Hades could not bring himself to agree with Rashid’s words and protested.

“Iota, that wicked woman not only violated the royal family’s pure bloodline but also intended to take all the lives of my subordinates on their way back.”

“…….”

“Proud warriors would have been buried in the desert sands, unable to return safely, Sultan!”

“True, I heard that the soldiers lost their water on the way back. However, that issue and this are separate matters. There’s also no evidence implicating Iota.”

“…..!”

At Rashid’s words, Hades only glared at him while taking deep, ragged breaths.

Luhan was also perturbed.

“Father, what do you mean by dedicating Latifa to the royal palace?”

Dedicating a woman to the palace had two major implications.

Either she becomes part of the king’s harem, or she becomes a maid in the palace.

Then Hades, who had been silent, finally spoke.

“Sultan, are you planning to take my frau as revenge for not dedicating the Golden Princess to you last time?”

At that, Rashid laughed dismissively.

“You’re overestimating me because I look young. Even though you’ve embellished her as a goddess of the moon, without her decorations, she’s just an unremarkable imperial woman. Taking such a woman would only tarnish my reputation.”

In response, Hades ground his teeth.

“I am a meritorious vassal who has returned from achieving great deeds in the war. Taking my happiness away would also tarnish your reputation, you know.”

Rashid snickered at Hades’ barely controlled rage.

“You don’t look like yourself, so impatient. Do you perhaps have special feelings for that frau? The kind of feelings men have for women?”

At Rashid’s words, Hades hesitated for a moment, as if he wanted to say something but then thought better of it.

Luhan silently watched Hades, waiting for his answer.

After a long deliberation, Hades spoke with a face full of irritation.

“…Nonsense. For such an inconsequential woman from a ruined nation…!”

At his answer, Luhan wore a slightly awkward expression.

“Then why are you so obsessed with her? I can’t understand.”

“….Isn’t it obvious? She is a gemstone that I’ve found, a jewel that I’ve personally crafted. How could I easily give up on my masterpiece?”

At Hades’ difficulttoexplain response, Luhan bit his lower lip.

However, Rashid offered no reply, and Hades’ face began to contort strangely.

“Damn it!”

“Hades, maintain your composure.”

Frustrated, Hades let out a small but clear curse. Hearing it, Luhan reprimanded him.

Lowering his voice, Hades spoke again.

“Regardless, you can’t take my frau away like this. She is my own find from the ruins of the empire.”

Rashid shook his head disapprovingly.

“I will not overturn the decision.”

Upon hearing this, Hades, unable to control his anger, let out a harsh breath and protested.

“You can’t treat me like this, Sultan. What have I done? What have I committed for you! What kind of crazed acts have I done!”

Hades began to tear at his own hair and wailed.

“Speak clearly. The acts you’ve done were not for me, but for Luhan, the son of the queen, weren’t they?”

Hades abruptly lifted his head to glare at Rashid.

The madness had settled, but his black eyes were filled with a different kind of pure rage. Seeing this, Rashid sighed.

“Sultan, are you saying someone like me isn’t even qualified for happiness?”

Touched by the emotion in Hades’ voice, Rashid patted his shoulder.
“Phew. Hades. I’m not taking your happiness away forever. So, calm down. I know you’re working hard for Luhan.”

Listening quietly beside him, Luhan asked,

“If not forever, then what?”

“He will send Hades’ frau to the harem.”

At Rashid’s words, the pupils of both Hades and Luhan enlarged to the size of marbles.

The two grown young men stood gaping, their eyes wide open. Somehow, this was amusing to Rashid, who burst into giggles.

“Ahaha! Look at your faces! Hahaha! It’s too bad there’s no mirror here! Ahaha!”

“Father! This is not a laughing matter! You clearly said earlier you had no intention of taking her!”

Luhan gave a stern rebuke to Rashid, who was clutching his stomach with laughter.

“Ahaha. You two are so serious that, unwittingly… Ah, Hades, stop glaring at me like that. Luhan, you too, lighten up. Royal family members should never wear their emotions on their sleeves, especially if you aim to be a sultan.”

“Your Highness still retains the sensibility of a young child.”

Hades growled, his eyes flashing sharply.

“Your frau will be sent as a maid to the harem palace where the concubines reside, including Karina. Hades, many have seen your disgrace. Even Eiota, who hates to expose herself more than death, ran barefoot through the reception hall… tsk, this will break her heart too. If a proper punishment is not dealt to you, the order of the Grand Bazaar will crumble.”

Luhan, catching the atmosphere, asked Rashid,

“Why specifically as a maid in the harem palace? Why not just a maid in the royal palace?”

Rashid answered his son with a kind smile.