Bluebird Lady and The White Lion Family

At first glance, the polite young master appeared to be genuine.

 “Brother, I apologize for not being able to attend the wedding.” 

His eyes, as soft as a mountain village boy’s, were downcast as if he were truly sorry.

 “Oh, come on, there’s no need for that.” 

Sophina flung her hands up in frustration.

 “Sister Ririela didn’t make it anyway. Both of you had work, so it can’t be helped.” 

Her gaze flickered to Rihentheon.

 

‘If Ricardo was handsome in his youth, you look like someone who has just traveled to the city.’

 

This feeling was compounded by the fact that he was almost as tall as Ricardo.

 

He looked like an academy athlete in training.

 

‘Well, he looks like someone you’d want to feed.’

 

Sophina hadn’t realized it was someone around his age.

 

Unconsciously, she glanced at Rihentheon intently and glanced down.

 

She wondered if it was rude.

 

But Rihentheon was smiling, grinning from ear to ear.

 

He sneaked a glance at her, then pulled something from behind his back.

 “Instead, I have a gift for you!” “Wow, when did you get all this…” 

It was a pure white flower that, at first glance, looked like a round cloud.

 

Sophina was speechless and overwhelmed by the unexpected gift.

 

Lions don’t usually give flowers, but to think he had the sense to do so.

 

‘Oh, yes, he’s human!’

 

Rihentheon scratched the back of his head in disbelief. He muttered a snobbish comment with an uncharacteristically grim face.

 “It’s a bribe.” 

The corners of Rihentheon’s mouth curved mischievously as he spoke.

 

Oh, what a surprise.

 

How astonishing to hear such an innocent-looking man say such an immoral word.

 

Sophina grinned at him, shuddering at his bashfulness.

 “I could take a bribe like that every day of my life.” “Will do my best, my lady!” 

Rihentheon snapped back.

 

They laughed again, and the conversation flowed easily.

 

Ricardo stood behind them, staring at them disapprovingly.

 

It was an open secret.

 

After a round of greetings with Sophina.

 

Rihentheon handed the flowers to the others.

 

The first recipient was Ririela.

 “These are for you. I heard you spent your birthday at the manor, but I’ve been busy, so I didn’t hear about it. I apologize for not celebrating with you, sister.” “It’s okay, Rion.” 

Receiving the bountiful bouquet, Ririela hugged her younger sibling.

 

A crooked grin tugged at the corners of her mouth.

 

‘I see you two are good siblings after all.’

 

The smile convinced Sophina.

 

She knew now that it meant she was happy.

 

Her eyes followed Rihentheon’s gesture and turned to Ricardo.

 

Instead of flowers, Rihentheon offered a handshake to his brother, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time.

 

It was a dry gesture, like a predator wary of another predator.

 “Well, you look good, but you’re still bad at it.” “Only to you, little brother.” 

Their hands touched. Rihentheon glanced at Ricardo and pouted his lips.

 “How did you not lose a word?” “I didn’t try to win, you just lost.” 

Ricardo returned the blow with a nonchalant tone.

 

Their gazes sparked, and their fierce gazes clashed in the air.

 

‘The young master is a year younger than Ricardo,’

they say.

 

That’s why you look so competitive.

 

Normally, the younger the age gap between brothers, the less they quarrel.

 

In any case, after greeting his brother, Rihentheon staggered over to Khan.

 

He offered her a single, brilliant red flower.

 “It’s been a long time, Mother.” 

Rihentheon bowed to the Khan in a more formal, stern manner.

 

Sophina’s eyes widened at the sight.

 

‘I thought he was a lion, but he’s a puppy, and he looks like the youngest of the family.’ 

 

Rihentheon clung to Khan’s arm, oblivious to the surrounding stares.

 

“I’ve missed you, Mother.”

 

Khan nudged the corner of his lips as he tried to pry his way up.

 “You’ve been so bold as to stay outside the lion’s territory and never even light a fire.” “I’m sorry, I just…” 

Rihentheon gaped as though about to say something, then glanced at Khan.

 

Khan smiled her motherly smile.

 

“You look a little haggard, we’ll have to feed you something.”

 

And with that, we all moved to the dining room.

 

The luncheon with the young master was very peaceful.

 

Partly because he was so polite, and also because there was one more person in the house who seemed to have an insane attachment.

 — Brother, have you really been to the fox territory? There’s also our snake territory next to it, have you seen it? 

Canus was already following Rihentheon, saying,

— Brother, brother, brother. 

However, it was more like he wanted to hear about his hometown.

