Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The hall was adorned with colorful decorations, and the Magic Lanterns emitted a warm glow, illuminating the entire space as if it were daylight. Joyful music flowed through the air, and exquisite pastries and fine wines filled the Long Table. It was the annual New Year's Eve celebration at the Magic Castle, a time meant for family joy, yet an undercurrent of tension lingered in the atmosphere.
Aelia, dressed in a magnificent deep blue Starry Gown, exuded elegance and wore a poised smile as she greeted the guests arriving for the festivities. Her elder brother, Second Brother, and Brother San stood slightly awkwardly beside their Mother in their brand-new suits. Luna, the youngest member of the Magic Castle, sparkled like a shining star in her pink princess dress, weaving through the crowd and occasionally bursting into laughter reminiscent of a Yin Ling.
“Mother, I heard people outside saying that Father is the most charming man in the entire magical world!” Luna said with her big, sparkling eyes, seemingly innocently addressing Aelia. Her clear voice was like a small stone thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples that spread outward.
Aelia elegantly took a sip of Blood Wine, her smile unwavering. “Oh? Is that so? Who have you been listening to, little one?” Her tone was gentle, as if soothing an innocent child; yet her grip on the wine glass tightened unconsciously.
Leonard stood not far away, engaged in light-hearted conversation with several important guests. While he appeared charming and composed on the surface, Luna's words pierced his heart like a thorn. He suppressed his unease and discreetly observed Aelia's reaction.
Elder Brother, Second Brother, and Brother San exchanged glances, keenly sensing that there was more to Luna's words than met the eye but unable to grasp their deeper meaning. They looked at Luna with confusion but only saw her innocent smile, as if her earlier statement was nothing more than childish chatter.
Qin Si stood behind Aelia, quietly observing everything. She understood Luna's hints and was astonished by the little girl's boldness and wisdom. Stealing a glance at Aelia, she noticed that although the Lady of the Fortress appeared calm on the surface, there was a flicker of something darker in her eyes.
Luna flitted about like a small butterfly among the guests, occasionally tossing out seemingly unintentional remarks that were laden with hidden meanings. “Mother, I also heard that Father has recently taken a liking to a Magic Gem called ‘Starlight,’ saying he wants to give it to a very important… friend.” She deliberately elongated the last word with a hint of mischief in her tone.
Aelia’s smile faltered for a moment; she set down her wine glass and cast a sharp gaze over the crowd until it landed on Leonard. Feeling his wife's stare, Leonard felt a chill run down his spine. He knew that Luna's words had raised Aelia's suspicions.
The atmosphere in the hall shifted subtly; what had once been joyful music now seemed to cast a shadow over the gathering. Meanwhile, Luna continued to play with the guests as if nothing were amiss, her laughter ringing out sharply against the tense backdrop.
As night deepened and guests began to depart one by one, tranquility returned to the hall. Aelia sat alone by the fireplace, its glow reflecting off her slightly weary face. The echoes of Luna’s words reverberated in her mind, filling her with doubt and unease.
Suddenly, a melodious Phoenix Song pierced through the night sky, resonating throughout the entire Magic Castle. The sound was clear and pleasant yet carried an eerie sharpness that sent chills down one's spine.
Aelia suddenly stood up and walked to the window, gazing up at the night sky. There, a swirl of red flames danced in the darkness, emitting a series of sounds reminiscent of Luna.
"What is that?" Aelia murmured to herself, a sense of foreboding rising within her.
Qin Si hurried in, "Madam, did you hear that? What is that sound?"
"I don't know," Aelia shook her head. "Go, fetch Lord."
Qin Si complied and left, while Aelia continued to stare at the flames in the sky, growing increasingly uneasy. At the end of the corridor, Luna watched Aelia's silhouette with a barely perceptible smile on her lips.
"The good show has only just begun..." she whispered, her eyes glinting with a mysterious light.
Qin Si quickly made his way to Leonard's study, stopping at the door to take a deep breath before raising his hand to knock.
The air was filled with the rich sweetness of candied plums, mingling with the spiced Blood Wine and the intoxicating fragrance of exotic flowers. The hall of Glory Fortress was forcefully infused with an atmosphere of joy. The Ice Crown Anthem blared loudly, nearly painful to the ears as it echoed off the high arched ceiling.
Yet beneath this facade lay an undercurrent of unease, stirred by Luna's seemingly innocent chatter. Xiao Luna, dressed in a pink silk gown tied with ribbons, resembled a beautiful painting. She continued to play her deliberately naive game, ignoring the candied plums and focusing instead on a group of laughing noblewomen.
