Bluebird Lady and The White Lion Family

The man in the black robes, who appeared to be his superior, blinked his jet-black eyes.

 “Funny.”

A peculiarly unpleasant chuckle escaped the man’s lips.

 

He smoothed his long, silky black hair, which was just long enough to cover his eyebrows.

 

The man placed his foot on the shoulder of his foolish subordinate and spoke with the ease of a condemned man.

 “I didn’t think we’d win, but we’ve lost the war, the supplies we’ve spent so much money on, and the map the eagle drew for us.” 

Hadn’t I ordered them to be quiet and kill only the eagles in the first place?

 

The man’s voice grew increasingly amused as he continued.

 

A grin spreads across his face, and he pushes down on his foot.

 

At the same time, his subordinate’s face contorted in pain.

 “…Ugh, I’ve memorized the rough outline of the map, and the lions won’t be able to interpret it anyway, so don’t… worry, my lord.” 

The subordinate shook his head even harder, and finished his report with difficulty. He knew that if he displeased his superior, even worse punishment awaited him.

 

With that, the man gave him a final, swift kick to the head with his foot and pursed his lips.

 “In five days, the second envoy will return with the rest of the loot.” 

The man stroked his chin leisurely, despite his displeasure.

 “If that’s the case, you’re really only doing the lions a favor…” 

His dark eyes slit vertically, feline and fierce.

 “You’re not doing anything right. The useless dog deserves to die.” 

The corners of his mouth twitched upward in a grim smile.

 “But your skills are still quite useful, so I’ll let you live.” 

The man glanced back at his kneeling subordinate and mercifully gave him this opportunity.

 

Then, with a slightly agitated frown, he arched an eyebrow and said to himself.

 “You should be thankful that my awakening is not yet complete.” 

The man thumped his subordinate’s head with a loosely clenched fist.

 “Answer.” 

The subordinate bowed his head so deeply that his forehead seemed to split the floor.

 “I am honored. My lord.”  

Inside the peaceful, albeit tumultuous, mansion of the Chadwick family.

 

Sophina was enjoying a rare moment of tea with her mother and sister Ririela.

 

It was a tradition before the war.

 

‘It’s been so long.’

 

Sophina smiled broadly and took a bite of the dessert in front of her.

 

Ririela, who had been so enamored with Sophina’s cute little cheeks, offered her own share of Madeleine.

 “Eat up, Sophina.” “Yes, sister!” 

In response, her mother pushed a plate of dessert toward Sophina.

 “Try this, too, sweetheart.” “Sure, Mom!” 

Sophina’s hands were filled with baked cookies and rolls.

 

As she gobbled them down, she thought hard.

 

‘Mom and sister are going to make me throw up…’

 

Her fears were soon confirmed. Khan’s face sunk slightly as she explained sternly.

 “On the way back, we were attacked by a group of supposed panthers, and Rihentheon was badly injured.” 

My mother’s expression was surprisingly unmoved by the news.

 

‘What?’

 “What? Mother, what does that mean…” 

Ririela’s soft voice came from beside her.

 

Khan put her hand on her daughter’s shoulder and reassured her. She had already heard the report that they were safe.

 “You don’t need to worry, my dear. Thanks to the heir of the Deer Clan we took captive, he’s alive and well.” “Alas, I thought… I thought something had gone badly wrong with Rion.” 

Ririela blurted out the words as if she’d known them for a decade, but her eyes were sharpened to a murderous glare.

 “Are you sure it was a panther?” “They’re checking.” 

Ready to step into the panther’s territory at a moment’s notice.

 

Ririela made a scary, annoyed-looking version of the Joker.

 “Bastards, those little buggers.” 

Sophina nodded in unspoken agreement and sympathy.

 

‘Somehow, I think she’s worried about the young Master.’ 

 

Thank goodness, though. She patted her chest. Suddenly, she had a question.

 

But was there an episode where the original heroine saved him?

 

The Young Master was only the Male Lead’s brother, not the hero, which made me feel strangely uncomfortable.

 

Because as far as she knows, that didn’t happen.

 

It was just that the two protagonists had felt an intense attraction to each other and had arrived at the manor on a breathtaking tide.

