Chapter 113. Five Seconds of Peace Before They Fought Over Who Makes My Breakfast

"STOP!" Rex’s command was so forceful that it brought both women to a halt.

His telekinesis struck at the same time, grabbing Lily’s raised hand and stopping the spell from being cast while also putting a barrier between her and Lilith.

As Lily fought against the unseen force holding her arm, the magical energy faded away. "Rex! That’s a demon! And what’s worse is that she’s a succubus!"

"She’s dangerous, and we need to—"

"I know what she is." Rex said in a calm but firm voice, "She’s not a threat, so back off, Lily."

Lily looked at him like he had a second head. "What do you mean back off...?!"

"She’s a DEMON! They attack us! They tried to destroy the capital! And you’re just sitting there with one wrapped around you like—like—" Her voice cracked a little, and he could tell that she was really upset.

"What’s going on?"

Rex let out a sigh. This was going to need careful planning.

Both women were at their highest levels of desire, which meant that their emotional reactions would be strong and maybe even crazy. He had to calm things down before they got out of hand and drew too much attention in the inn or even destroyed it by accident.

"Both of you, sit down for a minute," he said, exerting the perfect amount of telekinetic force to propel them toward the two chairs by his desk. "Just time out and take a deep breath to hear my explanation."

Lilith did what she was told right away, almost bouncing into one of the chairs with eagerness. Lily fought it for a moment, but then she moved to the other chair.

She never took her eyes off the demon woman, whom she clearly didn’t trust or like. "Look at her... it’s disgusting."

"You racist piece of shit!" Lilith was about to attack her, but then she managed to control herself.

They sat next to each other, both looking at him, waiting for an explanation that would make sense of this.

Rex stood up and faced them, putting his thoughts together in a way that would please both of them without giving away too much. "Alright now... where to start..."

"Lily, this is Lilith..."

"Yes, she’s a demon, but she’s not our enemy."

"She’s working with me to get information from inside the demon strongholds and tell me what they’re up to."

"You’re working with a... demon," Lily said flatly, and her voice made it clear how crazy she thought that sounded. "That shouldn’t be possible... they can’t trust any humans, and neither can we!"

Rex corrected, "I’m working with someone who can give me useful information about how demons work."

"Information that could save lives and help protect Aethelgard."

"Would you rather we go to the Apostle gathering without knowing what the demons are up to or with knowledge of what they are planning?"

Lily’s face changed a little, and she was torn between doubt and the logic of what he was saying. Her highest level of desire was working in his favor, making her want to believe him and trust his judgment even when it didn’t seem right.

"And you," Rex said, looking at Lilith. "You will not threaten Lily or hurt her, and you will treat her with respect."

"Do you understand that?"

"Yes, Master!" Lilith said right away. "She’s important to you, so she’s important to me as well!"

"I’ll do anything to keep her safe, and I can also be her first demon friend!"

She turned to look directly at Lily, and her face changed to one that was friendlier. "Sorry for scaring you, Lily!"

"I didn’t mean to! Master saved my life in the battle, and I’ve been loyal to him ever since." Lilit laughed and rubbed the back of her head as she spoke. "I would never do anything to hurt someone he cares about!"

Lily was still suspicious of her, but some of the bitter hostility was going away. "Are you really working with us against the other demons...?"

"I’m working for Master ONLY." Lilith said, "I do whatever he needs me to do."

"Even if that means helping humans, then I’ll do it. If that means betraying other demons, then I will." Lilith bowed down to Rex. "I exist to serve him."

It was clear from the way she spoke that she was completely devoted. Lily heard it and knew what it was, and her face changed.

It was not quite acceptance, but recognition of a pattern that is familiar. "This feels kind of familiar..."

’Oh shit... does she notice...?’

"She’s like me," Lily said quietly as she looked at Rex. "Isn’t she?"

"That kind of devotion... and that single-minded focus. You’ve done to her what you did to me."

"Yeah." Rex looked her in the eye. "She’s completely bound to me, just like you are."

"So you don’t have to worry about her being a threat. She can’t hurt me or anyone I care about without going against her main purpose."

Lily was quiet for a long time while she thought about this. Her highest level of desire was pushing her to accept and trust Rex’s judgment, but he could see that she was having a difficult time.

There was real jealousy and possessiveness, and seeing another woman tied to Rex in the same way she was made her feel all kinds of complicated things.

’Ah yeah... there it is... she doesn’t care if it’s a demon or anything. That’s just her usual jealousy shit.’

Lily asked, "I’m not going to be replaced, am I?" Her voice was so small that it made her sound younger than her twenty years.

"What? Of course not!" Rex said with conviction. "Never."

He crossed over to her, knelt down so they were at eye level, and took her hands in his. "You were the first..."

"You’re special, and nothing will ever change that."

"Lilith has a purpose and gives me important information I need, but you are irreplaceable to me."

"Mara’s the first, though..." Lily looked away with a shy look.

"You’re my first virgin... still counts." Rex didn’t believe she still bites back with that word.

Lily’s eyes searched his face for any signs that he was lying. She slowly nodded when she couldn’t find any.

"Okay... I believe you."

She turned to look at Lilith. Her face was still wary, but it was no longer openly hostile.

"I guess I’ll try to trust you too, but if you hurt him—"

"I would kill myself before I hurt Master." Lilith said right away, "Anyway~! We can be good friends!"

"Our name almost has the same tone~! We can both serve him! It’ll be fun, right?!"

"Fun," Lily said again, her tone making it clear that she didn’t believe what she had just said, but she didn’t say anything else, which Rex saw as a win.

"Of course..." Lily nodded with a smile. "I’m sorry to act harsh with you, Lilith."

"It’s alright~!"

Of course, the moment of peace only lasted about five seconds.

Lilith and Lily both quickly turned to look at each other, then at Rex, and then back at each other. It looked like they were talking to each other without saying anything, and then they both moved.

"Master needs breakfast!" Lilith shouted as she jumped up. "I’ll cook him the best breakfast ever! Demon-style food that will—"

"He’s not eating demon food." Lily stood up and said, "I know what he likes!"

"I’ll make him breakfast and—"

"I can take better care of him!" Lilith said. "I’m a professional attendant! I’ve been trained in—"

"I know him better!" Lily said, "I know what he likes and—"

Now they were both talking over each other, their voices getting louder as they each tried to prove that they were the main caregiver. In a matter of seconds, they were standing face to face, glaring at each other with clear competitive tension.

"THAT’S ENOUGH!" Rex’s voice cracked like a whip, and it had just enough real anger in it to end their fight right away.