Hades, with a serious expression devoid of mischief on his face, met Latifa’s gaze and then spoke.

“You shouldn’t live like that. If you don’t like it, say it clearly. You should speak up for what you want and protect your own interests. There’s a big difference between being polite and being ignored.”

“But I…”

Even though Latifa was enjoying a splendid life with Hades’ help, she was nothing more than an imperial, just as Amira had said.

Moreover, the empire had burned down, and strictly speaking, she was a pitiful existence with no place to return to.

“I can’t go back to where the empire was. If I go back, I’ll become nothing again.”

Latifa replied with a weak voice.

“It’s okay here because you’re here, but if I go back to the empire, I’ll just be an ordinary person anyway.”

When Latifa mentioned ‘going back to the empire,’ one of Hades’ eyebrows twitched, but she seemed unaware.

“…It’s not just about what happened here. Even when purchasing goods, it’s crucial to know exactly what you don’t want. If you act wishy-washy, you’ll end up carrying a bunch of unwanted garbage.”

Although his words were rough, she quickly realized it wasn’t the usual mockery or disdain to ignore her, as he was genuinely giving advice.

“You, Latifa Glaysia. The world is no different from a large marketplace.”

“…”

“If you allow yourself to be ignored, you’ll be coerced into buying unnecessary items. So, don’t just let them ignore you.”

Hades was earnestly offering advice.

“Remember the red-haired servant from last time. It’s about time you realized. You ended up in this desert because you left that woman alone.”

Prompted by his serious words, recalling the events with Brenda, Latifa nodded heavily.

“Damn. It seems like you don’t understand, but just nodding your head blankly.”

As Hades shook his head, he looked sharply at Latifa’s leg hanging over the railing.

“What’s this?”

Hades kneeled in the corridor, examining Latifa’s ankle closely. When he lifted the hem of her indoor robe, a sparkling anklet with a peony pattern appeared on her small, white ankle.

“It’s not something I gave you, right? Princess Asti said you gave it to me. Wasn’t it something you gave me along with the gold bracelet before?”

“I didn’t give you this.”

“Did you give it to me and forget? Considering the hundreds of accessories you prepared, you might be confused.”

“No, among them, there’s nothing like this. Were you wearing it even when you were in the royal palace?”

“Yeah? Do you remember all that?”

To Latifa’s question, Hades responded as if it were obvious, even giving her a disapproving look.

“I remember everything you wear, from your clothes to your jewelry and even the fragrance. It’s more strange that you don’t know. This doesn’t suit you. Take it off.”

“Oh! Isn’t it pretty? I thought it suited me well.”

Latifa gently pushed away Hades’ hand with her foot while raising her ankle with the anklet.

Secretly, she liked the anklet.

The pattern of a clear, white peony reflecting in the bright sunlight was charming, and the string was both elegant and cute.

But Hades didn’t seem to think so.

“Even though I gave you a gold bracelet, you seem to be wearing strange things. You’re too full of yourself. Did you lose the gold bracelet I gave you and just walk around wearing strange things like this? I thought you were holding onto it well in my hands, but you really have too many gaps.”

Hades hurriedly tried to remove the anklet from Latifa’s ankle, struggling because it was too small and intricate for his large hands.

“Did you prepare this?”
However, it was too small and intricate for Hades’ massive hands, making only a clicking sound without easily coming off.

“Yanan might have prepared it.”

“It doesn’t suit you.”

“Hmm, it looks good in my eyes. You just said to clearly express what you want.”

“This is an exception.”

Hades continued to grumble with an annoyed tone.

“Just doing as you please!”

Latifa puffed her cheek slightly, but soon laughed at Hades struggling below, unable to remove the small anklet.

“Give it here. I’ll do it.”

“Don’t touch things if you don’t know who gave them.”

Seemingly hurt in his pride, Hades growled, looking at Latifa, and eventually, he lifted her ankle entirely, tearing at the anklet string with force.

At the same time, his breath, carrying the heat of the desert, brushed against her ankle, tickling her.

“Oops, it will break like that!”

thud.

In the end, a dull feeling of metal breaking transmitted through her ankle, and Hades’ lips were left with a thin silver thread hanging lifelessly.

At the end of it swayed a delicate white peony pattern.

‘Phew. It’s like he’s gone crazy.’

Contrasting with Hades’ complexion, the bright platinum thread no longer sparkled as it seemed to have lost its previous dazzling color.

“Tch!”

Hades spat it out over the railing without a trace of regret.

“You didn’t need to go that far.”

Even after cutting the anklet, Hades was still touching Latifa’s ankle, kneeling with apparent intent.