Chapter 50: Attacking the heart is the best way!

As evening approached, Charis entered the kitchen to cook.

Per Talos’s advice, she aimed to become indispensable to the heroes’ daily lives, subtly controlling a part of their routines—a strategy to attack the heart from above.

Chopping vegetables, lighting the fire, stir-frying.

Oil fumes wafted past, sucked away by the overhead vent.
Charis plated the fried chicken chunks, wiped her hands on her apron, and turned to the kitchen door.

Outside, Ophelia and Aisha’s voices debated, likely clashing over the school plan.

‘Will Aisha’s plan get shot down by Ophelia?’

Charis cracked the door to peek.
Aisha stood at the living room table, speaking.

“I admit sending Charis to school is bold, but we’re established now—why not try something extra?
Stagnation isn’t good.”

“But school?
Her dragon traits are too obvious, and with so many people, we can’t watch her constantly—too risky!”

Ophelia stood, opposing, and Aisha paused before responding.

“No worries, Ophelia—you know Charis’s character best.
You’re just scared she’ll be exposed.
I’ll brew a disguise potion with long-lasting effects, so relax.”

“But can she handle school?
One slip revealing her dragon identity, and she’s done.”
Ophelia shook her head, unconvinced.

“Ophelia, you know what you look like right now?
A treasure mom sending her kid to school.”
Aisha teased, arms crossed.

“What?!
I’m still young—I’m just worried about her!”
Ophelia’s face reddened, denying it, but their debate reached no conclusion.

A one-to-one stalemate needed a third voice.

“Stop arguing—want my take?
And Charis, come out.”
Luline, sipping tea, set down her cup, her emerald eyes calmly glancing toward the kitchen.

Caught spying, Charis widened her eyes at Luline’s sharp senses.

“Charis, you’re eavesdropping?”
Ophelia turned, following Luline’s gaze.

No choice—Charis stepped out.

“Uh, you’re arguing so loud, I can’t pretend to be deaf.
Plus, dinner’s ready.”
Charis justified her snooping, and Luline nodded, smiling with a suggestion.

“You two won’t settle this.
How about we eat first, then discuss Charis’s school plan?
Her opinion matters most.”

“Luline, you always bring up food during serious talks!
Can’t you stop interrupting?”
Ophelia frowned, annoyed—Luline could just vote, and two-to-one would settle it.

“Ophelia, it’s not that—it’s my empty stomach.
I can’t think clearly.
You cool off too—bad moods ruin good food.”

Luline raised an eyebrow at Charis, who got the hint, hurrying to serve dishes and delay the school debate.

“Sigh… if she goes to school, I’ll worry myself sick.”
Ophelia propped her face, sticking to her stance.

The table was soon laden with dishes, and Charis sat across from Luline, allowed to dine with them today.

“This dish looks promising—nice work.”

Aisha, carefree, forgot the debate, forking a chicken chunk and chewing happily, wearing the same outfit as her puppet.

‘She’s the real one eating.’

Charis confirmed Aisha was no puppet, then glanced at Ophelia, whose red eyes met hers.

“Why’re you staring while eating?
Hungry for me?”
Charis blinked, teasing, and Ophelia turned to Aisha.

“Aisha, you said school was her reward from your room talk?”

“Yup, Ophelia—didn’t you know she wants to learn potion-making, so she needs school?”

“Why didn’t you say earlier!”

“Was about to, but you shot down the school idea instantly—no chance to explain.”

Aisha shrugged helplessly, and Ophelia, flushed, realized she’d overreacted.

“My fault… but is school just for potions?
The risk isn’t worth it.”
Ophelia calmed, looking at Aisha.

“Worth it or not, like Luline said, Charis’s opinion matters.
She’s done you a favor, proving she’s harmless.
Staying out of trouble’s easy enough.”

“Well…”

Ophelia glanced at Charis, whose sky-blue eyes held no threat—just a pure, innocent vibe, free of malice.

‘Should I speak up?’

Charis cleared her throat.

“Actually… I kinda want to go.
You said potion-making needs a license, right?
I’ll take the exam, fair and square.”

Charis stated her stance—she genuinely wanted to try, not just to grow stronger but to sneakily learn skills, all gain, no loss.

“You want to, but your identity—your backstory’s full of holes.”
Ophelia’s tone softened, shifting from outright refusal to figuring out a feasible way.

“I can fix the backstory—easy to spin.
Charis, any ideas?”
Aisha offered to help.

“Uh, I just wanted a cozy life.
How about a long-lost relative setup?”
Charis suggested, and Aisha nodded.

“Then you’re… a long-lost cousin to one of us!
Great!
Who’s taking the big sister role?”

Aisha hyped the mood, needing a legal identity for Charis.

“Our hair colors don’t match—Ophelia’s up.”
Luline spoke coolly, uninterested.

“I’ve already got a sister I just reconciled with!”
Ophelia hesitated, wary of Penny finding out.

“I’m out—black hair, plus royal ties are tricky.
Ophelia, take one for the team—your hair color’s close enough.”
Aisha tossed it to Ophelia, her tone almost final.

“Wait, you guys—”
Ophelia tried to protest, but Aisha raised an eyebrow.

“What?
You care so much for Charis daily, but can’t grant her little wish, Miss Ophelia?”

“Ugh… but if Penny finds out…”
Ophelia wavered—Penny was important, but so was Charis.

“Just a pretend cousin—what’s to hesitate?
I declare Lord Rodley’s family has a new long-lost branch niece!”

“Hey! Don’t just decide!”

Ophelia bickered with Aisha, but Charis’s identity was mostly set.

‘They’re arguing lively—real friends.
But it feels like… they’re starting to see me as a person?’

Noticing the subtle shift, Charis smirked.

This was exactly the effect she wanted.