Bluebird Lady and The White Lion Family Chapter 47

 

“Ah….”

 

“Oh…”

 

After apologizing repeatedly, she had to make reparations.

 

As they walked out of the dressing salon with a somber look on their faces, Sophina awkwardly tried to lighten the mood.

 

“You’re very strong, big sister.”

 

“…I’m sorry.”

 

Ririela replied, her voice a muffled crawl.

 

Sophina’s eyelashes fluttered at the meek apology.

 

‘Yeah, well, she’s not a bad lioness.’

 

As those thoughts floated through her mind, Ririela handed Sophina a handful of shopping bags in a gruff tone.

 

“These are gifts.”

 

“Thank you, but why did you give me these…”

 

Sophina trailed off, grateful.

 

The chick burrowed into her shopping bag.

 

Then Ririela mumbled something barely audible, “…Cute.”

 

“What?”

 

Sophina could only make out the first letter.

 

Was it a death threat to bite off her ear if she asked any more questions?

 

(귀 is the first syllable for cute in Korean, which 귀 also means Ear.)

 

She pondered the question seriously.

 

Meanwhile, Ririela sprinted forward, shuddering with embarrassment.

 

“Hey! Sis, let’s go!”

 

Sophina huffed and puffed and chased after Ririela, who was lost in her world.

 

Somehow, a game of tag had begun.

 

A few minutes later.

 

Sophina was in the carriage, pounding her head against the seat.

 

The escorts, carrying shopping bags after bags, scattered in search of the rambunctious Ririela.

 

In case she got lost and wandered off, I had ordered them to follow her.

 

‘Is this a fluke?’

 

I wondered how I was going to sneak up on the informant.

 

“I’m going to the watchmaker’s for a moment,” she said as if to inform the coachman of a relatively simple task.

 

Then she hopped off the carriage and sprinted toward the marketplace where the workshop was located.

 

As she hurried along, a familiar watchmaker’s shop came into view.

 

She gripped the dagger in her pocket tightly for self-defense.

 

‘Well, in the original, the informant wasn’t mentioned as being armed, but it’s still better to be cautious. At least I’ve told the coachman where I’m headed, so hopefully it’s safe.’

 

Even if the source was right, it would have been hard for him to take the risk of messing with the Chadwick family.

 

Sophina gripped the doorknob firmly.

 

Ding!

 

The bell hanging above the door tinkled audibly.

 

Inside, lit only by dim lights, the shop had a cozy atmosphere, unlike what seemed to be the case on the outside.

 

She carefully cleared her throat.

 

“Hello…?”

 

Sitting at the white marble counter, trimmed in dazzling gold, was someone who appeared to be the owner.

 

‘Wow, you smell like sunshine. She’s wearing perfume or something.’

 

A woman with gorgeous blond curls and deep green eyes that looked like they were in bloom, wearing a butterfly mask.

 

‘Was there a description in the novel that the informant wore a mask?’

 

I couldn’t remember, and then a low, cynical voice pierced my ears.

 

“We’re not for sale.”

 

“What?”

 

The woman’s head snapped up at Sophina’s question and stared at her.

 

“Well?”

 

Then the woman completely changed her demeanor and spoke in a theatrical, exaggerated tone.

 

“Thank you for visiting our Solezé watch workshop, customer.”

 

The end of her voice was slightly high-pitched.

 

Like a person who has met the one they’ve been waiting for.

 

“You’re finally here.”

 

What?

 

Sophina’s brow furrowed slightly, instinctively sensing something was amiss.

 

However, her mind led her on, intel aside. The woman’s black silk dress dragged on the floor.

 

“This way.”

 

Sophina followed the informant into a small room just beyond the counter.

 

The interior was old-fashioned. The lighting was better than it had been earlier.

 

Sophina sat down on the plush couch and struck out her luck.

 

“I think you remember me, I gave you a request a while back.”

 

“Yes. It was a special one.”

 

There was an odd resonance in the informant’s voice as she replied.

 

‘You have a strange way with words, beast.’

 

Sophina pushed the sentiment aside and got straight to the point.

 

“I’m here to find out about something.”

 

As she held up her fingers, she explained, “I want to find a city that is famous for its hot springs.”

 

“I’m sure there are dozens of them.”

 

“Uh.”

 

“Umm…”

 

Sophina trailed off for a moment.

 

‘I don’t know how much information I should reveal.’

