Luna's small hand tightly grasped Aelia's sleeve, the soft fabric crumpling in her palm.
Her eyes, as if soaked in starlight, sparkled with a depth that belied her age.
She knew that some truths were as cruel as a blade; once revealed, they would spill blood.
But she had to do this, for the sake of their precarious home, for the family she loved dearly.
"Mother," Luna's voice was soft and sweet, yet carried an almost imperceptible weight. "Is Father... very busy lately?"
Aelia paused for a moment, stroking Luna's silky hair, her gaze flickering with a hint of confusion.
"Yes, there are many affairs in the castle. Your father is always so busy he hardly has a moment to himself." Her tone held an unnoticeable trace of loneliness, a wife's concern for her husband, and an indescribable hint of... doubt?
Luna's heart trembled slightly as she continued, "Mother, I had a dream. I dreamed... I dreamed that Father was with a very beautiful woman..." She deliberately made her words ambiguous, like innocent childhood ramblings, yet each phrase struck Aelia's heart like a hammer.
Aelia's hand faltered slightly; the smile on her face gradually froze, replaced by an indescribable tension.
She held Luna tightly, as if trying to draw strength from the small body.
The air in the room felt as if it had solidified, the silence suffocating.
"Qin Si," Aelia's voice was low and hoarse, carrying a barely perceptible tremor. "Could you... keep an eye on Lord's recent movements for me?" She struggled to control her emotions, not allowing her inner unease to show.
Qin Si was Aelia's trusted confidante, having followed her for many years with unwavering loyalty.
She looked deeply at Aelia, her eyes filled with worry and confusion.
But she asked nothing, merely nodded silently before turning to leave the room.
Aelia's gaze fell upon Luna, this child who seemed to possess the power to see through everything.
How many secrets were hidden within her small frame?
Meanwhile, in the elder brother's room, a faint scent of herbs lingered in the air.
He sat dejectedly in his wheelchair, his eyes vacant, as if he had lost all hope for life.
The aftereffects of the Magic Backlash left him in agony and stripped him of the pride and dignity that came with being a Mage.
"Elder brother," Luna's clear voice shattered the silence of the room, "I know a way to relieve your Magic Backlash."
He suddenly lifted his head, a flicker of disbelief flashing in his eyes.
He looked at Luna as if he saw a glimmer of hope.
With a trembling voice, he asked, "Really? Is there truly a way?"
Luna nodded and explained the method to alleviate the Magic Backlash in detail.
At first, he was skeptical, but Luna's determined gaze and tone ignited a spark of hope within him.
He decided to take a chance and began to practice according to Luna's instructions.
In the room of Second Brother, the atmosphere was oppressive and heavy.
He had been deceived by a close friend and fell into the Magic Dilemma, spending his days with a furrowed brow.
He locked himself away, unwilling to see anyone.
Luna gently knocked on the door. "Second Brother, it's me, Luna."
Second Brother opened the door and, upon seeing Luna, managed to force a faint smile.
"Luna, what brings you here?"
Luna stepped into the room and looked at Second Brother's haggard face, her heart aching for him.
"Second Brother, I know you're facing a difficult problem, and I know how to help you."
Luna revealed to Second Brother the key to breaking through his predicament. As he listened, he became entranced, and gradually a glimmer of hope ignited in his eyes.
He suddenly realized that the solution was so simple; how had he not thought of it before?
Gratefully, he grasped Luna's hand and said excitedly, "Luna, thank you! You truly are my savior!"
Seeing the renewed hope in her brother and Second Brother, Luna felt a deep sense of relief.
She knew she was changing their Destiny, altering the course of their family's Fate.
At that moment, Qin Si was cautiously following Leonard. She hid in the shadows, observing his every move, her heart racing faster with an ominous premonition rising within her. She saw Leonard enter a secluded tavern, and at the entrance stood a beautifully dressed woman. Qin Si gasped; she felt she had uncovered a significant secret. She had to relay this information to the lady as soon as possible.
Luna returned to her room, gazing out at the darkening sky, filled with anticipation and unease. She knew a storm was about to arrive. Gently, she touched the small Crystal Pendant hanging around her neck, the only item she had brought with her when she crossed into this world, and her sole reliance in this unfamiliar place.
"Luna," came Aelia's voice from outside the door, tinged with an unmistakable urgency, "Qin Si is back. She says..."
Qin Si had returned, bringing news that struck Aelia's heart like a midnight thunderclap.
Qin Si's expression was grave, her steps hurried; her usually graceful demeanor now appeared somewhat frantic.
Lowering her voice and disregarding formalities, she handed a letter from In Hand directly to Aelia. "Madam, I... I found out."
Aelia took the letter, her Fingertip trembling slightly.
There was no My Beloved Nightingale on the envelope, but the familiar Fire Seal mark was unmistakably Leonard's.
Taking a deep breath as if to suppress all her anxieties deep within, she slowly opened the envelope.
The Letterhead bore Tiny Inscriptions that were elegant and carried a faint scent of a spice she had never encountered before.
The content of the letter was brief yet piercingly poignant.
"Dearest, see you tonight at our usual place. You are all that fills my heart."
