Bluebird Lady and The White Lion Family

The next morning, after the usual routine.

 

Sophina swooped into the office like a sparrow hiding a grain of rice in a mill.

 

Then she pulled out a bag she had hidden deep in the closet.

 

It was a handbag I had found in Leche that could hold an infinite amount of anything.

 

Back at the mansion, she realized that the bag itself had a lock, but she’d kept it here just in case.

 

Sophina undid the hook on the front of the bag.

 

With a click, the contents spilled out. Jewels, gold coins, scrolls, trinkets, seeds, and other valuables.

 

Many of them must have been useful.

 

After my journey from Leche, I had been busy and had only taken out what I needed, so I hadn’t looked closely.

 

I thought,

‘It didn’t belong to me in the first place. But now I felt like I had to check on it.’ 

 

In the original story, it belonged to the Heroine, but the safety of my family was more important.

 

At first, I didn’t think much about keeping the original.

 

‘I think it’s okay to covet a little bit, even if the heroine is a bit of a wreck, because she has a happy ending.’

 

Huh?

 

‘A happy ending…?’

 

A question appeared in my head.

 

‘Now that I think about it, I don’t remember reading it to the end…’

 

No… I remembered clearly until Sophina’s death.

 

The rest of the story was a mystery.

 

‘Oh, I don’t know. Let’s just focus on this!’

 

Just cut out the things that didn’t have a lot of weight in the novel but seemed useful.

 

Sophina spread her hands wide, like a surgeon about to perform a major operation.

 

And then she sifted through the stuff.

 

For an hour.

 “This is not something a beast should be doing.” 

Sophina threw a precious gold coin, barely catching it as she tried to toss it.

 

How could I select them efficiently?

 

She wondered. Then, a brilliant, but unpleasant, idea flashed through her mind.

 

I thought,

‘What if the informant knows what all this stuff is for…?’

 

Even with the shackles of a contract.

 

Even so, she was a bit too suspicious to be trusted. I hesitated a bit.

 

‘Still, the way she apologized so quickly for her mistake, she seems to be okay.’

 

There were still more questions I hadn’t asked the informant.

 

Especially that same pocket watch.

 

‘I’m guessing it has something to do with the original heroine.’

 

Usually, novels are tangled and come down to one thing.

 

My thoughts became more inclined. It would be better to dig into the curiosity while interacting with the informant appropriately.

 

Of course, I shouldn’t let my guard down.

 

With that decision, Sophina immediately sent Jane to write to the informant.

 

Then she picked up her handkerchief from the corner of her office.

 

‘I have to finish this.’

 

And so, with a decent result, the moment of parting came.

 

In the large clearing in the garden, where all the departing envoys gathered.

 

The air in the mansion was more lively than I expected.

 

As the lion was considered the king of the beasts, it was as though victory was won with a smile.

 

Legend has it that the tradition of the lions was to send off those who competed with joy.

 

Both an honorable death on the battlefield and a life after victory are important.

 

The people of Chadwick gathered in unison to prepare for the procession. Sophina smiled weakly and quickly handed her handkerchief.

 

But her face was strangely contorted, like a bluebird caught stealing berries from a tree.

As if she was being watched.

 

‘Even I can see that the handkerchief is in bad shape.’

 

His eyes were filled with concern. Ricardo accepted it half-heartedly, then teased Sophina.

 “This. Isn’t it a curse doll, milady?” 

A handkerchief with Ricardo’s face embroidered on the corner.

 

She hadn’t known what pattern to use, so she’d drawn his face.

 

‘Tsk, I put a lot of work into this, and it’s not fair.’

 

Sophina pouted her lips in denial,

“It’s not!” “What about this hole-in-the-wall thing?” “Good little beast’s eyes don’t see that.” 

She snapped back with a snarl. And then she said,

‘Oh, it’s perfect.’ 

 

Muttering, he stroked the handkerchief.

 “Oh? Really? I think it’s pretty to my eyes.” “Yeah, I think it’s pretty on second look,” 

Ricardo smirked at the response. His gaze fixed on Sophina, he spoke up.

 “Pretty.” 

What?

 

Feeling a little out of place, Sophina paused for a moment before answering.

 “…. Be careful out there.  “Yeah.” 

Ricardo shook his head for a moment after his short answer.

 

He wasn’t sure if he should reveal the existence of the contract at this point.

 

‘There’s no need to confuse Sophina, not after the strange feeling of rejection I had back then.’

 

There was an awkward silence between them, and then a steady glance from out of nowhere.

 “Ah.” 

Sophina cautiously turned her head to look in the direction of the gaze.

 

There stood the eagle-eyed Ririela.

