Chapter 17: Pie-rates – Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Lily and Bel are playing an online game together, with the goal of making Gregorith believe Bel is genuinely upset about Lily's character being killed. The ruse is part of a larger plan to extract a "forgive-me pie" from Gregorith. During a phone call, Bel accidentally calls Lily "princess," a nickname he explains he’s used privately since first seeing her, and which she accepts. Their conversation drifts into a flashback: Bel once visited the breakroom to taste-test Lily's bread, and their interaction revealed his passion for his soldiers and his ability to be fully present. Back in the present, Bel delivers a masterful performance in the murder trial, shouting indignantly and interrogating players. The plan works, and after the game Bel texts that he has banned Gregorith from his office couches to seal the deal. Lily finds herself both scared and hopeful about the possibility of something more than friendship with Bel.

Key Events

Lily and Bel talk on the phone while playing an online game, with Lily deliberately playing poorly to appear distracted.
Bel reveals that his mother is Lilith, which shocks Lily but she quickly accepts.
Bel calls Lily "princess" and explains he sees her as a warrior princess; she tells him she likes it.
The chapter includes a flashback to Bel visiting Lily in the breakroom to try her bread, where she observes his genuine passion and his care for his soldiers.
In the murder trial, Bel performs a convincing rant, accusing other players and focusing on Gregorith, who turns suspicion on a player named They.
Gregorith and others vote to banish They, and Bel follows up with a text joking about banning Gregorith from his couches, which they consider a success.
Lily reflects on her growing feelings for Bel, feeling both drawn to his capacity for love and terrified of ruining their friendship.

Character Development

Lily: Her internal conflict deepens this chapter. She openly admits she's scared of messing up the friendship she has with Bel by pursuing something more. The flashback shows her appreciating his enthusiasm and warmth, and the nickname "princess" makes her feel seen in a way she hasn't before. She begins to imagine what it would be like to be the focus of Bel's passion.

Bel: His easygoing and surprisingly vulnerable side continues to emerge. He is comfortable sharing personal details (his mother is Lilith, he calls Lily "princess") and shows a playful, creative side when executing the pie scheme. The bread-tasting memory highlights his ability to connect with his soldiers on a human level, revealing a leader who is both fierce and deeply caring.

Gregorith: Although not present in person, Gregorith's reputation as a rival is solidified through the game interaction. He is sharp and manipulative, but also predictable enough that Bel and Lily can fool him.

Themes, Symbols, and Motifs

Performance and Authenticity: The entire chapter orbits around a performance—Bel's fake anger—designed to achieve a real outcome (the pie). Lily and Bel play roles within the game to manipulate someone else, yet their own connection is grounded in moments of genuine vulnerability, such as Bel admitting he uses "princess" privately. The contrast between performance and truth mirrors the risk they take in revealing their feelings.

The Pie as a Symbol: The coveted pie is more than a reward; it symbolizes the success of their collaborative deception, the deepening of their partnership, and the playful intimacy they share. It represents something earned through trust and teamwork.

Food and Nourishment: The flashback to Lily's bread ties directly to this theme. Bel’s enthusiastic consumption of the loaf becomes a metaphor for how he consumes life—with passion and gratitude. Bread and pie serve as tokens of care, connection, and domestic warmth, softening the otherwise combative settings of Hell and online gaming.

The Courage to Love: Lily's internal monologue reveals her fear that pursuing romance could destroy their friendship. Her observation that Bel has "a tremendous capacity and ability to love" sets up the central tension of the chapter: whether she will risk that love or play it safe.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter marks a turning point in Lily and Bel's relationship. The playful scheme to get a pie from Gregorith provides a framework for them to interact with increasing intimacy, while the nickname "princess" solidifies Bel's view of Lily as something special. Lily's extended reflection on Bel's passion and her own fear of ruining things lays the emotional groundwork for decisions ahead. The chapter moves them from casual friendship to the brink of admitting deeper feelings, advancing the romantic subplot significantly.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Lily call Bel's performance "pie worthy"?
Lily thought Bel's outrage in the murder trial was so convincing—completely indignant and menacing—that it would definitely make Gregorith feel guilty enough to send a peace offering pie. She laughed so hard she had to hang up the phone, and his follow-up text banning Gregorith from the couches sealed the deal.
What does the nickname "princess" reveal about Bel's view of Lily?
Bel clarifies that he thinks of Lily as a "warrior princess"—fierce, capable, and brave—not as a damsel. He says he thought it the first time he saw her (when she was beating a soul) and has ever since. The nickname shows he sees her strength and admires her, and his nervous delivery suggests it carries more feeling than he initially let on.
How does the flashback to the bread-tasting scene develop their relationship?
The flashback shows a moment of shared domesticity and genuine connection. Bel’s enjoyment of the bread, his wiggling, and his groaning make Lily feel warm and attracted. More importantly, his stories about learning the names and lives of his soldiers reveal his passionate, caring nature. This memory reinforces Lily's growing affection and her belief that Bel is a "walking embodiment of living," which makes her both drawn to him and scared to risk their friendship.