Chapter 18 Summary: Carpe Natem – Lily’s Emotional Visit to Bel’s Office
⚠️ 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 handles a difficult soul at the gate with her trademark sass, then receives a text from Bel about a pie delivery. She travels to the Admin Level of Hell and meets Leviathan, a Prince who initially suspects she intends to have sex in Bel’s office. After clearing the misunderstanding, Lily finds Bel’s office and reads the title “Prince Beleth” on the door. She confronts Bel, who becomes ashamed and defensive. Lily coaxes him to talk, and Bel admits he hates the title because he did not earn it—it is a painful reminder. To connect with him, Lily reveals that she died from cancer at thirty-four and that her choices left her without options, a regret she still carries. The vulnerability opens a door for trust. They share Morgen’s blackberry pie, discuss wing etiquette, and invent escalating jokes about what to tell Leviathan. Before leaving, Lily replaces Bel’s mother’s motto with a sticky note reading “Carpe Natem.” Later, Bel texts to ask what it means, and Lily explains it translates to “seize the butt cheek.”
Key Events
- Lily uses sass to manage a rude soul at the gate and receives Bel’s pie invitation.
- Lily meets Leviathan, who accuses her of wanting sex in the office; she reflexively makes a crude joke.
- Leviathan asks Lily to write a report on her gate methods; she declines but invites him to observe.
- Lily sees “Prince Beleth” on Bel’s door and confronts him about his hidden title.
- Bel admits he feels ashamed of the prince title because he earned nothing in obtaining it.
- Lily shares her own death from cancer and her feelings of failure regarding her life choices.
- They share Morgen’s blackberry pie and bond over laughter and serious conversation.
- Bel explains wing etiquette, noting that the inner edge is intensely sensitive.
- They create humorous lies to tell Leviathan about their time together.
- Lily places a sticky note with “Carpe Natem” on Bel’s door.
- Bel texts asking for the meaning; Lily explains the Latin pun.
Character Development
Lily shows new depth: she chooses gentleness over sarcasm, recognizes Bel’s shame, and voluntarily shares her most painful memory—her cancer and the regrets that accompanied it. This marks a shift from guarded humor to emotional vulnerability, rooted in her desire to comfort a friend.
Bel sheds his cheerful facade to reveal deep shame about his inherited title. He values earned accomplishments (like being a general) over status symbols he did not work for. His willingness to admit this to Lily indicates growing trust. He also reciprocates by physically comforting her and later teasing her, re-establishing their playful dynamic after the serious conversation.
Leviathan (Lev) is introduced as a highly professional, literal-minded prince who is suspicious of Lily but curious about her efficient gate methods. He serves as a foil to the more relaxed Bel and Asmodeus.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Vulnerability as a pathway to trust: Lily and Bel both expose painful personal truths (her death from cancer, his shame about the prince title). This mutual honesty deepens their bond.
Humor as a coping mechanism: After raw emotional sharing, Lily and Bel retreat into escalating jokes about what to tell Leviathan. The laughter allows them to re-establish safe emotional distance while acknowledging the intimacy that just occurred.
Pie as a symbol of comfort and connection: Morgen’s pie is not just food; it is the catalyst for Lily’s visit, a shared sensory pleasure that accompanies their conversation, and a source of warmth that soothes ragged emotions.
Wings as intimate metaphor: Bel’s explanation of wing etiquette (the inner edge being reserved for committed lovers) highlights the physical and emotional boundaries between friends and lovers. Lily’s accidental touch on that sensitive area earlier now carries new weight.
Secrets and honesty: The chapter explores the weight of withheld information (Bel’s title, Lily’s death story) and the relief that comes from sharing.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks a turning point in Lily and Bel’s relationship. Their friendship moves from lighthearted banter to genuine emotional intimacy. Lily’s decision to share her cancer story shows she is beginning to trust Bel deeply, and his willingness to reveal his shame about the title proves he values her opinion. The introduction of Leviathan expands the political landscape of Hell and sets up future subplots (the efficiency report, the “sexy memo” joke). The “Carpe Natem” note reinforces their playful connection while the wing etiquette discussion foreshadows potential romantic tension. Overall, Chapter 18 solidifies Bel and Lily as people who can be vulnerable with each other while maintaining the humor that defines their dynamic.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Bel feel ashamed of his title “Prince Beleth”?
Bel believes the title is essentially a formality he did not earn. He takes pride in being a general because he worked for that role, whereas the prince title is a painful reminder of something he does not feel worthy of. -
What does Lily reveal about her own death, and why does she share it?
Lily reveals she died of cancer at thirty-four and that her unwise life choices left her without resources or options to fight the disease. She shares this to help Bel feel less alone in his shame and to connect with him on a raw, emotional level. -
What is the meaning of “Carpe Natem,” and why does Lily put it on Bel’s door?
“Carpe Natem” literally translates to “seize the butt cheek” or “seize the ass” in Latin. Lily writes it as a humorous motto to replace Bel’s mother’s “Pari Passu,” continuing their inside joke and leaving a playful mark on his office.