almost as if urging her to feel the very thing she had misunderstood.
The solid weight pressing against her sent a shiver through her.
âOh no.â
She had never imagined this was the reason.
In broad daylight, not in a room but on an open road where anyone could passâŚ
Leaning close to her ear, Michael whispered in a low voice that sent chills down her spine.
ââŚI didnât want you to notice this filthy desire of mine.â
His confession left Irene stunned.
âSo thatâs what it was?â
Not dislike, but this⌠raw, unrestrained lust he couldnât let her see?
Flashes of her past life crossed her mind.
Back then, in broad daylight, surrounded by dozens of pairs, he had seemed like a paragon of purity, devoid of any such desires.
âNo, no, that canât be⌠You would neverâŚâ
âIrene.â
Michael reached out and wrapped a strand of her silvery hair around his finger.
She had no idea how much he craved even a single strand of her hair.
Holding tightly onto that delicate part of her for a moment, he then slowly slid his hand down to her waist.
âIf you could hear what Iâm thinking right now⌠youâd despise me.â
His fingers brushed against the thin fabric covering her, searching for the sensitive line beneath.
âBut since youâve misunderstood meâŚâ
One of his fingers slipped between the folds of her clothing, and at the same time, the hard object pressing against her from behind grew even more insistent.
ââŚIâll clear up that old misunderstanding today.â
Still trembling in his arms, Irene felt him push his fingers deep inside herâexactly as he had once imagined in his basest fantasies.
