Irene felt ridiculous as she rushed away from the Commander's chambers, her head hot and face likely matching the hair on her head.
As she passed the maids and gave them slight nods—something she had always done to politely acknowledge their presence—it felt off. Their gazes were a bit burdensome. She suddenly felt as if she was being accused of something she wasn't. People she had never been self-conscious in front of before were changing before her eyes, and she wasn't sure if she liked it.
The urge to tell them that she had only closed the Commander's door when she entered was because she didn't want the heat in his room to leave, but she managed to resist. She was a composed knight, even if she was inexperienced in the realm of affection for another person.
Fortunately, the maids on the lower levels were occupying themselves with the next day's preparations, so she didn't have to face them with the strange shame she felt.
