Bluebird Lady and The White Lion Family

Sophina couldn’t help but blush.

 

‘What the hell, that beast.’

 

Ricardo, who had been watching the ridiculous spectacle, was also wary, as if he were looking at a coward who had invaded his territory.

 

Even as he swayed to the music, he spoke softly to Sophina.

 “What are you doing, milady, that’s your kind of thing?” 

Now I have to take care of the heir to the deer I caught in the act.

 

‘My wife is too popular.’

 

It’s all his fault for marrying a good woman.

 

Ricardo despaired. His feelings were quickly drowned out by Sophina’s denial.

 “No, she’s exactly the type of woman I don’t like.” “Then don’t even look at her.” 

Ricardo drove the point home. But Sophina narrowed her eyes.

 “Maybe she meant to you, not me?” 

Common sense dictated that the original heroine would never wink at him.

 

Well, maybe to a man.

 

‘But weren’t the female characters usually a bit timid? I think that was the case in the original.’

 

Despite her doubts, Sophina glanced up at Ricardo.

 

Just to see if he was blushing.

 

But…

 “My question was stupid. Sorry.” 

He looked more like he’d just chewed a piece of turd than pleased.

 

She quickly apologized. Then I scratched inwardly.

 

‘Why did she just do that to me?’

 

Was she low on magnesium?

 

Was that why she looked like she was winking?

 

She rationalized with herself.

 “I guess I’ll have to meet her…” 

Sophina batted her eyelashes and muttered in a distressed voice.

 

Ricardo reacted quickly,

“Who?” 

To say or not to say. Well, I’ve asked Ricardo a few times about the original heroine, so it’s probably safe to assume the answer.

 

After a moment’s hesitation, Sophina pointed toward the original heroine.

 “Look, a deer heir is staring at us.” 

And then, alas, it happened again.

 

Oh, no. Another wink.

 

Sophina turned her head quickly to the other side of the window and focused on the waltz. She linked hands with Ricardo and pirouetted in place.

 

With a slightly slackened hand, he put his arm around Sophina’s shoulders again, urging.

 “Even on the battlefield, she has a slick tongue and a cunning mind, so don’t fall for it, my lady.” 

Hadn’t Sophina once pointed to the deer heir and said she was exactly what they needed?

 

Ricardo was the one who couldn’t stop her, and only rode along for the ride.

 

But her focus was elsewhere.

 “Have you spoken to her?” “Not me, Rihentheon. I don’t talk to strangers, my lady.” 

Ricardo shook his head firmly. He had a very straightforward way of thinking.

 

The corner of her eye twitched with pride at Ricardo’s unexpected ironclads.

 

Ricardo’s lips curled up in a pretty little smile, and he spoke in a low, bass voice.

 “And what were you planning to do with that deer, my lady?” “Just…” 

I was going to ask her if she liked my husband.

 

If she said yes, I was going to tell her about the athlete’s foot and try to get her to find another man.

 

There are a lot of things I don’t understand.

 

Sophina puffed out her cheeks and thought about it.

 

‘The pocket watch, and the strange visions and memories.’

 

It was definitely the voice of the original heroine. 

 

It was also similar to that of the informant.

 

‘There’s a connection between the original heroine and the informant.’

 

So we’ll have to check that out.

 “There is.” 

Sophina tried to look as nonchalant as possible.

 

Unfortunately, Ricardo’s piercing eyes couldn’t be fooled.

 

‘It’s bothering.’

 

Ricardo was oblivious, leading the soprano to the beat of the dance that had not yet ended.

 

After the waltz ended, the sounds of the instruments that filled the ballroom died down and the murmurs of the guests could be heard.

 “The Lord has grown up to be quite a man.” “Perhaps it’s because I’ve seen the little lady since she was a child, but she’s still cute.” 

The compliments were mostly about how well they looked together.

 

Khan, who was watching from the front row, chimed in,

“What a perfect pair.” 

Beside her, Rihentheon shook his head and added a serious comment.

 “I don’t think he’s worthy of sister-in-law, Mother.” “That’s what I think. My son is lucky to have her.” 

Though they had grown apart, they were a tight-knit family when it came to the subject of Sophina.

 

In such a family, Ririela’s ambition was 100 % pure. She was jealous of her brother’s monopoly on Sophina.

 “Maybe I should ask her to dance…” 

The only one who could drag his tongue at the sight was Canus, wearing a cute bow tie.

 “Ugh, those flabby arms. Well, they do look good on her.” 

He agreed with the lions, though he didn’t realize it.

 

Just then, Sophina returned to her family, arm in arm with Ricardo.

 

Ririela was the first to greet her,

“Sophina, the next dance is with me.” “…Wait.” 

At that moment, Sophina suddenly frowned.

 

Something was going through her head.

 — It looks like you have something to say to me. 

A low, bass voice with a hint of nuance.

 

It was the voice of the original heroine.

 

‘Is she sending me a message, like Mother and Canus did?’ 

 

The original heroine was the heir to the Deer House, so she must be quite powerful.

 

It was like a signal to meet.

 

I thought,

‘Great. I have a lot of questions.’

 

Sophina’s eyes grew dusky as the dawn sky.

 

Meanwhile, Ririela searched her face with concern.

 “Are you feeling sick, Sophina?” “…I have a sudden headache, I’m sorry, I’ll go in first.” 

