Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 228
As soon as they left the inn, Michael, as if he had been waiting for this moment, led Irene to a certain street.
On their way, unlike the previous day, the two removed their hoods and dressed in ordinary clothing like the rest of the townspeople.
After all, they werenât travelers navigating rough terrainâwearing hoods in a city like this would only draw more attention.
However, dressing plainly did not make them any less noticeable.
Irene quickly noticed how people kept glancing at Michael.
It was only natural.
Standing still, he was already a full head taller than most.
It wasnât just his heightâhis perfectly sculpted physique was equally striking.
It wasnât that Michael was the only man of such build.
Among the knights at the fortress, there were plenty with broader frames.
But even among them, Michael stood out.
His face was the reason.
Of course, people revered him for his selfless deeds, but it was impossible to ignore the fact that his features were so strikingly beautiful that once someone saw him, they couldnât forget him.
In every village he helped, women fell for him, and even men, admiring him, would follow him around.
And yet, his appearance wasnât the only thing that drew attention.
Even the way he walked exuded discipline.
His posture was impeccable, his movements precise and efficient, with not a single wasted motion.
People might not have been able to pinpoint exactly what was different about himâbut they could all tell that he was no ordinary man.
âHey, that man⌠isnât he Sir Michael?â
At those words, Irene stiffened.
She instinctively tried to pull her hand away from his.
She knew Michael had already given up much of his past as a holy knight to be with her.
Even so, she thought it would be better for him to maintain his noble image in front of those who still respected him.
But instead of letting go, Michaelâs grip tightened.
And thenâ
He lowered his head and pressed his lips against hers.
ââŚâŚ!â
Shocked, Irene tried to step back, but it was as if Michael had anticipated thisâhis arm wrapped around her waist, holding her firmly.
A young man passing by whistled playfully, clearly entertained by the scene.
More reserved onlookers frowned, clicking their tongues at young people these days, lacking any sense of time and place.
Even the one who had just been questioning whether it was truly Michael shook his head.
âI must have been mistaken. Thereâs no way Sir Michael would do something so shameless.â
With another disapproving click of his tongue, he walked past the couple.
Of course, neither Michael nor Irene heard a word of it.
***
When Michael had suggested they go to Brewa to buy clothes, Irene had thought it was just a casual outing.
Butâ
âIrene, what do you think of this?â
Seeing Michael appear once again with yet another outfit in hand, Irene swallowed down a desperate plea for mercy.
She had lost count of how many outfits he had brought her by now.
As she hesitated, the shop owner, beaming, took the clothes from Michael and draped them over Irene.
âOh my, this one suits you beautifully as well. You have such a lovely faceâthereâs nothing that doesnât look good on you.â
After carefully adjusting the fit of the garment, the shopkeeper turned to Michael.
âYour husband has an excellent eye for what suits his wife best.â
Hearing that, Irene instinctively lowered her head, trying to hide her flushed cheeks.
Noticing her reaction, the shopkeeper excused herself, saying she would fetch matching accessories from the back.
Taking the opportunity, Irene quickly spoke to Michael.
âIâm going to get changed now.â
With that, she stepped into the changing room.
The shopkeeper must have assumed they were newlyweds because all the dresses she had provided were rather revealingâwith deeply cut necklines.
And for some time now, Irene had felt Michaelâs gaze lingering on her exposed skin.
âI need to change into something more modest.â
Just as she had that thoughtâ
A hand suddenly reached past the curtain into the changing room.
Then, Michaelâs voice came from outside.
âWould you try this one on?â
