Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 241
Old memories passed through Ireneās mind.
The orphanage she had entered after losing her parents.
A priest who had briefly visited the orphanage to treat the children had told Irene that she possessed purification abilities.
From that day on, the people at the orphanage diligently washed her and fed her good food in an attempt to put some flesh on her bones.
Then, after dressing her in what was clearly newly purchased, clean clothing, they led her before a well-dressed middle-aged man.
āGreet him, Irene. He will be your father.ā
As they spoke, an orphanage staff member whispered in her ear.
That if this man took her in, she would live happily for the rest of her life.
That she would no longer have to tremble in the cold or starveājust like when her mother and father were still alive.
The moment Irene was about to lower her head toward the man, clinging to the hope of returning to her old life, the Countās cold gaze swept over her.
She was just a young child, unaware of the worldābut precisely because of that, her instincts were all the sharper.
And those instincts whispered to her.
You must not go with this man.
But before the young Irene could take a single step back, the Count spoke.
āHow much?ā
With those brief words, Ireneās fate was sealed.
For the first time, she threw a tantrum in front of the adults, crying and screaming that she didnāt want to go, that she was scared.
But no one listened.
And yetā¦
āIrene?ā
Michaelās voice pulled her back to the present.
āAre you alright? I fear I may have spoken too suddenly.ā
Michael looked at her with concern written all over his face.
āIf you do not wish to meet him, just say the word. I will make sure you never have to face him yourself.ā
At his words, Irene let out a bitter smile.
āThat wonāt be easy. That man is quite greedyā¦ā
He had been that way in her past life, but in this one, Count Rhodiam was even more obsessed with her.
It was only natural.
In this life, Irene was not only the chosen partner of a renowned holy knight but also a Purifier whose rank was steadily rising.
Moreover, she led the gatherings within the fortress, surrounded by other Purifiers.
So unlike in the past, Count Rhodiam now valued her highly.
Perhaps because of that, this time, he had even come to the fortress himself.
At first, she hadnāt even known he had come.
There were so many people demanding to meet Irene that the fortress had taken it upon itself to block them all.
And since she had no particular desire to meet anyone, she had told them not to bother informing her of visitors.
Then, not long ago, Cynthia had spoken to her.
āIrene, that Count Rhodiamā¦ heās your adoptive father, isnāt he?ā
āHe is. But how do you know that, Cynthia?ā
āOne of the maids who manages the reception room mentioned him. She said the servants have been dreading a particularly troublesome guest for days, and that was the name she gave.ā
According to Cynthia, Count Rhodiam had repeatedly requested to meet Irene at the fortress.
Of course, the fortress had denied every request.
After more than a week had passed without Irene showing any signs of granting him an audience, he had thrown a fit before finally leaving.
Hearing that he had come, Irene could already guessā
The Count would not let her go so easily.
Which is why I was thinking I should secure more money.
He was a man consumed by greed.
So if she wanted to rid herself of him completely, the best way would be to throw a large sum of money at him.
And if even money wasnāt enough to make him back off, she planned to seek help from those around her.
After learning that Count Rhodiam was Ireneās adoptive father, Cynthia had taken her hands firmly, saying that if there was anything she could do to help, Irene only needed to ask.
Riosa, who had happened to pass by and overheard, had also inquired about the situation.
She had told Irene that as a Purifier of considerable influence in her own kingdom, she could offer assistance if force became necessary.
As Irene thanked them and walked away, her thoughts turned to Michael.
Now, he was the person she could turn to first whenever something happened.
So perhapsā¦ it was time to seek his help.
She had thought as muchā
And yet, she still hadnāt said a word.
After all, settling things with the Count would have to wait until the dungeon subjugation period ended.
So she told herself there was no need to burden Michael with it just yet.
Besides, so many things had happened lately that she had ended up pushing the matter to the back of her mind.
