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墨書 Inktalez
The night fell like thick ink, enveloping the Glorious Demon Fortress in a tranquil silence. However, beneath this seemingly calm surface, a current of unrest was stirring. Luna's clear eyes sparkled with a determination beyond her years. She knew that the gears of her family's destiny were about to start turning.
After Lucius left, Luna did not rest immediately. Her small hands clenched tightly as she silently plotted her next move. It would not be easy to make Aelia see Leonard's true nature. After all, years of marital affection are not easily cast aside. Moreover, Leonard had been entrenched in the Glorious Demon Fortress for many years, with his influence deeply rooted; one misstep could easily alert him to her intentions.
"I must be cautious and proceed step by step," Luna reminded herself. Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door. The night breeze carried a hint of coolness, brushing against her youthful face and sharpening her senses.
Her goal was clear—find Qin Si and reveal the clues about Leonard's betrayal to her. Qin Si was Aelia's trusted maid, fiercely loyal to her mistress. If Luna could gain Qin Si's trust and assistance, things would go much more smoothly.
Drawing on memories from her past life, Luna navigated her way to Qin Si's room with ease. She gently knocked on the door and called softly, "Sister Qin Si, are you asleep? Luna has something to discuss with you."
Inside the room, there was a rustling sound, and after a moment, the door opened to reveal Qin Si, looking at Luna with a hint of confusion. "Young Miss, it's so late; why are you still awake?" Qin Si asked with concern.
Luna smiled sweetly, taking Qin Si's hand and pouting slightly. "Sister Qin Si, I can't sleep; I have some worries I want to share with you."
Seeing this, Qin Si felt a pang of sympathy and pulled Luna into the room, asking gently, "What troubles you, Young Miss? Tell your sister."
Luna did not answer immediately but carefully closed the door behind her and ensured no one was around before lowering her voice. "Sister Qin Si, I... I've discovered something about the Lord of the Fortress."
At these words, Qin Si's expression shifted slightly, and her tone became serious. "What have you found out? What's wrong with the Lord of the Fortress?"
Luna bit her lip, seemingly hesitant to speak. She observed Qin Si's expression closely while contemplating how to phrase her words. "Sister Qin Si, you must promise me that no matter what I say, you will remain calm," Luna said earnestly.
Qin Si nodded in understanding. Only then did Luna slowly begin to share what she knew about Leonard having another concubine outside and some suspicious signs she had noticed. Of course, she concealed her identity as a transmigrator and vaguely mentioned that she had experienced a strange dream in which she saw these events unfold.
Qin Si was stunned into silence after hearing Luna's words. She couldn't believe that the Lord of the Fortress, whom she had always respected, could betray his wife.
"Young Miss, this... this can't be true, right? The Lord of the Fortress has always treated his wife so well, how could he..." Qin Si's voice trembled, clearly unable to accept this reality.
Luna had anticipated Qin Si's reaction and patiently explained, "Sister Qin Si, I know it's hard for you to believe. But every word I say is true. The scenes I saw in my dream were very vivid. I... I worry that the lady might be kept in the dark, which is why I came to tell you."
Qin Si fell silent. She knew that Luna wouldn't say such things without reason, and her serious expression indicated she wasn't joking.
"Young Miss, do you have any evidence for what you've said?" Qin Si asked.
Luna shook her head and replied helplessly, "I only had a dream; where would the evidence come from? However, Sister Qin Si, you might want to observe closely; perhaps you'll uncover some clues."
Qin Si nodded, indicating that she understood.
"Young Miss, this matter is serious; I need to think it over," Qin Si said.
Luna understood that Qin Si needed time to process the news. She didn't pressure her to make a decision immediately but gently said, "Sister Qin Si, whatever decision you make, I will support you."
With that, Luna quietly left Qin Si's room.
In the following days, Qin Si kept a close watch on Leonard. She noticed that his behavior had indeed been unusual lately. He often left early and returned late, and each time he came back, he carried a faint Cedar Fragrance that was not Aelia's usual perfume.
