Bluebird Lady and The White Lion Family Chapter 39

🐾

 

“Ohoho, it seems there’s an abundance in House Chadwick. My apologies, my lord!”

 

The lions applauded, delighted to finally feel like assistants gushing over the bragging of an Academy professor’s child.

 

‘It’s a good thing Ririela seems to like the girl, too.’

 

Khan’s gaze flicked over to the little girl, who was still in the middle of a conversation.

 

Soon after, those eyes traveled to her daughter, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.

 

Khan looked away, not daring to approach.

 

At that moment.

 

Ririela was talking shyly to Sophina, just as Khan had seen them.

 

“Flowers, can I get some?”

 

The topic of conversation was the Roneache flower.

 

“Yes! Any amount.”

 

Sophina nodded and added a flattering remark.

 

“I’ll give you a special family discount.”

 

Despite her attempts to cheer her up, Ririela’s response was a blank stare.

 

‘Did the word family bother her?’

 

As Sophina wondered if she’d made a mistake, Ririela pursed her lips.

 

“You know.”

 

The words came out of her lips like a surprise.

 

“Can I call you by your name, too?” (Ririela)

 

“Of course!”

 

Sophina smiled, eyes bright and round.

 

But…

 

‘Oh no. Wait, what did I say?’

 

Sophina was conflicted for a moment.

 

Suddenly, Ririela smiled grimly and threw away half of the cup she was holding with just one finger.

 

Ririela spoke hesitantly, not bothering to clean up her bleeding hand again.

 

“In a week, on my birthday. Please remember.”

 

Ririela’s face, which had seemed so excited just a moment ago, slumped dramatically into a look of disappointment.

 

For her, birthdays actually meant something a little different.

 

Still, for once, she wanted to celebrate with the newest addition to the family, Sophina.

 

‘Maybe it’s okay for all of us now.’

 

While Ririela was thinking about it, Sophina had a serious problem of her own.

 

‘I heard that someone’s birthday was after the banquet, but it was Ricardo’s sister…’

 

Does that mean she’d kill me if I didn’t bring her a gift worthy of a limb?

 

‘I’d better be prepared.’

 

Sophina swallowed dryly and replied with the determination of a soldier about to go into battle.

 

“Yes! And you’re inviting me to the birthday party, right?”

 

“Yes, Sophina.” Ririela nodded, looking very proud.

 

That was the end of the banquet.

 

🐾

 

The next day was a busy one for Sophina.

 

The lions have been bombarded with offers to buy the cure of the Roneache flower.

 

Since she was the only one with a thalithe that could reach the Clyde Tree, they were even more curious.

 

‘Now that I think about it, that’s a strange thing.’

 

Canus had told me that I had a Thalithe of a similar caliber to the tree.

 

At the time, I’d just thought it was a mysterious way to purify flowers, but it might be worth investigating.

 

I had to ‘catch up on my backlog‘ and buy more Roneache flowers to purify as I was swamped with bookings.

 

‘It’s hard work, but the money in my pocket will grow!’

 

Of course, she had to share some of her profits with the people who agreed to work for her.

 

The rest of the work, except for the purification, was done by servants.

 

—Sister, I’m the one who told you to pour the thalithe, but have you got anything?

 

I’ve also had to deal with a sneaky Canus who insists on getting his share.

 

Anyway, I was proud of myself for being able to stand on my own two feet.

 

‘I feel like the neighborhood store owner now, but it would be nice to do something bigger.’

 

It’s a good business idea.

 

However, it was difficult given the lack of manpower.

 

Servants had their own jobs, and there were many issues with hiring new ones.

 

‘I have to ask permission from mother, arrange a difficult interview, and if they’re hired, we have to train them.’

 

It was too complicated.

 

For now, I had to settle for this.

 

‘It’s still very early in the process, so I’ll figure it out.’

 

But there was something more urgent and important at hand.

 

It was Ririela’s birthday in just a few days, so preparations for her birthday were rushed.

 

She rarely spent her birthday at home.

 

‘After the banquet, I think Mother had a private conversation with Ririela.’

 

They looked very awkward together.

 

My mother’s eyes were strangely moist, and it was decided that Ririela’s birthday would be a small family gathering anyway.

 

The problem was that I had to choose the birthday present myself.

 

“Ricardo, what does your sister like?”

 

Sophina asked Ricardo for help.

 

They didn’t seem particularly close, but since they were family, he should know better.

 

Ricardo answered casually.

 

“I’m sure she’d be pleased if you wore a red ribbon around your head like a gift knot.”

 

“…Are you serious?”

 

Sophina shuddered, remembering Ririela’s wicked grin.

 

That fierce appearance was actually a joy to behold.

