At her emotionallycharged words, the crowd grew silent for a moment.

‘That’s true. What mother would stay quiet if her child was hurt…’

Hades poked Latifa’s waist with his finger as she reflexively nodded at Iota’s words.

“Ouch! General, it hurts.”

“Be alert. Iota is a woman of eloquence. Never underestimate her.”

While Latifa grumbled, the public opinion swiftly tilted toward Iota.

“Yes, regardless, the Prince is injured, and that’s a clear fact. The responsible party for this incident must be punished.”

“The one responsible should be Hades Caleb…”

Amid the tide turning against Hades, Amira suddenly pointed at Latifa and said,

“The responsible one? Hades is also a victim! Everything happened because of that woman, Frau!”

Taken aback by Amira’s sharp words, Latifa hesitated for a moment.

‘Yes, I did set up something that even General Hades didn’t know about.’

But Latifa confidently lifted her head and looked at the Sultan.

‘But I didn’t do anything wrong. If I have to pay for the sins I committed, then I should, but this isn’t my sin!’

“She should be punished. She hurt the royal family and is tarnishing Caleb’s name as well!”

‘Why is that woman venting on me?!’

Ignoring Amira completely was Hades, and Latifa couldn’t understand why she was attacking her instead.

Just as Latifa, who was taken aback, was about to object, a brownhaired woman sitting next to the Sultan interrupted.

“Hehe. Sultan. That girl is now Caleb’s Frau, will she deliberately tarnish Caleb’s name?”

“Yes, Hagunu. What do you think?”

Iota spoke sharply to the woman called Hagunu.
“Sultan, there’s no need to listen to Hagunu. What would a childless woman like her know?”

At that, Hagunu chuckled and retorted to Iota.

“Iota, isn’t Prince Tarek ‘nothing but physical strength’? Isn’t it too much to soon be seduced by General Hades’s charming frau?”

The banter between the women in the harem was subtly derogatory, but elegantly articulated.

However, Hagunu’s brown hair and dark eyes oddly reminded Latifa of someone.

Latifa quickly asked Hades.

“General Hades, who is that woman?”

Taking a scroll from a man who had approached him, Hades glanced at the person Latifa was pointing to and grimaced.

“The Sultan’s third wife.”

“She’s helping me. So she’s an ally?”

“Yes, if she has any sense, she should at least do that.”

Hagunu yawned as if slightly sleepy, then took her place next to the Sultan’s right leg, gently resting her head on his knee.

‘Is that even allowed during a trial?’

Latifa’s face turned slightly red at their blatant audacity.

But nobody in the hall paid them any attention; they were engrossed in their own debates about who was at fault.

Hagunu then softly asked the Sultan,

“Sultan, if I were to accidentally cut myself while admiring a beautiful glass lamp, whom should I blame?”

The Sultan’s eyes twinkled amusingly as if holding back laughter.

“I might be hurt, but the glass lamp broke due to my carelessness. Shouldn’t I blame my foolish self then?”

“Yes, Hagunu. That was an accident. It’s your fault.”

“Then perhaps this unfortunate incident was also caused by Prince Tarek swinging his sword.”

Hagunu looked at Latifa and winked.

‘Hagunu is helping me.’

However, Iota persisted.

“Sultan, if a fierce dog injures someone, who should pay for the medical expenses? The law clearly states that the dog, being the owner’s property, its owner should be held responsible if it causes harm to another.”

Iota slowly rose and extended her hand toward Latifa, her luxurious purple robe fluttering.

“So this is the responsibility of the frau who couldn’t properly tame the lion.”

Just as the responsibility was again being shifted to Latifa, the doors to the royal chamber opened, and Luhan and Tarek walked in. Iota’s eyes widened in astonishment.

‘Luhan!’

Latifa was secretly happy to see Luhan walking in so confidently.

“Luhan and Tarek, my proud sons are here! Good, let’s take a brief recess. Everyone, have a cup of tea and think calmly.”

The Sultan welcomed his sons with a bright smile, and Hagunu, who had been lying on his lap, stood and disappeared into the crowd.

“Mother.”

“Prince Tarek! Why have you come to the trial when you’re not well?”

“Considering the trial concerns my injuries, shouldn’t I be present?”

Tarek sat next to Iota and began whispering in her ear.

Luhan approached Hades and Latifa.

“Luhan, there was no need for you to come out.”

Though Hades spoke with slight irritation, Luhan’s attention was already focused on Latifa.

“Latifa, it’s been a while. I should have greeted you sooner after that day, but there wasn’t an opportunity. Didn’t I tell you? We’ll meet again someday.”

With a charming smile, Luhan greeted her politely. Latifa also smiled warmly and nodded her head.
‘So, Luhan really is a prince here. He’s on Hades’ side, so he must have come to help my trial. Hades told me to trust only him, and this must have meant that Luhan would assist.’

Upon Luhan’s arrival, Latifa Glaesia looked at Hades with a pleased expression, as she felt finally confident about winning the trial. However, Hades was staring straight ahead, his face inscrutable.

“General Hades?”

Latifa cautiously called out to Hades, but Luhan started talking to her, forcing her to turn her head back to him.

“Latifa. I apologize for startling you during Frau’s appointment ceremony. I did not hide my princely status with bad intent. Please forgive my rudeness.”

At the sound of Luhan’s gentle voice—different from the solemn tone she had heard during the Frau appointment ceremony—Latifa waved her hand dismissively.

“Forgive? I should be the one apologizing for not properly thanking you for the rescue!”

Somehow embarrassed, Hades pulled Luhan over and made him sit beside him.

“Luhan. There was no need for you to come. I never asked.”

Hades’ black eyes flickered sharply as he looked at Luhan. Luhan hesitated for a moment and then whispered to Hades.

“Hades, I’ve made a deal with Tarek.”

“What deal.”

Hades’ voice remained flat and annoyed.

“Tarek will woo Iota.”

“And what’s the cost? It won’t be for free.”

“I’d rather you not get angry.”

Luhan scratched the back of his head, hesitating to continue.

“What good would my anger do to a prince? Go on.”

“I’ve withdrawn from this year’s Merkatus.”

“……”

Hades didn’t say anything; he just glared at Tarek and Iota on the opposite side.

“Sorry, Hades. I know it’s a foolish move, but I didn’t want you and your Frau to be in trouble. Iota won’t easily back down.”

“Don’t do unnecessary things, Luhan.”

Hades muttered, his voice tinged with a low growl.