The palace courtyard had quieted after most guests returned to the ballroom, while distant orchestra music reached the benches through a night breeze scented with clipped hedges, stone dust, and spilled wine.
Hajin stood beneath the stars with both hands in his pockets, while Juna leaned against the palace wall nearby, arms crossed while her ears tracked every movement around the courtyard.
Uriel stood several feet before Hajin and stared stubbornly at an empty section of wall. Her cheeks remained red from the banquet, yet she refused to meet his gaze even when he shifted into her line of sight.
Silence stretched between them until Uriel moved her weight from one foot to the other, and Hajin released a long breath and allowed it to end.
"Why do you look down on me but refuse to leave me alone?" he asked, exhaustion roughening the blunt question.
Uriel's head snapped toward him as indignation overwhelmed her embarrassment.
