Startled by the lion’s sudden roar, Latifa pushed him away.

“Are you finally scared of a man? Usually, you don’t react at all, like a clueless chick.”

‘What is he talking about?’

Latifa replied with a perplexed expression.

“I was just startled because the lion spoke.”

“Ah, right. We’re not the only ones here.”

Suddenly pushed away, Hades, who had been playing with her hair, now awkwardly grasped at thin air.

Then the lion spoke again.

[Heh heh, look at the pathetic spectacle of that rejected male companion.]

The lion sauntered around the cage, seemingly amused.

‘He’s not my male companion,’ Latifa thought, giving the lion a piercing look, when Hades spoke up.

“Seeing this lined pumpkin that the maids worked so hard on, I guess we don’t need to release the lion. That should be enough to save Caleb’s face.”

“You’re not releasing the lion? I thought you said you’d feed it well and chain it before releasing it.”

“I changed my mind.”

“Hmm…”

Latifa frowned, and Hades looked down at her, arms crossed.

“Weren’t you afraid of that lion? You should be happy it’s staying.”

“But you said you were going to use me to solidify the prince’s power. If I just appear from over there with no lion, people will think you just dolled up an imperial captive as your consort. They’ll think it’s just one of your mad antics.”

Struck by her sound logic, Hades didn’t say a word.

Latifa, being from one of the many royal lines, knew all too well the ins and outs of politics.

She understood the extent to which princes and princesses struggled for a single throne.
Every day, competing with someone right next to you, checking whose reputation has risen and whose has fallen, and deciding whose hand to join made for a dizzying situation.

Especially if General Hades was closer to a noble serving the line than to royalty, the situation was clearly more nervewracking.

If another prince were to become the Sultan, the likelihood of ruthlessly cutting Hades off was high, and in the worstcase scenario, that first prince could even abandon General Hades.

Those who were not helpful were simply discarded by the royals.

The royalty here was not much different from the imperial family.

If another prince were to become Sultan, even such a large Khaled family would not be without impact. Nobles had to bear great risks when jumping into royal power struggles.

‘Well, who would dare to deal with this mad dog carelessly.’

Suddenly, Hades’s arm touched Latifa Glaesia’s cheek. He pinched her cheek lightly and said,

“That’s not your concern.”

Hades chuckled as he stretched her cheek. Oddly enough, Latifa’s elongated look seemed rather amusing.

“I am a cheerful person. So, I don’t want to see anyone making a distressed face in front of me. Especially if you’re my joy, my Frau.”

“…….”

“Always try to smile, like the Hillianthrus (sunflower) that offers its yellow petals to the blazing sun.”

Hades’s fingertip subtly moved to Latifa’s lips. He lightly tapped her lips and spoke confidently.

“Leave all your sorrow and anger to me, your master.”

Suddenly, Latifa felt as if intense sunlight was scorching her face.

When her face flushed and she slightly turned her head, a servant approached and spoke to him.

“Lord Hades, Prince Tarek and Lord Serdis are on their way to the Khaled private lands.”

At those words, Hades tucked Latifa’s silver hair behind her ears and gently placed a kiss above her ear before pulling away.

[Dash] Chuk.

“My Frau, I wish you luck.”

“Ah, what?!”

Her ears suddenly felt as if they were on fire.

Confused, Latifa showed her displeasure, but he had already turned his back and walked away.

“Wwhat just happened…?”

With her face and ears turning red, Latifa blinked, still feeling the lingering tingling sensation on her ears.

That’s when the lion, who had been merely observing, spoke to her.

[Lowly human, sorry to interrupt your enamored time with your male companion, but the former emperor wishes to speak with you.]

“He’s not my male companion!”

Latifa unknowingly raised her voice at the lion’s words. The lion growled as if it didn’t matter.

[If you show me the due respect of an emperor, I will act as you wish.]

At his words, Latifa quickly focused her spirit on the lion’s.

[Star icon][Star icon]

Hades looked over the large outdoor stadium he had made by completely mowing down the eastern garden.

High sand walls were built in a circle, and inside was a coliseumlike area with a large black marble altar.

The VIP seats offering a full view of the stadium were shielded from the burning sun of the Grand Bazaar by a large and colorful awning.

The shadow of the awning offered long, soft golden sofas, creating a spacious area where multiple people could leisurely lie down and enjoy.
Beside it lay a large platter made of gold and bronze, laden with tender lamb stew, steamed rice seasoned with olives and herbs, pork pickled in acacia honey, and ham, among other culinary delights; needless to say, golden goblets brimmed with fruit liqueur bestowed by the royal family.

At the Grand Bazaar, there were even servants fanning the air with large fans made from white peacock feathers over plates filled with crushed ice and tropical fruits—a luxury hard to come by, making the sweltering heat of the Grand Bazaar pale in comparison.

At such a lavish banquet, wealthy and noble individuals of the Grand Bazaar gathered to engage in conversations or smoke water pipes from midday.

Prince Tarek was among them, seated beside Hades, puffing a chubby water pipe; he was the highestranking royal among the guests.

“Indeed, the banquets held in Caleb’s territory, where Ignite of the Grand Bazaar is located, are in a different league. That much is undeniable.”

“Prince Tarek, you have quite the discerning eye. Haha!”

Tarek seemed displeased at Hades’ continuous, subtle digs at his pride.

Hades’ words danced on the line between crossing it and not, and Tarek found himself unable to openly express his irritation.

Because if he caused a scene at the banquet Hades was hosting after openly defying Iota’s word, Iota would surely mock him, saying, ‘Prince Tarek, what did I tell you?’

Finally, Tarek furrowed his brow and said to Hades,

“General Hades, isn’t it about time to wrap this up? We have all set aside our daily affairs to witness your prowess; surely it’s about time. The sky is already nearing its violet dusk.”