In a warm, sunlit riad of the harem palace, Latifa and Asti were spending the afternoon together.

In the center of the riad, brown diamond-shaped tiles formed intricate patterns, and there was a shallow rectangular pool where Latifa sat with her legs dipped in the water to cool off.

The heat of the scorching sun was blocked by large palm leaves, and sweet tropical fruit drinks were placed nearby, but her mind was far from at ease.

‘General Hades… I hope he’s doing well.’

Latifa sighed softly as she thought of Hades.

‘He told me to trust him, but what kind of person pulls such a stunt.’

She had always heard him called a mad dog, but until now, all of Hades’ actions had been crazy with reason.

But seeing him act so recklessly this time had left Latifa quite shocked.

‘If I keep trusting General Hades alone, something terrible might happen… Surely I won’t be unable to go to the empire and end up trapped in this palace for life.’

Latifa grew a bit anxious after overhearing the maids gossip about how difficult it would be for Hades to persuade Karina, the royal concubine.

It seemed Karina had never been fond of Hades to begin with. They said it was because of Hades’ attitude of absolutely despising the existence of royal concubines.

‘My mother was a royal concubine too.’

Latifa couldn’t even imagine how Hades would react if he found out she was of royal concubine descent.

‘But if persuading Karina is that difficult, wouldn’t it be better to just leave me here? It might even be better for raising Prince Ruhan’s approval ratings.’

The inauguration ceremony for Frau had concluded successfully, and while people might not see her as a true goddess, they seemed to at least view her as a symbol of good fortune for Caleb.

If that was the case, it might be strategically better for her to remain attached to the palace.

‘If we spread the story that General Hades dedicated all his happiness and luck to Prince Ruhan, it would be even more plausible.’

With such a good pretext available, there seemed no need to go to the trouble of persuading Karina.

Since that was the only reason for making her Frau, she felt he would likely leave Latifa in the palace as is.

‘It looks like I might end up staying here much longer than just one month.’

As Latifa worried about her uncertain future, Asti was chattering away in a lively voice beside her, scattering cut fabric pieces here and there.

“Latifa! Just wait a little longer. I’m making a really pretty outfit, so don’t look until then!”

“Don’t look, Latifa!”

Tatkan also echoed Asti’s words, pecking gently with his beak to warn Latifa whenever she moved her head.

‘Tatkan really does understand human speech. It’s not just mimicry.’

Latifa secretly marveled at the intelligence of Tatkan, the clever mynah bird.

But at the same time, she felt somewhat conflicted.

‘Am I really on the same level as this bird….’

Seeing Tatkan as Asti’s Frau made Latifa reconsider the position of Frau anew.

Latifa gently stroked Tatkan’s beak and asked:

“Tatkan, since when have you been Princess Asti’s Frau?”

Tatkan stretched out his neck and spun it around before replying:

“Since Asti said she would protect Tatkan.”

Hearing Tatkan’s words, Asti proudly exclaimed from the side:

“The master must protect their Frau. Father said that if it’s the most cherished thing, it must be protected most preciously!”

“The most cherished thing…”

Though they weren’t particularly embarrassing words, Latifa’s cheeks flushed slightly.

“In that regard, Hades is disqualified!”

Suddenly Asti spoke angrily, as if upset.

“Disqualified! Disqualified! Give him the rod!”

“Latifa. No matter what happens, a master must never harm their Frau. Because that is the master’s happiness.”

Asti had moved closer to Latifa and was gently stroking Tatkan’s head with her index finger as he sat on Latifa’s shoulder. Tatkan seemed extremely pleased by her petting and bobbed his head.

“Hades hurt Latifa, so he’s not qualified to be a master.”

“…General Hades had no choice then. It was partly my fault too.”

Latifa subtly defended him. She found herself smiling slightly, amused that she was taking the master’s side even though Hades was her master.

“I won’t be like Hades. I’ll never hurt my Frau. Because if Tatkan hurts, I’ll hurt too.”

“Tatkan hurts too if Asti hurts.”

Tatkan murmured that and then fluttered his tail feathers, flying over to affectionately rub his beak against Asti’s chubby cheek.

Feeling her nose tingle at the touching friendship between Asti and Tatkan, Latifa lowered her head slightly. Beneath her lowered gaze, her slender white wrist was visible.

And Hades’ gold bracelet too.

Latifa gently stroked it with her index finger and asked:

“Princess. Do you think General Hades… was hurt too, because I was hurt?”

‘He probably wouldn’t be sad like Princess Asti. After all, we’re just in a contract relationship. To that man, I’m…’

“No matter what anyone says, he is General Hades after all. He probably wouldn’t be sad just because I got hurt.”

Latifa smiled awkwardly at her own bitter self-questioning. But Asti raised her voice as if scolding her instead.

“What are you saying! Of course Hades must be bawling his eyes out too!”

“What?”

“Latifa. You are Hades’ happiness. If you’re not happy, he’ll cry from sadness. You’re older than me, how do you not know that?”

Latifa was stunned by Asti’s words, as if she’d been hit on the head.

‘That’s right. It’s such an obvious thing.’

Since she was Hades’ happiness, of course he would be sad without his happiness.

Latifa smiled as she clasped Hades’ bracelet a little more tightly.

“Hehe. You’re right. Princess Asti is smarter than me.”

“And I heard that mad dog has been poking around here and there. Trying to get you back.”

