“If it’s pocket money, there’s no need to ask me. Just spend it as you wish. I handed over the proxy financial authority to you, after all. My condition was to treat everything, without any shortage, as the best.”

With an air of self-satisfaction, Hades took a seat on one side of the table where breakfast was served in the Riyad.

Latifa, who always sat next to Hades, took a seat on the opposite side, farthest away from him.

“It’s not pocket money; I’m talking about income. You said I’m the lady of the estate, right? Then, anything I earn will ultimately be yours, right? I just want you to acknowledge it as solely mine.”

“Why is such a treaty necessary?”

“I don’t want you to make ridiculous scenes when we return to the Empire.”

“Oh.”

Hades seemed interested, raising his eyebrows as if he heard something intriguing.

“If I promise to give everything I promised later, such as gold and goods, as promised, and claim them as yours because I am your possession, won’t I be deceived again?”

“I didn’t think about that, but it’s a reasonable point.”

“And this.”

Latifa handed the letter from Yaz, which she had been fiddling with all night, to Hades.

He accepted it and began reading.

‘I won’t get permission, but let’s be firm in our determination.’

While Latifa observed his reaction, fidgeting with a cup of cold spring water, Hades did not show anger or annoyance, contrary to what she expected.

“Is this about some business deal? However, just in case I start earning income, I hope you won’t meddle with it. Will you allow it?”

“Self-initiated partnership proposal, quite something. Saying to whom, a lady of fortune among the nouveaux riches, dares to speak ill of whose lady?”

Hades chuckled and handed back the paper to Latifa. Surprisingly, she was taken aback by his nonchalant behavior, hesitating as she asked him.

“I know this might be a scam, but I want to talk to this person at least once. May I ask for your permission first?”

“Latifa. This is the Grand Bazaar. A land of opportunities where today’s beggar could be tomorrow’s tycoon. There is no one here who restricts the wise one seeking opportunities.”

“I thought you might say something about preserving the noble honor of the goddess. Thankfully, you didn’t.”

“Commercial activities are not base actions.”

Latifa, feeling elated by the unexpectedly easy permission, mumbled as Hades continued to eat jam-covered bread with a spoon.

“However, expect no less than a good deal from a cooperator as good as me.”

“…”

“It’s hotter here than anywhere else, but the market is more ruthless than you think. Yazu may suggest something unimaginable to you. However, even if he thinks you have the power to control animals, it’s impossible to succeed only with outstanding abilities.”

“Do you know what kind of work I’ll end up doing?”

“Near Gate 8 of the livestock market, where those who handle livestock gather. They deal with herding dogs and hunting dogs. Judging by your past actions, someone might already think you have the power to control animals.”

“Training animals…”

“If this is not a scam, the proposal from this side is not bad either. Anyway, as long as I operate the livestock market, I planned to use you in that way.”

Rumors about Latifa had already spread considerably within the Grand Bazaar.

If you burn incense for the goddess of Caliph’s Harem, you won’t fall off a horse, and the livestock she raises won’t get sick.

Moreover, it was rumored that since the coming-of-age ceremony, she had been driving away misfortune.
It was natural for Caliph’s representative symbol in charge of the livestock market, Caleb, to solidify as a prominent figure, especially with the circulating rumors about Latifa’s excellent ability to tame animals.

However, despite having tried taming animals such as horses, camels, snakes, birds, and even crocodiles, Latifa had only built a bond during their infancy. She hadn’t engaged in actual animal training. Latifa hesitated for a moment, quietly gazing at the table where food was prepared.

“It’s a great opportunity, Latifa.”

“Yes?”

“The ability to communicate with animals and horses is an unpredictable skill that might disappear at any time. In other words, it’s an ability entirely dependent on luck, not something accumulated through your efforts.”

“I see. It’s luck.”

Latifa responded, interpreting the word ‘luck’ with uncertainty.

“Instead of worrying about when it might disappear, wouldn’t you want to build confidence in your abilities, earned through your genuine skill? Rather than being anxious about whether all of this will vanish like an illusion, wouldn’t you want to stand with confidence in your abilities at all times?”

“Confidence…”

“Just because you said you could communicate with animals and horses doesn’t mean you can necessarily tame them. You need to think day and night about the habits and behaviors of animals, as well as effective training methods. Managing the guests is also important.”