Irene at least wanted a while to settle before she would have to face someone from the knighthood. Since nothing had happened so far, she assumed that she had at least a day before she had to leave and then another two days before she would have to see the others. Once she healed a bit then she could face the others and resume as usual as long as she was determined enough. By then, perhaps her father would have advice for what she could tell Sir Gunnar when she returned.
To say it was an emergency wasn't necessarily a lie, but it was still not the entire truth because she couldn't be honest with anyone.
She was still fatigued and the tattoo on her arm was still a flesh wound, but she managed to stand up straighter at the sight of the knight.
"Sir Gunnar," she greeted with her head bowed, not willing to show him the petrified expression she likely wore from being caught off guard. "Why have you come all this way?"
