Bluebird Lady and The White Lion Family

 

Why are sparks suddenly flying at me?

 

Sophina shrugged, a look of exasperation on her face. She glanced over at Ricardo and smirked.

 “Haha, it would be nice if you both just stopped.” 

The response caused Rihentheon’s pupils to quiver as if in shock.

 “Do you hate me, sister-in-law?” 

It got worse. Sophina shook her head and muttered secretly to herself.

 “I didn’t see it that way, young master, but you’re going too far.” 

Unfortunately, the muttering wasn’t lost on the beastly Rihentheon, but he stammered out.

 “Uh… are you sorry?” “I don’t think there’s any need to apologize.” “Is that so?” 

Sophina shook her head, her brow furrowed.

 “Oh, how weak of me.” 

Before I knew it, they were arguing again.

 

Meanwhile, Ricardo curled a hand into a fist.

 “What do you think you’re doing?” “Are you jealous, brother?” 

Rihentheon reacted quickly.

 

The way he stood on his tippy-toes, studying every inch of Ricardo’s face, his demeanor automatically provoked hard.

 

‘Hit that thing, hit it…’

 

Ricardo hesitated, then blurted out a single, cold word.

 “Annoying.” 

Then he turned and leaned toward Sophina.

 

His voice, as still as ever, but with the softness of a spring breeze, beckoned to her.

 “Let’s go. Leave that bastard behind and come play with me.” “Huh? Uh…” 

Hesitantly, Sophina was swept away by Ricardo.

 

Left alone, Rihentheon stared blankly at the two of them as they receded into the distance, disappearing into a speck of dust.

 

A small smirk tugged at his lips.

 “What, are you really jealous?” 

Rihentheon strode out of the courtyard, his eyes wide.

 

Then he bellowed at Sophina.

 “Will you let me join you, sister?” 

The chase ended in a flower bed of Roneache flowers.

 

Sophina had originally ventured out into the garden to check out the Roneache flowers.

 

But there was nothing blooming in the flowerbed, which was supposed to be overflowing with white flowers.

 

‘I hadn’t sown the seeds yet, and from what I’ve heard, the Roneache flowers should be planted right now, by the end of March.’

 

Our original plan was to use Thenedore for simple processing and oversight, but…

 

‘I have a better idea.’

 

We have people to serve. I figured they’d both be out of it and wouldn’t be able to argue.

 

‘Well, we’ll be better off if we stick together while we eat!’

 

Whether she realized it or not, Ricardo tugged at her sleeve unnecessarily.

 

Like a cat secretly craving the butler’s attention.

 

Ricardo quickly changed his demeanor, slowly crossed his arms, and asked in an annoyed tone.

 “Why did you follow me?” 

He was speaking to Rihentheon.

 

Rihentheon answered meekly, with his trademark simple, innocent face, seemingly selfless.

 “I just thought it would be fun.” 

Rihentheon glanced at Sophina like a cat in boots.

 “Don’t stare. It rots your eyes.” 

Ricardo casually covered Sophina’s eyes with his palm.

 

In the instant darkness, Sophina patted the back of Ricardo’s hand and spoke.

 

“

Aren’t you going to play, or are you going to work?” 

She glanced back and forth between Rihentheon and Ricardo.

 

Ricardo raised his hand like a well-behaved student and questioned, “Where are you going to run off to?”

 

It was unnerving to see such a thing, like a fourth dimension that could go anywhere.

 “Yes? What’s the matter, sister?” “Come on, stop fighting and work together, us!” 

Sophina didn’t answer but sent servants to fetch leather gloves.

 

When everyone was ready to work.

 

She flashed a brittle, harmless smile and got down to business.

 “Flowers bloom when sown, and this is the time of year to plant seeds.” 

Rihentheon scratched his cheek and asked in a slightly hushed tone. He didn’t sound particularly pleased.

 “So you’re telling me to help out with the work?” “You’re a pretty quick learner.” 

Sophina affirmed cheerfully, feigning ignorance. Then she quickly placed the bag of seeds into his hands.

 “Here, seeds.” 

She gestured toward Rihentheon, who had somehow managed to pick up a seedling shovel.

 “Just dig in the dirt, sow the seeds, and cover them back up, easy, right?” 

He rolled his eyes and nodded, a beat too late.