 

It was strange, in retrospect.

 “Ricardo’s reaction was so dry.” 

So I felt fine.

 

‘Why was I happy?’

 

The corners of Sophina’s mouth turned down as she realized how she felt. She lost herself in her own world, ignoring the surrounding stares.

 

Normally, a proper girlfriend would congratulate a friend when he found a girl he liked.

 

‘But not me?’

 

This plot twist shows how a female friend crushes on a male friend.

 

If Ricardo was so important to me, shouldn’t I have been happy for him?

 

That way, Ricardo would be happy.

 

‘Am I too selfish?’

 

Selfish. That word only comes out when you’re thinking about yourself.

 

‘You mean, this is my heart…?’

 

Sophina’s cheeks flushed. Her chestnut-colored eyes, glistening like ripe fruit, disappeared and reappeared behind her lashes.

 

‘Oh, crazy.’

 

The foul language spilled out. She gulped down the freshly brewed black tea in front of her in a panic.

 “Sophina, are you okay?” 

The sensation of the hot liquid numbing the tip of her tongue made her wince and set the mug down.

 “Ouch, it burns…” 

She stuck her tongue out like a puppy in a field in the sun.

 “Cold water here.” 

Ririela, flustered, quickly brought the cold water to Sophina.

 “…Thank you, sister.” 

Sophina inhaled the cold water like it was the water of life, and brushed the hair off her cheeks. It was a spectacular, if brief, awakening.

 

She wiped the water from the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand.

 

Khan leaned toward her, concerned,

“Are you all right, sweetheart?” “Yes, I’m fine.” 

She smiled awkwardly and twisted her loose hair into a bun.

 

Wanting to hide in a rathole. 

 

Whether or not she realized how embarrassed she was, Ririela lightened her tone.

 “Anyway, so I suppose Rihentheon will be here soon.” “Aye. He said he’s on the border of the lion’s territory, so there shouldn’t be any danger.” 

Khan agreed, looking relieved. Then, with the calmness of a wise master, her eyes narrowed slightly, and she muttered to herself.

 “A deer heir with healing powers… I’d like to meet it.” 

That would be useful.

 

Unlike the slightly snobbish Khan, Ririela was innocently flattered.

 “Yes, Mother, I regret that we used to be enemies, but a benefactor is a benefactor.” 

Sophina’s ears perked up at the conversation.

 

‘Had the Heroine already begun to win the favor of those around her?’

 

 

The wheels of the abacus rolled in her head.

 

‘I wonder if Mother and Sister Ririela would be pleased to see the original heroine?’ 

 

With her unique ability to help the lions and her heroine buff, she was an easy favorite.

 

Well, I think Ririela was on the opposite end of the spectrum from the original. Either way, I’m sure the original Heroine would join us for tea someday.

 

‘So this is what it’s like to be a wicked woman who feels like something that belongs to her has been taken from her.’

 

Sophina unconsciously picked up the teacup and brought it to her mouth.

 

The tea was somehow hot. Sophina, who had been passing the tea time like a paper doll on a string, got up from her seat.

 

Looking as if she needed to get something to eat.

 “I’ll go first, Mother, and then Sister Riri.” 

With that, she folded her arms and dragged her heels across the floor as she fled the room.

 

At her abrupt departure, Khan and Ririela exchanged bewildered looks.

 “What’s wrong with the little girl?” “Maybe it’s because we fed her too much dessert? Next time, I’ll have her prepare some beef slices, Mother.” 

Ririela put on a serious face and began to reason like a dog.

 

Khan agreed with her crappy logic,

“Meat is a good idea, sweetheart.” 

They concluded their tea time by agreeing to bring a hearty meat snack next time.

 

Meanwhile, Sophina walked out into the garden, oblivious to their unity.

 

Enjoying the clear sky and cool air would make her feel much better. Settling down on a wide wooden swing beneath a large oak tree, she took a seat.

 Creak, creak, creak— 

The regular clanking of wooden planks against each other echoed through the air.

 

Sophina enjoyed the languid contemplation.

 

‘I want to live without thinking.’

 

As she leaned her head back against the backrest of the swinging chair, muttering to herself, she caught a glimpse of a familiar face in her distorted vision.