Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 254

***

A few days later, Michael appeared at the Visconti royal palace, dressed in the ceremonial uniform of the royal guard.

The people inside the palace had already been informed of the situation by the princess before his arrival.

“He is a man who was unjustly excommunicated due to a pair he was forced into. We must all be careful to ensure that his honor is never further tarnished.”

At the sharp words of Princess Cecilia, everyone lowered their heads.

Before anyone had realized it, Michael’s excommunication had been twisted into a story where he was the victim—cast out because a Purifier had taken advantage of a moment of weakness in him.

Michael refused the grand and luxurious lodgings that the princess had offered him, instead requesting the smallest room available.

However, before long, he claimed that the room was too cramped and asked for a slightly larger one nearby.

Cecilia eagerly granted him everything he desired.

She wanted Michael to indulge in the comforts of the world.

Only then would he fully realize just how much she could give him and how valuable her offerings truly were.

Just as Cecilia had hoped, Michael seemed to be growing accustomed to the ways of the world.

The man who once would not touch a drop of alcohol now accompanied the knights to taverns outside the palace in the evenings.

The man who once would not spare a glance now spoke first to the maids, greeting them warmly.

All of it was good.

Of course, any maid he spoke to was promptly dismissed or transferred elsewhere under one pretext or another.

They protested, but that was not Cecilia’s concern.

As more time passed, Michael was constantly by Cecilia’s side as her guard.

That was because she made a point of having him accompany her to every engagement.

Michael still never initiated conversation, but he no longer ignored her when she spoke to him.

Soon, new rumors began to spread within the palace.

That, when the new dungeon subjugation season began next year, Princess Cecilia and Michael would become pairs.

Not long after the rumors took hold, Sir Britson, who had been Cecilia’s pair until now, challenged Michael to a duel in the training grounds.

On the surface, it was framed as a simple sparring match.

But no one was unaware of what was truly at stake.

This was a duel over who would claim the position as the princess’s pair.

Many assumed that Michael would avoid the fight.

“I accept.”

But contrary to their expectations, Michael agreed to the duel.

He never once mentioned what was on the line, yet everyone naturally understood—this was a battle over the right to stand beside the princess.

The duel began at the signal.

And ended almost too absurdly fast.

In just three exchanges, Michael struck Sir Britson down.

He did not merely defeat him.

His sword pierced Britson’s shoulder, shattering the bone completely.

Blood poured from the wound as Britson, unable to withstand the pain, lost consciousness and was carried away.

Cecilia, who had arrived late upon hearing the news, took one look at the scene from afar—

And then turned away with a satisfied expression.

She did not see the bloodstains on the ground.

The only thing that mattered to her was the fact that Michael had utterly crushed Britson, the knight who had once been her pair.

Michael clearly desired to be her pair.

Desired it enough to completely destroy a rival knight.

Cecilia was delighted.

Michael had finally revealed, so openly, just how much he wanted to stand beside her.

***

The Visconti royal family hosted a grand banquet.

There were many official reasons given for the event, but everyone understood what it truly was.

A celebration of the princess’s new pair.

From the beginning to the end of the banquet, Cecilia remained by Michael’s side.

At one point, she stumbled as if by accident and leaned against him.

Once, he would have stepped away.

But now, he carefully steadied her, holding her body to support her.

That certainty—that he no longer rejected her—made Cecilia feel as if she could soar.

The thing she had wished for, for so long, was finally about to fall into her hands.

***

As the night deepened, glasses clinked more frequently.

Cecilia, filled with joy, continued drinking wine, her face flushing red.

“I’d like to step out for some fresh air.”

“Allow me to escort you.”

Michael immediately bowed and extended his hand.

Without hesitation, Cecilia took it.

In her excitement, she failed to notice something.

That his other hand—the one not holding hers—was trembling as though he had touched something repulsive.

Before stepping out into the garden, Michael reached down and brushed his fingers over the sword he had received that day.

Weapons were not permitted inside the banquet hall.

But tonight, the princess had made an exception for him.

It was as good as declaring that he would take Sir Britson’s place as the new captain of the knight order.

As he led Cecilia outside, Michael whispered a prayer no one would ever hear.

That tonight—

The blade he had sharpened earlier in the day would bring him a good outcome.