“Really?”

Latifa felt a warmth spread through her body at hearing that Hades was making efforts, as if a light had been lit in a corner of her heart.

“Yes. Mother said so. But no way!”

Asti clung to Latifa’s back with a mischievous expression, grinning widely. She hung onto Latifa’s back tightly, rubbing her head affectionately and smiling brightly.

“I’m so glad you came as a doll. You don’t tease me for being chubby, and you’re pretty and kind.”

Latifa laughed as she tickled Asti’s warm waist clinging to her.

“But I’m General Hades’ Frau, you know?”

“No way. I absolutely, absolutely, absolutely won’t send you back. Especially not to that mad dog! Okay, Latifa? I’ll treat you even better. Don’t go.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“Latifa. Keep playing with me.”

“Let’s live together!”

When Latifa smiled ambiguously without giving a clear answer, Asti started pestering her and throwing a tantrum.

But Latifa couldn’t bring herself to say, even jokingly, that she would stay by Asti’s side.

Because Latifa was Hades’ happiness.

**

The heat of the Grand Bazaar was still intense today, and it was only when the red twilight began to fall that people could finally catch their breath.

Unlike the lively marketplace where merchants were toasting the end of a hard day’s work with cool fruit wine, laughing “Wahaha!”, and preparing for the next day’s business,

Beyond the sand walls of Caleb’s private property, all was quiet.

“Should I just kill one of them? Then whether he likes it or not, old man Makali would have to show his face.”

Hades muttered, sitting on the large windowsill of the bedroom.

He had tried to visit Elder Makali several times, but it was always in vain, and even when Prince Ruhan visited, the old owl-like Elder refused visits on the pretext of being ill.

−Karina won’t even meet Hagnu now. Iota and Tarek must have done something. I’m currently in contact with the manager of the fabric market. We need to meet Elder Makali somehow.

The paper with Ruhan’s message lay beside him, then was blown away by the wind, flying off somewhere in the room.

The red twilight of the Grand Bazaar settled into Caleb’s bedroom, heralding the coming night, but Hades didn’t even think of lighting a lamp or lantern.

He just stared blankly at the cream-colored linen curtain fluttering in the wind.

“…”

Hades began to slightly twist the fluttering linen curtain with his index finger.

He felt the rough yet soft texture of the tightly woven fabric, but neither its color nor texture pleased him in the least.

It wasn’t just the piece of fabric.

“Damn it. That feeling again…”

These days, whenever he touched something, instead of the object’s inherent feel, he would suddenly recall the sensation of the polearm piercing Latifa’s shoulder at the palace a few days ago.

“Damn it all!”

Annoyed by the unpleasant sensation that resurfaced, Hades yanked the linen curtain hard, finally tearing it from the window.

−Crash!

Even the wooden beam the linen was hanging from broke and fell messily to the floor.

“Damn it! Nothing…! Nothing is right! Everything’s a mess!”

The antique golden incense burner, cushions and pillows with lush purple tassels, sunshades hanging from the ceiling, marble sculptures of hunting dogs, golden goblets set with red gems, and even the fine fruit wine inside.

Everything around him was as perfect as ever, but to him, filled with anger and resentment, it all looked gray.

Hades paced around the room anxiously, throwing or kicking everything he could get his hands on.

“Lord Hades.”

As Hades was noisily disturbing everything in the room, Yanan’s voice was heard from the doorway.

“…Get out.”

Hades looked towards where Yanan’s voice came from and said ominously.

“What a mess. I’ll tidy up the bedding again.”

Yanan entered the bedroom slowly, undisturbed by his menacing voice.

“I said get out!”

Hades shouted like a madman and threw a small dagger he had produced from somewhere towards her.

−Thud!

The dagger whistled past, barely missing Yanan’s face, and embedded itself firmly in the bedroom wall.

Yanan stepped back in shock and swallowed hard. But she bit her lip, slowly caught her breath, and said to Hades:

“Without this much courage, how could I be called the head maid of Caleb?”

“I’ll mercifully give you one more chance, so leave quickly, Yanan.”

Hades warned her, breathing roughly in the darkness. At his words, Yanan hurriedly pleaded:

“Actually, I came because I have something to deliver to you. It’s from Lady Latifa.”

“…!”

At the mention of Latifa’s name, Hades froze in surprise.

Hearing him take a sharp breath, Yanan carefully stepped further into the bedroom and lit an oil lamp nearby with a flint.

With a whoosh, the small flame revealed the appearance of the dark room. The elegant and sophisticated bedroom had been turned into a mess by Hades.

“…My, Lord Hades. The only things that should happen in darkness are between a man and a woman.”

Yanan said respectfully as she slowly approached Hades.

Then she knelt down and held out something to him with both hands.

It was a small jewel box of somewhat strange style for a desert person.

“This is…”

Hades recognized the object. He had seen Latifa forlornly stroke it a few times in a corner of the bedroom late at night when everyone was asleep.

Even if it was from the empire, compared to the things prepared by Caleb, it was nothing more than an old and dirty box, but Latifa always treasured it as if it were her most precious possession.

“Head maid of Caleb, Yanan. I have one lifelong request for the great Hades Caleb Ignite.”

Hades silently glared at the jewel box.

“I would like you to take that to Lord Hades’ Frau.”

Hades flinched and finally looked at Yanan directly.