Bluebird Lady and The White Lion Family

Sophina glanced down at the ribbon, tied just as sloppily as before.

 

She hesitated, then her lips curled into a whisper.

 “…Thank you.” 

Ricardo slowly rose to his feet, his mouth agape as if he were about to say something.

 

Sophina did the same,

“Hey…” “Sophina—” 

Their voices overlapped. Her outstretched fingertips trembled slightly.

 

This was getting awkward. She withdrew her hand back, slapping it unnecessarily, and yielded.

 “Uh, you go first.” “Uh?” “It’s okay. You go first.” 

Even the words were echoed, making the surrounding air grow colder.

 

There was a moment of silence.

 

Ricardo pinched his earlobe, which had reddened unnecessarily.

 

Sophina, like a drowning cat, patted the air, then spoke up to lighten the mood.

 “But, Ricardo, you’re so big. And your voice.” “Is that why you don’t like me?” 

Ricardo tilted his head slightly and answered casually, as if the question had become necessary.

 “No, not that.” 

It was Sophina who was taken aback.

 

Sophina blinked frantically, trying to control her expression.

 

‘He’s always been a bit cheeky, but…’

 

It’s gotten worse.

 

Bad for the heart. She swallowed dryly and exhaled, phew.

 

When she calmed down, Ricardo, standing at an angle, watching her, gave a wry smile.

 

Just the situation itself, the way she looked, was adorable.

 

He spoke with a hint of mischief in his tone.

 “Do you think I’ve changed much from what I used to be?” “A, a little?” 

Glancing up at Ricardo, Sophina nodded affirmatively, then spoke in a slightly hushed tone.

 “But it doesn’t mean our time is gone.” 

That’s true even as a wrinkly old lady.

 

Until our gray hairs grow in and our waists curve, we could fill the distance between us with colorful memories.

 

With this thought, Sophina shook Ricardo’s hand.

 “I’m glad I can make new memories with you as an adult, too. Take care, Ricardo.” 

But there was no response from Ricardo.

 

Unnerved, Sophina raised her head and gazed at him.

 

Ricardo was up to his neck in red.

 

Covering the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, Ricardo coughed as if he had a hiccup.

 

Ricardo’s eyes, torn wide open, relaxed.

 “…You’re not embarrassed, are you?” 

The edge of Sophina’s voice rose, and then she let out a pleasant laugh.

 

Somehow, Ricardo looked cute.

 

And just as they were building their own world, an unwelcome intruder cut in between them.

 “…Sophina!” “Sister Riri!” 

It was Ririela, who had followed Ricardo out of the car. Dressed in a sleek uniform, Ririela looked even more defiant and charismatic.

 

She reminded me of a younger version of Mom.

 

Ririela crouched down and gently inquired about Sophina’s well-being.

 “How are you?” “Yes, I’ve been keeping house.” “How’s sister?” 

Sophina smiled broadly, gazing into the face of a family member she hadn’t seen in a long time.

 “I’ve been well, but—” 

Ririela trailed off and glanced at Ricardo, who stood beside Sophina at an angle.

 

She mumbled something ruefully, like she was upset. It was hardly a mutter to herself, given how obvious it was,

 “I don’t want that thief, giving you hugs.” 

Ririela’s sour face grew as fierce as the Reaper’s.

 

Aw, so you were jealous that Ricardo was the first to greet me.

 

You’re still the same. 

 

Like a bluebird discovering a large tree fruit, Sophina swooped down and hugged Ririela.

 “I missed you!” “Me too…!” 

Ririela froze at the sudden touch.

 

She covered her mouth with her hand, purring like a cat, and rested her head on Sophina’s shoulder.

 

In her excitement, a lion’s tail poked out from her butt.

 

She was just getting into the groove when she realized she was missing a face that should be present.

 “Uh, but what about young Master?” 

Sophina’s mouth twitched uneasily.

 

Ririela, however, answered innocently, with a nonchalant tone.

 “Oh, Rion will be a little late.” “Why? Did something happen?” “I didn’t hear anything like that…” 

The answer came from Ricardo.

 “Don’t worry, milady, he’s going to finish up the last bit of work.” 

Again, I wondered if something was amiss.

After all, in his most recent letter, he seemed to be doing well.

 

Sophina summarized the situation with an emphatic Aha.

 “So the young Master will be back in a few days, then.” “Uh. The enemy has been cleared out, so there’s no danger, so he’ll be back soon, milady.” 

Ricardo nodded curtly.

