"Then perhaps you shouldn't have stood so close that you startled the lady."
Aquilo's voice carried the unmistakable authority of a military commander—calm, controlled, and leaving no room for argument.
Anton Trillo met Colonel Vibora's gaze for a long beat before an easy smile spread across his face.
"My mistake, Colonel Vibora."
He turned to Lara, and his smile softened into something effortlessly charming—the kind that had disarmed countless people before. Years ago, when he had been branded a rebel, that same smile, paired with his conviction and the reasons he gave for taking up arms, had swayed more than a million hearts.
"My apologies, Miss Reyes. I didn't mean to startle you."
He slipped his hands into his pockets and tilted his head slightly.
"But I have to admit, I'm fascinated. How did you manage to uncover treasures that had remained hidden for centuries in such a short time?"
Lara met his probing stare without blinking.
