It was yet another time Irene felt divided between duty and heart. She wondered if there was a possibility to choose both, to go with the knights to help the people, but still be able to see the Commander at the beginning and end of each day.
As she scaled up the steps and towards his chambers yet again, she forced herself to move more slowly. She knew she could get too eager, and her heart was already racing plenty from the quick journey there. The porridge wouldn't cool down too quickly. She could feel the heat in her palms that carried the bowls since she had taken off her gloves.
However, she stopped dead in her tracks at the door.
Was he even awake? Shouldn't she allow the patient to rest as much as he could?
The woman turned around and looked down the hallway. There were a couple of maids on the other side.
At her gaze, one of them rushed towards her and when she was close enough that Irene wouldn't have to speak loudly, the knight asked, "Is the Commander awake?"
