Irene recalled a time at the end of her teens in her first life when her father no longer addressed her as his sweet girl. She felt she had lost his favor forever. The more she realized the distance between them, the wider it felt.
It was such a relief in that life to be so close to her father once again. He remained the sanctuary he always was and it was something she was committed to preserving the rest of her life.
She only then realized just how much she missed being taken care of more softly. There was only roughness in the knighthood and she was doing her best to get used to it.
"This is still what I want to do, father," she responded quietly but not lacking certainty. "I knew it wouldn't be easy."
However, the more Irene spoke, the more her head felt hazy and she took her hand from her father's. She then pulled her knees closer to her chest so she could lean into them.
Arthur took note of this and was on high alert.