 

At that, Sophina looked at Ririela and asked,

“So, what’s going to happen with the victory banquet?” “Oh. I’ve already told Mother we’ll do that when Rion arrives, Sophina.” 

Ririela replied hesitantly. Mother walked up just in time to hear Rion say that the lion would come when told.

 

Khan opened her arms generously.

 “Come on, let’s give them all a hug.” 

And so, surrounded by the people she missed, Sophina basked in the affection.

 “Me, too!” 

Canus, envious inwardly, jumped up and joined in.

 

He frowned ruefully at Ricardo and Ririela.

 “Brother, sister, who am I?” 

The two of them answered in unison, their lips pressed together.

 “Canus.” “Baby snake.” 

Canus shook his head at the unequivocal answer.

 “These humans have no manners, and when they do, they play dumb, or at least try to!” 

He wanted to shake his head.

 

Ririela sneaked past them, and spoke to Sophina.

 “Sophina, I’m hungry.” “Go ahead and eat, sis.” 

Sophina shrugged it off.

 “Make yourself comfortable and come to the dining room. I’ve got everything ready.” 

Khan led the way, smiling broadly at the unusually cheerful scene.

 

Frustrated, Canus trudged after them, who had already left.

 “Where are you going, everyone but Canus!” 

They entered the mansion.

 

Ririela clung to Sophina’s side, regaling her with anecdotes from the war.

 “I’ve been eating nothing but dry bread all the way here, and I want meat.” “Stop being such a tough sister.” 

Ricardo, not to be outdone, pulled Ririela away from Sophina and delivered a factual assault.

 “You ate five bags of chips in the car.” “Shut up, Ricardo.” 

Ririela glared at her brother, her face deathly pale. Her shriveled face was murderous.

 

Ricardo intertwined his fingertips with hers as she clung to her, seeking comfort.

 “Let’s run, Sophina.” “Huh?” “Once you’ve pleased her, there’s no end to it.” 

Ricardo, sensing annoyance, tried to intercept her.

 

Sophina trotted after him. Her light-blue hair fluttered in the breeze.

 

Running like a couple running away from a wedding, they came to a halt in front of Sophina’s office.

 “Sit down and catch your breath, my lady.” 

Ricardo quickly sat Sophuna down on a nearby couch.

 

‘We will be eating soon, but I don’t mind if we talk for a while.’

 

I have questions.

 

Sophina sat back in her wobbly chair and nudged the ground with her toes, then glanced up at Ricardo.

 “Why do you look a little thin? Are you sure you’ve been eating well?” 

Ricardo chuckled.

 

Then he grabbed Sophina’s hand and brought it to his own.

 “Do you think I look skinny?” 

Through the uniform, underneath the white shirt, I could feel his firm pecs.

 

I could tell it was densely packed muscle, even though I could only touch it with my palm.

 

Sophina quickly pulled herself together and said respectfully.

 “No. Not at all.” 

I felt myself blushing.

 

Subconsciously rubbing her puffy cheeks, she tried to change the subject.

 

Or, more accurately, what she’d been wondering.

 “By the way, did you bring anything back from the war?” “What are you talking about?” 

A meeting with the original heroine.

 

Apparently, the original heroine, the heir to the deer family, also participated in the war.

 

I wonder if they met fatefully, just like in the novel.

 

‘It’s possible that something has changed because of me, but after all, it’s been a long time since the beginning of the story.’

 

Maybe they were already attracted to each other.

 

‘So what do I do?’

 

If I divorce him at the right time, might I still be able to be friends with Ricardo?

 

I’ve already grown to care about him. I don’t want to lose him.

 

Sophina’s expression darkened slightly as she continued.

 “Uh… I heard there are deer on the enemy side.” “And?” “There’s the heir to the deer clan.” 

Ricardo affirmed, sounding uninterested.

 “Well, there was.” 

But the confirmation was like a slap in the face, and it made Sophina think.

 

‘Why am I annoyed when I’ve already guessed it all along…’

 

Ricardo gently grasped both of her shoulders in response to her unexpected mood.

 

Then he smiled his trademark innocent smile. Though now it felt more dangerous than innocent.

 “Why. Would you like me to pluck the horns, my lady?  

Ricardo’s elongated blue eyes curved into half-moons.

 “I hear antler is supposed to be good for you.” 

…Huh?

 

That’s a weird reaction.

 

What happened to the original heroine, anyway? Did he bring her back or not?

 

Sophina’s head tilted in disbelief.