“On the day the flat celestial scale that doesn’t tilt in any direction slightly tilted to the right, the first full moon of October, is it not?”

“Correct. Still, do you doubt my words?”

Upon hearing Hades’s words, Iota’s maid kneeled and lowered her head.

Hades, freezing in a bluish color and unable to say anything, dragged Manut toward Hagnu. Then, with a gruff voice again, he threw a word at the kneeling maid.

“I see a bad star for your mistress, Iota. Be careful with your words and take care of yourself, Iyra.”

With his playful words, Hagnu’s soft eyebrow twitched, but she quickly left with Hades and Manut.

“Long time no see, Hades. Of course, I saw you during the trial.”

Hagnu pushed them into the barn inside the 6th wall and spoke.

Hades and Manut confirmed that the door was closed and finally took off their robes, breathing a sigh of relief.

“If it weren’t for Lady Hagnu, my neck would probably be hanging in front of the Grand Bazaar gate by now. I owe my life.”

Manut said, still with a pale face.

“Stupid men sneaking into the harem palace occasionally happen, but I never dreamed it would be you two. It could have been a big problem if Yalan hadn’t told me.”
Hagnu laughed playfully, sitting on an old mahogany furniture pile in the barn and tapping her feet. Her appearance seemed mischievous, resembling that of a playful girl.

“Hades, you’re my nephew, indeed.”

At her words, Hades’ face crumpled slightly.

“My older brother, when he was young, was as mischievous as you. Both your brother and I caused a lot of trouble on the Caleb Estate, often getting Yalan into trouble.”

Hagnu, perhaps reminiscing about the old days, stared into space with a nostalgic look.

“You owe my aunt a great debt.”

Hades greeted Hagnu with a somewhat disrespectful attitude, but even with such an attitude, Hagnu paid no mind and continued speaking.

“The incredible gifts you sent me. Those weren’t really mine, were they? In reality, I wanted to give those things to the Fraulein. It’s humiliating to have Caleb’s Fraulein snatched away by the palace. Although Caleb’s taken away is an ignominious thing, it went too far.”

“That person has been enjoying herself freely in the harem palace until now? Such hypocrisy.”

Feeling uneasy, Manut pretended to be absorbed in examining dusty sculptures in a corner.

“If my nephew calls me a hypocrite, I have nothing to say.”

“…Originally, if my aunt had given birth to a few more children of the sultan, I wouldn’t have to suffer like this and look after Luhan. There would have been no need for me to be here.”

“I dislike children.”

“Your duty to my aunt was to give birth to a prince or princess who would protect Luhan. Not to play and indulge here, but to fulfill your duty!”

Eventually, unable to withstand the anger, Hades exploded, but Hagnu remained calm and even had a gracious smile on her lips.

She elegantly rose from her seat, poked Hades’ nose with her finger, and chuckled.

“No one can break my beliefs. Even a crazy dog from the Grand Bazaar, Hades Caleb.”

“…”

“Your Fraulein. Truly adorable. Clever. Although I haven’t seen it directly because of Karina’s vigilance, playing and entertaining Princess Asti’s group is impressive.”

“Hmph.”

“Cute.”

Hagnu, with an affectionate smile, rose from her seat and, with one eye narrowed playfully at Hades, bid farewell to Manut.

“General Manut, sorry. My nephew is still immature.”

“I lack the talent.”

“Right. If by any chance you’re caught and face the death penalty, I might come to watch.”

When Hagnu made a teasing remark, Manut’s face turned pale, and she disappeared with Hades, mimicking his laughter.

After parting ways with Hades, Ratifa returned to Asti’s palace with the desert fox, clutching the bag he had given her.

“You’ll have to hide here for a while. I’m sorry for involving you in this. I’ll send you to Luhan later.”

Ratifa placed the desert fox in the courtyard right in front of Asti’s palace and petted its head.

“Uheoeung! I don’t want to! I don’t want to go!”

When Asti Princess started crying sadly beyond the window sill, the desert fox, surprised, hid in the bushes.

Ratifa tried to go to where she was, but her bedroom door was tightly locked, and several maids were rolling their feet in front of the locked door.

And the falcon, flying anxiously in front of the door, landed on Ratifa’s shoulder as she approached.

“Tatkan. What’s going on?”

“The Sultan said so. The Sultan said so.”
“He said that? But he cares deeply for Princess Asti.”

Tatkan seemed very frustrated, as if he had a lot to say, but he appeared unable to express himself perfectly.

Right next to him, the maids were busy comforting the princess at the door, so Ratifa quickly took Tatkan back to her quarters and attempted to converse with his spirit.

“Okay, now you can say anything. Speak up, Tatkan.”

As she conveyed the message to the silvery spirit, Tatkan blinked his eyes, resembling black glass beads, looking surprised.