“A lion?!”

The lion, shaking its large, ochre mane around its head, slowly approached Latifa.

The low roar, flashing sharp teeth, made Latifa’s body tremble uncontrollably.

‘The enclosure is up, but the pressure is immense!’

The desert fox in Latifa’s arms was not only shivering but also struggling to burrow deeper into her embrace.

“It’s, it’s okay. Calm down.”

Even Latifa’s voice trying to soothe the fox was trembling. Hades put his hand on Latifa’s shoulder and asked,

“Is this your first time seeing a lion?”

“I’ve read about them in books…”

“True. The imperial territory has more tigers than lions. This is a golden lion caught from a savanna. Twice as big as normal lions and three times as ferocious.”

“What do you want from me? To communicate with it?!”

‘Impossible! Absolutely impossible!’

It was inconceivable to communicate with the lion she couldn’t even make eye contact with due to fear.

Embarrassed by her pointed words, Hades responded,

“It’s nothing much. Just thought it would be nice if you two became friends.”

“Hmph!”

Latifa stepped back as if the growling lion was telling her not to look at it. Hades secretly whispered in her ear, pressing down on both her shoulders.

“I’ll tell you my plan. We’re going to be accomplices. Doesn’t that give you a thrill?”

“Accomplices?”

“I brought you to the desert for this. I need your help with this.”

She was brought here just to tame a lion?

Of course, this lion was extraordinary, but Latifa was stunned at being told she’d been brought here to tame an animal.

‘Just’?

‘Did I expect too much from General Hades?… Just a beast tamer, huh. Well, what more can I do with this ability?’

Disappointed for a moment, Latifa resigned herself to her fate. Then Hades grinned, perhaps noticing her downcast face.

“Do you think I brought you here just to tame a single lion?”

‘Is that not the case?’

A surprised Latifa looked up at Hades. He continued to whisper near her ear, lowering his voice.

“Currently, the Sultan has three princes. Among them, two are competing for the throne. I intend to support the first prince, born to the queen, as the next Sultan. I must.”

It seemed even Hades, a general, was at the center of political affairs.

“But there is one small problem.”

‘If a prince backed by General Hades would undoubtedly have no issues becoming Sultan.’

Curious, Latifa inclined her head to listen to him.

“What is it?”

“The queen has long since passed away. The only one to back him up is me.”

“But isn’t he the eldest? Isn’t it typical for the eldest to inherit the throne?”

“Latifa, our desert people are instinctively drawn to strength.”

“Strength…?”

“The first prince is the wisest and the smartest but he’s weak. So, there are quite a few opposing factions.”

Then she understood.

‘Citizens would prefer a charismatic successor rather than a weak leader.’

Latifa nodded but still had questions.

“So what does that have to do with that lion? What am I supposed to do?”

“In one week, you have your Prau ceremony.”

“In one week?”

“A grand feast will be held at Caleb Mansion. All the notable nobles and magnates of the Grand Bazaar will be invited to showcase you. I’ve ordered them to clear out the entire backyard of the east wing and set up a large stadium.”

She couldn’t see how this had anything to do with the first prince.
“Do you remember the saying that you can be anything, my Frau?”

“Yes.”

“You will be my goddess, as my Frau.”

“…Goddess?”

“It will be your role to deceive people by posing as a goddess behind me.”

“What?!”

Hades continued to elaborate on his plan, his voice brimming with childish excitement.

“Rumors will spread throughout the nation that behind the first prince is Hades Caleb Ignite and a goddess. Then the people of Grand Bazaar will become enamored with the prince.”

Upon hearing his plan, Latifa Glaesia finally understood what he was scheming.

He intended to decorate Latifa as if she were a goddess to win the hearts of the people. Then, using that goodwill, he planned to endorse the prince he supported as the future Sultan.

It was an utterly absurd and frivolous plan. But at the same time, it was a plan that seemed possible only because it was him.

Latifa, who had unintentionally become part of this grand scheme, blankly stared at the lion in front of her and spoke.

“So the lion is merely a means to make me look like a goddess. If I tame this golden lion, the people attending the banquet will spread rumors.”

“Exactly! You’re smarter than you look!”

‘Smarter than I look?! Are you saying I don’t look smart?’

Offended by his belittling tone, Latifa retorted sharply.

“It’s a ridiculous plan. Who would consider a woman who ‘doesn’t look smart’ as a goddess? Especially when I’m a foreigner.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve prepared for this from the desert. You are prepared to become a goddess.”

“What preparation?”

“You not only cured a mad horse but also summoned rain to save countless soldiers’ lives. Those are all your deeds.”

“That’s not my doing—”

“Shh. It’s all your doing.”