When the knight apologised she nodded in appreciation and smiled. He seemed to be taken aback by her reaction to his embrace, but he'd have to deal with that on his own. Illinfer felt content, having pushed the hurtful memories aside. She then nodded at his words, noticing how he backed away from her even further. Had she hurt his feelings? Or just surprised him? But he had been the one to suddenly come so close, so unexpectedly. The northern woman nodded when he said he'd have his father meet the man. "I shall bring him here, then." It probably would be best if they settled everything amongst each other. 

Then Rohynar did something so arrogant she was reminded he was a noble feeling as if he'd just slapped her across the face. She was dismissed. Who didn this arrogant man think he was? Here she was, offering to help him and he didn't just touch her without permission, he simply dismissed her like some maid serving his every needs. The northern woman breathed in deeply, following and finally catching up to him. She mirrored his pace. "Sire . . . I didn't mean to offend you in any way. Please allow me to explain." When she slowed down and he kept level with he she breathed in relieved. Finally she stopped in her tracks, looking at the ground as she started to speak. "My husband died a summer ago."  Now it was out there. She had said it and the sting in her chest made it hard to breathe, but she continued non the less, ignoring the sensation of her heart ripping apart once more. "The last time I was embraced by a man it was him, before he left. I admit, I was very surprised and it brought back memories . . . Sometimes I dream of his as though he was right beside me and the dream is so real that I awaken and . . . And knowing again that he is gone . . ." She breathed in deeply and looked up at Rhoynar with a smile. "I would like to be on good terms with you since we'll be spending quite an amount of time together the next months." 

Illinfer felt a little uncertain baring herself so to him. She felt a little raw and her hand went back to her neck, caressing the dark bruise. The breeze made her hair dance around her cheeks. Her steel coloured eyes were searching for his. Why had she exposed herself so to this man? She had told him almost everything she was coping with in her life . . . Almost. But the rest she had to keep to herself, she knew. Somehow it made her feel stronger thinking that at least one secret would be kept her own. Then again she did owe him an explanation and now he had one. And she hadn't broken down over it. That was a relief!