Bluebird Lady and The White Lion Family

It was just a hunch.

 

A bluebird’s intuition.

 

Since the original heroine was around Sophina’s age, there’s no way she could have been an adult.

 

‘Come to think of it, they have the same eye color. Blue-green.’ 

 

She seems to have the same impression as the lady I remember seeing in the clock tower, and besides, I need to play a stronger card before I pursue her…

 

He seems to be a trickster, and I’m afraid I’d be ripped off if I met him.

 

At that moment, Thenedore’s voice rattled off another observation.

 [The subject has been playing poker with his neighbor all day today. Between them, the amount lost is 30 of the finest luxury cakes. The subject is not good at betting, but appears to be enjoying the game.] 

Bet?

 

Why don’t I try this?

 

If I asked to play a game with something powerful enough to tempt someone whose source of information might be a child, wouldn’t they play?

 

‘If someone wins, they get a wish.’ 

 

In exchange for that wish, I thought, I could get a commitment.

 

That in the future, she would not do anything suspicious or harmful.

 

Then we could have a heart-to-heart and talk about it.

 

If she doesn’t seem like a bad guy, it’s not a bad idea to try to get her on my side.

 

Judging by the fact that she’s willing to give away advanced information, there’s a lot to be gained by getting to know her.

 

Moreover, there’s a villain in the future of the novel.

 

She was likely to be dangerous, and I needed her help with information.

 

‘Okay, I’m going to start practicing my poker skills!’

 

Just as the plan was being formulated, there was a soft knock on the door of Sophina’s office.

 “May I come in, little lady?” “Uh, come in.” 

Sophina answered cheerfully, opening the door herself.

 

Jane’s face looked strangely withdrawn after all the business she’d been doing.

 

‘Have I been too hard on her?’ 

 

Sophina glanced at her, and then slowly spoke.

 “There was something else I wanted to talk to you about…” 

It was about the Informant, of course.

 “That watch you had hidden in the workshop, the Thenedore, I was wondering if you could bring it back to me.” 

I don’t need it now that it has served its purpose.

 

‘I don’t want to know the boring fact that the informant sliced a steak for lunch.’ 

 

I’ve already gotten what’s useful, and the abilities infused into Thenedore diminish with use.

 

It would be a nuisance if they found out I’d been hiding Thenedore in the workshop for nothing, and thankfully Jane nodded, her face brightening.

 “Yes! I got it.” 

Encouraged by the response, Sophina asked for one more favor.

 “And could you deliver the letter to the workshop owner, please…” 

She hurriedly sat down at her desk and dipped the nib of her quill in black ink.

 

She quickly scribbled a letter to her informant.

 

‘I need to arrange a meeting, when would be a good time….’

 

Jane was puzzled by Sophina’s sudden behavior, but she turned around sensibly.

 

In truth, she wasn’t trying to hide anything from Jane.

 

‘She’s under contract to Thanato, so she can’t tell anyone.’

 

Still, I didn’t tell her everything.

 

Jane had done her job without asking, so I hadn’t had a chance to complain.

 “I certainly made the right choice in choosing her as my personal maid.” 

Sophina glanced over at Jane, who looked a tad tired.

 

‘I wish I could get you something.’

 

She pulled an entire box of the finest chocolates from a drawer that she’d bought to eat while she worked.

 

Without hesitation, she handed it to Jane.

 

Jane seemed to enjoy the sweet treat quite a bit.

 

Sure enough, Jane looked up at Sophina with delight.

 “Mmm, my lady!” “It’s not much, but please eat it, I think I’ve asked too much of you…. Sorry.” 

Sophina clasped her hands together, confessing her feelings to Jane honestly.

 “I’m fine, thanks, it’s all….” 

Jane’s voice trailed off as she held up a beautiful box of chocolates, as if suddenly remembering something.

 “Ah, my lady. Well, I have some news for you.” “What is it?” 

Jane’s words were unexpected,

“It seems that Lord Rihentheon will be here soon.” “And Rihentheon is…?” “He’s the youngest son of the Head of the House.” 

Mother’s youngest son… Wasn’t he Ricardo’s younger brother?

 

Out of the blue? I heard he went to settle a dispute with the fox men, did he settle it?

 

Sophina asked, confused,

“When is he coming back?” “In a week.” 

At that moment, a booming voice came from outside the door, a cheerful tone that sounded more excited than usual.

 “Sophina!” 

It was Ririela’s voice.

 

It wasn’t teatime yet, but I wondered if she was here because of the story Jane had just told me.

