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墨書 Inktalez
"Backstabbing?" Aelia's voice was not loud, but it pierced Leonard's heart like a poisoned ice pick. Her usually regal face was now marred by anger, her beautiful eyes burning with suppressed fury.
"Leonard, look into your conscience and tell me, do you truly deserve the word 'glory'? Do you deserve the support of the Magic Castle and our Aelia Family?"
The air seemed to freeze. The Crystal Chandelier in the Magic Castle Hall dimmed as if sensing the tense atmosphere. The servants standing nearby dared not breathe, fearing that a single misstep would make them victims of the Lord and Lady of the Fortress's wrath.
Leonard's previously calm demeanor turned ashen in an instant. He sprang to his feet, his towering figure radiating an oppressive force, like an enraged lion.
"Aelia! What nonsense are you spouting?! What backstabbing? What do you mean by 'betrayal'? Have you been deceived by some Little One's slander?!"
His voice trembled slightly, a mix of anger and guilt. His sharp gaze cut through Aelia like two knives, as if he intended to see right through her.
"Who has been whispering in your ear? Qin Si! Find out where these rumors are coming from! I want those gossiping Little Ones to pay for their slander!"
Qin Si, Aelia's maid, trembled involuntarily at the Lord's command. She glanced furtively at her pale mistress and then at the furious Lord, feeling utterly lost. She knew that something serious had transpired between them.
As everyone held their breath, waiting for Qin Si to carry out her orders, a petite figure quietly hid behind a screen in the corner of the hall. Luna's wide eyes were filled with shock and anger.
"Leonard's Concubine? Leonard really has a Concubine?!" Although she had learned about this from the original storyline long ago, hearing Aelia accuse Leonard still left her in disbelief. Her small fists clenched tightly, Ailya's white nails digging into her flesh.
"Those bastards! How dare they betray Aelia! This is unforgivable!"
Amidst her anger, Luna felt a wave of unease wash over her. She understood that this was not merely Leonard's personal scandal; it would trigger a series of upheavals within the Magic Castle and even affect the entire magical world’s landscape.
"I can't just sit here and do nothing! I must take action to prevent this situation from worsening!"
As Luna resolved to act, the argument in the hall continued unabated.
"Little One's slander?!" Aelia scoffed coldly. "Leonard, at this point, do you still want to argue? Do you remember what you promised when you married me? You said you would love me forever, protect me forever, and guard the Glorious Demon Fortress with me forever! But now? Have you fed all your promises to the dogs?!"
Her voice choked with emotion—heartbreak, disappointment, and despair intertwined within it. She had once loved this man deeply and was willing to give everything for him, yet he had trampled on her sincerity with betrayal.
Leonard's expression darkened further. He glared at Aelia as if he wanted to swallow her whole.
"Aelia, don't go too far! I have respected you as Lady of the Fortress and have given you leeway; don't think I'm truly afraid of you! Let me tell you, this Magic Castle is still under my command! You better know your limits; otherwise, don't blame me for being rude!"
The smell of gunpowder in the air grew increasingly intense. It felt as if a single spark could ignite this long-planned war. Qin Si hurried back, her face pale and her forehead dotted with beads of sweat.
"My Lord, Madam, I have investigated, but... but I couldn't find the source of the rumors."
"What?!" Leonard's expression twisted into a snarl in an instant. He grabbed Qin Si's arm with such force that it seemed he might crush her bones.
"How could you handle things like this?! I asked you to find the source of the rumors, and you tell me you couldn't?! Are you just brushing me off?!"
Qin Si gasped in pain but dared not make a sound. She knew that Leonard was furious, and any misstep could lead to dire consequences.
"Leonard, let go of Qin Si!" Aelia shouted sharply.
Seeing Leonard's fury, her heart filled with despair.
"Do you think that holding onto Qin Si will solve the problem? Do you think killing her will cover up the truth? Let me tell you, that's impossible! You can't hide fire with paper! The dirty deeds you've done will eventually be exposed to the light!"
