Chapter 40: Are you afraid that I will suffer a loss?
Charis crafted her impression of Ophelia, weighing her words carefully.
Overpraising would sound like flattery, risking suspicion.
Start with flaws, then highlight strengths—a balanced approach to make the strengths shine while downplaying the flaws.
“Ahem, I think Ophelia is…”
Charis began, catching Ophelia’s gaze from the sofa, her red eyes warning, “Watch your words.”
“What’s she like?”
Lady Rodley noted Charis’s pause, her eyes narrowing slightly.
“Well, she’s… got a modest figure, super strict about rules at the academy, always bullying me for being younger, and constantly eyeing my tail with bad intentions.
But!
She’s really brave!
She didn’t shy away from family troubles, even rushing to the execution grounds like a reckless fool, knowing she was outmatched yet fighting anyway.
That drive to save her family—it really moved me!”
Charis finished, slightly off her planned script, rattled by Ophelia’s stare.
The Rodley couple fell silent, their eyes widening, exchanging glances before looking at Ophelia.
“Heh… is that so?”
Ophelia tilted her head, smiling, her cheeks flushing, a warmth stirring inside her.
‘The mood’s getting heated—what’s going on?’
Charis swallowed, sensing that without her parents present, Ophelia’s hand would already be pinching her face.
“I thought you’d butter up Ophelia with overused flattery to please her, but now… haha.”
Lady Rodley laughed, her tone warm, as if shedding layers of guardedness.
“Miss Charis, you’re the first non-human friend to so honestly assess my daughter’s character.
Your sincerity comforts me in this house.”
Lord Rodley also relaxed, his attitude noticeably softer.
‘Hey, Ophelia’s parents actually trust me—honesty really works!’
Charis felt lighter, her gaze toward Ophelia turning smug, head tilted as if saying, “Told you I’d handle it.”
“Dad! Mom! Do you really see me like she described?”
Ophelia’s face soured, stunned that her parents sided with Charis.
“Ophelia, your childhood temper was just like that—stubborn.”
Lord Rodley smiled, nodding in agreement with Charis.
“Enough, Ophelia.
We trust Charis—you vouched for her, and this is exactly what you wanted.”
Lady Rodley smiled gently, leaving Ophelia momentarily speechless.
“But my personality’s not that bad, at least I—”
“Enough, Ophelia.
You wanted to protect Miss Charis, right?
I still remember how you hugged and kissed her cheeks when she returned safely—you were more eager than anyone.”
Lady Rodley’s mention of the kiss made Ophelia wave her hands, blushing, desperate to drop the topic.
“No more! We agreed not to bring that up!”
Ophelia shut it down.
After all the fuss, the outcome was good, but why did she feel so annoyed?
Ophelia stood, walking to Charis, eyeing her smug expression.
“Heh.”
Charis grinned unabashedly, treating the mansion like her own.
“Come on, I’ll take you to get those herbs.”
Ophelia swallowed her irritation, tugging Charis’s sleeve.
“Lead the way, please.”
Charis’s tone was natural, brimming with confidence.
‘So cocky—how dare you say all that!’
Ophelia felt helpless, but with her parents backing Charis, she let it go, thinking she’d settle it later tonight…
Pushing aside improper thoughts, Ophelia led Charis to the mansion’s backyard.
Compared to the corridor’s potted plants, the backyard’s scale was staggering.
Rows of herbs lined the garden, racks overflowing with varieties dazzling Charis’s eyes.
The air carried a rare, precious scent, distinct from common flowers.
“Pick what you want.
We have gardens on other estates too—I can take you if needed.”
Ophelia casually flaunted a fraction of the Rodley wealth, leaving Charis stunned.
‘I can’t eat through Ophelia’s fortune—this wealth is terrifying.’
“I’ll look closely then.”
Charis started inspecting, beginning with a green sprout.
“Take your time.”
Ophelia followed, watching Charis pick.
At a squid-shaped, inky-black plant, Charis paused—Talos spoke up.
“An ink-sac herb—take one to cultivate.
It’s useful for battle; I’ll teach you to craft demon tools with it.”
“Got it.”
Charis handled the picking, Talos the guidance—their teamwork seamless.
Ophelia, watching Charis wander aimlessly among the herbs, doubted her knowledge.
‘Ignoring heart-boosting fruits for an ink-sac herb that only produces harmless ink powder?
Does she even know what herbs do?’
“Charis.”
“Hm?”
Charis, holding odd plants, turned, her blue eyes blinking with innocent delight.
“Do you know which herbs heal?
Your picks are rare but mostly useless in daily life—just samples for the backyard.”
Ophelia explained, and Charis suddenly asked.
“Are you worried I’ll pick wrong… and lose out?”
“…I’m not worried.
It’s not my choice, but you should seize good opportunities, not waste them.”
Ophelia’s words made her pause—why was she suddenly so concerned for Charis?
A strange feeling stirred.
“Don’t worry~ I’ll seize the opportunity.
I’ve got my own uses.”
Charis moved on, and Ophelia, seeing her confidence, held back further comments.
‘Fine, let her pick. I promised her.’
Ophelia calmed herself, while Charis and Talos chatted lively.
“Demon King, if I brew these herbs into potions, I can secretly boost my strength without side effects, right?
No more tricks!”
“Relax, these plants are natural.
Plus, dragons have high poison resistance—even toxins are just a sneeze.”
“Alright, but Demon King, you know a lot about dragons.
Last time you cast a curse to shield me, I saw you—white hair.”
Charis was curious about Talos’s true form and how she sensed her surroundings.
Living in Charis’s body, Talos knew her thoughts and answered.
“When you master these potions and advance your curse tier, I’ll tell you everything.
Knowing too much now isn’t good for you.”
“With these, I’ll definitely pull it off.”
Charis glanced at her gathered herbs, satisfied, and kept picking.
“Hold on.”
Ophelia grabbed Charis’s shoulder.
“Hm?”
Charis turned, seeing Ophelia extend her other hand.
“You’re carrying too many herbs to hold more.
I’ll help.”
Ophelia offered, but her gaze avoided Charis’s blue eyes, looking elsewhere.
‘Why’s her mood… odd?
Sudden kindness?’