Chapter 51: Look at your tail full of flaws

After dinner, Charis’s school plan was finalized.

Ophelia accepted the “long-lost cousin” setup, agreeing to let Charis enroll.

“Alright, it’s settled.
Tomorrow, I’ll talk to the academy’s admissions office.
Charis’s paperwork is on me.”
Aisha stood, heading to her room to work.

“Your herbs are on the balcony.
I’m off to rest.”
Luline pointed to the balcony, retreating to her room.

The spacious living room left only Ophelia and Charis, eyeing each other.

“Now you’re fully my responsibility, dubbed my long-lost cousin.”
Ophelia reached to pat Charis’s head, her hair silky.

“Why’re you touching my head!”
Charis ducked, hands shielding her head.

“You’re my cousin in name—what’s wrong with a pat?
So sensitive.”
Ophelia chuckled, her mood lightening.

“It’s just pretend, but your touching’s real!”
Charis shook her head, resisting the head-pats.

“Fine, no touching.
Come with me.”
Ophelia grabbed Charis’s right hand—not her wrist this time.

“Huh? Where to?”

“Bath.
You’re enrolling tomorrow—gotta clean you up.”

“What? You’re bathing me again!”

“Yup, and you don’t get a say.”

Ophelia opened the bathroom door, pushed Charis in, and closed it softly, quickly stripping her down.

Moonlight streamed through the small window, warm water trickling over silver hair.

Charis lowered her head, letting the warm water caress her skin, Ophelia’s soft hand rubbing her back.

“How’s it feel?”
Ophelia asked from behind, but Charis stayed silent—being at a disadvantage, quiet was best.

Her unusual silence bothered Ophelia, who wasn’t satisfied.

“Speak!”
Ophelia’s finger traced Charis’s spine, making her snap her head up.

“What’re you doing!”
Charis turned, annoyed, her silver hair like a curtain over her puffed-up cheeks.

“You went all silent, acting cool—thought you were comfy enough to doze off.”
Ophelia grinned, pleased with Charis’s reaction.

“You bathing me is just… rewarding yourself!
I’m not happy or comfy at all.”
Charis tilted her chin toward the wall, ignoring Ophelia.

“Not even a little comfy?”
Ophelia leaned in, resting her chin on Charis’s left shoulder.

“Ugh! Don’t get so close!”
Charis dodged right, but Ophelia held her right shoulder.

“Why dodge?
Let me sniff.”
Ophelia nuzzled Charis’s cheek, their faces nearly touching, leaving Charis speechless.

‘Damn Ophelia, you a giraffe with that neck?
Why’re you nuzzling my cheek—stop sticking to me!’

Charis, neck too short to escape, grimaced, stuck.

“You’ve got a floral scent—no wonder you like herbs.”
Ophelia pulled back, concluding Charis’s natural fragrance.

“So I smell like flowers—what’s it to you?
You stick to me without asking, unfair, and no payment!”
Charis pouted, unhappy—Ophelia gave nothing for this!

“Payment… fair point.
Since you’re enrolling, I’ll give you pocket money—how’s that?”

“Really?
Ahem! I won’t sell my body for petty cash.”

“Oh, small money’s no good?
Big money works, then?”

“No way!
Don’t twist my words—who wants your money!”

Charis insisted dragons had dignity.
Her earlier silver coin obsession was a first-time fluke—she was immune now!

As Charis swore her resolve, Ophelia cast a curse, her hand flashing gold.

“Charis, look at this.”
Ophelia’s voice was seductive, her fist before Charis’s eyes, gold glinting through her fingers.

“Uh… I can’t see!”
Charis shut her eyes, fighting her body’s instincts as her tail wagged eagerly.

“Oh, look at that telltale tail—wagging faster means you’re thrilled, huh?”
Ophelia waved her fist near Charis’s nose.

Per Sherri’s dragon research notes, dragons had a unique talent for treasure-hunting, especially for “treasures” like gold coins, with unmatched sensory and sniffing abilities.

For Charis, who could smell money, Ophelia deliberately held the coin, brushing its edge against her cheek.

‘What’s that hard thing rubbing my face—Ophelia, what’re you doing!’

Unable to resist, Charis opened her eyes, spotting a gold coin—its unmistakable golden sheen!

A gold coin!

Charis’s eyes locked on, hard-controlled by instinct, unable to look away!

Her dragon nature kicked in, doubly potent as a young dragon.

Seeing Charis hooked, Ophelia thanked her luck for Sherri’s dragon expertise—tonight, she had leverage for new terms.

“Charis, want this big gold coin?”

“Uh… I…”

Charis fought her instincts, but her resolve crumbled, her eyes losing clarity.

“Want it?
I’ll give you one monthly as school pocket money, but you call me Sister and act the part at school.”

“Just call you Sister?”

“Yup, like you do with Luline and Aisha.”

“But… but…”

Charis hesitated, but a gold coin a month—so much pocket money!
She could stack them up!

Forget what coins could buy—the joy of treasure!
Who could resist a pile of glittering gold, a cure for any hoarding itch?

“Just call me Sister and help with small tasks.
Money’s nice, right?”
Ophelia pressed her advantage.

“Sis… Sister.”
Charis caved, thinking a little humiliation was nothing—true strength bends and stretches!

“Good call—here, catch.”

Ophelia pressed the coin to Charis’s abdomen, pushing firmly.

The coin left a mark, and Charis winced, blushing.

“Ugh… I got it!
Be gentle!”

“Of course, I’ll be gentle.”

Ophelia grinned, satisfied.

Charis felt ashamed—she’d fallen to the pomegranate skirt of a gold coin!

‘Why can’t young dragons resist money and food!
There’s gotta be a dragon conspiracy!’

As Charis puzzled, Ophelia spoke.

“Charis, you took the money, right?”

“W-What else do you want?”

“You took payment, so tonight, your tail’s mine.”

“You… just don’t pinch it.”

“Of course—no pinching.
I respect your wishes.
Just a hug.”

“You better mean it.”