Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Qin Si was utterly confused by Luna's sudden hesitation.
This Little One, so quirky and clever, what was she up to now?
"Luna, of course we have to go back; the lady is still waiting for us," Qin Si said, bending down with a gentle yet firm tone. "Do you want to spend the night in the forest? There are little fairies and greedy goblins here!"
Luna bit her lips, her little mind racing.
She certainly hadn't forgotten anything; she was just thinking about how to play her cards better.
She looked up, a glint of mischief flashing in her clear Blue Eyes. "Sister Qin Si, I want to go see Big Brother."
Qin Si was taken aback for a moment before understanding dawned on her.
Ever since Big Brother had been disabled due to the Magic Backlash, Luna had been particularly concerned about him.
This child, so young yet so loyal and caring, truly tugged at one's heartstrings.
"Alright," Qin Si took Luna's small hand. "We'll go see Big Brother first, and then we'll head back to the castle."
Luna smiled sweetly, her small hand clasping Qin Si's as she casually asked, "Sister Qin Si, have you noticed that Father seems a bit strange lately?"
Qin Si paused, a complex expression crossing her face as she sighed.
"The master has been very busy with affairs lately; you know that..." She hesitated, as if there were something unspeakable weighing on her.
"But..." Luna's little face scrunched up in distress. "I feel like Father... doesn't like me anymore." Her voice dropped, tinged with a hint of grievance, as if she might cry at any moment.
Qin Si gently picked Luna up, her voice filled with concern. "How could that be? The master loves you the most." Yet, the uncertainty in her tone was something she couldn't even deceive herself about.
Luna buried her little head in Qin Si's shoulder, a barely noticeable smile curling at the corners of her mouth.
The fish had taken the bait.
She had long known that Qin Si was not oblivious to Leonard's unusual behavior; she just didn't want to believe it.
Now, all Luna needed to do was give a gentle push to shatter that thin veil of denial.
Entering her brother's room, Luna comforted him with her usual tender voice and shared her "insights" on magical training.
These "insights" were drawn from her memories of a past life, and for a Mage in this world, they were akin to a revelation.
Her brother looked at this quirky little sister before him, hope flickering in his eyes.
Once, he had been spirited and proud, the pride of the family. But after an accident led to a Magic Backlash, he had fallen into despair.
Luna's presence was like a ray of light, illuminating his darkened life.
He clenched his fists, a long-lost passion igniting within him.
He would rise again, for his sister and for himself!
As Luna left her brother's room, she deliberately slowed her pace, giving Qin Si the opportunity to reveal Leonard's recent oddities.
Indeed, under Luna's seemingly unintentional guidance, Qin Si finally revealed the fact that Leonard had taken a concubine and was growing increasingly distant from Luna, his mother.
When Aelia heard this news, she felt as if her world had come crashing down.
She couldn't believe that the husband she loved so deeply had betrayed her!
The sweet memories they once shared had now turned into sharp blades, piercing her heart mercilessly.
She held Luna tightly, her body trembling as tears silently streamed down her face.
Luna gently patted Aelia's back, thinking to herself, Leonard, what you owe us, I will reclaim bit by bit!
Meanwhile, Second Brother was alone in his room, lost in deep thought.
He recalled the scene of being deceived by his closest friend; anger, resentment, and pain intertwined within him, nearly consuming him whole.
He had once regarded the other as a brother and shared all his secrets with him, only to be met with betrayal in return.
Knock, knock, knock...
The sound of knocking interrupted Second Brother's thoughts.
"Come in."
Luna pushed the door open, a radiant smile on her face.
She walked over to Second Brother, took his hand, and said, "Second Brother, I know you're feeling down, but you can't stay like this forever. You still have us, and we will help you."
Luna's words flowed into Second Brother's cold heart like a warm current.
He looked at Luna, his gaze gradually becoming resolute.
Yes, he still had family; he couldn't be defeated like this!
"Thank you, Luna." Second Brother's voice was a bit hoarse but filled with strength.
Luna smiled and said, "Second Brother, I have a way to help you solve the Magic Dilemma..."
As night fell, the Glorious Demon Fortress was ablaze with lights, yet it couldn't conceal the undercurrents swirling beneath the surface.
Aelia decided to confront Leonard directly; a storm was about to sweep through the entire Magic Castle.
Meanwhile, Brother San remained lost in his own world, completely unaware of the impending changes... He pushed open the door to the study and saw an Ancient Grimoire lying on the table, a flicker of confusion crossing his eyes...
The flickering candlelight danced across the dusty yellowed pages of the ancient tome, casting strange, elongated shadows around the room.
The particles of dust disturbed by the sudden influx of light swirled like miniature galaxies.
Three, usually so self-satisfied, felt a wave of unease wash over him—a disquieting awareness of time slipping away.
He ran a hand through his tousled hair; the silence of the study pressed down on him like a heavy object.
The familiar scents of aged parchment and leather, once a source of comfort, now seemed to mock him.
He had always relied on his innate affinity for magic, a lazy confidence that had led him into a complacent mediocrity.
Now, as he gazed at the complex diagrams and profound spells in the book, he felt a wave of shame wash over him.
He had squandered his potential, content with the shallow praise of sycophants who lauded his "talent" while ignoring his lack of true skill.
With a sharp snap, he closed the book, the sound echoing sharply in the quiet room.
Enough.
He would no longer be a half-hearted practitioner.