"Shut up!" Leonard roared, throwing Qin Si aside and pointing a finger at Aelia, cursing her vehemently.
"Aelia, don't spew your venom at me! When have I ever done anything dirty?! Don't think just because you're a lady of the Aelia Family, you can do as you please! Let me remind you, this Magic Castle is not yours alone! You better behave yourself; otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
In his rage and embarrassment, he no longer cared about decorum or dignity, exposing all his ugliness to the light of day. Luna hid behind a screen, watching the chaotic scene unfold before her with anger and unease. She realized that this crisis was far more severe than she had imagined.
"I must find a way to stop them from arguing further! Otherwise, the Magic Castle will truly be doomed!" Her mind raced as she sought a way to break the deadlock.
At that moment, Leonard suddenly turned his gaze toward Aelia, his eyes filled with threats and warnings.
"Aelia, I'll give you one last chance. If you admit right now that you're talking nonsense, I'll pretend nothing happened. Otherwise..."
His words trailed off, but the implication of his threat was clear. Aelia lifted her head to meet Leonard's cold gaze, a determined smile curving her lips.
"Otherwise, you're going to kill me, right?"
"I..." Leonard's face drained of color in an instant. He opened his mouth to say something but found himself unable to speak.
Just then, Qin Si dashed in front of Aelia, arms outstretched to block Leonard's path.
"My Lord! Please calm down! Madam is just confused; don't hold it against her! Those seductive women only seek to confuse your mind; you mustn't fall for their tricks!"
Qin Si's sudden action left everyone present stunned. Her once fair face now bore an expression of eagerness and desperation, resembling a pleading puppy that wished to throw itself at Leonard's feet immediately.
"My Lord! Please heed my advice! Madam must have fallen into those enchanting women's trap! Each one of them is a reincarnated fox spirit, intent on ensnaring men's hearts! You absolutely cannot be deceived by them!"
Qin Si spoke softly, her head tilted slightly as she cast a shy yet longing glance at Leonard. Her voice was delicate and trembled slightly, reminiscent of a young girl in love, pouring her heart out to the man she admired.
Luna, hiding behind the screen, nearly lost her composure and rushed out to slap Qin Si across the face. "This shameless wench! How dare she flaunt herself at a time like this! She’s bringing disgrace to Aelia!" Luna cursed inwardly, her small chest swelling with anger.
Leonard was taken aback by Qin Si's sudden confession. He frowned, looking at the shameless maid with disdain, filled with revulsion. "Get away! You have no right to speak here!" With a roar reminiscent of Ailya's, he shoved Qin Si aside.
His mood was at its peak of irritation; all he wanted was to escape this predicament and had no interest in a lowly maid. Qin Si stumbled from the push, losing her balance and falling awkwardly to the ground. Ignoring the pain, she scrambled to her feet, tears welling in her eyes as she pleaded with Leonard.
"My Lord! I truly care for you! How can you treat me like this? The lady doesn’t understand your struggles, but I do! I’m willing to share your burdens if you would just give me a chance..."
Before Qin Si could finish her plea, Aelia's furious shout interrupted her. "Enough! Qin Si! Shut your mouth!" Aelia trembled with rage, her face pale as paper. She never imagined that her most trusted maid would turn out to be such a shameless wretch.
"Aelia, please don’t be angry; I was just..." Qin Si stammered, seeing Aelia’s furious expression made her too frightened to continue. She quickly lowered her head, trembling in place and dared not utter another word.
"Leonard! Look at what you’ve done! Not only have you betrayed me, but you’ve also dragged my maid into this mess! Do you have any conscience left?!" Aelia shouted hoarsely, pointing an accusing finger at Leonard.
The atmosphere in the hall instantly turned chaotic and fearful. The servants held their breath, terrified that they might become collateral damage in the wrath of the Lord and Lady of the Fortress.