 “Come in, sister.” 

Sophina handed Jane the letter she’d just finished writing, trying to keep a straight face.

 

And then I mentioned to Ririela about the Rihentheon.

 “Oh. Sister Ririela, did you hear the news?” “About what?” “That… someone is coming here that’s a younger brother of yours.” 

Ririela smiled, the grim reaper-like smile she only wore when she was in the best of moods.

 “Ah, Rion?” 

She proposed brightly, tugging Sophina into a hug.

 “I heard, so… let’s get ready for our welcome party!” “What?” 

In response to the bewildered Sophina’s question, Ririela quickly added.

 “I got mom’s permiss

ion.”

 

That’s a lot of execution.

 

And just like that, Sophina was included in the preparations for the welcoming party.

 

Needless to say, meeting the informant was put on the back burner.

 

She didn’t know the rules of poker anyway, and she needed time to practice.

 

While preparing for the welcoming party, she could train to become a poker player in her spare time.

 

‘It just so happens that Ririela’s sister is rumored to be good at poker at the manor.’

 

Sophina rubbed her palms together in affirmation.

 

‘Let’s get ready for the welcoming party!’

 

With that, Sophina bustled through the crowd of servants moving in unison.

 

The mansion was just about to be decorated with a simple flower garden because the young lord loved flowers.

 

In the middle of a garden full of flowers.

 

Sophina sat at an outdoor table and spoke softly to Ririela, who was arranging flowers.

 “Sis, what kind of person is the young lord?” 

I’d like to get along with him.

 

After getting so close to everyone, I should try to win over the rest.

 

‘Dead endings are death sentences!’ 

 

Ririela paused for a moment to consider her words, then said simply.

 “Mmm, good kid.” 

A good kid.

 

Even if the people of this house didn’t look like it, they had good hearts.

 

For some reason, I had a good feeling about this.

 

But the corners of Sophina’s mouth twitched uncomfortably as she continued.

 “He’s nice, but sometimes he can be… crazy.” “What?” “Just a bit polite. He’s cute, so be nice to him, Sophina.” 

How could someone be polite and cute when they’re crazy?

 

‘That’s ominous.’ 

 

Anyway, it seemed that Sister Ririela and the young master got along quite well.

 

They seem like real-life siblings who are far away from Ricardo, which seems like the ideal type.

 

Yesterday, I asked Mother about it, and she seemed to agree.

 

At that moment, Ricardo’s sarcastic voice pierced my ears.

 “That’s not cute. You don’t have to be so nice, milady.

“

 

He glared at me like a child with a temper tantrum, disrupting the beautiful floral arrangements.

 

It didn’t look like he was at all pleased with the news of his long-awaited brother’s arrival.

 “Aye, but he’s still a young master, so be nice to him.” 

Sophina took it in stride and placed the flowers in the vase.

 

For some reason, Ricardo’s reaction seemed more dramatic than usual.

 

He kept interrupting her, trying to pretend he wasn’t there.

 

Like the cat that sits on top of the butler’s laptop every time he tries to open it.

 

‘A lion is not a cat, and a cat is not a beast.’ 

 

Ririela, who hadn’t noticed the kittenish behavior, turned to Sophina.

 “Maybe it’s because they’re years apart, but Ricardo and Rihentheon fight all the time.” 

Oh, that sounds fun. I’ve heard it’s the most exciting thing in the world to watch.

 

Sophina’s mouth curled into a smile.

 

Finally, the day came when Rihentheon arrived.

 “Greetings, brother!” 

Pure white hair, innocent gleaming eyes. 

 

The white lion, cub, a little chubbier and more innocent-looking than Ricardo, snapped the folder shut in a husky tone.

 

Well, the aura of the upstanding boy who won the Academy’s best behavior award and served as student council president.

 

I’m not going to lose!

 

Sophina smiled broadly and bowed at the same ninety-degree angle.

 “Hello, Young Master!” 

Sophina and Rihentheon spontaneously shook hands.

 

Then they began to chat cheerfully.

 “Are you hungry? What do you like to eat?” “Chocolate milk. I love it.” “Oh, really? I love cocoa. I think we’re a good match.” 

The conversation quickly devolved into a discussion about which region’s cacao powder was the best.

 

As the two hit it off, Ricardo savagely unclenched his hand from behind.

 

His bones crackled with friction.

 

Those stupid cacao trees.

 

Burn them all down.

 

‘Why am I getting so annoyed.’

 

Ricardo ruffled through his hair for no reason.