Hagnu, as if dreaming of a pair of crown parrots picking bread crumbs from the table and stroking each other’s neck feathers, gazed with a dreamy look.
“There were reasons other than protecting Hades and Luhann for becoming a concubine. I am more wretched and selfish than you think. I am a person who is not strong at all, not suitable to be with the honorable Caleb.”
Although a transparent water-like light shimmered in Hagnu’s eyes, as if tears could fall at any moment, they didn’t.
“Hades consistently advised me against becoming a concubine. He said I would go crazy if I became the Sultan’s concubine while harboring feelings for someone else. He told me I would live lonely in this enormous palace for the rest of my life.”
For a moment, Hagnu traced the pattern on the table with her fingers, expressionless. Then, as if ending the long recollection, she tapped the table as if coaxing herself.
The pair of crown parrots, which had been picking bread crumbs, flew away with a dull thud from the table.
“Latifa, just because I fulfilled Caleb’s duty doesn’t make me a remarkable person. Peel off a layer, and we’re all the same.”
And now, without letting even a trace of what had clung to her eyes fall, she wiped everything away and smiled brightly again.
In itself, she was an admirable concubine.
“So, I think if it were you, there would be no inadequacy. My brother, my sister, and even Yaznan would probably think the same.”
“How can someone like me…”
She grabbed Latifa’s hand and gently brushed her palm.
“You are undoubtedly a strong woman. You saved Iota by defying the frenzied Hades at the Sultan’s trial and dealt with the stubborn Karina.”
Thinking about it, those were things slightly unrelated to Latifa’s secret ability, unlike taming lions or releasing animals. They were tasks accomplished solely with Latifa’s power.
“Ah… that’s right.”
Realizing once again what she had achieved with her own strength, Latifa mumbled absentmindedly as if she had been hit on the head.
“Anyway, Hades is a good boy who worried about me. So, even if he treats me recklessly, don’t blame him.”
Although she had many more questions, Latifa, not wanting to ruin the perfect smile Hagnu had carefully crafted, smiled brightly in return.
“Even if we don’t, many people blame Hades for his reckless actions. So, we can’t blame him either.”
“Oh! I think I know why our nephew cherishes you! Do you want to enter as my maid?!”
She laughed playfully again, pouring hazelnut-scented tea into the teacup.
Latifa also smiled back, responding, “If I become a harem maid, I’ll be in trouble!”
“But desert people are instinctively drawn to strength, Latifa. So, everyone can’t help but be drawn to you.”
The strange teatime under the intense sunbeams of Grand Bazaar continued until Asti Princess, with eyes swollen like dinner rolls, entered.
Latifa tried hard not to burst into laughter, biting her lips tightly.
“Hahaha! Uh-huhuhuk!”
Of course, Hades, indifferent to the princess’s mood, laughed like a hysterical person, but words were words.
In front of Latifa, for some unknown reason, Asti Princess with large and puffy eyes was eating candy with her eyes barely open.
“Nomnom…….?”
‘No, why on earth is her eyes so swollen today!’
Pretending to wash her face, Latifa calmed down the rising clown makeup and said, “Princess… your eyes.”
“Yeah? Don’t mind me.”
“Pft!”
With her plump hands waving gracefully, Latifa couldn’t help but burst into laughter at her touch, hastily covering her mouth.
“I know. I must look ridiculous right now.”
Although Asti Princess, who bowed deeply while picking at candy, looked pitiful, Latifa found her cute and hugged her tightly.
“Latifa, just laugh. Suppressing laughter leads to illness.”
Hades, with tears in his eyes from excessive laughter, threw in a comment with a chuckle.
“Hades, if it weren’t for the princess, I would still be in the harem palace.”
“Yes, Hades. You’re incredibly imposing!”
Tatkan poked Hades’s head, siding with Asti.
Hades, while swaying Tatkan away with his hand, couldn’t stop laughing.
“Come here, Tatkan.”
When Asti extended her hand, Tatkan, who had been poking Hades, flew and perched on Asti’s shoulder.
“What happened exactly?”
“Just… I realized how incompetent I am.”
“Hahaha! Only now you realize that—ugh!”
“Hades!”
Latifa quickly stabbed Hades’s side to stop his teasing.
Feeling the slight chill from the jab, Hades gave her a fleeting glance. Latifa then smoothed Asti’s tousled hair, pretending not to notice.
“I talked to Father. I won’t wear clothes in Mercatus.”
“Really?”
“Nn. Wearing clothes is useless.”
Asti nodded while sucking on royal candy.
‘Why did she get so worked up?’
Considering asking Tatkan, Latifa lightly stroked Tatkan’s head, who was also lying limp on Asti’s shoulder.
Then Tatkan, faintly emerging from his trance, relayed the story to Latifa.
[I went to Prince Tarek’s palace and saw the clothes Shalak made. In my opinion, Asti’s drawn clothes were prettier. Hmph.]‘So, that’s why he was so upset.’
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
