Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 283
TL: Elphie / PR: Marm
“Irene!”
“âŚâŚ!”
Lost in the lingering traces of last nightâs dream, Irene snapped back to reality at the sound of someone calling her name.
She lifted her head to see Michael was looking at her.
“Are you okay? I called you several times, but you didnât respond⌔
“A-Ah, yeah. I-Iâm fine.”
“Are you sure? Your face is red⌔
“I said Iâm fine!”
The moment Michael reached out, intending to place his hand on her forehead, Irene abruptly shouted and shot up from her seat.
“Irene?”
Michael blinked, caught off guard.
And as soon as she saw the confusion on his face, Irene realized what she had just done.
Her own expression turned to one of shock.
Michael had only been checking on her out of concern. And yet, instead of thanking him, she had snapped at him like he was a nuisance.
ââŚSorry, I was just⌠lost in thought.â
Realizing her mistake, Irene apologized.
Michael shook his head.
âNo, itâs my fault. I was stupid to think youâd be completely fine just because the doctors said so. You were gone for a whole weekâŚâ
His fists shook as he spoke. Watching him, Irene could feel the anger still simmering beneath his skin.
âIt wasnât your fault.â
âYes, it was. Iâm your pair, and yet⌠I couldnât even protect youâŚâ
Michaelâs voice wavered as he lowered his head. Irene reached out and took his hand.
He had always been so proud to be her pair.
âIf not you, then who else could be my pair?â
Whenever he spoke those words, her own heart swelled with pride. She had always been proud of her first-grade purification abilities.
It wasnât just because she ranked higher than most.
As a Grade 1 purifier, it was only natural that people expected her to form a pair with Michael, the continentâs strongest.
Her rank meant she could stand beside him without feeling small, without feeling ashamed.
Michael kept his head lowered, his large hand still wrapped around hers.
Seeing someone as big as him sulking like a scolded puppy made Irene want to laugh.
She liked this side of Michael, too.
He was rougher with others, always curt and unapproachable.
When they had first arrived at the Fortress together, it had caused more than a few problems.
âI donât care. Thatâs your business. Stop whining and figure it out yourselves.â
That was what he had said to one of the Fortress staff who had been perfectly polite when asking for help.
Irene still remembered the horrified looks on everyoneâs faces. Hers included.
âMichael!â
She had practically shouted his name in shock.
With a sigh, as if already resigned to his fate, Michael had grumbled,
âFine. Iâll only help with whatever Irene asks me to do. Just so weâre clear.â
Michael was only ever soft with Irene. She was the only one in the world who saw this side of him.
And though she often scolded him, urging him to rein in his temper, she never truly disliked it.
After all, wasnât it better to have someone who was cold to the world but warm to herârather than someone who was kind to everyone but distant from her?
Leaning her forehead against his slumped shoulder, Irene murmured.
âI really am fine, Michael.â
âAlrightâŚâ
Despite her reassurances, worry still lingered on his face.
âBut what were you thinking about that had you so distracted?â
âHuh? Oh, thatâŚâ
The moment she recalled her dream, her face flushed red. What an absolutely ridiculous dream. Who on earth had she been having s*x with, like that?
There had only ever been one man in her lifeâMichael.
And even with him, they had only ever shared kisses.
Of course, after forming their pair, they had shared moments of furtive touches and lingering embraces, but they had never gone further than that.
Someday, they would inevitably desire each other. But she had never experienced anything like that before.
âAndâŚâ
Irene tried to recall the man from her dream.
His face was hazy, slipping through her memory like mist, but one thing stood outâhis hair, a brilliant shade of gold.
And his eyes were blue, if she remembered correctly.
Her gaze drifted, landing on Michael, whose expression still held quiet concern.
âCome to think of itâŚâ
He had the same hair color as Michael. And his faceâŚ
Ireneâs vision blurred as the realization crept in.
âIrene?â
Thatâs right. The man in her dream had called her name.
In the same voice Michael was calling her now.