Luna watched the turmoil unfold from behind the screen, filled with worry. She knew that if things continued like this, the Magic Castle would truly be doomed!
"I can’t let this go on! I must do something to stop their argument!" Luna resolved silently.
"Aelia, enough! Stop making a scene!" Leonard snapped back at Aelia’s accusations, his anger boiling over. He glared at Aelia fiercely and gritted his teeth. "I’ve given you enough respect; don’t push your luck! Otherwise, don’t blame me for being heartless!"
Hearing Leonard’s words pierced Aelia’s heart like a knife. She had once loved this man deeply and was willing to give everything for him, yet he had trampled on her sincerity with betrayal.
"Heartless? Leonard, do you even remember our past? Do you recall how you once promised me? You said you would love me forever, protect me always, and together we would safeguard the Glorious Demon Fortress! But now? Have you fed all your promises to the dogs?!"
Leonard was rendered speechless by Aelia's questions. He stared at her intently when suddenly Aelia made an unexpected move that shocked everyone present. She lifted her head defiantly to meet Leonard's cold gaze and a resolute smile curled at the corners of her lips.
“Leonard, I can choose not to pursue the matter of your betrayal, but I have one condition!”
“Condition? What condition?” Leonard frowned, watching Aelia warily.
“I want you to divorce that Concubine of yours!” Aelia stated each word clearly, her voice firm and cold, like a sharp knife piercing directly into Leonard's heart.
“Divorce her? Impossible!” Leonard rejected Aelia's demand without hesitation. How could he give up the woman he loved for a wife who had already lost his trust?
“Aelia, are you really willing to sacrifice our relationship for an outsider?” Aelia's voice trembled.
“Leonard, I've made myself very clear; I cannot divorce her! If you insist on pushing me, then don’t blame me for being rude!” Leonard's attitude was resolute, showing no signs of backing down.
The atmosphere in the hall instantly became more tense, as if a single spark could ignite this long-anticipated conflict.
Luna hid behind a screen, watching the standoff unfold with growing concern. She knew that if Leonard and Aelia truly fell out, then the Magic Castle would be doomed!
“No! I must find a way to stop them from continuing this argument!” Luna silently resolved.
At that moment, Aelia suddenly pulled out an exquisite box from her Space Ring.
She opened the box and took out a thick stack of papers, slamming them down in front of Leonard.
“Leonard, open your eyes and take a good look! These are all the letters exchanged between you and that wretched woman! Each letter is filled with your sweet nothings! What more can you say?!”
Leonard’s face changed drastically as he hurriedly picked up the letters from the floor and began to read through them carefully.
As he delved deeper into the contents, his complexion grew paler, and cold sweat began to bead on his forehead.
These letters documented everything between him and the Concubine, including their meeting, their love, and their secret plans. Each letter bore his and the Concubine’s private seal, leaving no room for denial.
“This... this is impossible! These letters must be forged!” Leonard argued weakly, his voice trembling with panic.
“Forged? Leonard, do you take me for a fool? The tiny inscriptions on these letters are in your own handwriting! These seals are also yours! What more can you say?!” Aelia scoffed.
Leonard was left speechless by Aelia’s rebuttal; he opened his mouth to say something but found himself unable to speak.
Luna, still hidden behind the screen, felt a glimmer of hope rising within her. She knew that Aelia had gathered enough evidence to prove Leonard's betrayal. If Aelia could hold her ground, there might still be a chance!
“Aelia, I…” Leonard looked at Aelia’s frostbitten face, filled with fear. He realized that this time, he was truly finished!
“Leonard, I am completely disappointed in you!” Aelia said coldly, her voice devoid of any emotion.
The air seemed to thicken around them, suffocatingly oppressive.
In the end, Leonard helplessly lowered his head.
“Good, very good, Aelia; you’ve done well…” Leonard raised his head and looked at Aelia with eyes full of resentment as he spoke in a low tone before turning away and leaving the hall without looking back, leaving Aelia standing alone in place.
