[color=lightgray][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/wpUjo4c.png[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/YkGU2zv.png[/img]

[sub][color=DDB775]Interaction:[/color] [@Remram] Askel [@AuthenticTomb] Aslam
[color=DDB775]Mention:[/color][@Tae] Ranya [/sub]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/sPIxd99.png[/img][/center]

Hafiz’s smile did not falter.

If anything, it softened, as if [color=#C84808]Askel[/color] had said something charmingly predictable. The reminder of his rank amused him more than it wounded him. His brother's status as Sultan would expire sooner than they all thought anyway. 

With a breathless chuckle, he replied, [color=#B39700]“How generous of you to remember my place, Prince Askel.”[/color] His tone was smooth, nearly warm. [color=#B39700]“Many men forget their own when they are eager to make an impression.”[/color]

His eyes moved over [color=#C84808]Askel[/color], taking in the soldierly posture, the look in his eyes, the step forward that wanted to be a challenge... Hafiz was almost impressed. [i]Almost.[/i]

[color=#B39700]“Though I must admit, I expected a Varian prince to be a touch less obvious.”[/color] His smile thinned. [color=#B39700]“You stand like a man trying to prove he does not fear me. That is rarely the same thing as not being afraid.”[/color]

Only then did he turn his gaze to [color=#FEF698]Aslam[/color].

The boy had placed himself beside the Varian prince. 

Not behind him. Not away from him.[i] Beside him.[/i]

It was a choice dressed up in friendliness, but Hafiz knew a declaration when he saw one. [color=#B39700]“Stumbled into each other,”[/color] Hafiz repeated mildly, tasting the phrase with mild amusement. [color=#B39700]“How innocent.”[/color]

His eyes lingered on [color=#FEF698]Aslam[/color], as if he could carve him up with his eyes alone.

[color=#B39700]“And how dutiful of you to keep our guest company. Your father would be pleased to see such hospitality.”[/color] A small pause followed.

Across the room, through the shifting bodies and sparkling motion of dancers, Hafiz caught sight of [color=#6B8E23]Ranya[/color] in the corner of his eye.

There she was.

He saw how she gripped [color=#FEF698]Munir[/color] as if the floor had suddenly vanished beneath her. Poor thing. She was afraid for her new infatuation.

Hafiz did not turn his head.

He let her wonder whether he had seen.... He let her stand there pretending she had mastered herself. 

The Grand Vizier lifted his goblet to his lips, hiding the small curl of satisfaction behind the rim.
Then his attention returned to [color=#C84808]Askel[/color], pleasant as ever.

[color=#B39700]“Tell me, Prince Askel, what is it you make of Alidasht so far?”[/color] he asked. [color=#B39700]“Our customs. Our family. Our treasures.”[/color]

Hafiz's tone had been lazy, and most casual as he trailed his finger along the rim of the goblet.[color=#B39700]“Foreigners do have such romantic imaginations. They see a veil and think it hides sadness. They see restraint and call it a cage. They see something sacred looking back at them, and suddenly they decide the gods themselves must be asking them to interfere.”[/color]

His smile deepened, though his eyes stayed cold. [color=#B39700]“You strike me as that sort of man.”[/color] He took one step closer. [color=#B39700]“Honorable. Earnest. Brave enough to be inconvenient... The kind of man who mistakes wanting a woman for understanding her.”[/color]

A cruel amusement faintly touched his countenance. [color=#B39700]“So allow me to spare us both the theater. When [i]she[/i] looks at you from across a room, what do you tell yourself?”[/color]

Hafiz tilted his head. [color=#B39700]“That you are her rescue? Her rebellion? Some warm little chapter in a story she was never foolish enough to write for herself?... Or do you understand, Prince Askel, that a lonely glance is not a promise, and a frightened girl is not yours simply because she bats her eyes in your direction?”[/color]

He held the prince’s gaze for a moment, then smiled.

[color=#B39700]“Men have died for touching less than what you seem so eager to reach for.”[/color]
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