Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Luna was tightly embraced by Aelia, feeling the despairing warmth radiating from her. A complex swirl of emotions surged within her small body.
She knew it was time; time to let the light of truth tear through this false calm.
Aelia's room was lavishly and exquisitely decorated, the air filled with a faint scent of aromatherapy, a fragrance she had always cherished.
Sunlight streamed through the ornate windows, casting dappled light and shadow on the floor. Everything seemed so beautiful, yet so… ironic.
Luna's big, watery eyes darted around as her small hands waved gently, as if trying to grasp something in the air.
A faint but undeniable magical fluctuation quietly spread around her.
This was her gift as the reincarnation of a Great Mage, and it was her means to change her Destiny.
Suddenly, images began to materialize in the air before Aelia, depicting Leonard's Last Night.
It was a secluded Separate Courtyard, where dense trees obscured the sunlight, creating a somewhat gloomy atmosphere.
In Leonard's Last Night, Leonard was tenderly holding an unfamiliar woman. Their gestures were intimate, and their words were filled with affection.
The woman smiled charmingly, her face radiating happiness, while the tenderness in Leonard's eyes was something Aelia had never seen before.
At first, Aelia thought she was hallucinating.
She rubbed her eyes and looked forward once more.
Leonard's Last Night remained vivid in her mind, even the tender smile at the corner of Leonard's mouth was clear as day.
Her smile froze on her face, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion and disbelief.
"What... what is this?" Aelia's voice trembled, unable to comprehend what she was witnessing.
She reached out, wanting to touch those moments from Leonard's Last Night, only to find they were mere ethereal illusions.
Luna blinked her big eyes innocently at Aelia, babbling indistinctly in baby talk, "Eee Yi Ya..."
Aelia suddenly turned to Luna, and she became aware that these memories of Leonard's Last Night seemed to emanate from the child.
She shook her head in disbelief; how could a newborn possess such power?
Yet, aside from Luna, she couldn't think of anyone else capable of such a feat.
The Leonard in Leonard's Last Night felt so foreign, so painfully distant.
She had always believed they were in love, that their marriage was blissful.
But now, those beautiful fantasies had been ruthlessly shattered like soap bubbles.
"No... this can't be..." Aelia murmured to herself, unable to accept this harsh reality.
She held Luna tightly, as if trying to draw warmth from her.
“Leonard… how could he do this to me…” Aelia's voice grew softer, filled with pain and despair.
Her heart felt as if it had been torn apart, bleeding profusely.
At that moment, a frantic voice came from the doorway. “Madam! Madam! What happened?”
It was Qin Si, who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion from the room.
When she saw Aelia's disheveled appearance, she was taken aback.
“Madam, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Qin Si asked cautiously, afraid of touching on Aelia's pain.
She couldn’t understand what had transpired to make the usually graceful and composed lady lose her composure.
Aelia did not respond to Qin Si; her eyes were fixed on the memories of Leonard's Last Night, as if she wanted to engrave them firmly in her mind.
Those memories were like sharp knives, piercing painfully into her heart.
She recalled the moments of love and affection shared with Leonard; those sweet memories now felt so ridiculous, so false.
She had once believed that Leonard was the sunshine of her life, the man she could rely on for eternity.
But now, she realized she had been living in a carefully woven lie all along.
Tears streamed down Aelia's cheeks like broken pearls, soaking her garments.
She held Luna tightly, her body trembling slightly, like leaves shivering in the cold wind.
"Why... why do this to me..." Aelia choked out, her voice filled with helplessness and despair.
She couldn't understand what she had done wrong to deserve such pain.
Qin Si watched from the side, her heart aching.
She wanted to comfort Aelia but didn't know what to say.
All she could do was stand there silently, offering her a wordless support.
Aelia's tears flowed more and more, and her heart grew colder.
She felt as if she were in a frozen abyss, surrounded by darkness, with no one to help her.
Suddenly, Aelia lifted her head and looked at Qin Si.
"Qin Si..." she said hoarsely, "tell me... have I been living in a joke all this time?"
Qin Si's heart jolted. She opened her mouth to say something but found herself unable to make a sound.
All she could do was watch Aelia helplessly as tears streamed down her own face.
Aelia said nothing more; she simply held Luna tightly, letting her tears flow freely.
The room was enveloped in silence, with only her suppressed sobs echoing in the air.
At that moment, a figure stepped into the room.
He was dressed in a sharp black uniform, a hint of fatigue on his face—it was Lucius.
He had intended to check on Mother and his sister, but he did not expect to find such a scene.
"Mother, what is this..." Lucius began, but was interrupted by Aelia.
"Lucius..." Aelia lifted her head to look at her son. "You... come here, I have something to ask you..." Her voice was soft yet carried an undeniable authority.
Leonard's study remained as tranquil as ever.
The tall bookshelves were filled with various Ancient Grimoires, exuding an aura of age and mystery.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting dappled light and shadow on the floor, illuminating Leonard's focused expression.
He was engrossed in a pile of documents, his long fingers deftly flipping through them, occasionally jotting down notes.
His demeanor was calm, as if everything happening outside had no bearing on him.
Unbeknownst to him, at that very moment, his wife, Aelia, the Lady of the Fortress of Glorious Demon Fortress, was enduring a heart-wrenching despair.
Aelia sat slumped in her chair, her eyes swollen and red, streaks of tears marking her face.
She felt as if her body had been hollowed out, weakly leaning against the back of the chair.
