"How did you know?"
Rael raised a brow. "Malinali Liesa? No offense, but what kind of name is that? It's like you didn't even try."
"I mean... No, more importantly, what do you mean it's a bad name? It's a good name," Malinali replied with a pout. "I'll have you know, I was given this name by my sworn sisters. But yes, this isn't my actual name."
She sighed, and after a moment, she introduced herself once again. "My real name is Melina Lisea. As it so happened... my sworn sisters' teeth had fallen out, so they slurred my name pretty badly."
"They tried saying Melina, but they got Malinali. Instead of Lisea, they said Liesa." Malinali giggled. "Honestly, I tried correcting them so many times, but not once did they listen to me. Even after their teeth grew back, they kept calling me Malinali Liesa, so I guess I got attached to that name."
She met his gaze once more. "But since we're going to be partners, you can call me Melina Lisea."