 

Ricardo’s words from the banquet suddenly flashed through her mind.

 

‘You must be joking, right?’

 

Sophina’s lips curled in a slightly nervous smile.

 

Seeing this, Ricardo suggested, “If you’re so worried, why don’t you come with me? I can help you.”

 

“Where?” Sophina

 

“Outside.”

 

Sophina rolled her eyes at that.

 

‘Is this some kind of friend light?’

 

There had been plenty of times when she’d asked him to join her, but rarely had Ricardo made the first move.

 

So this had to be a good sign.

 

Sophina nodded enthusiastically, “I would love that!”

 

Then, out of nowhere, Canus appeared, wagging his tail in the air.

 

—I’m coming with you!

 

The snake’s black eyes sparkled. He seemed excited about the idea of leaving.

 

Oh, I don’t want to take him with me.

 

He showed signs of frustration, wriggling like a frog. 

 

“Hmm.”

 

—Did you forget your promise?

 

Then Canus reminisced about the old days.

 

When Canus showed me how to infuse the Clyde tree with thalithe, I made several verbal promises in return.

 

Among them was an outdoor tour.

 

Sophina was the first to wince, “Promises? I don’t remember that.”

 

—Sister, are you kidding me?

 

Canus cast Tallulah.

 

“Well, you were born to bluebird parents, so of course you’re a bird brain…”

 

He poked at a sore spot.

 

Sophina raised a quizzical glance at Canus, raising an eyebrow.

 

With a glare that threatened to turn him into a snake skewer instead of a snake wine, Canus stammered timidly.

 

—No, no, I just want some fresh air…

 

I’ll let you off the hook this time.

 

In the end, Canus’s attendance was confirmed.

 

🐾

 

Inside the carriage, the scenery quickly passes by.

 

Canus was playing with Sophina with its tail.

 

“I think we can ditch that little snake.”

 

Ricardo looked at Canus and thought coldly.

 

Something seemed off.

 

—Ah, come on. My sister allowed it, didn’t she?

 

Canus feigned innocence as he bounced his little tail on Sophina’s lap.

 

—Ow, why did you do that?

 

The damned cuteness was a bonus.

 

Ricardo’s blue eyes grew cold, all too naturally.

 

With all that bickering, they reached the city square quickly.

 

Escorted out the door by Ricardo, Sophina looked around.

 

There were bakeries with sweet treats, boutiques with clothes made of fine fabrics, and doll shops where artisans poured their hearts into every stitch.

 

There were so many choices.

 

—I want that strawberry ring cake, for reference.

 

The little snake that had settled into her white bag hummed.

 

Sophina dismissed Canus’s remarks, as she always did, with a huff and a clench of her jaw.

 

“She doesn’t seem like the type who would prefer a… doll.”

 

“I think she might like it?”

 

Ricardo said, surprised to hear himself affirm.

 

“Such as those?”

 

Sophina naturally pointed to a horror-themed doll.

 

A Dracula with a grotesque smear of blood on his face.

 

“No, no. Not that one.”

 

He gestured to the other cute dolls on display next to it.

 

Among them was an adorable bluebird doll with a pale pink apron.

 

‘Oh, this feels a little weird.’

 

Sophina’s eyes widened at the unexpected sight of her kindred.

 

Interpreting the expression as a sign of interest, Ricardo held out his hand to her like a polite young gentleman.

 

“I’m sure she’ll like it.”

 

“Really?”

 

She took his hand with some familiarity. The warmth of his slightly callused skin was soothing.

 

Sophina dragged Riccardo along, and tap, tap, tap, they were off to the doll shop.

 

—Ah… The bells are ringing~

 

The only one dying between them was Canus, who was suffering from motion sickness.

 

Anyway, they arrived at the doll shop and wandered around.

 

There were many interesting things in the store.

 

‘Would a lion, a majestic and fearsome beast of prey, be happy to receive something like this?’ I wondered.

 

Sophina’s face lit up as she began to choose.

 

Further into the shop, there were dolls with all sorts of abilities.

 

It seemed like an unusual place.

 

‘I wonder if the abilities can be applied to other objects?’

 

Then I remembered something.

 

When I was in the Eagle Clan, my eldest sister once bragged that she had bought a ring with the power of a beast, the neighboring crocodile.

 

The power of truth, or something. I got caught and scolded for lying to my sister.

 

It was a very painful memory.

 

‘I was so upset, and I asked my sister about it.’

 

How on earth could you use other people’s abilities?

 

Since I no longer remember it, it was clear that my sister had not told me.

 

‘Does it require a special skill?’

 

It would be handy if I could imbue other objects with telekinesis, which was my unique ability.

 

‘Especially when you’re growing large quantities of Roneache flowers.’