 

‘Was she upset that I had greeted Ricardo first?’

 

Taking a step toward her, she waved.

 “Have a good trip, sister Ririela.” 

Then Ririela mumbled something.

 “…Me too.” “What?” “…The handkerchief.” 

A brief word of impatience but blatant desire.

 

‘I don’t have any other handkerchiefs.’ 

 

Sewing was surprisingly difficult and time-consuming. There was no time to make more for others.

 

Sophia scratched her cheek aimlessly and shrugged.

 “Uh, um. Well, I thought I’d get you something better.” “What?” 

In response, Ririela asked curiously, her eyes brightening.

 

Just then, I had a good idea.

 “I’m going to miss you, Riri!” 

Sophia pulled Ririela into a big hug and kissed her affectionately on the cheek.

 

The cute nickname was a bonus. Well, that’s the kind of affection a family could show…?

 

Sophina rolled her eyes and looked at Ririela.

 “Hic!” 

Ririela let out a strange squeal and whipped her head out like a startled meerkat.

 

Had I been too hasty?

 

Sophina’s pupils quivered. Unfortunately, Ririela didn’t have time to care for Sophina’s state of mind.

 

No hugs, no kisses on the cheek, no calling her the nickname she’d been longing for.

 “…” 

Ririela froze and stumbled backward. The corpse of a coldly happy soul.

 

‘She’s a little weird, so let’s not mess around.’

 

 

Sophina laughed so hard that the corners of her mouth twitched, and she slowly moved away from Ririela.

 

But now she faced another challenge.

 “Sis, do you have anything for me?” 

It was Rihentheon. His tone was polite, but he suddenly glanced at Ricardo.

 

Something intense and unrecognizable was in the air. 

 

It was a life force radiating from Ricardo.

 

In response, Rihentheon lamented to Sophina with a frown.

 “…I’m getting chills for some reason. It’s spring, but it’s cold, sister.” “Ah, yes.” 

There was nothing she could do about it.

 

Instead, Sophina pulled out a leather pouch from her pocket.

 

I’d originally intended to give it to everyone, but the Young Master seemed to want something.

 “These are biscuits made from Roneache flowers, please take some and share!” “Thank you.” 

Sophina smiled broadly at the grateful Rihentheon.

 

These biscuits are even infused with healing side effects! It’s a recipe for emergency food that would be useful on the battlefield.

 

‘But isn’t the dry bread a bit over the top?’ 

 

I didn’t mean to sound condescending.

 

As Sophina was dusting off her hands, Canus waved goodbye.

 — Goodbye, big brother! 

The little snake squinted one eye in a cute little way.

 — Canus will be cheering you on at home! 

It was enough to dampen a millennium’s morale. Even Mother sighed in pity and then calmed the tense atmosphere.

 “Hehe, everyone should come back in good spirits.” 

After organizing the situation, Khan called out to Sophina, who was standing in the distance, her eyes filled with an unknown emotion.

 “By the way, dear.” 

Mother suddenly opened her arms in greeting. She coughed in an unspoken gesture.

 “Hmm.” “Yes?” “Ahem.” 

When Sophina didn’t understand, Khan fired off an even stronger signal.

 

No way….

 

Like someone taking an ambiguous question a minute before the end of a test, Sophina clung to her mother.

 “…Um, mom?” 

Khan stifled the corners of her mouth that threatened to turn up in a smirk.

 “Well, it’s not like I’m leaving, so it’s not too bad.” 

Indeed.

 

Sophina’s gaze grew impatient. Ricardo closed the distance between them as they were cementing their love.

 

Before she could say anything, he pulled her into a tight embrace.

 

Sophina’s eyes widened.

 

A soft, slightly submerged, lilting voice fell wistfully against her ear.

 “I’m going to miss you, Sophina.” 

They were really leaving. She’d been denying the reality of the situation with all the laughter, but now it hit her.

 

For some reason, tears welled up in her eyes.

 

Sophia wiped the corners of her eyes in Ricardo’s broad arms.

 “There’s dust in my eyes.” 

Crying here would make everyone sadder.

 

Instead, she smiled so wide that the corners of her eyes curved into crescents, and let Ricardo go.

 “Me too. I’m going to miss you so, so much, Ricardo, so write me often. And don’t get hurt.” 

It was the most refreshing and beautiful goodbye she could give him. Ricardo’s reflection in Sophina’s eyes receded further into the distance.

 

The long procession of departing soldiers bustled out of the Chadwick estate.

 

When they were all black dots and could no longer be seen, Sophina spoke to herself, her smile wiped from her face.

 “Now I must do what I can.” 

She wasn’t the kind of person to just cry when she was separated from her loved ones.