What started as her attempt to subtly convey her appreciation for his willingness to cater to the mages who were important to their order, despite being a southerner, evolved into a device the Commander used to catch her off guard. It was the entire reason she tried to only speak to this man about things involving her work as the third in command.
"Actually, Siverly decided that he was going to stay behind," he had said.
Irene fixed her expression, knowing she had faintly come undone. She didn't receive a solid answer on whether or not the Commander was for or against mages. Even if they were now being given a place to stay, was it perhaps because he wanted them further off? They were clearly useful to the order, but that didn't mean the highest man in their duchy had to live under the same roof as thim.
She became more cautious, returning to the way she normally was around him and not realizing it was alienating him further.