 

Sophina happily picked at the berries on her salad.

 

It seemed to make the table more harmonious.

 “Eat up, Leon. Sophina as well.” 

Ririela did her part to set the tone.

 

Sophina nodded as she chewed on the clump of grass Ririela handed her.

 

‘It sure does have that familiar scent of people when they’re all together.’ 

 

As the meal drew to a close, their mother, gracefully slicing her steak, spoke up.

 “Don’t get into trouble in the future, and stick to the manor.” 

Her words were directed at Rihentheon.

 

But the answer came from someone else.

 “What’s the point, it’s nice and quiet without him.” “The barracks feel like home without you, brother.” 

Ricardo and Rihentheon were engaged in a familiar spat.

 

Khan looked at them both alternately and furrowed her brows in annoyance,

 “You two, really….” 

Rihentheon’s voice turned slightly serious as he protested.

 “You know how I am, once I’m hooked, I don’t give up. I’m going to get it.” 

As he spoke, his eyes were filled with a strange emotion.

 

His eyes reflected Sophina’s.

 “If I lose interest, I’ll leave again.” 

Are they talking about me?

 

Sophina batted her eyelashes in bewilderment, and Rihentheon tilted his head in a gesture of disbelief.

 

A polite but unreadable expression.

 

Sophina took a moment to revise her assessment of the young master.

 

‘He may not be as crazy as Ririela says, but he does seem a bit peculiar.’

 

Anyway, after a pleasant meal.

 

Sophina bade everyone farewell and headed out into the garden.

 

She was followed by the gentle voice of Rihentheon.

 “My dearest sister, what are you doing?” 

“

Oh, I’m just going to the garden to check on some Roneache flowers.” 

Sophina replied in a dainty tone, keeping pace with him.

 

For some reason, Rihentheon seemed to have something he wanted to discuss with her.

 

Rihentheon’s eyes narrowed for a moment, then he seemed to recognize.

 “Oh, right! I saw that article.” “What article?” “The one from the exhibition, with you in my brother’s arms.” 

Oh, dear.

 

Sophina reflexively froze in place. She had read several of the articles after the event. She was quite surprised when she first saw it.

 

Seeing Sophina’s agitated complexion, Rihentheon reached out a hand in concern.

 “Are you all right, sister?” 

‘Oh, I’m going to sue that reporter!’ 

 

Muttering softly, Sophina wiped her hands over her face, trying to keep a straight face.

 “It’s a pretty big blow, please forget about it.” “It’s not a picture that’s easily forgotten, but since you say so, I’ll try.” 

Rihentheon replied, shuddering at the memory.

 

Then he cautiously launched into a barrage of questions.

 

Almost as though shocked by the news, he heard about his brother’s romance.

 “Did you get married because you were blackmailed by my brother?” he asked. “Huh?” “Did he treat you well, like you’re just a liver, and he’s going to scoop all up?” “What?” “I heard about your birthday party, with my sister.” 

Rihentheon struck the final blow,

“Do you like my brother?” 

This was too sharp. Sophina rolled her eyes.

 

She mouthed a vague answer that sounded like it was coming out of nowhere.

 “Uh, yeah. Sure, I guess I do, we’re good friends.” 

Yeah, good… Like…. As a friend. 

 

‘What’s so difficult about it?’

 

Meanwhile, Rihentheon, who hadn’t heard the end of Sophina’s sentence, was about to ask more.

 “How does that make it good… friend?” 

He asked as if to double-check,

“So, are you friends with him?” “I’ve never played with him, but I’m sure we’re close.” 

Why does he look dumbfounded, like a button has been pushed?

 

Sophina shook her head in affirmation.

 

But Rihentheon was puzzled again.

 “Did you ask him to be your friend?” “Yeah, kind of.” 

‘Well, I asked him to be my friend and got rejected twice, but Ricardo finally approached me.’

 

So technically, I’m telling the truth.

 

Sophina glanced up at Rihentheon, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

 “But is there a problem…?” 

He blinked, looking shocked.

 “That’s my brother, and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t like it.” “What?” “You’re certainly an interesting one, sister.” 

Rihentheon tilted his head in amusement, drawing his conclusions. His blue eyes sparkled with a twinkle.

 

At that moment, Ricardo stepped between them, his gaze cold.

 “Stay away from my wife, little brother.” 

Naturally, Sophina shrank behind Ricardo’s back.

 “I don’t want to, but I think I should hear your opinion on this.” 

Rihentheon glared at the cold-faced Ricardo’s and returned the taunt.

 “Do you not like me, sister?”