Chapter 329: The Guardian

"Hello, Lara. I didn’t expect to see you here."

Aquillo Vibora stood before her, his back straight and his expression composed. Even on his day off, the military officer carried himself with the discipline of a soldier, his posture impeccable and his gaze alert.

Lara blinked in surprise. "Aquillo? Aren’t you supposed to be in Isla? What are you doing here?"

A thought suddenly crossed her mind.

Don’t tell me he’s been following me again.

Aquillo had a habit of secretly keeping an eye on her whenever Artemio Fuegerro sent her off for brutal training sessions. Back then, she had barely noticed his presence. Now, she couldn’t help wondering if some things had never changed.

"I was originally assigned here before General Fuegerro recalled me to Isla," Aquillo explained. "But there are already enough capable personnel there, so I requested a transfer back."

That was the official explanation.

The truth was far less convenient.

Staying in Isla meant watching Lara from a distance while pretending he was perfectly fine with the fact that she had chosen someone else. Returning to Fengsel was the only way he could preserve what remained of his dignity.

"I see." Lara nodded, accepting his explanation without probing further.

Aquillo’s gaze briefly swept over her before settling on the man beside her.

"I saw you arrive earlier with Ares Zuvel." He paused, then added, "I’m off duty today. If you need someone to show you around the island, I’d be happy to help."

Before Lara could respond, the door across the corridor swung open.

Ares emerged in a pair of dark jeans and a yellow polo shirt, his casual attire doing little to diminish his commanding presence. His eyes immediately landed on Lara, then shifted to the man standing in front of her.

"Mr. Zuvel," Aquillo greeted respectfully.

Ares gave him a slight nod.

Without another word, he stepped beside Lara and rested a hand on the small of her back. The gesture was casual, almost effortless, yet unmistakably possessive.

Aquillo’s gaze flickered toward the hand.

For a split second, something tightened behind his eyes. Then his expression returned to its usual composure, as though the momentary lapse had never happened.

Lara noticed the subtle change but chose not to comment.

"We’re actually looking for someone," she said, breaking the awkward silence.

She took out a piece of parchment and handed it to Aquillo.

He unfolded it, his brows drawing together as he studied the writing.

"You’re looking for the guardian of Fengsel Island?"

"Yes." Lara leaned slightly forward. "Do you know where we can find him?"

Aquillo looked up.

"You’re in luck. I know where he lives."

Lara’s eyes brightened. "Really?"

He nodded and motioned for them to follow him.

"The terrain leading to his residence is too rugged for vehicles. The only practical way to get there is on horseback."

Ares glanced at Aquillo, a thoughtful look crossing his face.

The man had offered the information without hesitation. More interestingly, he hadn’t asked whether Lara knew how to ride.

Did Aquillo already know about her riding skills?

Or was there a history between them that Ares had yet to uncover?

He said nothing, but his gaze lingered on Aquillo for a moment longer than necessary.

A short walk brought them to the stables, where the earthy scent of hay mingled with the warm smell of horses and leather. Several horses shifted in their stalls, their hooves clopping against the wooden floor as sunlight streamed through the gaps in the walls.

Aquillo approached a chestnut horse and took hold of its reins. After checking the saddle, he led it toward Lara.

"This one’s for you."

He then selected a powerful black stallion for himself.

Ares chose a chocolate-colored horse, running a hand briefly along its neck before taking the reins.

Lara examined the chestnut horse with a hint of amusement.

"Thank you, Aquillo. What’s its name?"

"Chestnut."

She turned to him, one eyebrow lifting.

"Chestnut?"

Aquillo met her gaze as though the answer were perfectly obvious.

"Isn’t Chestnut your favorite horse?"

For a moment, Lara said nothing.

Then she glanced at Ares.

He was looking at the chestnut horse with an expression that was difficult to read. His jaw had tightened almost imperceptibly, and the hand holding his reins had gone still.

Lara’s lips curved.

Oh, this is interesting.

"Why did you choose this one for me?" she asked Aquillo, although she already suspected the answer.

"Because you like it."

Aquillo’s reply was simple, but the familiarity behind it spoke volumes. He remembered something as insignificant as her favorite horse, even after all this time.

Ares’s gaze shifted from the horse to Aquillo.

Apparently, he wasn’t the only man who remembered details about Lara.

"Right," Lara replied, suppressing a smile.

With practiced ease, she placed her foot in the stirrup and swung herself into the saddle. The chestnut horse shifted beneath her, but she settled into the seat as naturally as if she had never been away from a stable.

Aquillo watched her for a brief moment, a faint, almost imperceptible smile touching his lips.

Ares noticed.

He mounted his own horse and guided it alongside Lara’s, close enough that their knees nearly brushed.

"Ready?" he asked her.

Lara nodded.

Aquillo took the lead, guiding them toward the rugged trail that wound through the island’s untamed landscape.

As they rode away from the stables, Ares leaned slightly toward Lara.

"You seem to have quite a history with him."

Lara turned to him, amusement dancing in her eyes.

"Are you jealous?"

Ares kept his gaze on the trail ahead.

"Should I be?"

His tone was calm, but the question carried a sharper edge than he intended.

Lara’s smile widened.

For a man who claimed not to care about other people’s opinions, Ares Zuvel was surprisingly interested in one former soldier’s memories of her.

And judging by the way Aquillo kept his eyes fixed on the trail, the journey to find Fengsel’s mysterious guardian might prove more complicated than either man had anticipated.