Additionally, Qin Si discovered that Leonard frequently wrote letters in secret and burned them immediately after finishing, leaving no trace behind.
These signs made Qin Si increasingly believe what Luna had said.
"Could it be that the Lord of the Fortress really has betrayed his wife?" Doubts and unease filled Qin Si's heart. She hesitated to share these observations with Aelia for fear of hurting her.
Yet she couldn't just stand by and watch Aelia remain in the dark. After much contemplation, Qin Si decided to subtly reveal what she had observed to Aelia.
One day, Aelia was in the garden trimming flowers when Qin Si approached with a cup of floral tea.
"Madam, you've worked hard; please take a moment to rest with some tea," Qin Si said softly.
Aelia accepted the cup and took a gentle sip before smiling and saying, "You're always so thoughtful."
After a moment of hesitation, Qin Si cautiously remarked, "Madam, it seems like the Lord of the Fortress has been very busy lately, often leaving early and returning late."
At her words, Aelia's expression changed slightly but quickly returned to calmness.
"Yes," she replied lightly. "The affairs of the fortress have been hectic lately; he naturally needs to put in more effort."
Seeing this reaction, Qin Si sighed inwardly.
She knew that Aelia did not want to doubt Leonard, which was why she spoke that way.
“Madam, I’ve heard that when men venture out into the world, they inevitably encounter some temptations. You must be extra careful to avoid falling into someone’s trap,” Qin Si continued.
Aelia detected the implication in Qin Si's words, and her expression darkened.
She set down her teacup and said coldly, “Qin Si, what are you talking about? I trust Leonard completely; he would never do anything to betray me.”
Seeing Aelia’s anger, Qin Si quickly knelt down to apologize, “Madam, please don’t be angry. I was just speaking thoughtlessly; I meant no harm.”
Aelia snorted coldly and said nothing more. She stood up and swept out of the room.
Watching Aelia’s retreating figure, Qin Si felt a surge of worry.
She knew that Aelia had begun to doubt Leonard but was unwilling to admit it.
In the following days, Aelia kept a close watch on Leonard.
She noticed that his attitude towards her had indeed grown somewhat distant.
He no longer took the time each day to chat and stroll with her as he used to; instead, he was busy with official duties and rarely saw her.
Additionally, Aelia discovered that Leonard often carried an unfamiliar Cedar Fragrance with him.
That Cedar Fragrance was not the scent she usually wore.
These observations filled Aelia with unease.
She began to reminisce about their past moments together.
The sweetness they once shared and the vows they made now felt hazy and unclear.
She started to question whether Leonard had truly changed.
Finally, one deep night, Aelia could no longer endure the torment in her heart.
She decided to confront Leonard herself.
Pushing open Leonard's door, she found him sitting at his desk, engrossed in writing something.
“Leonard, what are you doing?” Aelia asked coldly.
Startled by her voice, Leonard quickly looked up and saw Aelia standing at the door, her face pale and her eyes icy.
“Aelia, what are you doing here? It’s so late; is something wrong?” Leonard asked in a flustered tone.
Aelia did not answer but walked straight to the desk and picked up a letter that Leonard had just finished writing.
After glancing at it, her face turned ashen.
The letter read: Dear Lily, I saw Aelia again today. She is still as beautiful and gentle as ever. But the one I love is you; you are the one I truly want to be with.
"Please give me some more time. I will handle everything as soon as possible, and then we can be together forever." Aelia's hands trembled as the letter slipped from her grasp.
She looked up, glaring at Leonard with fury. "Leonard, what does this mean? Who is Lily? You... you actually betrayed me!" Aelia's voice shook, filled with anger and sorrow.
Leonard's face turned pale as he realized the truth was out. He hurried to Aelia's side, trying to explain, "Aelia, let me explain. It's not what you think..."
