Chapter 14: You won’t let me go at night?

Ophelia poured a bucket of warm water down Charis’s back, signaling the final rinse of the bath.

“All done.”
Charis shook her head, flinging water droplets that splashed onto Ophelia, who frowned and crossed her arms.

‘This one, flinging water without looking—such a wild young dragon.’

Ophelia glanced at Charis’s curled-up tail, the last part left to clean.

“Almost there, but your tail needs washing.
I’ve got just the thing for it.”

Ophelia’s right hand pulled a black soft-bristled shoe brush from behind her.
Her left hand tested the bristles, all under Charis’s watchful eyes.

“What? You’re washing my tail too!”
Charis clutched her tail to her chest, refusing to let anyone touch it.

“Your scales are the perfect hiding spot for parasites.
Hand it over.”
Ophelia extended her left hand, but Charis hugged her tail tighter.

“The water’s enough! No extra washing, and definitely no brush!”

“Hmph. Who’s in charge here? You still don’t get it?
Give it.”

Ophelia moved to grab it.
Charis tried to bolt for the bathroom door, but it instantly turned into a wall of ice.

“Trying to run? Where to!”

Ophelia clenched her fist, and the ice chain reappeared around Charis’s neck, swiftly extending into handcuffs.

Click!

Charis’s hands were bound, the ice chain locking her to the chair, her tail dangling behind her.

“Ugh! You’re forcing me!”

“You’re my pet—what’s this talk of forcing?”

Ophelia crouched behind Charis, grabbing her tail and lifting it, the brush already at work.

Swish, swish~

“Ugh!”
Charis’s body lurched forward, her breathing quickening, her face flushing red.

“Look at that, still plenty of grime to clean.
Say something.”
Ophelia deliberately slowed her brushing.

“You’re bullying me.”
Charis turned, biting her lip, defiant.

“Bullying you? So what?
You think those big meals come free?
Keeping you costs money.”

Ophelia flicked Charis’s forehead, then resumed brushing with vigor.

The soft bristles grazed the tender grooves under Charis’s tail.
Her feet gripped the tiled floor, struggling to endure the ticklish sensation, too overwhelmed to speak.

“Wait… wait… stop… please stop!”

“What? Don’t stop? Alright.”

Ophelia quickened the brush’s pace.
Charis’s tail stiffened, twitching as if overwhelmed.

“Haha… so weak. Can’t handle this little speed?”

“You’re mocking me!”

Charis bit her lip, her face flushed bright red.

‘There’s a saying—when the weak get angry, the strong just find it funny.’

Ophelia finally understood it.
Satisfied, she set the brush aside, released the ice chain, and returned the tail to Charis.

“Here you go.”

“…My tail.”

Charis cradled the tip, blowing on it gently, stroking the scales as if soothing a wounded soul.

“Look at you, so dramatic.
I couldn’t let you sleep with a dirty tail.
Don’t blame me—look at the mess on the floor.”

Ophelia pointed at the tiles, covered in gray dirt and tiny twigs.

“…Thanks a lot!”

Charis’s “thanks” was heavy with sarcasm.
She couldn’t argue—Ophelia’s cleaning was thorough, if harsh.

“No need to thank me.
Taking care of a pet is a master’s duty.”
Ophelia accepted the thanks shamelessly, patting Charis’s head with a smile.

“Damn it…”
Charis endured it.

“But with your tail out all the time, we’ll probably need to wash it a few times a week.”
Ophelia withdrew her hand, stroking her chin in thought.

“What? A few times a week! No way!”
Charis waved her hands frantically, unwilling to let her tail grow more sensitive.

“Well, unless you agree to a few things, I can’t help it.”
Ophelia shrugged, smirking at Charis.

‘This is straight-up coercion! If it weren’t for this ice chain!’

Charis gritted her teeth but nodded.

“Fine, tell me!
Anything to spare my tail.”

“First, tomorrow you come with me.
Follow my orders, no trouble.”

“Anything else?”

“Haven’t thought of more yet.
You’ll wait.”

“Alright… fine.”

Charis figured she’d play mute tomorrow.
Ophelia probably wanted to parade her rare pet around.

‘Endure the humiliation.
Once I’m strong, I’m out of here!
Good luck finding me!’

Charis swore silently, determined to escape.

Back in her room, the ice chain returned to her neck, but this time it was looser, allowing free movement within the room.

“I’ve extended the ice chain.
You can use the bathroom without issue, but don’t think about escaping.
You can’t break my curse.”

Ophelia instructed firmly.
Charis sat on the bare bed, listening quietly.

“Oh…”

“By the way, I brought your bedding.
Set it up yourself.
I’m off to bathe.”

Ophelia handed over a white patterned mattress.
Charis took it, laying it out quickly and efficiently.

“That’s it, Charis. Good night.”
Ophelia paused at the door, as if waiting for a response.

“…Got it, good night!”
Charis flopped onto the bed, back to Ophelia, refusing to face her.

“Hmph… that’s more like it.”
Ophelia smiled, satisfied.
Today’s training showed progress—the dragon was softening.

Tap, tap, tap.

Her footsteps faded.
Charis opened her eyes, gazing out the window, reaching out to the long-silent Demon King.

“Demon King, time to teach me the curse.”

“Yawn~ I’m exhausted.
You’re finally done with the torture?”

“Yes, hurry up and teach me.
I want this ice chain off now.”

“Alright.
Try chanting ‘Starfire’ and feel the heat in your body.
Picture a target to release it on.”

Talos explained in detail.
Charis’s first thought was Ophelia—especially her smug, mocking smile.

“Starfire!”

Charis’s right index finger warmed, sparking a few embers—not many, but effective.

“Again, Starfire!”

Charis touched the ice chain.
The flames grew slightly, but froze instantly upon contact.

The burned portion was far outpaced by the chain’s repair speed.

“Why? Demon King, you lied!
You said this would break it!”

“It’s true—fire curses counter ice curses.
But the sword saintess’s ice chain is at least tier four, while your curse… barely tier one.
If I cast it, it’d melt instantly.”

Talos explained, and Charis’s heart sank.
She was still too weak.

“No other way to break this chain?”

“Don’t rush.
The Contract Potion’s still controlling you—you can’t escape yet anyway.
But casting a complete curse on your first try?
Not everyone can do that.
Trust me, Charis, stay in this academy, and your curse tier will rise beyond your imagination—maybe even enough to take down the sword saintess.”

‘Take down the sword saintess?’

The bathroom scene flashed in Charis’s mind, reigniting her fiery resolve.

She’d reclaim her lost dignity and leave Ophelia for a free, prosperous life!

Just as she thought of Ophelia, the door creaked.

“Charis.”

“Huh?”

Charis rolled over, seeing Ophelia at the door in white pajamas, holding a bedsheet and pillow.

‘What’s she doing!
No rest even at night?
Extra training is too much!’