After chatting with Yaz for a long time, Latifa finally left the place as the late afternoon approached.

Upon reaching the private riad on the third floor attached to a quiet cafe, Hades threw away the stuffy scarf and sprawled on the cushions next to him.

Finding his puppy-like panting somewhat cute, Latifa sipped her pomegranate drink with ice while observing him.

“Why so many words! We just need to talk about business.”

“Meeting a girl of my age was rare, so I became talkative too. And the business talk was quite interesting.”

Latifa chuckled and gracefully swirled her drink with a long glass rod. The refreshing scent of pomegranate filled her tired body, invigorating her.

“So, how was it?”

“Good. All the animals there were well-managed. I told them that the crocodile really likes Yaz. Sometimes she makes strange sounds; I still don’t know what that means.”

Latifa calmly spoke, recalling the Golden Armadillo Bazaar and Yaz.

“I still need to talk more about imports, but I liked the fact that I targeted the upper-class people. They are well-off, and I’m aiming for quick results rather than investing a lot of time in professional training.”

“…”

“Moreover, noble children usually lack understanding of animals. Even if they buy expensive hunting dogs or guard dogs, they don’t use them for professional purposes. They might just go hunting or send letters to their friends as a hobby.”

“Hmm.”

“Then they don’t need specialized training. I don’t need to invest much time. I haven’t accumulated expertise for professional training yet, and I want to achieve results quickly.”

“…”

“Besides, noble children always want unusual animals. Taming such animals is not well known, but that’s something only I can do, right?”

“But the Golden Armadillo is in Gate 8, a very remote place. How can such a merchant negotiate with upper-class children? Moreover, as a woman alone.”

Hades asked a sharp question with his eyes gleaming. However, Latifa, who seemed to have thought about it, smartly replied.

“Yaz said he’s from Madrasa. When I was in the harem, I heard that not anyone could enter Madrasa. That means she has at least one reliable connection to enter Madrasa, and she said she’s closer to juniors than peers. They will be our potential customers.”

“Advertising?”

“You raised my value. Who wouldn’t want animals blessed by the goddess of Caleb? But I want to keep it discreet, only spreading a secret rumor that animals tamed by the goddess of Caleb are available. A secretive market that only those who know can access. Such a strategy will work with our target audience.”

Nobles generally preferred exclusive restaurants where only a few people could enter over restaurants that anyone could enter.

Moreover, if Latifa were to publicly operate the bazaar, the mystique of being the goddess of Caleb would diminish, and it could potentially harm Lughan’s reputation.

“No obstacles. Now I can proudly present it anywhere without embarrassment.”

Hades expressed satisfaction, chuckling and stroking his chin.

“Once, you were like a untethered colt.”

“Me? When!”

“Don’t get mad. You’re like this because you want to. Seeing my happiness grow, it’s because I want to.”

“You kicked me out of the bedroom, so someday I might be kicked out of Caleb’s territory. It’s wise to earn money generously.”

“That… Such a thing won’t happen.”

Hades’ face, which was smiling slyly, darkened in an instant.

“…”

Again. Another corner of the heart felt stifled and tingling with a subtle discomfort.
Dalkak. In the brief silence that ensued, the only sounds were the clinking of ice melting in a glass and, from a distance, the occasional noises of merchants engaging in their promotional activities.

Quietly swirling her drink with a glass rod, Latifa, amid the crisp clinking sound, lazily spoke.

“Weird. I’m feeling a bit sleepy.”

“Shall we go back?”

“No. I don’t want to go back. If I get up… I might wake up.”

As he said this, his face somehow looked incredibly tired.

With dark circles under his eyes and dry lips, he slowly closed his eyes. Feeling a inexplicable sympathy for his weary appearance, Latifa placed a Jacquard cushion beside him and sat down.

Then, tapping on his thigh, she said to him.

“If you don’t have urgent matters, take a short nap before going.”

“…….”

“You helped me earlier. Consider it a token of gratitude. Sitting like that can hurt your back.”

Latifa pulled the reluctant Hades and leaned his head on her thigh.

As he awkwardly lay down, his shoulders, which had been tensed, relaxed when she gently patted them with her palms, and he ended up lying completely on Latifa’s thigh.

“Not bad.”

“It’s too hot. You were bundled up there. You might be tired from sweating a lot.”

“Maybe.”

Under the shade of a goat-skin awning on the terrace above.

Observing busy merchants on the first floor, Latifa carefully stroked his black hair.

“Latifa, do you know my secret?”

“Yes. You’re not a madman.”