**Fractured Harmony**

The warm sunlight streaming through the windows of the Grand Duchy's palace highlighted the tension between Opal and Kuvira. The air was thick with unspoken words, and the usually serene atmosphere of the room seemed to vibrate with anticipation. Opal, her eyes blazing with a mix of anger and hurt, stood tall, her fists clenched at her sides. Kuvira, seated on a nearby sofa, attempted a calming smile, but it faltered as Opal's gaze pierced through her. "You're really going to pretend like nothing's wrong, Kuvira?" Opal's voice was low and even, but the venom in her tone was unmistakable. Kuvira's smile returned, though it seemed more like a reflex now. "Opal, I—" "Don't," Opal cut in, her voice rising. "Don't try to sweet-talk your way out of this. I've seen the reports, Kuvira. I know what's been going on in the city, and I know your role in it." Kuvira's eyes narrowed slightly, her expression turning cautious. "What are you talking about, Opal?" "The refugees," Opal spat, her words tumbling out in a rush. "The ones fleeing the chaos in the Earth Kingdom. They're being turned away, Kuvira. They're being told there's no room for them, no resources to spare. And I know you're behind it. You're using your influence to keep them out, to keep the Grand Duchy safe and prosperous while the rest of the world burns." Kuvira's face remained calm, but a flicker of defensiveness danced in her eyes. "That's not true, Opal. We're doing what we can to help, but—" "But it's not enough," Opal finished, her voice heavy with disappointment. "It's never enough for you, is it? You're always so concerned with maintaining the status quo, with keeping the Grand Duchy's power and prestige intact. But at what cost?" Kuvira's smile had long since faded, replaced by a look of wary concern. She rose from the sofa, her movements slow and deliberate. "Opal, please. Let's talk about this. I understand why you're upset, but—" "Upset?" Opal's laughter was bitter, the sound scraping against Kuvira's nerves. "You think I'm just upset? You have no idea how I feel, Kuvira. You've never had to watch friends and family suffer, to see entire cities reduced to rubble. You've never had to fight for survival, for a chance to rebuild." The room seemed to shrink, the air thickening as Kuvira took a step back, her hands raised in a placating gesture. "Opal, I—" But Opal wasn't having it. She took a step forward, her eyes blazing with a fierce determination. "You have no idea what it's like to be me, Kuvira. To be a warrior, to fight for what's right. And you certainly have no idea what it's like to be betrayed by someone you trusted." The words hung in the air, a challenge and an accusation all at once. Kuvira's face paled, her eyes darting to the side as if searching for an escape route. For a moment, it seemed like she might try to defuse the situation, to talk her way out of the argument. But then her jaw set, and she took a deep breath. "Opal, I understand that you're angry. But please, let's not do this. Let's not fight." The words seemed to enrage Opal further, her face darkening with a fury that Kuvira had never seen before. And in that moment, Kuvira realized that she might not be able to talk her way out of this after all.