Chapter 28: A well-behaved pet? It must be causing trouble!

Taking on the task, Charis returned from the balcony and bumped into Ophelia.
“Charis, what were you doing on the balcony?You can bathe yourself, right?”
Fresh from the bathroom, Ophelia was wrapped in a towel.She glanced at Charis’s path, deducing she came from the balcony.
“I was getting some air. I can wash myself.”
“Really? You’d better scrub your body and tail clean.If I find any dirt tonight, hmph, you know what’s coming.”
Ophelia raised an eyebrow, her hands making grabbing motions with a wicked grin!
The meaning behind that smile was clear—Charis had better take her tail’s cleanliness seriously.
“I-I got it! Go rest in your room!”Charis covered her backside, her tail tucking tightly.
“I’ll be waiting in the room.”
As Ophelia passed, her silver hair brushed Charis’s cheek, carrying a faint, pleasant scent.
‘Nice shampoo. I’ll use some later.’
Charis stepped into the bathroom.To get the ice chain off her neck, she needed to be in top form tonight to persuade Ophelia.
Half an hour later, Charis emerged, rubbing her hair.Moonlight frosted the floor, each step leaving faint prints.
The floor was clean, but Charis had no proper slippers, so she padded barefoot to the bedroom door, quietly pushing it open.
“Um…”Charis peeked inside.Ophelia, sitting on the bed’s edge, turned and called out.
“Come sit beside me. Hair’s still wet? I’ll dry it.”
“Okay.”
Charis sat on the bed, glancing sideways at Ophelia, who immediately pressed a hand down on her head.
“Lower that proud head of yours.Want the warm wind curse to blow your face?”
“No, I’ve got something to say!”
Charis tried to bring up the Rodley Family, but Ophelia took control first.
“Whatever it is, wait. Let’s dry your hair first.”
“Tch… fine.”
Charis figured it was okay—she could organize her words to avoid slip-ups.
Noticing Charis’s compliance, Ophelia found it odd.
‘Charis is so obedient tonight?A quiet pet’s probably up to something!’
Ophelia raised her guard slightly, activating a curse.A warm breeze flowed from her palm.
Whoosh~
Enjoying the warm wind curse, Charis’s damp silver hair fluffed up, and a familiar scent hit Ophelia’s nose.
“Sniff, sniff… what’s that?”
Ophelia frowned, her hand sliding along Charis’s neck to tilt her chin.
“W-What are you doing!”Charis jumped like a spooked silver puffball, her whole body trembling.
“I should ask you—did you use my shampoo?”Ophelia turned Charis’s head to face her, her frown deepening.
“Just a little! You told me to wash clean, didn’t you?”Charis stood her ground—she’d used it openly.
“You used shampoo but no conditioner?You don’t take care of your hair at all! It’s a mess!”
“What?”
Charis was surprised.Ophelia wasn’t mad about the shampoo but the lack of conditioner?
“Look at you—hair all frizzy, like a nest of straw! Not smooth at all!”
Ophelia pressed Charis’s head, trying to tame the hair, but it didn’t work well.She switched to another curse.
“Ugh, stop pressing my head!Want me to stay short forever?”
Charis resisted the pressure until Ophelia’s curse took effect, softening her silver hair and restoring its fluffiness.
“That’s better.Next time you use my shampoo, use conditioner too, got it?”
Ophelia stood with hands on hips, her commanding tone carrying a young lady’s dominance.Charis was sure—she and Penny were definitely sisters.
‘Same bossy streak.’
“I know, no need to remind me.”Charis pouted, lifting her proud head again.
“Alright, time to rest.I’m making the ice chain visible again.”Ophelia reached out, but Charis grabbed her hand.
“Wait! I need to talk to you!”
“You want to talk?”Ophelia was surprised, her eyes widening briefly before narrowing.“About what?”
“Flowers. I saw the ones Aisha brought back.”
“Flowers… you want to eat them?”
“No! Why do you always think I’m some eating machine?I want to know about that flower.”
Charis widened her eyes, staring straight into Ophelia’s.
Caught by those pure blue eyes, Ophelia felt an inexplicable calm, her patience rising to explain.
“I didn’t pay attention to Aisha’s flowers.”
“I’ll grab one!”
Charis hopped off the bed, returning in half a minute with a Night Ember Candle.Ophelia recognized it instantly.
“Night Ember Candle?! You want to know about this?”
“Yeah, I don’t recognize it.”
Charis sat back beside Ophelia, closer than usual.
‘Why’s she suddenly curious about this flower?Is she trying to get close to me?’
Ophelia sensed Charis’s obedience had a purpose.
“Why do you want to know?”
“It’s pretty. I like flowers, especially the stories behind them.”
“Really?”
“Mm-hmm!”
Charis nodded eagerly, her expectant eyes pleading, as if Ophelia’s refusal would break her heart.
‘Fine, no harm telling her.If she’s scheming, I’ll see through it.’
Ophelia decided it was fine and began explaining the Night Ember Candle.
“This flower comes from my family.By the years, it must’ve been planted when I was around…”
The flower’s origin wove into memories.Young Ophelia learned gardening and dance with her parents, discovering her natural swordsmanship talent.Back then, Penny followed her everywhere, a clingy, well-behaved little sister.
But things changed when Ophelia was six.She fell gravely ill, comatose for months.When she woke, everything was different.
Penny’s personality shifted—she stopped clinging.Their parents coldly issued a family expulsion, casting Ophelia out to the streets.
Luckily, a kind soul wrote a recommendation letter, funding Ophelia’s academy enrollment.Through grit, she rose from the bottom to become a sword saintess, befriending Aisha and Luline.
“…I haven’t seen this flower in ages.Surprising it’s being sent out.Aisha got lucky.”
Ophelia shared more than intended, noticing Charis staring at her face with a pitying expression.
“You… sound kind of pitiful.Ever thought of going back?You’re a big deal now.”
“No need.”
“There is!When you caught me, weren’t you all about settling scores?Even if they’re your parents, you deserve answers!And your sister’s attitude change—don’t you find it odd?Is the great sword saintess too scared to go home?”
Charis’s words poured out with genuine feeling, tinged with a taunting edge.
Ophelia froze, her heart warming unexpectedly.
‘I’m not mad… I’m touched?’
Ophelia smiled—a young dragon was standing up for her.
“Alright, since you’re pushing so hard, I’ll take you with me tomorrow.”
“Huh… I’m going too?”