Luhan visibly flustered, began to look around anxiously.

‘Luhan seems like a decent young man from a good family. Could he possibly be on bad terms with General Hades?’

Considering Hades’ temperament, it was questionable if anyone could be on good terms with him.

Luhan’s reaction made sense when recalling General Hades.

“Miss Latifa! Thank God I’ve found you! I thought my life was running away!”

Suddenly, a loud voice calling for Latifa echoed from the opposite direction. She turned her head to see Yanan waving her hand.

“General Hades has already returned to the estate. He’s not here! Oh, it’s really a relief to see you!”

“Yanan!”

Latifa shouted Yanan’s name joyously as if meeting a longlost family member.

At this point, Luhan quickly wrapped his robe and whispered softly in Latifa’s ear.

“Keep our meeting a secret from Yanan, please. We will, that is…we’ll meet again someday. I swear by the desert guardian, it will happen.”

“Luhan?”

“Ah, until then, may the desert’s heat not steal your freshness.”

“But wait! I haven’t even properly thanked you!”

As Latifa hurriedly tried to grab him, Luhan winked playfully. In the moment she blinked, he had vanished into the bustling crowd.

She should have never blinked, not here in the everchanging Grand Bazaar.

[Star Icon][Star Icon]

“Are you really okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. You said to go to Gate 9, so I headed there.”

Latifa concealed her earlier ordeal, afraid that Yanan might be harshly punished due to Hades’ personality, and because Luhan had asked her to keep their meeting a secret.

“That’s really a relief. My heart almost dropped!”

“It’s my fault for losing Yanan…”

“Next time, I really need to stick with you. The dignity of Caleb’s household is at stake. It’s not as lax as it might seem.”

“I’m perfectly fine. Look, I’m in one piece.”

Having returned to the Caleb estate, Latifa reassured Yanan and headed straight for the lion’s cage.

She had desperately obtained some khat leaves, but now that she had them, her worries were far from over.

‘What if the khat doesn’t work?’

With a sigh, Latifa crushed the khat leaves on a large log and cautiously placed it inside the lion’s cage.

“I hope you like it.”

“What is this, khat?”

“General Hades!”

Startled by his sudden appearance, Latifa had to calm her racing heart.

‘I’m getting scared too many times today. I might die of a heart attack before even returning to the Empire.’

“You were at the spice market, and we missed each other. Do you really think the king of the savanna would fall for some petty leaves?”

Irritated by his taunting voice, Latifa retorted.

“Who knows. Sometimes kings have surprisingly petty weaknesses.”

“Well, I wouldn’t know. I have no weaknesses.”

“……”

And to think she was so eager to find this arrogant man earlier.

‘I’d rather have the gentlemanly Luhan from earlier than this arrogant man.’

As she was contemplating how Luhan had been so polite and humble, Hades tapped her shoulder softly.

“Not bad, huh?”

“Hm?”

“That lion.”

Following Hades’ gaze toward the cage, Latifa was surprised to see something unexpected happening.
The large golden lion lay sprawled beside a log, hugging it as if it were a tame housecat, its tail gently swaying back and forth.

“Ah! It’s working!”

Thin silver spirits appeared around the lion’s head, making his voice audible.

[Good! Excellent!]

The lion looked content, extending his pink tongue, his eyes narrowed in delight as he embraced the log.

Latifa Glaesia quickly approached and spoke.

“Can you hear me? Lion? Huh?”

“Are you talking to it?”

“Shh, be quiet!”

After a few minutes, the lion abruptly rose, growled, and tossed the log towards the bars.

[Inferior human, the scent has faded. Bring more.]

‘Inferior human?’

The king of the savannah made his intentions clear with a stern, menacing voice.

“Do you hear me?”

[Roar!]

“Mommy!”

Latifa quickly grabbed Hades Caleb Ignite by the wrist. The lion then let out another large and menacing roar.

[What are you doing! Bring more quickly!] [Roar!]

“I am, I am!”

Unknowingly, she had used formal language with the lion. Latifa quickly rubbed some leaves against the log and tossed it back to the golden lion.

[Excellent, excellent. This comforts my tired and aged body. You are much better than the other foolish humans.]

“Um, Mr. Lion? I have a request!”

Latifa cautiously approached the bars.

[Roar!]

Her actions prompted the lion to roar as if telling her to stay away. The silver spirits disappeared.

“Agh, just when it appeared!”

Confused, Hades just shook his head.

“Didn’t work?”

“It’s not working yet. It somewhat hears me but ignores what I say.”

“We must hurry. The coronation isn’t far off.”

Ignoring Hades’s seemingly annoyed comment, Latifa quietly murmured to the lion.

“That’s right. Even among humans, it takes eons to get along. Why would you be any different?”

Emphasizing the words ‘eons of time,’ Latifa glared at Hades.

‘What did I do?’ seemed to be Hades’s audacious expression. Latifa could only sigh and rub more leaves against the log.