Sophina replied slowly, her eyes naturally darting to the view outside the window where the original heroine stood.

 

Khan noticed her unhappy complexion and reprimanded Ricardo.

 “Ricardo, please escort her.” 

Ricardo was already helping Sophina with the cloak. But she gently refused, accepting only Ricardo’s coat.

 

It would be a little hard to talk to the original heroine with Ricardo.

 “No, I’ll go alone.” 

And with that, Sophina ran out of the ballroom as fast as Cinderella after dropping her slipper.

 

At the same time, the air in the ballroom turned chilly.

 

Canus looked at the frozen Ricardo and raised his glass without fear.

 “It’s tea. Tea!” 

The other family members chimed in.

 “Brother, did you do something wrong to her?” “She seemed fine until you started dancing… Ricardo, you didn’t do something wrong, did you?” “No, son, it’s still night, it’s dark, so why don’t you follow them?” 

In the end, Ricardo was disowned by his family.

 

The Chadwicks, having lost their eldest son, were eager to talk.

 

It was Rihentheon who spoke first. He spoke out of the blue, his face all serious and no longer playful.

 “I really think brother must have done something wrong, sister.” “What do you mean, Rion?” “I spoke briefly with the knights when they came today, and they said they saw you asleep on the couch in your bedroom.” 

As soon as Rihentheon arrived at the manor, he relayed the news he had heard to his sister.

 

Although Ririela was the one who heard the story, it was Khan who was most shocked. She had consulted on everything from the bedroom wardrobe to the bedding.

 

A man and woman who were supposed to be passionate about each other slept in the same room, and nothing happened.

 

These words…

 “My son is a coward…!” 

Khan lamented, looking lost and despondent.

 “My brother, I didn’t see it that way, but he’s in a lot of trouble.” 

Canus circled his mouth and chimed in.

 

The mournful, majestic sound of a cello echoed through the ballroom, and the mood was somber.

  

Meanwhile, Sophina strode toward the pond.

 

She wore a black flowing chiffon robe, and the figure of the original heroine’s back was visible.

 

Swallowing hard, she spoke to the original heroine.

 “You just called for me, didn’t you, Ilya Liam.” “I don’t mind if you call me Ilya, but I thought I asked you to call me by my first name.” 

Ilya turned around slowly and sidestepped the question with a deep, resonant voice.

 

Sophia didn’t seem to mind, pulling two identical pocket watches from her arms.

 “I know this is a bit obvious since we haven’t talked, but do you know what these pocket watches are?” 

Ilya’s jaw dropped to her hand at the question.

 

Like Sophina asking her to guess.

 

‘You’re the one who signaled that we should talk first.’

 

Sophina pressed further, her face slightly stern.

 “So, do you know a deer woman from a place called the Solace Clockworks, with green eyes like yours?” 

It was obviously some sort of connection.

 

Ilya smiled strangely, the corners of her lips curving upward, but not quite.

 

A knowing look.

 

Sophina took a step away, wary.

 “Who are you?” “I am not your enemy, Sophina.  

In response, Ilya spoke the single word in a tone unlike anything she had ever known. Her green eyes never wavered.

 

Except for the gust of wind that fluttered in Sophina’s chestnut-colored eyes.

 “How do you know my name, did the Young Master tell you?” 

Surely only the original heroine had introduced herself earlier.

 “Well.” 

Ilya closed the distance between her and Sophina in a flash.

 “I’m giving you a hint.” 

Ilya was half a foot taller than her, forcing Sophina to look up at her.

 

‘Why are you looking at me like that?’

 

Suddenly, the informant’s words flashed through her mind.

 — One thing’s for sure, I’m not your enemy. — I’m always dropping hints, my dear customer. 

Something similar to what Ilya had just said.

 

‘You can’t be…’

 

No, it can’t be.

 

Sophina reflexively denied it and wrapped her arms around her head.

 

Just then, Ricardo, who had been looking for her, appeared. He stepped between Ilya and Sophina and warned her with his hardened, fierce blue eyes.

 “Now, what are you doing to my wife?” “Ricardo.” 

Sophina put a hand against his back, stopping him.

 

Without hesitation, Ilya stepped past Ricardo and toward Sophina. She gently touched her cheek.

 

A white light, almost sacred, shone through their skin.

 “Excuse me for a moment. My powers require physical contact.” 

Ilya’s mysterious smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, and she spontaneously kissed Sophina’s hand.

 “I thought you might have a headache. Have a nice dream.” “Did you say the heir to the House of Deer?” 

It was no wonder Ricardo’s eyes rolled at the behavior.

 

Ricardo thanked her graciously, in the manner of a grown-up, and then drew a line in his voice, a low growl underlying it.

 “Thank you for your help, but I’ll take care of my wife now.” 

He bent down to his knees.

 “Get up, Sophina.” “Huh? Oh.” 

Somehow, Sophina found herself being carried by Ricardo.

 

It was a late spring night with nothing but the chirping of grasshoppers.

 

She didn’t speak, just hugged Ricardo’s neck and buried her face in his.

 

He smelled good, as he always did.

 

‘Is Ricardo angry? Why?’

 

While Sophina pondered, they arrived in the room not long afterward.

 

Ricardo nailed it down with determination, as if he’d had enough.

 “I’ll sleep with you. Tonight.”