At least Bella was a character with an established backstory. Although she died before the main events, she still appeared in flashbacks. They’d skimped on her by using a single illustration instead of a full model, but she was there.

Now, she was speaking in a soft tone because there were people around, but her real personality was far more sinister. Her eyes were perpetually half-lidded, with a mocking smile often playing on her lips.

And no matter the occasion, she always wore clothes that revealed her cleavage. That was one thing that never seemed to change.

Today’s outfit was no different.

She was in a tight tank top and a short jacket that barely reached her waist, leaving her cleavage fully exposed. Frankly, if someone wore that on a subway, it would be hard to know where to look.

Of course, this outfit felt a bit risqué to me because of my 21st-century perspective, but in this world, it was unimaginable attire, especially for someone of royal status.

"Oh."

Alice, returning from placing our order, looked horrified when she saw Bella sitting in the empty seat.

Naturally, Bella didn’t seem to care at all about Alice’s reaction.

In the original story, this was part of why Claire and Alice struggled to get along.

Alice, born a princess, grew up without want—apart from the emperor’s strange displays of affection, that is. She had the finest clothes and exquisite meals made with premium ingredients. While she worked hard on her own, she was surrounded by support that more than made up for it.

Claire, however, did not. Having endured all kinds of horrors after being sold to a brothel, she couldn’t fully relate to Alice’s worldview, leading to constant friction.

The emperor’s other children weren’t much different. None of them lived the life of misery that Claire did. Bella, who had experienced her own hardships, was the only one who could empathize with Claire and become close to her.

It wasn’t surprising that by the time Claire entered the academy, she’d become something of a "Bella Mark II."

Here, though, instead of Claire, there was me, and whether out of caution or something else, Bella survived. The only real change was my existence, so it seemed likely that she was alive because of me.

"…What are you doing here?"

Alice, sitting down, asked irritably. Bella, still leaning on her hand, shrugged.

"Can’t a sister visit her dear younger siblings?"

"As if. We’re not exactly close, are we?"

"Aw, that’s harsh."

Bella sighed in mock disappointment. The exaggerated gesture made it clear she wasn’t serious.

"Maybe you’re not close to me, but your sweet little sister and I are quite close."

"You and Sylvia?"

"…."

I stayed silent, watching the two talk. I didn’t think my involvement would stop them from bickering, nor did I believe this argument would escalate to anything dangerous.

"Come on, you know it’s true. Sylvia doesn’t form relationships with just anyone. Being on friendly terms with her is something, wouldn’t you say?"

"If that’s the case, then I—"

"Just because you’re close to her doesn’t mean we can’t be close too, don’t you think? Relationships can overlap."

"I don’t think you’re the one to lecture others on relationships."

I turned my gaze toward the waitress. From the moment we entered the café, she’d been nodding off at her station, probably because there were so few customers and thus little to do. That might explain why Alice hadn’t waited for her and went to the counter directly.

"It’s hard to believe anything you say, so why not just get to the point? Going in circles won’t get you anywhere."

"Are you trying to protect your little sister or something? To be honest, it feels like you’re the one who needs protecting."

"…."

Alice glared at Bella, and I finally spoke up, breaking the tension.

"What brings you here?"

"Why, naturally—"

"If you genuinely wanted to spend time with me, you could’ve come to see me, whether I was inside or outside the academy."

I met Bella’s gaze steadily.

"You must have something to tell me, don’t you? Lucas didn’t show up either until he had something to say."

"…Did Lucas say something to you?"

"He told me one day he’d kill me."

"What?"

"What!?"

Bella repeated in disbelief, while Alice was outraged.

Seeing Bella’s reaction, it was clear that Lucas had likely left the emperor’s side soon after our conversation in Winterfield. If Lucas were still around, Bella wouldn’t need to come here.

"…Lucas said that? Seriously? He did? To you?"

Watching Bella’s rare expression of genuine shock made me feel satisfied with my decision to mention it.

"For what reason?"

Alice, equally disbelieving, gaped at me, but I glanced briefly at Bella instead of explaining further.

"…."

After understanding my meaning, both Alice and Bella fell silent for a moment.

"…Hah."

Bella exhaled a long sigh, sinking slightly into her seat.

"Well, fine. Thinking about it, I can probably guess why he said something like that."

She ran her hand through her hair.

"Things are about to get busy."

With a resigned tone, Bella continued, as if to show she was serious.

"You know there’s a casino near Northwood, right?"

"Yes, the Empire’s largest casino, built in a clearing in the middle of the forest."

Of course, I knew that.

And hearing her mention the casino in early June made me recall something specific.

"Has someone from the Papal State infiltrated the casino?"

"Infiltrated by someone from the Papal State…."

Bella and I spoke almost simultaneously. She closed her mouth, listening as our voices overlapped.

"…You knew?"

"…."

I didn’t answer.

Alice stared at me, mouth agape.

"Then, do you know who infiltrated it?"

"Isn’t it a knight of the Holy Knights?"

"If you say ‘a knight of the Holy Knights,’ that doesn’t really narrow it down, does it? Even if there aren’t many of them."

Bella probed, watching my reaction.

"If they wanted a truly inconspicuous agent, they’d choose someone who wouldn’t raise any suspicions."

"…."

Bella gestured for me to continue, and I went on.

"Every female knight of the Holy Knights is also a nun. So if one of them were to enter dressed in a particularly revealing outfit, most people wouldn’t even consider the possibility that she’s a knight from the Papal State."

After all, that’s exactly what happened in the original story.

Who’d ever expect a nun dressed as a bunny girl?

Besides, her personality was anything but nun-like.

"And?"

Bella pressed, looking more serious than usual.

"But a devout Holy Knight would likely refuse to do something so undignified, and the Papal State wouldn’t want to risk alienating such valuable knights. So, the knight who thought of this idea must be… somewhat eccentric."

And there was only one unhinged female character among the Holy Knights.

Well, most of the Holy Knights were crazed fanatics, but there was one who took it to a whole other level.

"So, who do you think it is?"

"Eliza."

"…."

Bella’s expression stiffened slightly at my answer.

Alice still hadn’t managed to close her gaping mouth.

Of course. This was information the Empire had just recently uncovered, and in the original story, it was acquired through sheer coincidence.

Seeing me reveal it so casually as if I’d known all along was bound to be unsettling.

"…I think I understand a little better why Lucas said he’d kill you."

Well, he didn’t threaten me for that exact reason, but it was true that my abilities were a factor.

"…."

Without responding, I shifted my gaze back to the waitress, who had finally woken up and was now moving around.

As she began bringing over our parfaits, Bella didn’t press me for further details.

Though she still looked at me with a hint of suspicion.

…Good.

At least I wouldn’t have to give up on maintaining an air of mystery entirely.