A beautiful woman with a swirl of brown hair tinged with red, Amirah, blocked the path of Hades and Latifa Glaesia, her leather shoes cheerfully striking the ground.

Amirah let down her beautiful reddishbrown hair, revealing her healthy desertdweller skin, and wore a colorful caftan adorned with bright yellow and cream flowers.

Her earrings shimmered like falling droplets, and the red gem set in her circlet also glittered impressively.

“What a beauty. What’s her relationship with General Hades?”

Although not a soft voice, Amirah’s voice tinged with a touch of sarcasm, reverberated around them.

“Hades, sir!”

But Hades didn’t even turn his head upon hearing her voice, silently pulling Latifa up the stairs.

“What’s wrong, General Hades?”

“Just ignore her and keep walking.”

Yanked forward abruptly by Hades, Latifa staggered, and Amirah seized the moment to approach him.

“Hades, sir! It’s the first time I’ve seen you since you returned from the empire! I was so heartbroken that I couldn’t see your face because you didn’t invite me to the Frau ceremony, but you look as splendid and dignified as ever.”

She paid him a superficial courtesy and hung onto his opposite arm, staring at him uncomfortably.

Although she had a pretty face that would make you look back at least once if you passed her on the road, Hades didn’t even turn his face to look at her.

“Sir Hades, you have a cold charm quite unlike other men of the desert.”

Unfazed by his coldness, Amirah continued to cling to him, then turned her head slightly towards Latifa.

“Ah, is this your new trophy? She has exotic silver hair you can’t find in the Grand Bazaar, but she’s probably just a trophy, right? I heard you named her Calende, is that true?”

Amirah sneered at Latifa, mocking her.

‘What, what’s with this woman?! And why isn’t General Hades saying anything?’

In some ways, it seemed impressive that Hades could completely ignore a woman so persistently clinging to him.

“I rushed over as soon as I heard about the trial, preparing the carriage and bothering my father and brothers. So I might look a bit messy.”

‘Is that what she calls messy? It seems like she put even more effort into it than I did!’

Despite Hades’ indifference, Amirah kept chattering and followed him all the way to the palace gates.

‘Whether I should call it impressive or pitiful that she keeps talking, even when ignored, I don’t know.’

As Latifa and Amirah made eye contact, Amirah glared at her with wide, goggleeyed intensity.

“Eek!”

Overwhelmed by that stare, Latifa averted her eyes.

Before long, they reached the grand oak doors of the royal court, waiting momentarily as the gatekeeper opened them.

The sun was setting, and one by one, the torches in the palace began to ignite.

“I think you’ve grown more melancholy since I last saw you. Did I mention I’m currently taking bride classes? If you taste the cumin stew I made, you won’t be able to stop eating. Moreover, that’s your favorite dish, isn’t it?”

“You.”

Hades broke the long silence and finally spoke.

“Yes, this Amirah. Whatever you say, Sir Hades…”

Though Amirah bowed her head slightly and modestly lifted her hem, he paid her no attention and turned towards Latifa.

“General, she keeps talking to you…”

Hades touched a strand of Latifa’s hair with his finger and looked intently at her.

Then he naturally moved his fingers to gently touch her cheek.
The warmth on the palm of her hand spread to Latifa Glaesia’s face, creating an inexplicable sensation. She quickly lowered her lashes.

“Ha, Lord Hades?!”

Gone was the sarcasm from Amira’s voice, now only filled with astonishment.

Regardless of Amira’s reaction, Hades Caleb Ignite spoke in a low, authoritative tone to Latifa.

“I am the flame among flames, Ignite, Hades Caleb. Like a roaring flame, you too shall burn without regret.”

‘Flame among flames.’

The phrase settled into Latifa’s heart, igniting a small fire within her as well.

“General Hades.”

Releasing a shaky breath at the thought of the approaching trial, she called him. He responded with a confident smile.

“It’s alright. Ignore others; just trust in yourself and me.”

Then, the gatekeeper guarding the Orc gate shouted loudly.

“General Hades Caleb and his Frau, along with the youngest daughter of Shadi, are entering the Sultan’s court!”

As soon as the gate opened, Hades grabbed hold of Latifa’s robe and, with a quick twist, removed it in one motion.

The outer robe was lifted to reveal a beautiful turquoise dress, eliciting exclamations from the surrounding crowd.

“That is the Calend of Caleb…!”

“Indeed beautiful. But she’s still an imperial.”

“Did she deliberately match with the General? It’s clear she has his favor.”

Hades also casually removed his black robe and tossed it to a royal attendant nearby. He then elegantly took Latifa’s waist and led her inside.

“Who is that woman?! Just a Frau from a prisoner’s origin!”

A snort filled with Amira’s rage echoed from about two steps behind them.