“It’s not a footwork exercise but a waltz. In the empire, any woman must have dreamt of it at least once. Wearing a beautiful dress in a lovely palace, an elegant Yeongsik from the noble family approaching and requesting a dance.”

“‘Dress’? A handsome ‘Yeongsik’ from the noble family?”

Hades wrinkled his nose at Latifa’s excessive use of Imperial language.

She always spoke in a gentle and slow manner when using Desert language, but her mixed usage of Imperial language was rapid and lively, making it difficult for even Hades to understand.

“Still, since you are from the prestigious Calleb family, half of my dream to dance with a noble Yeongsik has come true.”

“Calleb is different from those wishy-washy noble families! How dare you compare me to such a place.”

“Yes, I understand with honor. Yeongsik of the Grand Bazaar Calleb.”

“What, what? What does ‘Yeongsik’ mean?”

“It means a handsome man.”

Latifa roughly murmured and pulled the hesitating Hades into the center of the carpet, demonstrating the steps.

“One, two, three. One, two, three.”

Although there was no one else, watching Latifa, who delicately placed her arms in the air as if embracing someone precious, lifting her white arms above the empty space and lightly bouncing her feet, Hades found himself involuntarily smiling as his mouth curled up.

Latifa, having gracefully stepped and holding the edge of her dress, even greeted an imaginary audience, and seemed a bit pleased with Hades’ passive response. She grabbed his hand and enthusiastically continued.

“I’ll lead. One hand here, on my waist. One hand holding mine. Like this… Now that I see it, you are really tall.”

Placing her hand on Hades’ awkwardly placed hand on her waist, Latifa raised her eyebrows slightly, seeming a bit embarrassed.

“Is this not acceptable?”

In response to his somewhat anxious question, Latifa smiled broadly and patted his shoulder gently.

“Originally, I would wear high heels, but like this… it’ll be somewhat similar.”

Not knowing the word ‘pump’ in Desert language, Latifa, instead of explaining in words, took off her leather shoes and stood barefoot in front of Hades, giggling, and producing a big laugh.

“Well, hmm. Since it’s a rare occasion, let’s try it like a ball. Hades, usually, it’s the man who requests first, but you don’t know the empire’s etiquette, so I’ll let it slide.”

Latifa, with an elegant appearance, holding the dark red hem embroidered with vivid ivy patterns, placed her hand on her chest and slightly bowed to Hades.

“Hades Calleb General. May I request a dance from you?”

And as her white hand extended gently towards him, Hades stood frozen in place, just staring at her.

If it weren’t for the ticking sound of the returning metronome, Hades might have thought that time had stopped.

His blue eyes, unfathomable, blinked towards Hades, and his moist, pink lips, containing a fresh dewiness, drew a soft curve.

“A wish, you say… What should I say to make you happy?”

Perhaps, he thought that if he moved recklessly, the bizarre and delicate framework of time might shatter in an instant, so he cautiously asked while swallowing his dry saliva.

“Hades, don’t be too tense! You can say anything you want. I’ve already heard everything from you that I shouldn’t have heard, so anything you say won’t bother me. Hahaha!”

At her laughing expression, Hades furrowed his brow slightly.

‘Even so, it doesn’t mean you can say anything.’

Looking at the uncommonly plain face of Hades, Latifa burst into laughter, chuckling.
However, Hades’ stoic expression gradually darkened, and the atmosphere became more serious, as if he were devising an important strategy on the battlefield. Latifa burst into laughter at first but awkwardly stopped as she noticed the change in Hades’ unusual and dark expression.

“Aha… huh?”

Latifa pursed her lips slightly, glancing at Hades’ unusual dark expression.

“If you don’t want to dance, just say so.”

Feeling the heavy atmosphere created by his unpredictable gaze, Latifa withdrew her extended hand and lowered her gaze.

“But you know, I danced even when I didn’t want to during the coming-of-age ceremony, right?”

As Latifa grumbled in a slightly complaining tone, Hades opened his mouth.

“You.”

Latifa, slightly tense at his deep voice, raised her head. Soon, she blushed shyly at the sight that unfolded before her.

Hades’ large palm was cautiously reaching out towards her.

“…Latifa Gracia. I request a dance from you, the sea I am offering…”

Despite his indifferent tone, Latifa, at his overly careful gesture, did not hesitate and gently placed her white hand on his, slightly bending her knee as she rose.

“It is an honor to be with a splendid Yeongsik.”

Latifa, feeling warmer than usual, pulled his hand slightly, placing it on her waist, and raised the tips of her toes to create a ball of the foot.

Leaving the unstable center to the sturdy shoulders, she got a bit closer to his face, finding a satisfying smile again. She placed one hand on his shoulder and held the other, meeting his hand.