The elongated, black stringed instrument, the sitar, played joyfully by a musician, and the dancers clad in iridescent saris were all splendid young men.

“I’ve prepared many joyful things for my friends who attended today, so please enjoy to your heart’s content.”

Amira, overflowing with golden fruit wine under her pink feather fan, spoke to her friends and guests.

She wore a daring outfit that revealed her shoulders, with a large chest covered in white pearls, and a revealing skirt that showcased one thigh. The intricate pattern of a paradise bird, carved with light golden silk, was the masterpiece of a craftsman from the Grand Bazaar, who had spent a month crafting it.

“Amira, the celebration is magnificent! Hosting a party on the island is truly remarkable. If it were you, you could even go to a good place for marriage, right?”

The fertile island above the river, sometimes disappearing into the water with the changing seasons, was futile for creating a resort, but the bigwigs of the Grand Bazaar willingly spent a large sum to establish a place on the island and hold parties for short-lived amusement.

“My husband is the only one for me.”

“The answer is predetermined, so just say it,” Amira said in a whisper-like manner, and her friends responded with their mouths together.

“He must be General Hades.”

“Yes, Amira’s eyes would be enchanted once Caleb is organized, right?”

“Sending regards to the owner of Caleb. Haha.”

Amira’s Madrasa classmates’ words made her laugh gleefully.

“Even so, he’s attending here today. And he said he would bless me.”

“Really?!”

At the surprised eyes of her friends, Amira’s mood seemed to worsen, and she pouted.

“Why the surprised reaction? I am Amira Shadiya. I have maintained a close relationship with General Hades for a long time. Would such a person not attend my coming-of-age ceremony?”

‘Of course, he should attend,’ ‘There is no woman more suitable for him than you,’ the voices of her teasing friends made her feel better, and she emptied a large amount of fruit wine at once.

“It’s strange. I heard that you got a beating from him.”

As the atmosphere suddenly turned tense, Amira looked sharply at the source of the voice.

“Yaz. I don’t remember inviting you.”

Leaning against the amapu sunshade dyed in pink, the tall woman who looked quite manly with her short-cropped hair, unlike other women around, stared at Amira.

“I don’t remember inviting you, but you threatened and forced an invitation on Madrasa’s kids for your coming-of-age ceremony. Is that true? Did you cry and get beaten with a stick?”

“That, that can’t be true?! Yaz, you must have misunderstood!”

“Sure. Why would Amira get beaten with a stick?”

Even though the other women around didn’t hear the rumor that Amira got a severe beating from Caleb’s territory, they echoed Yaz’s disbelief.

“Hey, where’s that animal stench coming from?”

Without responding to Yaz and mocking her by puffing on something else, Amira teased her. However, Yaz retorted without care.

“If you’re still childish when you become an adult today. Well, then you’re saying you’re going to marry General Hades.”

Amira snapped in response to that statement.
“Once today passes, you and I won’t be able to exchange a single word, so it’s best to say everything now. No matter how talented you were as the firstborn in Madrasa, excelling in studies doesn’t bring wealth to your poor home, and it won’t secure a marriage with a distinguished family.”

“Alright. Since I came here just to try and settle things with a meal, don’t be too discouraged. I might get hit with a sycamore stick, so I’ll go over there and have my meal alone. Hey, can I take the remaining food?”

As Yaz left, scraping her temper until the end, Amira also responded sharply without giving in.

“Only food, right? I’ll give you some gold coins too, so take them when you leave.”

“Amira, don’t worry too much. Yaz has always been like that.”

“Yeah. How can a studious bookworm like her understand you?”

“Oh, my, everyone! Isn’t that General Hades over there?!”

Amira turned her head quickly at her friend’s words, and indeed, a group of people was disembarking from a flashy ship with yellow sails.

Among them, a man with a robust physique and black hair was the first to step onto the island, scanning the surroundings.

Amira quickly shifted her gaze, but she didn’t see the fair-skinned woman with silver hair next to Hades.

A smile blossomed on Amira’s face as she observed this.

“My Ignis has arrived! Everyone, go greet the general! I’ll touch up my makeup a bit and join later. Help me fix my makeup quickly!”

Amira shouted excitedly to the servants around her, and her friends stuck close to her, eager to please her.

“People become more refined as they age.”

Hades chuckled and patted the shoulder of Shadi Daein, who was welcoming him.

“There’s nothing more foolish than trying to catch onto youth with your hands, but hearing such words from the general makes me feel good.”

“As much as wealth is good, wouldn’t Caleb’s honor be more important?”