Phew. I should have shaken them off by now,” thought the kidnapper, who had fled deep into a dark alley. He adjusted the leather bag where he had stuffed Latifa.

“Looks like a slave who’s run away from a defeated nation. If I sell her, I’ll make a fortune. Pale skin and silver hair…she’s worth more than just a normal price. Heh heh heh.”

Satisfied that no one was following, the kidnapper began to walk at a leisurely pace, even whistling.

But his joy was shortlived.

—Thwack!

“Ugh!”

Struck in the head by a stone flying from somewhere, the kidnapper collapsed.

“Sorry to eavesdrop, but stealing someone’s property is a serious offense in this Grand Bazaar.”

The voice came from Luhán, who emerged from the shadows of the back alley. He had taken a shortcut and was waiting for the kidnapper.

Luhán walked past the unconscious man and approached the large leather bag he had been carrying.

The bag was twitching faintly. At its opening, a bundle of that mysterious silver hair was protruding.

Luhán carefully brushed the silver hair with his finger.

“It’s a person, alright.”

—Squirm.

As if feeling Luhán’s touch, the bag twitched more violently. Faint moans were audible from within.

“Sorry! I’ll get you out right away!”

Startled by the sound, Luhán hurriedly untied the bag.

“Phew!”

Latifa, who had been taking heavy breaths, popped out of the bag. Luhán was lost for words.

“You… Imperial…”

Struck dumb by Latifa, who emerged as a white flower blooming under the moonlight, Luhán stood there, speechless for a while.

Blinking her silver eyelashes, Latifa looked up at him.

“My God, Amor.”

Amor was the guardian deity of love.

— Star Icon — Star Icon —

“…!”

Blinking her surprised eyes, Latifa cautiously stared at Luhán, who stood immobilized before her.

‘Who is this? Is he in league with my kidnapper?’

She glanced around, her heart pounding, and noticed that the kidnapper was lying unconscious on the ground.

“Are you alright?!”

“Eek!”

Startled by Luhán’s sudden question, Latifa hastily retreated. Everything about the Grand Bazaar seemed terrifying, and her heart was pounding.

Luhán also hesitated, not knowing what to do next.

‘Is he not with them…?’

Luhán’s timid retreat seemed somewhat reassuring.

“I have no intention of harming you! You may not understand me, but I only followed you to help! I have no relationship with that man!”

Frantically gesturing an ‘X’ in the air with his arms, Luhán tried to explain himself to Latifa, whose face had turned pale with fear.

As she watched him sweat profusely while trying to explain that he was not a villain, Latifa slowly began to calm down.

Her gaze fell on Luhán’s outfit. He was wearing a white silk robe with a subtle but sophisticated golden pattern embroidered on it.

‘The details on the clothing are quite delicate. He seems to be of high standing.’

The man lying unconscious on the ground looked like a typical street thug and was clearly mismatched with Luhán.

Luhán, who had tender brown eyes and fine eyebrows, asked her again with sincerity if she was alright.

His earnest gestures and soothing voice started to calm Latifa’s anxious heart.

Luhán was a different kind of man from the rough and coarse desert men Latifa had encountered before.

Threatening…
In the end, Latifa hesitantly asked him in desertic language, her voice trembling.

“Did you, save me…?”

As Latifa carefully sang her query, rotating her anxious eyes, Luhan stuttered, clearing his throat.

“Ah! A prisoner who knows desertic! Ah, so I’m not belittling the empire! Uh, forgive the rudeness!”

Caught in his words, Luhan suddenly begged her for forgiveness.

“Eh? What, forgiveness?”

Startled by the unexpected request for forgiveness, Latifa backed away a step further from Luhan, her guard up. Luhan then showed her proper desertic courtesy.

Bending one knee and placing an arm over his chest, he bowed his head and asked her politely,

“Ahem, well, it’s the first time I’ve met an imperial who knows desertic. I wanted to ask if you’re alright, if you have any injuries. I’m sorry for not having rescued you sooner. Are you hurt?”

‘Quite dignified.’

Latifa caught her breath at his flawless courtesy and the elegant vocabulary he used, much like what Hades used.

At least, this dignified person didn’t seem likely to resort to violence like the thug from before.

“Ah, I can see why you would be suspicious. I understand your caution.”

“…”

Latifa looked at Luhan wordlessly.

“Do you have companions? You didn’t come to the Grand Bazaar alone, did you? It doesn’t seem like your companions would leave you alone.”

“Ah, I had companions, but I lost them…”

Still not entirely letting her guard down, Latifa replied cautiously. Luhan looked at her with genuine concern.

“The Grand Bazaar isn’t that dangerous, but it’s a bit risky for you to wander alone, especially now. It’s not a good time for imperials like you, is it?”

Rather than offering reassuring platitudes, Luhan’s honest concern based on objective facts seemed to gradually resonate with Latifa.