"Not what I think? Then what is it? Is this letter a lie? Did you not betray me?" Aelia shouted.
Leonard was left speechless. He knew that no matter how he explained, he could never win back Aelia's heart.
"Aelia, I... I'm sorry," Leonard said, lowering his head, his voice hoarse.
Upon hearing this, Aelia's anger intensified. She raised her hand and slapped Leonard hard across the face.
"Leonard, you bastard! I must have been blind to fall in love with someone like you!" Aelia cried out before turning and running out of the room.
Leonard stood there, covering his face, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. He knew he had completely lost Aelia's trust.
"Damn it! It's all that bitch Lily's fault! If it weren't for her, how could things have turned out like this?" Leonard cursed inwardly. He lifted his head and watched Aelia leave.
"Aelia, don't blame me. You forced my hand; you never gave me a chance," Leonard murmured to himself.
Just then, urgent footsteps echoed from outside the door.
"My Lord of the Fortress, something's wrong! There's been an incident!" a knight rushed in, panic evident on his face.
Leonard frowned and impatiently asked, "What happened? Why are you in such a frenzy?"
The knight swallowed hard and stammered, "The... Eldest Son... he..."
"What happened to my brother?" Leonard pressed on.
The knight struggled to find his words.
"Speak! What exactly happened?" Leonard roared.
The knight trembled in fear and quickly replied, "The Eldest Son... he found out about you and Lily, and he's coming over in a rage..."
Upon hearing this, Leonard's expression changed dramatically.
"What? He knows?" Leonard asked in terror.
The knight nodded vigorously in affirmation.
Leonard suddenly felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. He knew that his elder brother had always held Aelia in high regard, and if he found out that Leonard had betrayed her, he would not let him off easily.
“It’s over, everything is over!” Leonard slumped into the chair, despair written all over his face.
At that moment, a cold voice came from outside the door: “Leonard, you despicable little one! I will kill you!”
As the words fell, a tall figure appeared at the doorway, his face filled with rage and his eyes burning with killing intent. It was his elder brother.
Upon learning of Leonard's betrayal of Aelia, he resembled an enraged lion, his fury almost consuming him. Leaning on his magic staff, each step felt as if he were treading on Leonard's heart. The gem atop the staff glimmered with a dangerous light, and the air around them seemed to thicken.
He recalled Aelia’s contributions to their family, her care for him, and the thought that Leonard could be so vile only fueled his anger further.
“Leonard, do you deserve to face Mother? Do you deserve Aelia?” His brother roared, the sound deafening as if shaking the very walls of the room. His voice was laced with disappointment and fury, tinged with disbelief. He had always thought Leonard would be a worthy heir to the Glorious Demon Fortress; he never expected him to be so pathetic.
Almost simultaneously, Second Brother arrived. Hearing the elder brother's roar, he already had an inkling of what had transpired. Remembering how he had been betrayed by a close friend and plunged into a Magic Dilemma years ago, he felt an even deeper loathing for Leonard’s actions.
He stepped beside his elder brother, looking steadfastly at Leonard. “Brother, there’s no need to waste words on such scum!” Second Brother's voice was low and cold, as if it came from the depths of hell. He could empathize with Aelia’s pain at this moment; he would not allow Leonard to hurt her any further. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword at his waist, ready to strike at any moment.
Brother San, who had been preoccupied with his magical talent and neglecting his training, also sensed the crisis facing their family. He stood at a distance, observing his furious elder brother and Second Brother alongside the slumped Leonard, feeling overwhelmed with guilt.
He became aware that he could no longer continue in this manner. The family needed him; Mother needed him; he must take on his responsibilities. Taking a deep breath, he tightly gripped the grimoire in hand and silently vowed to improve his magical prowess to contribute to their family's future.
He approached his elder brother and Second Brother and whispered, “Brother, Second Brother, I… I will stand with you.”
In the corner stood Lucius, watching the scene unfold before him with disappointment and heartache. The father he had always respected turned out to be such a person.