 

Rihentheon crouched down on the ground. It was a little unsteady and clumsy, but he looked away, as if he couldn’t do it.

 

His eyes then turned to Ricardo.

 “You know how to do this, don’t you?” “I do, though I doubt you know.” 

Ricardo looked at Rihentheon and raised an eyebrow.

 

Either way, they began digging hard enough to get dirt up their noses.

 

But here’s the thing…

 “Sis, how do you do this?” 

The simple-looking country boy, Rihentheon, was terrible at his job.

 “Sis, how deep should we dig?” 

And he was a questioning fairy.

 

Sophina looked at the hole, big enough to bury a man alive, and thought seriously to herself.

 

‘Maybe we should just bury him here.’

 

Bury who?

 

The young master.

 

No, he seemed nice and upright and good.

 

She took a deep breath.

 

The smell of soil, fresh, and a little earthy, tickled her nostrils. The scent of nature seemed to take the edge off her bad thoughts.

 

Then, somehow, Ricardo crouched beside her, whispering like a demon tempting a human.

 “Bury him instead?” “I said murder is a crime.” 

And then Sophina began to whisper in Ricardo’s ear, reciting a book of morals.

 

In response, Ricardo smirked and sneaked closer to Sophina.

 “You make it sound so personal.” “I don’t want to be a witness, so can you bury it when I’m not looking?” 

She was being very honest.

 

Just then, Rihentheon sidled up and took a seat right next to Sophina.

 “What are you talking about, sister?” 

Something about burying you.

 

Instead of a murderous answer, she simply smiled broadly.

 

Eventually, they settled into a huddle.

 

It wasn’t long before the formation was disrupted by Ricardo nudging Rihentheon with his foot,

 “What are you doing!” “Why, is there a problem?” 

Rihentheon blinked a couple of times in anger and shut his mouth. He had been distracted.

 

After a moment of silence, Rihentheon was soon bombarding Sophina with questions.

 “Sis, do I need to water it?” “Water later, Thenedore…” 

Sophina informed him with a look of liberation.

 

And then.

 “Like this?” 

The young master dutifully followed the instructions and held the Thenedore.

 

Naturally, Thenedore erupted in a torrent of water.

 

Unfortunately, Sophina, who was in the immediate vicinity, was drenched.

 “Oh, crazy.” 

The foul language spilled out of her mouth.

 

Ricardo, who was beside her, quickly removed his jacket and wrapped it around her.

 

Sophina clutched the loose folds of her sagging lace and swept back her azure hair.

 

She spoke the last of Rihentheon.

 “Young master…” 

Please step out. We need to talk.

 

Unaware of Sophina’s boiling emotions, Rihentheon stared in pure admiration.

 “Sister, you’re like a drowning mouse.” 

Sophina smiled grimly and clicked her tongue.

 

‘So that’s how siblings bicker and fight.’

 

It was a reasonable inference.

 

She glanced at Ricardo. His hair was slightly damp and curled at the ends of the sprinkling.

 

‘He’s handsome, even when wet.’

 

If anything, it seemed to have enhanced his handsome appearance.

 

Shaking her head, Sophina closed her eyes tightly and said to Ricardo,

‘I’m not going to beat him.’ 

 

It was an unspoken request for him to beat the crap out of the bastard.

 “Ricardo, I’m not seeing anything right now.” 

Go, Ricardo!

 

Ricardo cast a light side-step. The effect was awesome.

 “Ah, brother, what do you think you’re doing—” 

The helpless Rihentheon slid into the hole he had dug.

 

It was a neat trick. Rihentheon was dazed, unable to get up, and then suddenly screamed.

 “Ack!” “Why, what is it, young master?” “Worms! Earthworms! Please help me, sister.” 

What, you’re afraid of bugs? 

 

That was nothing, Sophina, a bluebird who specialized in exterminating bugs, flicked her dry bangs to the side and held out her hand cheerfully.

 “Let me help you, young master!” 

Well, I’d give it a chance.

 “What’s so scary about bugs?” 

Ricardo grunted and pulled his brother to his feet, surprisingly quicker than Sophina.

 

Or, more accurately, with a grimace, because in the book, Ricardo says he hates bugs very, very much.

 

Just like the young master now. She bit her lip hard, feeling as if something wasn’t quite right.

 

Ricardo, noticing her suddenly serious demeanor, asked with concern.

 “What’s wrong, my lady?”