Bluebird Lady and The White Lion Family

Immaculate white hair and blue eyes.

 “…Ricardo?” “What were you doing with that look on your face, my lady?  

Ricardo casually took a seat next to Sophina. He brushed the dirt from her cheeks and asked her in an innocent tone.

 

Sophina shrugged and scratched at her cheek, then looked away.

 “What do I look like?” “You don’t look happy.” 

It was obvious.

 

Sophina blinked at him, her eyes narrowing.

 

Ricardo smirked at her prying eyes and held out his right hand, which was hidden behind his back.

 

In his hand was a white cup.

 

‘When had he ever owned one of these?’

 

Sophina focused on the cup with curious eyes.

 “…What is this?” “Actually, I saw it earlier. Seeing my wife doing this on the swing.” 

Sophina’s eyes narrowed. She could almost see what was in that warm mug.

 

As she had guessed, Ricardo answered sensibly.

 “You know your favorite. Cocoa with lots of marshmallows.” “Yep. I like it.” “Mmm.” 

‘I do love it.’

 

Sophina affirmed twice.

 

Accepting the cocoa from Ricardo, she blew a long breath. Her mouth was still tingling from the black tea she’d unwittingly drunk earlier.

 

Cautiously, Sophina dipped her upper lip into the drink. The cocoa tasted sweet and bitter.

 

Just like her current state of mind.

 

‘Why do you always act like you know my mind? It makes me want to lean on you.’

 

Feeling a little grumpy for some reason, Sophina downed the rest of the cocoa in one shot.

 

Then she turned to Ricardo and said, stammeringly,

“Thank you. I feel a little better now, Ricardo.” 

Ricardo took the mug back and stroked Sophina’s hair. She blinked at his touch, then hurriedly changed the subject.

 “Ah, have you heard from the Young Master?” “Uh, he said he was hurt pretty bad.” 

Sophina glanced at him.

 “Is he okay?” 

He shrugged.

 “What’s the big deal, he’s not dead.” 

No need to sugarcoat it.

 

Sophina spilled her drink, not bitterly.

  You’re honestly glad, aren’t you?” “Yes. I never thought the deer race would be useful in a time like this.” 

Ricardo nodded slowly in affirmation. He didn’t like the sudden mention of deer.

 

However, Ricardo was persistent, like a man trying to figure something out.

 “My wife was curious, too.” “Well, yes, indeed.” “Is that deer heir essential to the business your lady wants to do?” 

Actually, Ricardo had his own reasons for asking.

 

Sophina had been acting a little strange lately. He wondered if her interest in the deer heir might have something to do with it.

 

It was an alarming thought.

 

Not knowing Ricardo’s true feelings, she stammered.

 “It’s not like that, it’s just…” 

Ricardo’s seemingly unimpressed tone made Sophina inwardly rejoice.

 

The instinctive retort that shot out like a shotgun blast was a bonus.

 “Then continue to live in ignorance, and don’t pay attention.” 

‘Why did I say this…’

 

Amid Sophina’s self-doubt, Ricardo blurted out nonchalantly.

 “You’re the only one I care about anyway, Sophina.” 

‘Oh, crazy!’

 

Sophina jumped to her feet.

 “…You can’t go around saying things like that!” 

Ricardo muttered slowly as he watched Sophina’s furious back.

 “I only ever say that to you.”  

Inside the office, Sophona sprinted out of the room.

 

She thought back to the situation earlier.

 

‘You’re the only one I care about, Sophina. You’re the only one I care about, Sophina.’

 

The words echoed in her head like a jingle.

 “I’m crazy.” 

The truth leaked out. She imagined it further.

 

Ricardo’s shy, handsome face as he spoke those words to the original heroine.

 “I don’t like that.” 

We should see Ricardo pouring cocoa for other women and smiling sweetly at them.

 

Sophina shook her head repeatedly. Ricardo was the first friend she’d ever had, the one who knew her best, the one who meant the most to her.

 

It was only natural to want to be special to someone like that.

 “I don’t know if I like Ricardo.” 