Her voice rang clear as a bell, piercing through the carefully crafted atmosphere of merriment. "Did you know?" she said with wide, innocent eyes, "Father gifted Lady Aira a Xing Huo Sapphire Necklace. They say those gems sparkle on the summer sea like moonlight."
Ayla, rumored to be Leonard's "friend," flushed crimson, starkly contrasting with the pale faces of the other noblewomen. Leonard himself choked on his drink; the rich deep red Blood Wine spread like an expanding bruise, staining his pristine white bow tie.
Luna remained oblivious to the escalating tension as she excitedly jumped on her toes. "It's just like the one Father promised to give Mother on their wedding anniversary! Only... Mother's was supposed to be bigger. Much bigger. And Lady Aira's is... well... smaller." She tilted her head, seemingly puzzled by this discrepancy.
Aelia's previously polite yet cold expression finally cracked. The forced smile vanished, replaced by a chilling anger. She gripped a delicate silver goblet tightly, her knuckles turning white. The goblet creaked slightly under her pressure as its thin silver body began to deform in her grasp.
Leonard's face turned pale; he was sweating profusely and leaned forward abruptly. "Luna, dear," he stammered nervously, "you mustn't spread such... such rumors." He managed a strained laugh that sounded sharp and weak.
At that moment, the brothers finally pieced together Luna's hints and exchanged shocked glances.
The eldest brother's face was pale and haggard as he tightly gripped the armrests of his chair, as if fearing he might fall. The second brother stared at Leonard with wide, incredulous eyes. Old Three, usually the most carefree among them, wore a confused expression, his brows furrowed in worry.
The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly tense, with the cheerful music now serving as a mocking backdrop to the farce unfolding before them. The sweet aroma of candied plums became cloying, reminiscent of decay.
"Rumors?" Luna's voice still carried a childlike quality, but it was laced with determination. "But, Father, I saw that necklace with my own eyes. Lady Aira wore it at the Duke's ball last week. It sparkled beautifully! When I asked her where she got it, she whispered that it was a gift... a very special gift." Luna's innocent gaze fixed on Leonard, making him fidget uncomfortably.
Ayla was caught up in the turmoil, stammering an explanation about misunderstandings, her voice barely audible. Her face, once flushed with embarrassment, now drained of color. She looked like a trapped animal desperately trying to evade the predator's gaze.
Aelia slowly rose from her seat, her movements deliberate and composed. The deformed silver goblet in her hand protested with a sharp sound as the metal finally succumbed to pressure and cracked along an uneven line. Red wine spilled like dark blood onto the pristine tablecloth, spreading like a stain.
"The celebration is over," she announced in a low, dangerous tone. "I think we all have... matters to discuss." Her gaze was as cold as ice, fixed intently on Leonard. He shrank back as if struck.
He opened his mouth to protest, to explain, to deny, but no sound emerged. He glanced from his wife's furious face to his sons' astonished expressions and finally to Luna, who stood amidst the remnants of the celebration with an unsettling glimmer in her eyes.
Aelia turned on her heel and strode out of the hall with her head held high and back straight. Leonard followed her in a panic like a beaten dog. His brothers remained lost in shock but trailed behind, their faces a mix of confusion and concern.
Qin Si watched all this with a blend of curiosity and fear, discreetly signaling for the servants to begin clearing up the mess left behind: shattered goblets, spilled blood wine, half-eaten candied plums—remnants of this twisted celebration.
Luna stood alone in the rapidly emptying hall, a barely perceptible smile playing at her lips. She brushed aside a stray curl from her forehead, her expression one of almost predatory satisfaction.
"Now," she murmured softly, her voice nearly drowned out by the fading notes of the Ice Crown Anthem, "the interesting part begins." She gazed out at the darkening sky where a crescent moon had just begun to peek through the clouds.
A hurried servant paused nearby.
"Miss?" he asked hesitantly. "Do you have any orders?"
Luna tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Tell the guards," she said sweetly as honey, "to double their patrols tonight. Such a lovely evening is perfect for... mischief."
The Glorious Demon Fortress was bustling with excitement today. It was the Winter Festival, or what we call the New Year, and the grandeur of it all was impressive. The entire castle was adorned with sparkling Magic Water crystal lights, bright enough to rival the daylight.
On the long banquet table, a whole roasted lamb sizzled with juices, honey-glazed ham gleamed enticingly, and there were piles of desserts dusted with Gold Dust, filling the air with a mouthwatering sweetness that made one’s mouth water.
