“Huh? A scouting report?”

Just then, a young girl ran up, shouting excitedly.

“Turquoise and black! Bluer than emerald but darker than turquoise! They say you’ll wear a belt of platinum and silver, adorned with deepcolored aquamarines and silver ornaments! The robe will be entirely black!”

“Turquoise! It’ll match perfectly with her silver hair!”

“Do you think Hades specifically chose those colors? It must be Amor!”

“Yes, it’s Amor. Amor is the one protecting her!”

The maidservants began to mutter incomprehensible words, bustling around and selecting turquoisecolored clothes. They also took out silver jewelry and dark blue gems.

“With both Calende and Ignis, they’ll make a beautiful pair.”

Yanan winked as she hung pearl earrings on Latifa’s ears.

“Do you really not need a carriage?”

“I don’t.”

Hades, donning a black robe, stroked the head of a camel standing in front of the massive gate of the Caleb estate.

“The Frau is…”

Interrupted by Lukehwan’s cautious speech, Hades dismissively waved his hand and mounted the camel.

“I will carry her.”

“Is this truly Amor…?”

Lukehwan’s eyes widened, murmuring softly to himself.

Up until now, Hades had no scandals involving women. Rumors about Hades with women usually went like this:

He threw dirt at women who looked at him or sent a box full of snakes to his harem. Rumors also said he pointed a sword at a powerful noble’s daughter who ardently courted him. That woman’s name was Amira.

With her redhued hair, she was the youngest daughter of the Shadi Trading Company, which mainly dealt with spices. She was known for her strong personality—or impudent, depending on who you ask—and stunning looks.

As Lukehwan shuddered, recalling the incident where an irritated Hades had turned Amira’s own knife against her, he heard Hades speak.

“Elya, you desert dog. You’ve been quite busy as night approaches.”

Although the sun had not yet set, it was soon dinner time. To hold a trial at this awkward hour meant the situation was urgent.

Nevertheless, Hades showed no signs of impatience or discomfort.

“The trial should end well.”

“Those ridiculous fools dare to cause trouble. I will personally go see what cunning plan that old fox Eota has executed, and I’ll skin her alive. Then I’ll give you the honor of tanning her hide.”

Lukehwan stepped back after offering Hades a small leather pouch filled with water.

“General! Am I late?”

A voice, distinct from the desert people’s, followed Hades—refreshing and exotic.

“Hm?”

Accompanied by the scent of blooming water hyacinths, Latifa appeared, running quickly with her maidservants.

Both Hades and Lukehwan were left in awe.

Her flowing silver hair reflected a radiant light as it curled gently. On each side, her hair was braided and adorned with aquamarinestudded pins.

Dangling from her ears were luminous pearl earrings, and her lips and cheeks blushed a modest pink, giving off a youthful vibe.

Underneath her fluttering black robe was a deep turquoise dress embroidered with intricate black patterns, exuding elegance and dignity. Her waist was cinched with a belt made of woven silk threads.

Needless to say, at the end of this belt hung a large, clear aquamarine ornament that resembled her eyes.

“Calende…”
Hades involuntarily mumbled as he saw her approaching.

“Sorry! Am I very late?!”

“…….”

Hades, sitting on the camel, just stared at her, his lips tightly closed.

“Is, is this weird? I think it’s a bit too much for a trial. But Yanan insisted I dress like this…”

Hades attentively observed her awkward face, his arms crossed.

“You.”

After a moment of silence, Hades finally opened his lips.

“I can’t call you a stunning beauty, but you’re certainly interesting. I must admit that.”

Upon hearing this, Latifa Glaesia slightly turned her head, her lips pouting.

‘If he would just flatter me by calling me pretty!’

Suddenly, the loose evening breeze of the Grand Bazaar touched her braided hair, rustled it, and then flirted with Hades’s bangs.

A small wind carrying the scent of water hyacinth seemed to slightly shake Hades’s dark pupils.

“Wearing that deep turquoise outfit makes you quite look like a watermelon. I’ll gift a purse of gold coins to those who had the trouble of striping it.”

“We did our best to honor the name of Caleb.”

Yanan seemed pleased as she replied. A desert fox was cuddled in her arms, squirming restlessly.

“Why is it acting like that?”

Hades asked not Yanan, but Latifa Glaesia, who responded with a somewhat regretful expression.

“Caesar is scared and doesn’t want to be with Yanan. It wants to be with me, but I can’t take it, so I left it with Yanan. It must dislike it.”

“Tsk. Just take it.”

At his words, the desert fox finally escaped Yanan’s grasp and playfully jumped onto Latifa Glaesia’s shoulder.

“Really? Can I take it to the palace? Even to the trial?”

“What’s not possible in the name of Goddess Caleb?”

Saying so, Hades arrogantly offered his hand to Latifa Glaesia.