Never having liked anyone before, I don’t know.

 

Sophina grunted, her stomach churning, but she couldn’t conclude.

 

A few days later.

 

Today was the day that Rihentheon and the original heroine would return to the manor.

  

Early morning.

 

After a quick breakfast with her family, Sophina walked into the dressing room attached to her private office and said.

 “I want to look completely trustworthy, Jane, and like a true monk.” 

It had been agreed that the victory banquet would be held after everyone had returned, including the Young Master himself.

 

Before the big day, she needed to freshen up a bit.

 

But she wasn’t supposed to look pretty… she was supposed to be dressed as a monk…

 “Mo, monk?” 

‘Where are you heading to sell medicine?’

 

Jane’s lips quacked like a dumbfounded duck at the outrageous order.

 “I, I’m sorry, little lady, I’ll try.” 

Realizing my mistake quickly, I apologized politely.

 “It’s okay, but would you mind drawing my eyebrows a little more sincere, a little more… well, what do you call it, whipped?” 

Sophina asked as seriously as a soldier preparing for battle.

 

‘Let’s tell the original heroine that if she covets a married man, three generations will suffer from athlete’s foot!’ 

 

If we scare her with our spiritual and trustworthy looks, it should work.

 

Besides, the world was large and there were many men, so I planned to tell her to find someone other than Ricardo.

 

Jane, unaware of Sophina’s intentions, chimed in.

 “Haha, anyway, the second master is coming, and it’s almost the end of spring, so you’ll be busy.” “I suppose so. I’ll have to take care of the banquet preparations this year.” 

Sophina agreed idly, feeling the tingle of the cool ice bath. To herself.

 “Canus must have done a good job with that nutrient concoction. I could use it at the banquet.” 

The summer banquets that Sophina had organized over the years had almost always turned into business demonstrations.

 

Jane’s response to the monologue was quick.

 “Do you want me to ask?” “No, thank you.” “And there’s a letter from the clock workshop.” 

In the midst of their casual conversation, Jane interrupted.

 “A letter?” 

Sophina opened Jane’s short note.

 — Hello, dear customer! This is the sloth from before. You know the shop has changed hands and the owner has changed to me and I hope you’ll continue to patronize it, my beloved customer! And my sources say I’ll be back soon.(⁠•⁠ө⁠•⁠)⁠♡ “Oh, not again…” 

Well, you little snitch.

 

It’s similar to the first time he sent her a message when he added a heart.

 

Suddenly, at the memory of having a cheesy text, Sophina smirked. Then she remembered something she’d forgotten.

 

That’s right. I lost the note asking you to look into that island.

 

I had it with me when I wrote it, but I couldn’t find it, and I was frustrated that I had dropped it on the way.

 

At first, I was worried that someone had taken it, but nothing happened, so I stopped caring.

 

I thought,

‘Maybe the people who clean my room threw it away.’

 

 

And I also had an excuse to tell the rest of the family if they found out and asked.

 

Something about living somewhere for a month, which was popular for a while, or something like that.

 

As Sophina pondered, Jane glanced over and pursed her lips.

 “…Did the owner of the workshop turn into a sloth?” 

She’d accidentally read part of the letter.

 “I’ll forget about it, little lady.” “Huh? Never mind.” 

Sophina waved her hand dismissively.

 

But the problem was that the words Jane saw were sloth and beloved.

 

Jane recalled a secret story she’d heard from a knight she knew.

 

‘They share a room, but the Lord sleeps on the couch.’

 

She wondered if things were not as good as they seemed.

 

As the little lady’s servant, Jane was beginning to wonder about that.

 

Jane’s eyes flickered uneasily to Sophina.

 “Are you going to keep in touch with him now that things have changed?” 

At that moment, Sophina read the postscript at the end of the letter.

 — P.S. For your information, I’m supposed to tell you to be patient if you miss me? 

Ugh!

 

‘Hopefully I’ll never come back.’

 

Sophina spoke softly, her cheeks flushed with this wish.

 “Well, I’ll take a sloth any day over that jerk, and he’s handsome!”