Ze frowns.

Shaking my head at him, I pull out my phone—well, technically it's the phone Cer stole for me, but it's the only one I have for now—and I quickly google a picture of a cow to show him.

He nods to himself as he peruses the picture.

"It is very similar to our praga," he muses, bringing his hand to his chin.

"Nice," I say as I move to the next piece. What else can I reply to that? Cer and Thea are busy having a hushed conversation across the table, so that leaves me with grumpy Mr. I'm-too-good-for-you-humans—the same one who's still staring intently at my food.

"It is a good animal," he continues, almost as if he's trying to tell me something.

"Very good. It's the best in our world."

He nods again, seemingly pensive.

"And you say this is an illustrious establishment?"

"Didn't you see the prices on the menu?" I reply as I swallow my food. I reach for a glass of water to chase it down. "This is wagyu beef—the most expensive type. Those cows are more pampered than some humans."

"I see..."

I spare a glance at him, my lips trembling with mirth. He ruminates over that information, a deep frown on his face as he tries to steal peeks at my food.

"Do you want to try it?" I finally ask, knowing his dignified self would never ask for it.

He whips his gaze to mine, blinking slowly. He opens his mouth, and I already know he will utter some—clearly—fake outrage. So instead of waiting for his tongue-lashing, I cut half of my second steak and place it on a plate in front of him.

He stares at me, then at the steak, then back at me. He narrows his eyes at the meat for a few seconds.

"Fine. I will try this cow of yours," he says in the most serious tone ever.

I burst out laughing, and he shoots me an annoyed look. He straightens his spine and, picking up the utensils, he cuts gracefully into the steak. His movements are slow, precise. Grabbing a piece with his fork, he brings it to his mouth, his lips closing over the succulent meat.

My eyes are glued to him as I await his reaction. I'm not the only one as Thea and Cer have stopped their little tête-à-tête to gawk at Ze too.

He chews slowly, his expression pensive.

I watch his throat as he swallows, waiting for the verdict.

"So?" Thea is the first to inquire. "Tell us. How is it?"

"It is..." he trails off as he licks his lips.

We all lean forward, our ears perked. After all, what could be more important than what the mighty Ze has to say about the best cut of meat in this world?

"Passable," he eventually says.

I blink at him.

"Passable?" I repeat, my tone incredulous.