Leonard sat at the head of the table, looking quite dapper in his black suit embroidered with Gold Thread. His hair was meticulously styled as he held a wine glass, chatting amiably with those beside him. He appeared to be the perfect husband and Lord.
Lady Aelia sat next to him, dressed in an elaborate Ice Blue Starry Gown. The skirt was embroidered with silver snowflakes, complementing her golden curls and making her look like a figure stepped out of a painting. However, her smile seemed somewhat forced, her gaze flickering with something hidden as she occasionally glanced at Leonard before quickly looking away.
In her arms was Xiao Luna, who wore a festive red outfit that made her look like a cute little rice dumpling. Yet Luna's heart was anything but calm. Watching Leonard’s hypocritical smile made her uneasy: Hmph, what a scoundrel! He’s putting on quite the act!
Just wait; the real show is yet to come!
As the banquet progressed and the atmosphere grew lively, Leonard likely wanted to showcase his harmonious family. He reached out to embrace Luna, cheerfully saying, “Come here, my little treasure, let Father hold you and share in the joy!”
To his surprise, Xiao Luna pouted and frowned, showing no willingness to oblige. She shook her head vigorously like a rattle and squirmed into Aelia's arms while making little sounds of protest. Her expression was one of clear disdain.
Leonard’s hand froze mid-air, his smile faltering into an awkward expression. Nearby guests quickly tried to smooth things over: “Oh dear, children can be shy; don’t take it personally, Lord.”
Leonard sheepishly withdrew his hand and cleared his throat, attempting to cover up his embarrassment: “Yes, Little One, you’ve grown distant from me.”
But Aelia noticed everything. She tightened her grip around her daughter and felt another sharp pang in her heart. Remembering Luna’s strange hints earlier and seeing Leonard’s slightly unnatural demeanor now stirred a mix of emotions within her—sourness, sweetness, bitterness; it was all there.
She forced herself to smile while gently patting Luna’s back and whispering soothing words, though her eyes had grown colder.
The other guests seemed oblivious to this small incident. The eldest brother sat quietly in his wheelchair, sipping fruit wine while gazing forlornly out the window; the second brother appeared lost in thought; Brother San was lively, chatting happily with Lucius about his “amazing” Magical Talent.
Qin Si stood quietly behind Aelia, observing everything discreetly—especially his wife’s expression.
The New Year’s banquet gradually came to an end amidst this seemingly festive yet undercurrents of tension atmosphere. Guests began to disperse as the castle returned to silence from its earlier clamor.
The cold night wind blew through, bringing with it the unique chill of Winter Night. Everyone thought it was just another ordinary night as they prepared for sleep and welcomed the new year.
But just as midnight struck and everyone drifted into a drowsy slumber—
“Caw—!”
A loud and resonant Phoenix Song, imbued with an indescribable sense of mystery, suddenly pierced the night sky above the Glorious Demon Fortress!
The sound was incredibly penetrating, as if it came from the heavens yet felt close enough to be right beside them. It was unlike any ordinary birdcall; within that sound lay an ancient and powerful force, carrying an ineffable majesty and… a hint of sorrow?
The entire Glorious Demon Fortress was instantly stirred!
Aelia, who had been lightly sleeping, suddenly opened her eyes, her heart racing. She instinctively hugged Luna tightly.
Luna also woke up, her large eyes shimmering in the darkness. Her small face showed no fear; instead, it was filled with curiosity and a touch of seriousness. She understood that this sound was unusual.
Leonard was awakened as well. He rolled out of bed, threw on Leonard's Cloak, and rushed to the window, looking up at the pitch-black sky with a grim expression.
“What was that sound?!”
Lights flickered on throughout the castle.
Eldest Brother, Second Brother, Brother San, and Lucius were all startled awake by the sudden Phoenix Song. They emerged from their rooms, their faces marked with confusion and concern.
“Did you hear that? What was that sound?”
“It sounded like… Luna?”
“That’s impossible! The phoenix is a legendary Divine Bird; how could it appear here?”
“But that sound… it felt so real!”
In the night sky, apart from the cold stars and the pale moon, nothing else could be seen.
After that earth-shattering call of Luna, everything returned to silence as if the sound had been merely an illusion—a dream shattered by Han Ye.
Yet everyone in the Glorious Demon Fortress knew it was not an illusion.
Something extraordinary was quietly unfolding.
Was this mysterious Luna a portent?
A warning?
Or… something else entirely?
The first night of the New Year arrived amidst this overwhelming sense of uncertainty and unease. The Cold Wind seemed even chillier, casting a lingering shadow over everyone’s hearts.
Comment 0 Comment Count