25. An Ominous Conviction
“I just came by to look into something personal while I was at it.”
“Bella…”
“I’m an adult now. I’ll take care of myself. So, please rest well. Oh, and use this for your meals.”
Bella removed Baron Oshik’s hand from her wrist and placed some money in it.
“Bella?”
Without responding to her father’s dazed call, Bella left the room and walked quickly.
She knew. This was a cruel method—for both her and her father.
But there was no other way.
According to Bella’s investigation, the gambling den opened without warning to a select few and vanished like a mirage. There was only one way to dig into something like that.
Settle somewhere near the lodging, kill time, and wait for sunset.
“Don’t come out… Please, don’t come out…”
“…”
Bella’s desperate whisper was heard only by Ché. He could feel her hand, clutching his form, trembling slightly, and let out a faint sigh.
It had been a hundred years since he’d lived as the dead. He had long forgotten what familial affection or such desperate emotions even felt like. In truth, not only the dead, but even the living had slowly forgotten such feelings over a hundred years.
But now, this woman—who had always acted recklessly, full of madness—was revealing such vulnerability and human emotion, and it stirred something in Ché’s non-beating heart.
“Bella. Is this plan really okay?”
Ché asked, but Bella didn’t answer.
That was because the door to the lodging opened, and Baron Oshik stepped out.
As expected, he held money tightly in his hand and staggered heavily.
Bella wasn’t sure whether to laugh—because things were going according to plan—or cry at the sight of her father still unable to break free from his addiction.
Amidst her chaotic emotions, one thing stood out clearly: rage.
Bella shot up and began following Baron Oshik.
“Bella. The energy feels off.”
“A ghost can read things like that?”
“Of course. Without a body, spirits are more sensitive to energy.”
“Don’t worry. You’ll keep me safe, won’t you?”
Bella lightly placed her hand on the bracelet as if to reassure him.
But Ché could sense more than just the external energy. In fact, he could read Bella’s own energy better than anyone.
It was Bella who was shaken. Bella who needed comfort.
Her father, with his frail and unstable body, stumbled down the dark forest path.
With no lights to guide the way, he walked the path like it was his own home.
Bella crouched behind a tree trunk and held her breath, watching the direction he took.
And soon, she saw it.
A suspicious tent with bright, garish lights—and two burly men guarding the entrance.
Bella looked around nervously. There were mercenary-looking individuals stationed all over the area.
No wonder the place hadn’t been caught. Even if reported, it would be useless. The city guards and even the lord were likely in on it.
When her father presented money and an ID at the entrance, the two guards checked something in a notebook and let him in.
“Bella, there are too many of them.”
“The security’s tighter than I thought. Is there no way to get inside?”
“There are two. One—knock out a staff member and disguise yourself as them.”
“Hmm…”
Bella hummed uncertainly, falling into thought.
Meanwhile, her father completely disappeared into the tent, and more guests continued to enter.
“The other is for you to create a game.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Still staring at the tent, Bella asked.
“Spread a rumor that you’re an exceptional gambler. Eventually, they’ll take notice… Wait, Bella!”
Suddenly rising to her feet, Bella startled Ché, who called out urgently. But Bella wasn’t looking at him—her eyes were fixed elsewhere.
“I found a way.”
“What…?”
“We can save the second plan for later.”
Ché had only mentioned the second plan because he thought the first was too dangerous with all the security. Disguising oneself to infiltrate would be incredibly risky.
But Bella, circling the tent and carefully observing the people going in and out, looked like a predator stalking prey.
Her gaze landed on a line of carriages.
The coachmen, while waiting for their masters inside the gambling den, were feeding the horses. And next to them—was a small tent.
Even from a glance, it was clear the women gathered there were dressed provocatively.
Without hesitation, Bella unbuttoned her blouse slightly and adjusted her clothes. Then she confidently walked past the coachmen toward the small tent.
“Who are you?”
One of the seated women noticed Bella and asked sharply. Bella only shrugged and smiled vaguely.
The woman scanned Bella from head to toe and clicked her tongue loudly.
“You came dressed like that? If the boss sees you, you’ll be kicked out on the spot.”
“This is all I had to wear.”
Bella lowered her head and hunched her shoulders. The woman glared, clearly displeased, then stood up.
“Follow me.”