In her mind, Leonard and that woman’s Last Night played over and over again, like sharp knives piercing her heart mercilessly.
“How could this happen… how could this happen…” she murmured, her voice hoarse, filled with pain and despair.
She had once believed that their love was unbreakable, that their marriage was blissful.
But now, all of it had turned into a joke, a cruel lie.
Luna was tightly held in Aelia's embrace, feeling her tremors and sorrow.
Her small hand gently stroked Aelia's Luna, her big watery eyes filled with complex emotions.
She knew that the pain Aelia felt at this moment was caused by her own actions.
Yet, to change her family's destiny, she had no choice but to do so.
A hint of helplessness flashed across her youthful face.
Qin Si stood by, watching Aelia in such distress, her heart also filled with compassion.
She wanted to say something to comfort her, but the words stuck in her throat and wouldn’t come out.
All she could do was silently offer a handkerchief, gently wiping away the tears on Aelia's face.
The atmosphere in the room was heavy and oppressive, as if the very air had solidified.
Aelia took the handkerchief and covered her face, crying silently.
Her thin shoulders trembled continuously, as if trying to release all the pain within her.
She couldn't understand why Leonard would do this to her.
Why would he betray their love?
Luna looked at Aelia, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
She knew that Aelia needed time—time to accept this cruel reality.
Gently, she patted Aelia's hand and said in her tender voice, "Mommy... don't cry..."
Aelia shivered slightly at the sound of Luna's voice.
She looked down at her daughter in her arms, holding Luna tightly as if drawing strength from her.
"Luna..." she choked out, "Mommy is okay... Mommy is just... a little sad..."
Luna softly stroked Aelia's hair, comforting her in her own special way.
She understood that what Aelia needed now was not just comfort, but also the truth.
Time passed slowly, and the atmosphere in the room remained oppressive.
Aelia's sobs gradually subsided, but the sadness on her face showed no signs of fading.
She lifted her head and looked at Qin Si.
“Qin Si…” she said hoarsely, “what should I do…”
Qin Si gazed at Aelia, her heart filled with compassion.
She knew that Aelia was at a low point in her life and needed someone to help and guide her.
“Madam…” Qin Si said softly, “you must be strong… you still have Luna… and us…”
Upon hearing Qin Si's words, Aelia took a deep breath, striving to control her emotions.
She understood that she could not give in; she had Luna and her family to think about. She had to be strong for them.
Slowly, she stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the bright sunlight outside.
She realized that a new day had begun, and it was time for her to start anew.
“Qin Si…” she turned around to face Qin Si, determination shining in her eyes, “go… call Lucius…”
Aelia's words fell like a heavy stone into a still lake, stirring up tumultuous waves within Qin Si's heart.
Having served her mistress for many years, she understood the pride and resolve that lay deep within Aelia.
Her sudden loss of composure and swift decision-making indicated that she had truly been hurt this time.
“Madam, you…” Qin Si wanted to persuade her for a moment. After all, Lord Leonard wielded immense power, and what if the Madam acted impulsively?
But Aelia merely raised her hand to stop her.
“Go.” Her tone was calm yet carried an undeniable authority.
Her gaze was as sharp as ice, seeming to penetrate the hearts of others, leaving no trace of the vulnerability she had shown before.
Qin Si dared not say more and hurriedly exited the room.
Only Aelia and Luna remained in the room.
Sunlight fell on Aelia's face, half bright and half shadowed, accentuating the struggle within her.
She walked to the wardrobe and opened the doors, revealing a collection of exquisite gowns.
In the end, she chose a Deep Purple Starry Gown, her favorite color and Leonard's as well.
Once she changed into the dress, she stood before the mirror, meticulously applying her makeup.
Every detail was pursued with perfection, as if she aimed to conceal all her sadness and anger.
When she lifted her head again, the reflection in the mirror still showed the noble and elegant Lady of the Glorious Demon Fortress.
"Luna, come with me to meet your father," Aelia's voice was gentle, but her gaze was unwavering.
She picked up Luna and walked out of the room.
Sunlight poured over them, as if cloaking them in a golden glow.
A soft breeze rustled, causing her purple skirt to flutter gently, resembling a phoenix reborn from the ashes.
As Aelia appeared at the door of Leonard's study with Luna in her arms, the guards were taken aback.
They had never seen the lady so elegantly dressed, nor had they witnessed that icy expression on her face.
"Lady, the Lord is currently occupied with important matters..." one guard said cautiously.
Aelia parted her red lips and uttered coldly, "Step aside."
The guards exchanged glances, none daring to obstruct her.
Ignoring them, Aelia pushed open the door to the study.
Inside, Leonard stood by the window, holding a document as if deep in thought.
Hearing the door open, he frowned slightly and turned around.
When he saw Aelia,
“Aelia, what brings you here?” Leonard's voice was deep and magnetic, carrying a hint of subtle detachment.
He stepped closer to Aelia, intending to embrace her, but she deftly evaded him.
Aelia held Luna in her arms, her gaze locked onto Leonard's eyes—eyes she had once loved deeply, now filled with an unsettling strangeness.
“Leonard, there are some things I think we need to discuss,” she said, her tone calm, so calm it was frightening.
Leonard looked at her, an ominous premonition rising within him.
He opened his mouth to say something, but Aelia suddenly laughed. The smile was like frost in the depths of winter, devoid of warmth.
“First tell me, who is the woman in the Separate Courtyard?”
Comment 0 Comment Count