Of all the things that Arwin had expected Madiv to do, recognizing Lillia hadn’t even been on the list. The merchant’s words took him by such surprise that he froze in place for a second, fighting to process if he’d heard the man correctly. “I’m sorry?” Lillia asked, masking her expression far better than Arwin had. “I think you might have the wrong person. I—” “Lillian Los, Mother of the Night, Razer of Mankind,” Madiv intoned, not rising from his spot on the floor. Fanaticism shimmered in his eyes like dancing torchlight. “Your form is exactly as I remember it when I departed your army years ago. I would recognize you anywhere, my Queen.” There wasn’t so much as a speck of doubt in his voice. “You’ll have to forgive me,” Lillia said with a sheepish smile. “This is all makeup and I have no clue what you’re talking about. The designs I’m using were given to me by a passing adventurer that described a scene he saw in a battle. If I resemble anyone you know—” “Please save your words, my Queen. I served under you for five years.” Madiv rose to his feet, but kept his eyes firmly fixed on the ground before Lillia’s feet. “I would never fail to recognize you. I thought the darkness surrounding this tavern seemed familiar, but your features are burned forever into my mind. I know who you are. When I heard the news of your death, I was devastated. I could not believe you had fallen to a mere human, but I should have known. You faked your death in order to infiltrate them, yes?” Lillia’s mouth worked as she tried to find an answer. It was abundantly clear that there would be absolutely no changing Madiv’s mind. Even if he had been completely wrong about everything, his confidence was like that of a zealot. When Lillia offered nothing up, Madiv nodded as if she had just confirmed every word he’d said. “I will not spoil your cover,” Madiv swore, pressing a hand to his chest. “I am aware that you must take great care. We are behind enemy lines. Fear not. The utmost care will be taken to ensure that not a single word ever escapes my mouth of this.” They stared at each other in silence for a second. Then Lillia let out a deep sigh and massaged the bridge of her nose. “If you want to help my mission, then do as you were told,” Lillia said. “You are a merchant now, are you not?” “Yes, my Queen. Whatever you desire, I will bring at no cost. Simply ask and it will be so.” A delighted smile crossed Madiv’s face as he realized that she wasn’t about to send him away. “We will pay,” Lillia said flatly. “Because it will be suspicious if we do not. The last thing I want right now is attention, Madiv. Do you know what this tavern is?” “It is your domain, my Queen.” “And it is also meant to be a fake monster restaurant. It is the perfect disguise. The last thing I need is you ruining that by bringing a watchful gaze down onto us.” “You will be charged, then. Tell me how I may serve,” Madiv begged. Lillia put her hand on Arwin’s shoulder. “I need ingredients to cook with, but those are not the reason you were originally called here. You came to deliver supplies to Ifrit. If you want to aid me, then you will help my consort.” Madiv’s smile fell away. He adjusted his clothes and matched Arwin’s stance. The disapproval rolled off him with such intensity that Arwin could practically taste it. “If the Queen wills it, then I will serve.” “And stop calling me that,” Lillia added. “My name is Lillia now. I am not advertising my true form.” “I would sooner rip my own tongue out than profane your name with my vile lips,” Madiv proclaimed. “It is not my place to refer to you as anything less than your proper names. Removing so much as a syllable would be an affront to your power.” “Lillia is quite literally ordering you to do it,” Arwin pointed out, making sure to put extra stress on her name. “Do you care so little for her desires that you would refuse a direct command?” Madiv’s eyes narrowed and he set his jaw. “I will avoid speaking her name directly. It is more appropriate and will still suit her request. Lessers must show the Queen respect, no matter their position.” There was a clear implication that Arwin was among those lesser. He was struck with the very strong temptation to ruffle Lillia’s hair just to see how Madiv would respond, but he stopped himself. He wasn’t going to get anything out of antagonizing the high-strung… man? Monster? If he’d served in Lillia’s army, he probably wasn’t human. “We are equals,” Lillia said before Arwin could speak. “Ifrit’s position is no lower than mine.” Madiv didn’t look convinced. He simply inclined his head. “Your words are law. What would you have me do?” “The same as I already asked you to.” Lillia shrugged, then nodded to Arwin. “You came here to help us secure a flow of materials for his forge. Can you do it?” “I will rip the metal straight from the armor of our enemies if that is what it will take.” “How about just sourcing it normally?” Arwin asked. Madiv pursed his lips. “Yes. I can do that. I do not have any contacts that work in the field, but I can find them. It can occasionally be rather troublesome. Humans are befuddling. Their ways do not make sense to me and far too many of them are impossible to work with. But, if it is Her wish, then I will find a way to accomplish it.” “It is, so long as you accomplish it legally. That’s the only way you’ll advance your class anyway,” Lillia said. “You are a merchant, are you not?” “I am.” A flicker of displeasure passed over Madiv’s face. “And I have not enjoyed it. Humans are insufferable. Even when I bring them the goods they request, they flee. I have had to chase down more customers than enemies.” You could start by not showing up with blood splattered across your shirt. “Perhaps you are doing something wrong,” Lillia said. “I want you to walk out of this building and close the door behind you.” Madiv blinked. “But—” “Then knock on the door and pretend as if I am not here,” Lillia continued. “And pretend that Ifrit is a random customer. Show us exactly how you normally deal with humans.” Understanding flashed in Madiv’s eyes and he inclined his head. “You will share your deep understanding of humans with me? I am honored. Allow me to do as you ask.” He rose to his feet and swept out the door, closing it behind him. As soon as he was gone, Lillia leaned up and gave Arwin and tapped his helmet with a finger. “Get rid of this for a moment.”