 

What if they realize that it’s a treasure trove and steal it all first?

 

After hesitating, she added an explanation.

 

“The one with the clock tower in the middle of the city center.”

 

The unknown place was inside the pointed spire with the rolling clockwork gears.

 

It led to a cave in the back mountains near a hot spring, and then to a clock tower in the center of the city.

 

“Can you find it?”

 

“You’ll have to give me a few days to find it. Every city has a clock tower.”

 

“Oh, I know there’s a certain flower carved into the surface of the tower.”

 

A small crack appeared in the informant’s facade. Like a break in the composure of someone who has been patiently enduring something.

 

“Here.”

 

It was the Roneache flower.

 

They couldn’t grow them in large quantities yet, so even if they were the size of a local shop, they had quite a few reservations.

 

The informant crossed her legs comfortably and opened the envelope on the spot.

 

There was a satisfied chuckle and a muffled sigh, as if she was estimating the amount.

 

With that smile, Sophina sneaked off to make the deal.

 

It was bait to gauge the woman’s intentions.

 

But the answer was unexpected.

 

“That was my first purchase.”

 

“Oh, my gosh…”

 

Sophina sighed softly.

 

The informant smiled and said coyly, “Next time you come back, I’ll bump you up a tier, and the benefits are different.”

 

This place runs a good business.

 

“The pocket watch I gave you. I’m sure you’ve seen it before.”

 

Seen it before?

 

Sophina pulled the pocket watch from her arms and examined it as if mesmerized.

 

“Think about it, for it will answer your question.”

 

A low, mysterious voice rumbled in my head, like a labyrinth, like the first time I’d heard it.

 

‘What do you mean?’

 

I couldn’t understand, but the woman’s tone sounded so determined that I simply blinked.

 

With a graceful gesture, the informant placed her hand across her chest and waved goodbye.

 

“May this place remain unchanged and eternal in your memory.”

 

The words were similar to the inscription on the back of the pocket watch.

 

After speaking, the informant stood up and brushed the hem of her dress. Then she stared at Sophina.

 

Was it time to leave?

 

“We’re finished, customer.”

 

That was the answer.

 

“Look. You didn’t even tell me what you were talking about, and I didn’t understand! Are you kidding me?”

 

Sophina stiffened and glared at the woman, refusing to leave.

 

I paid my money and didn’t get a clear answer.

 

But it was no use. The informant who had gently roused Sophina nailed it firmly.

 

“See you later, Miss.”

 

Sophina was forced to walk out of the workshop.

 

Silence descended on the workshop again. Left alone, the informant removed her red butterfly mask.

 

Her lustrous blond hair turned wheat-colored like a field in autumn.

 

Along with it, the woman took on a younger appearance.

 

To the appearance of a young girl, barely old enough to be Sophina’s age.

 

The girl stared at the doorway through which Sophina had exited and muttered to herself.

 

“That’s what you looked like when you were younger.”

 

There was a hint of nostalgia in the girl’s eyes.

 

🐾

 

“Ugh, it’s gone!”

 

Sophina, meanwhile, stomped her feet in the humid air outside.

 

The thought of wasting money on a futile endeavor depressed her. The air was damp, and the sun was setting.

 

‘It doesn’t seem like much time has passed.’

 

Just then, a carriage from Chadwick House slid in front of her.

 

“Sophina!”

 

Ririela opened the carriage window and called her name. She apologized profusely.

 

“I must have lost my senses for a moment. Was I the reason you were wandering around alone?”

 

“My watch broke, so I went to get it fixed, no big deal.”

 

Sophina shrugged it off nonchalantly.

 

“But you should have an escort from now on. It’s dangerous.”

 

“Yes, sis.”

 

Without saying anything else, Ririela hugged Sophina tightly, perhaps feeling guilty.

 

The carriage carrying them headed toward Chadwick House.

 

In front of the parlor. Ririela waved at them, pleadingly.

 

“Please dress comfortably.”

 

“Yes, I’ll wear something different every day.”

 

Sophina agreed, smiling sheepishly.

 

The clothes Ririela had bought her were enough for her to wear a different outfit every day for a season.

 

One day, a mauve chiffon dress. Another day, comfortable wide-legged pants, a new outfit every day.

 

When the breeze turned cold, it was time for Sophina to pull out her riding suit.

 

It was fall, the season of traveling. 

 

She thought it was a little late, but then a letter arrived from the informant.