Bluebird Lady and The White Lion Family

Ricardo’s blue eyes widened at the question.

 

He’d thought about telling Sophina, but he was a little hesitant to speak to her first.

 

Exhaling once, he spoke in a calm voice,

“I had a claw stuck in me.” “…A claw?” 

I thought it sounded like deep scratch marks.

 

The nuance of the word claw was a bit eerie, and Sophina swallowed hard.

 

Meanwhile, Ricardo continued,

“Sister told you the gist of it, you know, on her birthday, her stepfather died.” 

Suddenly, Sophina realized something. It had to have something to do with what she’d guessed when she’d spoken to the young master.

 

‘Isn’t that too personal?’

 

He always flags things like this.

 

The thought flashed through her mind,

‘Did I deserve to hear it?’

 

Sophina blinked unnecessarily and shook her head.

 “Uh, yeah. If you can’t talk about it, just- “It’s a scar from my stepfather.” 

But a shocking word made her lift her head again.

 “What?” 

In Sophina’s eyes, Ricardo looked bitter, like a man who had lost everything.

 “A black panther controlled him to attack me and the rest of my family.” “How could that be…” 

Even in the novel, the lion, and leopard were clearly on bad terms.

 

But never something so vicious.

 

Ricardo must have been really hurt. He was a child. Sophina’s fingertips trembled.

 

Ricardo gave a bitter, self-help sneer.

 

This wasn’t the end of the story.

 “My mother cut him down with a single blade, because my father, the man who gave life to me, died in the war against the black panthers. So it must have been a terrible situation.” 

That was the beginning of the tragedy that surrounded the Chadwick family.

 

Ricardo muttered under his breath,

“I suppose she couldn’t help it.” 

He didn’t want to burden Sophina. It was just that she was part of the family, and she would have to know at some point.

 

So Ricardo concluded in an almost casual tone.

 “It just happened.” “….I’m sorry.” 

Sophina apologized, intertwining her hand with his.

 

‘I hoped someone’s warmth would comfort him a little more.’

 

Ricardo squeezed her hand tighter and said,

“Thank you, milady.” “Huh? For what?” “My stepfather was a good man, and he was my first friend.” 

There was only one thing he wanted to get out of this.

 “That’s why I hated getting close to anyone…” 

Sophina has become important.

 “I fear not with you, Sophina Chadwick.” 

Suddenly, the darkness in Ricardo’s face lifted, and he smiled.

 “The rain has stopped.” 

Sophina’s whisper parted them. The rain had stopped drizzling, and the sun shone through the clouds.

 

Sophina cleared her throat, unnecessarily loudly, and spoke in response.

 “… I am grateful, Ricardo.” 

When she thought about it, she had a lot to be thankful for.

 

Happiness, inspiration, joy. I got to know him better when I was with him.

 “For celebrating my birthday, for promising to celebrate it every year, for always stepping up to help me even when I didn’t ask.” 

Sophina’s voice trails off,

“You were the first one I ever had.” 

For some reason, tears welled up in her eyes. Her voice was a little raspy as she confessed her lowest self.

 “Actually, I’m probably a pretty stupid person.” 

She hadn’t intended to befriend Ricardo in the first place.

 

There was something she wanted to say to him.

 “When I first asked you to be friends, I didn’t have the best of intentions.” “Then what?” “Well, I thought you were a strong man, a powerful beast, so I was hoping we could be friends.” 

Sophina took a deep breath and added,

“But the more I got to know you, the less I felt that way. I just like you for who you are.” 

This was exactly what I wanted to say.

 “I wanted to tell you the truth, Ricardo, that I just like you for who you are,”

Sophina said, tiptoeing away in embarrassment and clapping her hands together cheekily.

 “I guess the bottom line is, thank you for being my friend.” 

A flush rose to her white cheeks as she said this. She fanned herself and moved her legs awkwardly, robotically.

 “Oh, it’s hot. Let’s go.” 

Ricardo was puzzled by the simultaneous hand and foot movements.

 

Then he nimbly caught up to Sophina’s side and asked mischievously.

 “You’re walking faster all of a sudden, milady?” “Just pretend you didn’t notice!” 

Ah, shame. How embarrassing. Sophina picked up the pace even more, swinging her arms at her sides.

 

She didn’t even realize her shoelaces were coming undone.

 

At that moment, Ricardo stopped her.

 “Wait a minute.” “Why?” “Your laces are untied.” 

Without hesitation, Ricardo knelt on the rain-soaked ground. He grabbed Sophina’s shoelace, which had somehow come undone.

 “These untied shoelaces, I’ll tie them until you’re a wrinkly old lady.” 

A crude but loving touch, and a slightly sloppy ribbon, were made.

 

Ricardo lifted his head and gazed up at Sophina.

 “So all you have to do is walk the same path as I did today, Sophina.” 

Then he used the wish he had been saving.

 “That’s my wish.” 

She stared down at Ricardo, dumbfounded.

 

His white hair, was slightly frizzy from the water, and his blue eyes, were as clear as the universe itself.

 

Somehow, it was hard to look at him, and Sophina froze in place.

 

Her heart seemed to be beating so fast, she was scared. Her breathing came in short, hopscotching gasps.

 “Are you okay?” 

