[ OH NO OH GOD OH-- well actually okay he can pretend for a while if it gives him what he wants. ]

Mas--

Master Shadow? [ Wow, uh, he... can't ever say he's been called that before. He's not sure if that's flattering and ego-boosting or awkward and silly.

Well, it's still awkward either way, isn't it? He's just going to respond with that in mind. ]

I... insist that you call me Shadow. Really. [ That's totally fine. yeah. Better, even! ]

And yet what? Are the rulers difficult to cooperate with?

[ A pause. ]

... Ahem. Are they more difficult to cooperate with than I already thought? [ There. That's better. ]