Chapter 230
If Michael had grown up among ordinary family and friends, mingling with others his age, would he have always been like this?
âThen⌠things might have been better.â
Irene let out a bitter smile.
If he had never become a holy knightâŚ
If they had met simply as a skilled knight and an average PurifierâŚ
How much easier would things have been?
She suddenly thought of Reyna.
She and her childhood friend had eventually become a pair, essential to each otherâs lives.
They had already decided that as soon as the subjugation period ended, they would find a home and hold a wedding ceremony.
Irene had watched them bicker over whether the window should face east or south, secretly feeling a pang of envy.
âIf only Michael and I had been like thatâŚâ
The moment she had that thoughtâ
ââŚâŚ?â
A strange feeling washed over her.
It was as if something enormous had shifted in the distance.
And at the same time, it felt as though it was coming toward her.
Tilting her head in confusion, Irene finished putting on the outfit Michael had given her.
And as she did, another thought struck herâ
âThis outfit⌠it feels like the kind he would have bought me when we were young.â
***
âHuaahh⌠Irene, when are you coming backâŚ?â
Reyna rolled around on Ireneâs sofa, clutching a cushion in her arms.
Her pair, Felix, sighed as he watched her.
âTheyâve only been gone for two days. If someone saw you like this, theyâd think you were Ireneâs pair.â
Reyna ignored his remark entirely and muttered again.
âRiosa hasnât even left her room because sheâs busy with her new pairâŚâ
The knight Irene had introduced to Riosa must have been exactly her type.
She practically dragged him into her room at every opportunity, barely stepping outside.
Because of that, Reyna, who usually bickered with Riosa, now felt even more bored.
She thought back to the times she had seen Riosa and her knight strolling together.
Lately, Riosa had been smiling more and more, and although her knight often looked exhausted, there was a certain glow to his face.
It was clear they werenât just a pair in battleâthey were also a man and a woman deeply compatible.
Of course, their relationship wasnât just about sharing a bed.
With Irene and Michael gone, the other pairs had taken the lead in continuing the dungeon subjugations.
Fortunately, there hadnât been any dangerous high-ranking dungeons, and no one had been seriously injured.
But stillâ
Reyna and everyone else in the fortress could feel it.
Compared to when Irene and Michael were here, something felt off.
There was a lingering sense of unease.
At some point, Irene and Michael had become the mental and physical support for the remaining pairs.
As Reyna continued grumbling about when Irene would return, a loud commotion erupted outside.
The thunder of hooves, the cries of horses, and the clanking of metal.
âWhatâs going on?â
âThis level of movement⌠Itâs like a whole knight order is here.â
The two quickly rushed to the window.
Looking out toward the source of the noise, they saw a group of knights carrying banners entering the fortress.
Felix narrowed his eyes at the flag fluttering in the distance.
âThatâs⌠the crest of the Visconti Kingdom.â
At those words, Reynaâs expression darkened.
Visconti.
That was Princess Ceciliaâs kingdom.
***
âYouâre late, Sir Warren.â
Ceciliaâs voice was cold as she addressed Warren, commander of the Visconti Kingdomâs royal chivalric order.
Warren bowed his head.
âMy apologies, Your Highness.â
âNever mind that. What about the item I ordered?â
At her question, Warren gestured to the knights behind him.
The knights stepped forward, carefully carrying a large chest.
As they opened it before Cecilia, a bright expression lit up her face.
Among the many holy artifacts, the most famous was the templeâs sacred sword, wielded by Michael.
But holy artifacts werenât exclusive to the temple.
Visconti Kingdom also possessed oneâa artifact collected by the royal family long ago.
Though it was called a holy artifact, it had no particular combat value and had merely been stored away in the treasury.
Now, as Cecilia smiled in satisfaction, Warren furrowed his brows and asked,
âIf I may ask, Your Highnessâwhat do you intend to do with the âMirror of Truthâ?â
Ceciliaâs lips curled into a radiant smile as she answered,
âThereâs someone I need to reflect in it.â
