“Hmm?”

It was late, nearing midnight, but the heat was still emanating from the warm walls, not long after the sun had set.

Latifa, despite feeling the lingering warmth on her fingertips touching the wall, couldn’t shake off a somewhat uneasy feeling.

“I said from now on, we’ll be using separate bedrooms. Everything is already prepared by Yana. You’ll be using the western guesthouse from today.”

“Wait, why… why are you doing this?”

Since arriving in the desert, Latifa had been sharing a bedroom with Hades.

Of course, at first, it was just sleeping under his watchful eyes while lying on a blanket under his feet. However, imperceptibly, their distance had naturally shortened, and now Hades would often come down and sleep closely beside Latifa.

“I only shared a room with you because your health wasn’t good. Now that you’re better, let’s use separate rooms.”

Look at this, Latifa. This is how men are originally.

Her mouth dried up at the self-deprecating monologue echoing in her head.

Although she had expected that such a day would come, Latifa, who had not anticipated Hades suddenly pushing her away, stood silent before him with her words caught in her throat.

Standing without expression, his fist clenched, he seemed somewhat similar to the intimidating face Hades had when he first brought Latifa to the mansion.

“The western guesthouse would be more suitable for women. It’s more spacious, closer to the women’s quarters, and the surroundings are beautifully decorated.”

“…Is that the only reason?”

Latifa stared straight at Hades and asked. Hades’ one eye twitched at her gaze.

Without missing that, she continued speaking.

“If there’s any other reason, please let me know.”

“There isn’t.”

‘I said I wouldn’t let go.’ Suppressing the urge to say that, Latifa asked him firmly.

“Is it related to Luhann by any chance?”

“…What do you mean?”

“Luhann knows the feelings he has towards me, right? That’s why he gave up his seat earlier. If there’s any reason related to that-”

“Nonsense.”

Hades promptly cut off Latifa’s words. However, Latifa didn’t stop and continued to inquire.

“Luhann said so. He said I have to go back to the empire anyway, so you opposed it. What did you oppose?”

“…”

Normally, he talked a lot of nonsense, but when it came to something important, Hades just stood still without responding, making Latifa slightly annoyed.

“Discussing matters concerning me only between the two of us isn’t enjoyable. Suddenly changing bedrooms like this doesn’t make me feel good either.”

“You’ve become quite bold.”

“That’s because you did. My worth is something I create.”

With a mocking tone, Latifa retorted without yielding, glaring at Hades.

“Latifa.”

Under Latifa’s sharp gaze, his eyebrows slowly furrowed. However, he didn’t utter any further words.

Feeling an indescribable frustration at his appearance, Latifa eventually turned away, as if saying it’s over now.

“Fine. I’ll go as you wish. You mentioned the western guesthouse, right?”

Step, step. Walking on the marble floor, as Latifa moved away, there was no sound from behind.

A bit slower in her steps, Latifa finally turned around, shouted loudly at Hades, who was still standing like a post.

“At least Luhann wasn’t this cowardly!”

Once again, turning sharply, Latifa quickly left the place.

Tak, tak, tak, tak.

On a late summer night with a thick moonlight, beneath the pendentive roof of the elegant Caleb estate, adorned with white marble and turquoise, the empty hall echoed only with the rhythmic footsteps of Latifa.

**

Perhaps due to the change of sleeping arrangements, it was a night where sleep was hard to come by.
The soft veil of the sky-blue indoor gown with elaborate patterns on the silk blanket was incredibly soft, but Latifa, who kept tossing and turning, found it uncomfortable.

“Ugh. Should I read a book…?”

In the end, she gave up on sleeping, got up from her spot, and lit the lamp using flint.

Tic, tic, the fire flickered with a small amount of smoke, casting an orange glow around. The bedroom in the western guesthouse, adorned with various-colored drapes, was indeed larger and more splendid, as Hades had mentioned.

Unlike Hades’ bedroom, there were more furnishings for women like dressing tables and wardrobes. Through the large skylight in the bedroom, Latifa could see not the bustling market but a beautiful garden filled with vibrant flowers, just as Hades had described.

Yana mentioned that it was the room Yasmin Caleb, who was once a queen, used before her marriage, making the relocation of the bedroom seem more prestigious. However, Latifa felt awkward seeing even the chest and water bowl that the desert fox had used had been moved here.

‘I knew this would happen. This is how it’s supposed to be.’

Leaning against the large window frame, just as Hades often did, Latifa contemplated the conversation she had with Hades earlier. She scolded herself for calling him cowardly, realizing that she was no different.

Still…

“I hoped you would catch me first…”

Was it too much to ask for that much?

-Yawn.