“A goddess of misfortune?!”

Latifa Glaesia exclaimed in surprise.

“Ignis loves Calende so much that he constantly chases her, leaving her little time to remain in the sky. Only when the night comes does he release her, even if only for a short while. That’s why nights in the Grand Bazaar are short.”

“After the most beautiful full moon passes, Ignis takes her back. That’s why we have waning and crescent moons.”

“People also say that worshiping Calende makes Ignis jealous.”

Listening to the story that was both sweet and somewhat chilling, Latifa gave an ambiguous smile.

‘Ignis loves Calende, but General Hades Caleb Ignite is keeping me around to utilize my abilities.’

As she was envying Calende, who was in a somewhat better situation, the servants brought in heaps of new clothes.

‘When will I ever wear all these!’

All she needed to do was pick one pretty outfit, but they were so excited about dressing her up that they began trying various clothes and accessories on her.

The desert people’s garments were mostly revealing due to the intense heat, but they were far more comfortable than the empire’s dresses, lacking undergarments like corsets or chemises.

‘Showing some skin is not only comfortable but also pretty.’

While the others were dressing her, a bored Latifa casually inquired,

“What kind of goddess is Calende? It’s interesting. Tell me more. Since you’re dressing me like her, I should know more, shouldn’t I?”

“Not much is known about Calende because Ignis has kept her hidden. But the moon itself has dual aspects among the desert people.”

While examining the white robe adorned with intricate black and gray leaf embroidery that lay over Latifa, the servant continued speaking as she removed the garment.

“When the moon is bright, it’s harder to see the surrounding stars, making it difficult to navigate the desert at night. But a bright moon allows us to read and continue trade without lighting lamps. Therefore, she symbolizes both cruelty and mercy, my lady.”

‘A goddess of cruelty and mercy…’

She mulled over the two incongruous words.

Could she actually emulate such a magnificent goddess? How would she do it?

Questions kept piling up one after another.

Hades Caleb Ignite had told her that he intended to use her ceremony to install his favored prince as the sultan.

What would she do after the ceremony was over?

She had failed to tame a lion in a week; what more could he expect from her?

‘Would he send me back to the empire if he deems me worthless?’

As hard as she pondered, she could not figure out how her abilities could assist in emulating a goddess.

“Calende protects the desert nights with a dagger made of obsidian. Oh! Are you listening, Miss Latifa?”

“Ah, yes! Sorry, I was a bit sleepy!”

Startled by the chatter of the maids, Latifa was jolted back to reality.

“This headpiece crafted from smoky peridot is stunning. Do you know? It’s worth enough to buy at least twenty horses right now!”

‘I’ve never worn something so extravagant even as a princess…!’

Looking at the finely crafted jewelry that seemed to form a milky way above her head, Latifa forced a smile.

“It really is beautiful.”

Outside the warm chamber’s window, the dawn was already breaking.

Though she had stayed up all night, sleep evaded Latifa as she walked along the arched corridors under the scorching sun of the Grand Bazaar.
‘Having settled on my attire and accessories, I have some time since I was told to come out late in the afternoon.’

Caleb’s other servants all seemed harried, busily preparing for the banquet.

Wandering through Caleb’s estate, exploring courtyards and various outbuildings, Latifa Glaesia found herself inadvertently walking toward the lion’s cage.

“Huh?”

But there was already another visitor there, alongside the lion.

‘General Hades.’

When Latifa made her presence known, Hades Caleb Ignite, who had been intently observing the lion’s cage, turned to check her out.

The hot morning sun reflected off his silver hair, making him squint and briefly close his piercing, attractive eyes.

When their dark eyes met again, he just stared at her without saying a word.

“General Hades…?”

Slowly approaching him, Latifa tilted her head at his stupefied look.

Revived by her call, his dark eyes flickered, and a smirk formed on his lips.

He was just as he always had been.

“The maids in Caleb’s service have been busy. While you can’t turn a pumpkin into a watermelon with just a few lines, you can at least make it a pretty pumpkin.”

Hades approached Latifa and began twisting her long silver hair around his fingers.

“You’ve let your hair down today.”

Because the Grand Bazaar was hot, she normally tied her hair up except when sleeping. But the maids had stayed up all night applying fragrant oils and combing her hair, making it smoother than ever before.

His strong fingers gently combed through her soft, silver locks, which flowed down like a waterfall of silver.

Despite his coarse, hot fingers, his touch was incredibly gentle.

“Eek!”