Ricardo, his complexion instantly pale, gently squeezed both of her shoulders.

 

They stayed like that for ten minutes.

 “Uh, I’m okay now.” 

Sophina pushed herself up gingerly. Her joints crackled and cried out in pain.

 

She glanced up at Ricardo. The strange feelings that had been swirling through her head earlier seemed to be gone.

 

‘What is it?’

 

Sophina pursed her lips and shook her head.

 

When she had calmed down a bit, Ricardo said something similar to what she had said earlier.

 “And I was a bit of a snob, myself.” 

When Sophina looked at him, he extended his right hand.

 

The proof of his contract with Sophina. The symbol was visible to him as well.

 

I didn’t tell her everything, for when I woke up after the last fall tour, I was in a daze.

 

I considered waiting, since she didn’t seem to remember anything, but I thought it was better to tell her now.

 

Ricardo turned to face Sophina earnestly.

 “Do you think you know what this is?” “Hmm?” 

How could he possibly know by looking at the palm of his hand? 

 

There was a slightly large, rounded spot in the center,

 

‘That looks familiar.’

 

 

As if on cue, Ricardo tilted his head and frowned.

 

Showing Sophina the mark made his head hurt like it was going to fall off.

 

‘What is it?’

 

 

Feeling like I shouldn’t have told her about the contract.

 

A strange feeling of dread washed over him. He quickly withdrew his outstretched hand from hers.

 “Ricardo, what’s wrong?” 

Sophina blinked, studying Ricardo’s complexion.

 

Just then, the escort knights approached.

 “My little lady, I think you should return to the manor as soon as possible!” 

Huh?

 

Did something serious happen?

 

Sophina stared at Ricardo in bewilderment.

 

Ricardo, who seemed to have calmed down a bit, shrugged his shoulders in confusion and turned to the knights.

 “What’s going on?” “Well, it’s something I’m not allowed to discuss here…a summons from the Lord.” 

The escort bowed grimly.

 

And with that, they stumbled back to the manor.

  

Meanwhile, Khan’s office feels unusually tense.

 “Declaration of war…you’re being cute.” 

She glared at the dense papers on her desk, ready to tear them apart.

 

Just then, there was a soft knock on the door, and Sophina and Ricardo entered.

 

Khan pressed a finger firmly to his furrowed brow to control her expression.

 

Then she greeted them warmly,

“Ah, you’re home, sweetheart.” 

Ricardo’s shrewd eyes picked up on Khan’s sour mood.

 “Are things in bad shape?” “Somewhat.” 

Khan clicked her tongue in half-affirmation. Then she crumpled up the papers on her desk and slumped into a chair by the tea table where she served guests.

 

Sophina and Ricardo quickly took seats across from her.

 

Khan showed her the document in question.

 “Declarations of war have arrived. From several families.” 

Sophina’s eyes darted across the lettering.

 

It was serious stuff, the foxes, wolves, deer, and other animals declaring war on the Lion House.

 

From what my mother told me, the foxes that used to kill the master have gotten wise and enlisted other races.

 

It was to keep the lion in check, which was getting stronger by the day. It was a chaotic world where people fought each other for land.

 

‘Is this the same war that happened in the original?’ 

 

Seeing that there are also deer people, it seems like it was…

 

The war broke out for similar reasons back then.

 

But it wasn’t the right time yet.

 

According to the age of Sophina in the original story, the event was almost six months away.

 

One of the many reasons cited in the declaration of war caught her attention.

 

The lion had persecuted the Eagle family, tearing up their land and exterminating them.

 

‘Oh, is this about the water canal?’

 

In the original story, the lion borrowed the waterway, but this time it was taken away from the Eagle family, groveling under their feet.

 

Everyone was on high alert because they heard it was important.

 

Maybe that’s why it moved faster. Though, I wasn’t sure.

 

As her mind raced, Khan calmly reassured Sophina.

 “There’s nothing to worry about, sweetheart. It’s just a bunch of grub, so it won’t take long.” 

Khan’s gaze sneaked over to Sophina and added warmly.

 “Don’t mind the eagles, either.” 

The declaration of war had said that the Eagle families would be participating.

 

Of course, it wasn’t the entire eagle race, just my father and her siblings, who had been punished by Mother,

 

‘But in the original story, the Eagles didn’t go to war.’

 

Unlike in the novel, I burned down the eagle family and became the bride of a lord.

 

‘What’s the harm in adding another eagle to the mix?’

 

She was no better than anyone else, after all.

 

Sophina replied dryly,

“I’m fine, Mother.” 

Ricardo glanced at Sophina, who seemed to have lost her cool, then turned to Khan.

 “What are you going to do?” “I plan to make Rion my second-in-command. Ririela will be assigned to rear support duties.” 

Mother crossed her arms slowly, her brow furrowing.

 “I know it’s a hassle for you, son, but I need you to do your part as commander.” 

Sophina’s expression darkened.

 

They’re going to be busy.

 

‘You won’t get hurt, will you?’

 

They’d won the original without incident.

 

It would be fine. However, unlike the others, she felt a little sullen that she hadn’t been given any tasks.

 

‘I can’t be the only one doing nothing while everyone else is trying.’

 

 

Sophina clenched her fists tightly and braced herself.

 “I’ll help, Mother.”