Rashid’s question made Latifa blush slightly and lower her head.

“I, we are not in that kind of relationship.”

“Is that so?”

Provoked by Rashid’s teasing query, Latifa felt her face flush even more, and she hung her head lower before softly replying.

“I, I may be General Hades’s spouse… but that is all. That’s really all there is, Sultan.”

Despite her attempt to appear nonchalant, her heart started to pound faster.

Thoughts of the kiss they had shared at the ceremony kept coming back, and Latifa tried hard to shift her gaze to stop herself from thinking about him.

“Hades mentioned that he has no special feelings for you.”

“……!”

Rashid’s words made her feel as if something inside her chest had suddenly sunk, causing an aching sensation.

“He said he saw you as a rough gemstone he found, but he doesn’t harbor any romantic feelings for you.”

Faced with the straightforward conclusion, Latifa felt her nose tingling and bit her lips.

‘It really meant nothing to him…’

The thought that she meant nothing to Hades made all their shared experiences fade into the distance.

‘Right. He’s a general, and I am… what was I expecting?’

Latifa felt ashamed for having foolishly felt some odd emotions, even if for a moment.

As Latifa slightly bowed her head in gloom, Rashid asked with a compassionate tone,

“Do you know what an oasis is?”

‘An oasis? A small spring?’

“An oasis is like a small hope for us desert dwellers. Caravans are able to carry goods across the vast, scorching desert for days on end because of oases.”

Sultan took a seat on a nearby squareshaped rock and soon invited Latifa to sit beside him.

As she hesitantly sat down beside him, she caught a faint scent of jasmine.

‘It smells similar to the fragrance General Hades often wears.’

“Oases are incredibly mysterious. With the brutally blazing sun above and nothing but parched sand around, they spring forth icy cold water, giving life to everything. Tall palm trees provide cool shade and sweet fruits to soothe the weary traders.”

“……How can that happen in the middle of the desert?”

“Because an oasis is a gift of hope from the desert gods to us. That’s why traders who navigate the unpredictable barren desert can step forward without hesitation.”

“……”

“Because they know an oasis is there.”

“……So they move forward because they know there’s hope.”

“Yes. That’s why if you’re a desert dweller, you’ll know at least one oasis. It serves as a resting place when you’re worn out, either physically or mentally.”

“That’s profound.”

Whether it was literally about oases or metaphorically spoken, Latifa found comfort in Rashid’s sincere advice and smiled a small smile.

“I hope you find at least one oasis in Grand Bazaar since you’ve come here. This place is rough, where the hot air never fades all year round.”

Oasis. A sanctuary for body and soul.

Quietly pondering his words, Latifa glanced at the beautiful garden next to her and mumbled,

“Then this place must be your oasis, Sultan.”

In the garden, with its deep shadows, a small spring flowed and large blooms opened, even a gentle breeze blowing through.

“For me, every place in Grand Bazaar is an oasis. However…”

The Sultan trailed off, then soon rose with a bright smile.

“If it’s a place where a bunch of jasmines bloom, what more could one ask for? Oh, look, there comes our little star! Isn’t she a pretty child?”
Asti confidently approached, and behind her emerged a familiar face wellknown to Latifa.

“Latifa! Are you alright? I told the doctors to use the best medicines on you!”

Brown, soft locks of hair shimmered as they caught the dazzling sunlight. Approaching them was Luhan, his smile as brilliant as his shimmering hair.

“Prince Luhan!”

Upon seeing Latifa, Luhan’s face brightened. Rashid glanced at him, a mischievous smile forming on his lips.

“As expected, an oasis.”

Luhan immediately inquired about Latifa’s wellbeing and greeted her politely as usual.

Latifa, noticing the sultan’s watchful eyes, reciprocated the politeness as she greeted him.

“Prince Luhan! I still can’t move freely, but I’m well enough to walk. Thank you for your concern.”

“The sultan called for my son for our Star Candy.”

The sultan chuckled, leaving Asti blushing, at a loss for words.

‘Did the princess just ask if he’s handsome? Does she like Prince Luhan?’

Asti’s eyes were not on Luhan but were blazing towards Irgos standing next to him.

Irgos appeared quite uncomfortable and merely lowered his head, taking his place silently next to Luhan.

‘It’s Irgos, not Prince Luhan!’

Startled by the unexpected love triangle, Latifa blinked her eyes. At that moment, Rashid passed by, patting Irgos’ shoulder reassuringly.

“Love is premature at this age. Now, Irgos, join us for a bit. But I am keeping an eye on you. Nothing should happen. Star Candy, there’s flatbread with fig jam, do you want to eat and go?”

“Wow! Dad, you’re the best! Do you also like fig jam, Irgos? What do you mean by ‘love is premature,’ Dad?”