Bella followed her behind a curtain inside the tent, where there were luxurious dresses and a makeup table.
“Next time, fix yourself up first. Though… some crazy clients do like newbies looking raw like you.”
The woman quickly dressed and did Bella’s makeup to resemble the others. She clearly had experience.
“How long have you been working here?”
“Hmm, not that long. About three months? I think the longest someone’s stayed is four years?”
“Wow, four years is a long time.”
“She earned the higher-ups’ trust. We’re all just trying to change our fates here.”
Once she finished preparing Bella, the woman stepped back.
In the mirror, Bella’s face looked so different, even she couldn’t recognize herself.
While Bella chatted and fished for information, a man suddenly burst into the tent and shouted irritably.
“Two girls! Right now!”
The woman grabbed Bella’s arm excitedly.
“Someone must’ve quit!”
“…?”
What did that mean?
Not understanding, Bella smiled awkwardly, watching their expressions.
Seeing Bella’s confusion, the man shook his head in annoyance.
“One passed out and had to leave.”
“And you need two?”
Even hearing that someone fainted, the woman looked delighted.
Silently observing, Bella calmly analyzed the situation. The place looked well-guarded, but there were cracks.
For one, female patrons were rare. Most of the staff were men. That meant there was a general disregard for women.
Being disregarded also meant being underestimated. And that meant they wouldn’t be suspicious.
That was why Bella had dared to take such bold action. In a place like this, she wouldn’t be suspected.
Her gamble paid off. Bella entered the gambling den with ease.
“You’re super lucky! It’s hard to get in on your first day.”
The woman looked around the inside of the tent in awe.
Bella let out a hollow laugh. She had never imagined such a massive gambling operation hidden inside this tent.
And there—she saw someone familiar.
A man holding cards, his hands trembling.
“….”
It was her father. The man who had once been Baron Oshik.
“Hey, what’s wrong with you?”
The woman asked, puzzled. Bella didn’t answer, simply reached into her clothes.
“I’ll pay for the outfit.”
“What?”
Bella pulled out the money she had prepared.
Two silver coins. The woman, surprised Bella had such money, quickly took it.
“Smart girl. Move freely!”
With a sweet smile, the woman unlinked their arms and gave Bella a gentle push on the back.
Bella blended in seamlessly, as though she’d belonged there all along. A decade as a maid had taught her how to read people. No one suspected she was an outsider.
“Bella. Be careful.”
“Of course.”
What Bella wanted to know was: How was this gambling den operated, and who was backing it?
It was rumored that Count Trassy owned the place, but whether a noble of his stature was directly involved was uncertain.
If he was heavily involved, it would be better—they could take him down all at once. If not, it meant they had room to negotiate depending on how far his influence went.
“Hmm…”
Bella slowly walked the perimeter of the tent, gauging the space. Something was off. The tent was larger on the inside than it looked outside.
That meant there was a hidden section.
Where was it, and why was it hidden? As Bella subtly investigated—
“Argh! This can’t be happening! You’re all cheating, aren’t you?!”
An older man’s voice rang out in the gambling den.
Bella turned her head toward the source of the ruckus.
The man causing the commotion—screaming, flailing his arms—was none other than her father.
Baron Oshik. Or rather, the man who had once held that title.
“…Bella.”
Ché whispered softly. Bella gently stroked the bracelet, as if to say she was fine—or had to be.
“I knew he would come here. That he’d lose everything. That he’d get into trouble.”
Bella’s purple eyes trembled, and the image of her father within them blurred.
“I predicted it all. Everything… I just hoped I was wrong.”
“I have a way. If you let me use your body—”
“This is a personal matter I need to settle. Ché, just being here with me is enough. Really.”
“…”
“You’re not going to leave me. That alone is enough.”
Technically, it wasn’t that he wouldn’t leave—he couldn’t.
If Ché gave up his physical body, he would never be able to leave Bella. But Ché had no intention of giving it up. He was determined to reclaim his body, uncover the truth about his death, and take revenge.
To do that, he had to use Bella’s loneliness and instability. Take advantage of his nature as a ghost.
Ché bit his lip as he watched Bella, torn and vulnerable.
It was a strange, unfamiliar emotion.
Whether it was pity, guilt, or something else entirely—he didn’t know.
