The palace courtyard was quiet now, the distant music from the ballroom reduced to a faint echo carried by the night breeze as Hajin stood near one of the benches with his hands shoved into his pockets, staring up at the stars.
Juna was leaning against the wall nearby, her arms crossed and her ears swiveling to track any movement while Uriel stood a few feet in front of him with her arms crossed and her face turned away stubbornly.
Hajin just looked at her, and she refused to meet his gaze, her cheeks flushed bright red as she stared at the wall.
The silence stretched on until she shifted her weight, and he let out a long sigh before finally breaking it.
"Why do you look down on me," he said, his voice flat and tired, "but also won't leave me alone?"
Uriel's head snapped toward him, her eyes wide with indignation. "I don't look down on you!"
"You called me family trash and a talentless fluke earlier tonight," he said, not missing a beat, "right here in this courtyard."