Qin Si sat on the ground, as if all the strength had been drained from her body, her face pale as death. Aelia watched Leonard's departing figure, wondering if it was relief, sadness, or anger. Perhaps even she couldn't clearly define her feelings.
Luna, hiding behind the screen, quietly observed everything, a strange emotion swelling within her. She knew this was just the beginning; the real storm was yet to come.
Suddenly, Qin Si rushed towards Aelia like a madwoman, chanting, "My lady, I was wrong! I truly know my mistake! Please, don’t send me away! Don’t…"
"Get away!" Aelia recoiled in disgust from Qin Si's touch as if she had encountered something filthy.
"My lady… my lady…" Qin Si cried out in despair, her voice piercing and hopeless.
Aelia did not spare her another glance; she coldly commanded, "Drag her away and lock her in the dungeon! No one is to visit without my orders!"
Several Knights stepped forward immediately and mercilessly dragged Qin Si away. The hall returned to silence, leaving Aelia standing there alone.
Luna watched Aelia's solitary figure, filled with concern. She knew Aelia must be feeling immense pain and helplessness at that moment. "What can I do to help her?" Luna pondered silently, a flurry of thoughts racing through her mind.
"The situation is becoming increasingly complicated…" Luna murmured softly, her big watery eyes brimming with worry. She quietly slipped away from the corner; it was not yet the right time for her to appear.
The air in the hall crackled with tension so thick it felt almost tangible. This was not the usual luxurious yet somewhat oppressive atmosphere of Glory Fortress. No, this was entirely different. It felt like… a volcano on the verge of eruption.
And that lava? It was Aelia's pure and unmasked fury. Her usually silky voice was now sharp and clear like shattered glass.
"Well then, Leonard," she began, each broken syllable dripping with disdain, "so those rumors are true after all. The whispers, the sly glances, the lowered tones… they are all true."
Leonard, the usually noble lord of Glory Fortress, stood there frozen. He typically wore a mask of composure and dignity, but now it had crumbled in an instant.
He stammered, "Aelia, my love, I can explain! Things are not as they seem…"
Oh, there it was again—the classic line of "things are not as they seem." Give me a break! Xiao Luna could imagine Aelia rolling her eyes at him while lying innocently in the cradle of the nursery.
Even from a distance, Luna could feel the anger of betrayal radiating from her mother.
"Explain?" Aelia nearly roared, her voice echoing in the spacious hall. "Explain how hiding a secret love nest in the Whispering Forest and raising an illegitimate child doesn't count as betrayal? Please, tell me what brilliant excuse you can come up with!"
Qin Si, Aelia's loyal maid, hurried forward, her face filled with concern. "Madam," she pleaded, her voice trembling, "perhaps we can discuss this privately?"
Aelia waved her hand dismissively, her eyes blazing with fury. "No, Qin Si. This farce has gone on long enough. Let everyone in the fortress hear about their esteemed lord's so-called loyalty." Her words dripped with mockery.
Leonard, that unfaithful man, was still desperately trying to justify himself. "Aelia, I beg you, she means nothing to me! It was just... a momentary lapse in judgment. A moment of weakness!"
Yes, a moment of weakness that had created another family.
Though Luna was still just a baby with a limited vocabulary, she was probably thinking, "Spare me the theatrics; who would believe that?"
The confrontation escalated further.
Shouts, accusations, denials... it was complete chaos.
Luna hid in the nursery, listening to the muffled sounds of the drama unfolding outside.
At that moment, Glory Fortress began its descent into collapse.
And it was the moment she had been waiting for.
While everyone else was caught up in the whirlwind of emotions, Luna's little mind raced with thoughts.
This explosion was inevitable, but how could she turn it to their advantage?
She needed to come up with a plan quickly.
All the clues lay scattered like fallen dominoes.
Now, she just had to figure out how to push them in the right direction.
A mischievous glint flashed in her blue eyes.
This was definitely going to be... interesting.
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