The restless eyes soften, and a small smile touches Bel's face. Just to be heard... it's a good feeling. Years of fierce loyalty and faith underlie their relationship, and the trust Miles put in them from the beginning, even if he felt he couldn't reveal his own secrets, always counted for a lot.

It's still frankly startling that Gregor -- perhaps the main reason for all the secrecy -- seems to share that opinion. If not for his intervention.....

...better not to think about it. A snort of rueful laughter at the elbow, and Bel leans over to grip Miles's shoulder for a moment. "Oh, yes." Always. "You look like it's been hard on you, though, in spite of having only one name to juggle. Is the food that bad here?"