Took you long enough (2)

Corvina felt heat rise to her cheeks, a rare wave of embarrassment washing over her as she realized the glaring oversight she'd made. How could I miss something so blatant? The pieces had been right in front of her—his name, his appearance, his casual confidence, and the sheer weight of the materials he'd presented. She prided herself on her sharp instincts, yet today she'd been caught off-guard more than once. 

It wasn't just frustrating—it was unacceptable. 

She shook her head sharply, willing herself to focus as she straightened her posture. Clearing her throat, she folded her hands on the table, her gaze locking onto Lucavion. "Surely," she began, her tone edged with exasperation, "you could have mentioned this earlier." 

Lucavion didn't falter. If anything, it deepened, carrying a teasing lightness that only fueled her irritation. "Then the fun would have been lost," he replied, his tone silky and unapologetic.