Chapter 39: Are you obsessed with money?

Helping someone taller change clothes wasn’t easy—Charis had to stand on a stool.

Ophelia’s outfit today was a blue-and-white dress, elegant and tightly buttoned up the back.

Finally, Charis fastened the last button, clapping her hands.

“Done. Pay up.”

“Let me check—you didn’t pull any tricks back there, did you?”

Ophelia twirled, her skirt flaring lightly.
Charis pursed her lips, saying nothing, turning away, unimpressed by the dress.

“Not bad, but slower than my maids.
You’ll help me change more to hone your taste.”

Ophelia smiled, but Charis shot back.

“I’m not your maid—I’m just working for pay.”

“Fine, fine. Look at this.”

Ophelia shook her sleeve, a shiny silver coin landing in her palm, instantly catching Charis’s eye.

Shiny and valuable.

Charis didn’t know why, but her gaze locked onto it, her dragon instincts triggered.

“Want my silver coin?
Stand here obediently, and it’s yours.”

Ophelia stepped aside, pointing to the full-length mirror.

“Uh… pay first.”

Charis protested, but her body moved on its own, head tilting to follow Ophelia’s hand.

“Hey, hey~”

As Ophelia moved her hand up and down, Charis’s eyes tracked it like the first time she tasted beef jerky, completely captivated.

Ophelia noted Charis’s behavior matched the books.

Her dragon instincts held—when first encountering something they loved, dragons were entranced, though the effect weakened with exposure.

Human studies pinned two main dragon instincts: attraction to wealth and tasty food.

Ophelia, seeing the books’ wisdom confirmed, knew how to handle Charis—money as a tool to smooth their dynamic.

“Haha, no more teasing. Here.”
Ophelia handed over the coin, letting Charis clutch it tightly.

Money—real currency of this world!

Charis, holding her first coin, was elated, uncaring where the joy came from—just happy.

Seeing Charis admire the coin, Ophelia stepped behind her, picking up a smaller blue-and-white dress, matching her own.

“Let’s test if the books are right…”

Ophelia undid Charis’s sleepwear, the process surprisingly smooth.
Charis’s tail swished lightly on the floor, oblivious!

When Charis’s pale skin was fully exposed, Ophelia, though used to seeing her bathe, felt a faint stir.

‘This girl, so fixated on money she didn’t notice me stripping her?’

Ophelia quickly dressed Charis.
Only when the dress tightened around her chest did Charis realize she’d been changed.

“Huh? When did I get dressed!”

Charis hadn’t noticed being undressed, while Ophelia clapped, nodding like she was appraising art.

“You love money, huh?
I stripped and dressed you, and you didn’t resist.”

“What… no way!”

Charis realized too late—she’d been entranced by the coin, in a hypnotic state, happy and unresisting.

‘Is this a racial flaw?
Selling my body for money!’

Charis felt uneasy, looking at Ophelia.

“I was just…”

“Alright, come meet my parents.”

“Huh? Not straight to the herbs?”

Charis blinked, but Ophelia grabbed a small hat, placing it on her head.

“Herbs need my parents’ approval.
Don’t forget who you are—even if I trust you, you must prove you’re harmless.”

“Ugh… why the hat?”

“To hide your features from prying eyes.
Tuck your tail.”

“I know.”

Charis curled her tail under the skirt, then felt her chest constricted.
Looking down, a large white flower adorned her chest, framed by decorative lace, making even her flat chest look striking.

“Sniff, sniff.”
Charis snuck a whiff of the dress—it matched Ophelia’s scent.

‘Her clothes?
Obsessed with chest size since childhood, huh?
This huge flower—who’s she fooling?’

Ophelia caught Charis sniffing, frowning.

“Are you thinking something rude?”

“Ugh… how could I?
The fabric’s just so tight—feels stingy.”

Charis grinned, puffing her chest, the slight sway catching Ophelia off guard, her composure cracking.

‘This girl, teasing me again!
With a hint of mockery!’

Ophelia couldn’t take it, raising her hand to flick Charis’s chest.

Pop.

“Ow! Why’d you hit me!”

Charis stepped back, clutching her chest, looking pitifully bullied.

“Such a big mouth, no self-awareness.”

Ophelia crossed her arms, thinking Charis’s dragon nature—arrogant and untamed—was showing.

“I didn’t say anything. I’ll go with you.”

Charis wiped her face, acting reformed, feeling she’d evened the score.

“Fine, I’ll deal with you later.”

Ophelia sighed, holding off on further teasing, but noting it for later.

Leaving the room, Charis followed Ophelia, keeping a half-arm’s distance—proper decorum in the Rodley household.

Downstairs in the main hall, the Rodley couple sat on the sofa, waving as they approached.

“Ophelia, sleep well last night?”

“Dad, I slept great.
How’s Penny?”

“She’s still unconscious.
Your mom checked—her power overdraft from years past means recovery will take time.”

“I hope she heals soon.
I’ve got so much to say to her.”

Ophelia smiled, sitting beside her parents.
Charis stood, unsure where to sit.

“You’re Miss Charis, the dragon who saved both my daughters.”
Lady Rodley spoke, and Charis nodded.

“That’s me.”

“My daughter insists we treat you as an honored guest.
I have one question—please answer.”

“Ask away, Lady Rodley.”
Charis, backed by Talos, felt confident she could handle anything.

“What do you think of Ophelia?”

Lady Rodley stared, and Charis’s mouth parted slightly, pondering the right words.

‘This is Ophelia’s mom.
I’d better swallow my pride and praise the sword saintess as a good person.
No praise, no herbs for getting stronger.’

Charis began crafting her “ode to the sword saintess,” confident from her past groveling experience that she’d avoid any misunderstandings this time.