Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 325
TL: Elphie / PR: Mikan
That morning, Michael had lost count of how many times he looked in the mirror.
It’s not that he doesn’t usually look in the mirror.
On the contrary, keeping a neat appearance was a basic virtue expected of everyone in the temple. He always took a moment before stepping out to ensure his attire was immaculate.
But today, he lingered in front of the mirror far longer than usual.
His dark brows knit together as he looked at himself in the mirror.
He usually had his hair trimmed short by the temple clerics during his visits, maintaining a tidy look.
But with all the chaos lately, heâd missed the usual timing.
The difference in length wasnât even half the width of a finger joint, but to him, he looked unusually unkempt.
So he stood there, right up until it was time to leave, repeatedly checking his appearance, unable to shake a vague dissatisfaction.
The temple clergy gossiped at his uncharacteristically late departure, but Michael was too occupied to pay them any heed.
âHow do paired parties usually operate again?â
He had always entered dungeons alone.
While other knights worked alongside their Purifiers, Michael would charge into the front lines alone, cutting down monsters with nothing but the success of the mission in mind.
So truthfully, he had no idea how pairs were supposed to move together once inside.
The only scenes Michael could recall were of her constantly clinging to his handâand that one moment, when a knight had suffered a serious injury, and his Purifier had rushed the ritual with an embarrassing display of contact.
âIf I were to be injuredâŚâ
Would she act that way toward him too, as if it were the most natural thing in the world?
The mere thought made Michael’s neck flush red with heat.
No, heâll have to tell her ahead of time not to do anything, no matter what happens. He decided silently and made his way toward the gathering spot.
When he arrived, many of the pairs were already present.
As soon as Michael appeared, every gaze turned to himâand then, inevitably, toward the woman standing at the edge of the group.
Thanks to that, he didn’t have to look hard to find her.
People had been saying that the woman who became Michaelâs partner would be smug, proud, maybe even strutting around with her newfound status.
Michael had thought so too.
But contrary to everyoneâs expectations, his pair was standing quietly in a corner, unable to even lift her head.
And then, she looked up. Their eyes met.
Clear, deep amethyst eyes turned toward him.
At that moment, Michael felt as if something had dropped with a thud from deep within his chest.
A feeling so disorienting, so unfamiliar, he instinctively turned his gaze away and quickly made his way toward the Fortress staff.
He could hear the whispers around him, but he had no room in his head to care what anyone was saying.
Michael did everything he could not to look at her. Not even once, all the way up to the dungeonâs entrance.
But the rules were the rules: pairs had to enter the dungeon together.
Uncharacteristically, Michael kept his distance, waiting far back while others filed inside ahead of them.
Once inside, theyâd have to remain close for the duration of the expedition, and he was trying to delay that inevitability for as long as possible.
As each pair entered, they glanced back and forth between Michael and her.
Even if he avoided it, the moment would still come. And eventually, it did. It was their turn.
She hesitated, then took a few cautious steps toward him, lowering her head.
ââŚThank you for coming with me.â
Michael blinked, unsure of what she meant, and looked at her. Irene fumbled for words, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I thought maybe… you wouldnât come. Iâll be careful not to get in the way.”
It was only after hearing those words that Michael realized that she had been worried he might not show up because he was upset.
“That wonât happen.”
Michael answered firmly. At his tone, she nodded quickly, startled, and replied in a nervous voice.
“O-Of course. Itâs not that I doubt you, Sir Michael. Itâs just… everyoneâs been saying…”
Before she could finish, one of the Fortress staff shouted for them to hurry.
Because of that, the two had no choice but to head inside without saying anything more.
Just before entering, Michael reached out his hand to her. She hesitated for a moment, then carefully placed her hand in his.
The moment her pale, slender, and cool fingers clung lightly to his hand, Michael felt like something deep inside him had crumbled once again.
It wasnât until later that he realized what that feeling was.
The tidal wave the High Priestess had spoken of had already begun to crush him without his knowing.
