Miro laughed, a cold, bitter sound that filled the room. He looked at her with a mixture of admiration and hostility, the lines between trust and betrayal blurring in his mind. "I've reconsidered, Princess," he said, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Your little stunt at the auction cost me dearly. I've decided to raise the price for what I'll demand of you."
Taya's jaw tightened as she shot a glance at Anis, who looked equally shocked. She could see the silent frustration building within him. "Didn't you assure me that he was calm, that he wasn't angry anymore?" Anis thought to himself, cursing his brother's volatility.
Taya took a deep breath, steeling herself. She had expected Miro's unpredictability. "Let's speak in private," she suggested, a hint of challenge in her tone. Miro raised an eyebrow, glancing at his brother. It was unusual for him to keep secrets from Anis, but he was curious about what Taya might have to say.
