One advantage that his lacking the helm that covered half his face grants her is seeing his expressions--and therefore that he actually looks surprised by that, and shakes his head to go with it.

"Nay, it has not been that long--though this place is strange when it comes to time." For instance...

"I am the Azure Dragoon no longer. The war has ended."

Despite what she may think of him, he doesn't look angry about that, though he does look oddly...regretful.