He would hone his abilities, master the arcane arts, and become the mage he was destined to be.
A spark of determination ignited in his eyes, replacing the laziness of old with a steely resolve.
He opened the book again; those complex symbols no longer appeared so daunting but rather like a challenge he was finally ready to embrace.
Qin Si paced back and forth in Aelia's room, her expression serious and resolute.
The soft carpet muffled the sound of her restless footsteps but could not soften the cold gleam in her eyes.
The news of Leonard's betrayal had shaken the very foundations of the castle, stirring within Qin Si a fierce protective instinct for her mistress.
The air was thick with unspoken anxiety, mingling with the scent of lavender and a faint metallic tang of fear.
“Madam,” Qin Si spoke, her voice low and urgent, “we cannot let him escape punishment like this. He has insulted you, tarnished our family’s reputation, and jeopardized everything we have built.” She stopped in her tracks, looking directly at Aelia with unwavering determination.
“We must act, and we must act swiftly.” Aelia remained in shock, numbly seated in the armchair, clutching a silk handkerchief tightly.
Her face had turned pale as paper.
The news hit her like a heavy blow, leaving her breathless and trembling.
However, Qin Si's words seemed to ignite the flame that had been burning within her all along.
She straightened her back, her gaze becoming resolute.
“You're right, Qin Si,” she said, her voice regaining some of its former strength. “He will not escape punishment. I will not let him succeed.”
Lucius stood by the window, worry etched across his young face as he gazed at the storm clouds gathering above the castle.
The howling wind screamed like a banshee, rattling the windows and reflecting the turmoil within his home.
The air was thick with the scent of rain, heralding the impending storm.
He had always been a quiet observer, content to linger on the fringes of family disputes.
But this crisis was different.
It could shatter everything he cherished into pieces.
He could not stand by and watch his family fall apart.
He thought of Luna, her bright spirit dimmed by Father’s indifference, and of his Mother, whose pain in her eyes had always pierced his heart.
He clenched his fists, a new determination hardening his gaze.
He would stand with them, fight for them, protect them.
Turning away from the window, he walked with a newfound maturity in his steps.
In this unfolding drama, he had a role to play, and he would not back down.
Leonard paced in the study, the luxurious decor suddenly feeling like a gilded cage.
The rich Cedar Fragrance of the imported cigars he usually enjoyed now tasted like Ashes in his mouth.
His infidelity had been exposed, throwing his carefully constructed world into chaos.
He hadn’t expected Aelia to be so strong; the cold gleam in her eyes hinted at revenge.
He had underestimated her, viewing her as a delicate flower that would wither under pressure.
He was wrong—dead wrong.
He wiped his face with his hand, and his smooth skin suddenly felt sticky.
He needed to regain control of the situation and reestablish his dominance.
But how could he do that?
He glanced at the portrait hanging above the fireplace, an image of a powerful and confident man.
He was not unaware of the irony in this.
He felt neither powerful nor confident.
Fear, cold and sharp, gnawed at his insides.
He heard a knock on the door, sharp and urgent, startling him.
"Who is it?" he asked sharply, his voice betraying his unease.
"It's me," Aelia's voice was cold and unfeeling, cutting through the thick Golden Oak Door.
As Leonard reached for the doorknob, his hand trembled.
He knew this confrontation was inevitable, but he wasn't ready for it.
He was someone accustomed to giving orders, not taking responsibility for his actions.
He opened the door, and as he met Aelia's cold gaze, the forced smile vanished in an instant.
"Darling..." he began, but the words caught in his throat.
He saw the unwavering determination in her eyes, the quiet strength radiating from her, and he knew with absolute certainty that he had lost.
"Don't call me 'darling,'" Aelia's low and dangerous voice sent a chill down his spine. "We need to talk." She squeezed past him into the room, her eyes casting a new scornful glance at the familiar space.
The scent of his cologne, which once brought her comfort, now repulsed her.
The image above the fireplace, once a symbol of his arrogance, now felt like a mockery.
Leonard closed the door, his hand lingering on the doorknob as a fleeting thought of escape flashed through his mind.
However, he knew there was nowhere to run.
He turned to face her, desperation evident in his eyes.
"Aelia, I can explain..."
"Explain?" She laughed, a harsh and dry sound echoing in the room. "What is there to explain? Explain how you betrayed me? How you lied to me? How you destroyed everything I believed in?" With each question she asked, her voice rose a notch, the suppressed fury thickening the air.
"It's not what it seems..." he stammered, his carefully crafted excuses crumbling under her accusations.
"Then what is it, Leonard?" she asked, her tone dripping with disdain. "Tell me. I'm waiting."
Silence spread, thick and heavy, broken only by the rhythmic ticking of the Grandfather Clock in the corner.
Leonard opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again.
He was at a loss for words, unable to bear the impact of her righteous anger.
He looked at her, his face pale and haggard, his eyes filled with a mix of fear and... regret?
Suddenly, a clear, innocent little voice shattered the tense silence. "Mommy?"
Luna stood in the doorway, her large, innocent eyes taking in the scene before her.
The tension in the room crackled around her, a palpable force that even her youthful ignorance could sense.
Leonard's carefully constructed facade crumbled completely.
He turned from Luna to Aelia, his face ashen, his eyes filled with despair and pleading.
He opened his mouth to speak but couldn't utter a single word.
"Daddy?" Luna tilted her head, a questioning look on her face. "Why do you look so pale?"
Comment 0 Comment Count