The signature was a lingering "L."
Aelia's mind went blank as the letterhead slipped helplessly from her grasp.
She stared in disbelief, as if she had seen some terrifying monster.
For years, she had believed she was living in a fairy tale, with a handsome and attentive husband and a harmonious family.
But now, that fairy tale had been shattered, revealing a bloody truth.
"It can't be... it can't be..." Aelia murmured, her voice hoarse like a broken wind instrument.
She shook her head desperately, trying to banish the horrifying words from her mind.
But those words took root, firmly occupying her thoughts and refusing to fade away.
Luna quietly approached Aelia and tightly grasped her hand with her small one.
She could feel the coldness and trembling in Aelia's hand, and her heart ached in response.
Aelia suddenly hugged Luna tightly, as if trying to draw warmth and strength from the small body.
Tears streamed down her face, soaking Luna's clothing.
"Why... why is this happening..." she choked out, her voice filled with pain and despair.
Qin Si stood to the side, watching Aelia with a heart full of concern, unsure of how to comfort her.
She could only let out a silent sigh before stepping out of the room, leaving space for Aelia and Luna.
The Magic Castle was destined to face a storm.
Meanwhile, in another part of the Magic Castle, a completely different scene unfolded in Brother San's room, where Lucius leaned against the window, his gaze vacant as he stared into the distance, idly playing with a delicate Magic Water crystal in his hand.
He was exceptionally gifted, displaying remarkable Magical Talent from a young age.
However, this very talent misled him into believing that he could easily surpass others without effort.
As a result, he neglected his training, spending his days in idleness and indulging in pleasure.
Luna entered the room and looked at Brother San's despondent state, feeling a deep sense of regret.
She walked over to Lucius and softly said, "Brother San, are you really willing to let things continue like this?"
Lucius turned his head to look at Luna, a faint bitter smile appearing on his face.
"What does it matter if I'm unwilling? I've wasted so many years; even if I try now, I won't catch up to anyone."
Luna shook her head and replied earnestly, "No, Brother San, you're wrong. It's never too late to start as long as you want to."
She paused for a moment before continuing, "Brother San, your talent is unmatched by anyone else. If you can take your training seriously again, you will surely achieve remarkable accomplishments. Do you really want to let your talent go to waste?"
Lucius fell silent.
Luna's words struck him like a bolt of lightning, hitting deep within his heart.
He had always known he was gifted, but he had never truly cherished it.
He often thought that since he had such talent, he could afford to be lazy and still outperform others.
But now, he realized how wrong he was—terribly wrong.
Seeing the wavering expression on Lucius's face, Luna knew her words had made an impact.
Seizing the moment, she shared with him the correct training methods she knew.
Lucius listened intently, and gradually, a spark of hope ignited in his eyes.
He finally understood that his previous training methods were flawed; no wonder he had made no progress.
“Luna, thank you,” Lucius said gratefully. “I will definitely start over and train seriously. I won’t let you down.”
Luna smiled with relief.
She knew that Brother San had made up his mind.
She believed that as long as Brother San was willing to put in the effort, he would surely regain his former glory.
From that day on, Lucius seemed to have transformed into a different person.
He no longer indulged in pleasure; instead, he devoted all his time to training.
He worked diligently, neglecting sleep and food, making rapid progress that caught everyone's attention.
In the Magic Castle, a more positive atmosphere gradually began to emerge.
However, just as everyone was busy with their own affairs, a greater storm was quietly brewing.
Leonard returned to the Magic Castle and sensed that something was off.
The servants who had once been warm and welcoming towards him now acted cautiously, their eyes filled with avoidance.
A sense of foreboding gripped his heart.
He hurried to Aelia's room and pushed the door open.
Aelia was sitting at the table, looking at him with an icy expression.
Her eyes were filled with anger and disappointment.
"Leonard, do you have anything to say?" Aelia's voice was as cold as ice.
Leonard's heart sank, but he still tried to argue.
"Aelia, let me explain. It's not what you think..."
"Not what I think? Then tell me, what is this letter about?" Aelia threw the letter down in front of Leonard.
Leonard picked up the letter, and his face instantly turned pale.
He knew he could no longer deny it.
"Aelia, I..." He attempted to explain, but found himself at a loss for words.
"Enough!" Aelia interrupted him, her voice filled with despair.
"I don't want to hear your lies anymore. From today on, we are done!"
Leonard's body jolted as he looked at Aelia in disbelief, as if he were staring at a stranger.
He realized he had lost the most important thing in his life.
The other young men heard the commotion and rushed over.
They were stunned by the scene before them.
It was hard to believe that the parents who had always been so loving could come to this point.
Lucius looked at his father, his eyes filled with disappointment.
He had always admired his father, but now he realized how hypocritical and inadequate he truly was.
The atmosphere in the Magic Castle grew tense and delicate.
No one knew what would happen next.
Luna stood in the corner, silently observing everything.
Her heart was filled with unease.
She knew this was just the beginning.
A greater storm was still to come.
Aelia wearily waved her hand, signaling everyone to leave.
She sat alone in the room, staring blankly out the window.
"Luna," Aelia suddenly spoke, her voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor, "how did you know?"
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