Young girls who appeared to be students murmured as they looked at Latifa.

The harem palace, a unique place in the Golden South, was not just where concubines and princesses lived. It was also a wellorganized educational institution called “Madrasa,” offering etiquette, music, dance, and even meditation courses for young girls.

Almost all girls from respectable families in the Grand Bazaar were educated here.

The swordsmanship class run by Iota was always crowded, with no room to even set foot in.

“But I think Iota’s golden princess is prettier.”

Upon hearing the term “golden princess,” Latifa’s face darkened.

‘My halfsister Aris must be in the harem palace as well. Would Brenda be there too?’

She was worried about how well they were adapting to this unfamiliar life.

‘I hope they’re doing well. If I get to meet them, I could at least teach them some desert language.’

While they were worrying, Asti chuckled mysteriously and grabbed Latifa’s hand.

“Latifa.”

“Yes?”

“Do you have a man you’re pining for?”

Caught off guard by the blunt question, Latifa froze and couldn’t speak.

“Huh. You don’t? You’re older than me, you know. What are you going to do if you don’t? Goodness.”

Asti pouted, then suddenly spun around, flinging her colorful skirt and swishing her hair.

“How about it? Am I pretty? Do you think you’d fall for me?”

“Yes, you’re beautiful no matter what you do, Princess.”

“Hehe, that settles it. Let’s go quickly!”

“……?”

Asti spoke and then again dragged Latifa, running across the beautiful garden. Latifa tilted her head in confusion, not knowing what was going on.

Asti led Latifa, her short legs pitterpattering as they quickly passed through the intricate palace. They crossed seven gates of the harem palace and even after exiting, Asti did not stop running.
“Phew. It’s tough. My father usually takes a walk in the courtyard at this time. Let’s go there.”

She led Latifa to a courtyard guarded by royal guards and personal guards standing in lines.

Despite the harsh desert climate of intense sunlight and heat, the place was beautifully adorned with springs, fountains, and gardens. The surrounding plants and natural features effortlessly blended in, exuding a unique, understated beauty.

The area was encircled by several white pillars, atop which intertwined vines created natural shade. Large yellow and orange flowers in full bloom descended along the pillars.

“Father!”

Asti immediately pushed her way through the guards and leapt into the arms of the Sultan.

“Oh, my little star!”

Rubbing her face against the Sultan’s beard, Asti looked genuinely happy.

The Sultan, too, unlike the stern face he had shown in court a few days earlier, looked just like a kind father. He lifted the princess up, swung her around, and even carried her on his side.

‘…I’m kind of jealous.’

Latifa stood still, receiving curious glances from the guards, and watched them with envious eyes.

She had never spent such tender moments with her own father.

She saw him only a few times a year, and even then, only during official banquets.

And every time she saw him, Emperor Hades, her father, seemed to deteriorate more due to alcohol and pleasure. Remembering this, Latifa became a little downcast.

“Father, I love the new doll! It looks even prettier than the Golden Princess of Eota! You said it was for me, right?”

After enjoying a good time with her father, Asti suddenly pointed at Latifa. Sultan Rashid looked up, smiled warmly, and beckoned Latifa over.

“Yes, Hades’ Frau. Come here. The sun is too harsh. The desert heat doesn’t easily subside, so be careful.”

Latifa greeted him in the desert manner and approached.

While fondly caressing Asti’s chubby cheeks, Rashid asked her,

“My little star, could you call Luhan for me?”

“Sure! He must be in the prince’s palace!”

At that, Asti blushed as if she had been waiting for this and ran off.

“Hades’ Frau, how’s your shoulder injury?”

As he offered Latifa a seat next to him, Rashid signaled for the guards to move back a bit.

“It’s gradually improving, thanks to your care.”

“I did send you as a maid to Karina Palace and instructed them to take good care of you. But becoming Asti’s doll—whether that’s fortunate or unfortunate, haha.”

“Princess Asti has been more than generous to me.”

“Hmm. You haven’t systematically learned our desert language. Strange. Very strange.”

Rashid, wearing a large turban and an emerald ear cuff, stared intently at Latifa and muttered that she was strange.

Her body flinched involuntarily under his insightful gaze.

“Your inherent poise and calmness couldn’t have been acquired in a short time. You must have been born into nobility and educated from a young age.”

“……!”

Though surprised, Latifa maintained her composure and remained silent.

“But for someone who had high status, you adjust to Hades’ whims too well. It doesn’t add up. That’s why it’s strange.”

Latifa felt her heart sink at Rashid’s words, which had penetrated to the essence of her former life as the insignificant 17th princess.
“Regardless of your status, your empire has now fallen. I may not know much about your empire, but I knew well that it exuded a sweetness like an overripe peach, while rot festered beneath. So do not deem it unjust that it was trampled upon. It was a fate you brought upon yourselves.”

There was no threat, no harsh tone in Rashid’s words, but they held such force that Latifa couldn’t help but feel intimidated.

‘This is the charisma of the Desert King.’

“I heard that Hades is having quite a difficult time trying to retrieve you. He is scurrying about in all directions.”

In a place where everything was unfamiliar, the name ‘Hades’ was the only thing that now felt familiar to Latifa. Upon hearing the name, a small sense of relief filled her chest, and she smiled.

“I… I heard it from Princess Asti.”

“But the royal palace is not such a bad place to live.”

“…”

“I don’t know how you caught Hades’s eye and ended up coming to the Grand Bazaar, but I don’t think it was voluntary. This place is far too intense for someone like you from the empire.”

Each of Sultan’s words carried an air of regal dignity and wisdom.

Calm yet soft, resembling Luhan, but at the same time projecting the toughness of Tarek, he seemed like a true leader for all.

“That would be the Ignite bracelet I gave to Hades.”

Rashid noticed the bracelet on Latifa’s wrist and questioned her, his eyes gleaming.

“Our General Hades Caleb is a man among men. Except for his temperament, he lacks nothing. Are you two, perhaps, scheming together?”