He looked at the back of Mother standing at the front, filled with guilt and heartache. He knew that this was not the time for sorrow; he had to stand with Mother and Brothers to face the family's crisis. He walked over to his eldest brother and whispered, "Eldest Brother, Second Brother, I will stand by Mother as well. Together, we will protect her!"
Leonard gazed at his four sons standing at the door, his heart heavy with fear and despair. He realized that he had completely lost their trust. He tried to stand up, wanting to explain something, but found that his Twin Legs had gone numb and he could not move at all.
Aelia stumbled back to her room, closed the door, leaned against the wall, and wept uncontrollably. She could not believe that the husband she had loved for so many years would betray her. It felt as if her heart had been torn into pieces, leaving her gasping in pain.
Suddenly, she thought of Luna. The mysterious Infant Girl seemed to have foreseen all of this. Wiping her tears, she walked to the bed and picked up Luna. "Luna, tell me, what should we do next?" Aelia's voice trembled with helplessness and confusion.
Luna reached out her small hand and gently stroked Aelia's face. Just then, the door burst open, and her eldest brother stormed in, anger etched on his face. There was a hint of hesitation in his expression, but he ultimately spoke with determination: "Mother, we can no longer allow Leonard to continue ruling Glorious Demon Fortress! He is no longer worthy of being the master of this family!"
Aelia looked up at her eldest son, her eyes filled with questions: "What do you intend to do?" Taking a deep breath, he replied firmly, "I will... take back control of Glorious Demon Fortress!” His words rang out like a thunderclap in the room.
The air in Glory Fortress felt charged, not because of magic but due to the tense atmosphere. Xiao Luna, the little whirlwind in a frilly pink dress, had unexpectedly become the center of it all. You might think a two-year-old would be more interested in chasing butterflies than orchestrating family drama, but Luna was no ordinary toddler. Her soul was filled with the wisdom of a past life—a great mage trapped in an innocent little body.
And she had a plan. Today, her goal was the truth—a venomous snake coiled at the heart of Glory Fortress. Who was her unwitting accomplice? None other than the Lady of the Glory Fortress, the graceful and powerful Aelia.
Like a seasoned strategist, Luna cunningly “accidentally” spilled a cup of juice by the fireplace where Fortress Lord Leonard had carelessly piled up a stack of Letters. Aelia, always a kind hostess, immediately bent down to clean up the mess.
But under Luna's small hand's push, Destiny had other plans.
A letter lay there, its seal broken, revealing a line of elegant script: Iris, which left Aelia frozen in place.
The letter began with, "My dearest Isolde..." The world seemed to spin around her.
Isolde?
This was the name whispered among the maids, synonymous with betrayal.
Aelia's face drained of color, turning pale as a ghost.
Her hands trembled as she clutched the letter tightly, as if it were a venomous snake.
Across the room, Luna appeared completely absorbed in playing with her wooden blocks, a slight smile gracing her lips, almost imperceptible.
"She will die," she thought, her little mind filled with a sense of satisfaction akin to that of a puppeteer controlling their marionettes.
The ensuing scene erupted into chaos, a storm composed of pain and anger.
Leonard was caught off guard, stammering as his excuses crumbled like a spider's web.
He didn't even notice Luna, the little Key Catalyst who had caused his downfall, gazing at him with wide, innocent eyes.
This place, usually a bastion of order and tradition, had descended into turmoil.
The three brothers each wrestled with their inner demons, swept up in the maelstrom.
The eldest brother's usually expressionless face was etched with worry as he attempted to mediate, but no one listened to him.
The Second Brother was still suffering from the betrayal of a friend, empathizing with Mother as his own wounds were reopened.
The youngest brother, typically focused on his magical studies, looked genuinely confused at this moment, like a deer caught in headlights.
Qin Si, Aelia's loyal maid, flitted around her mistress like a protective hummingbird, softly comforting her.
Even Leonard's legitimate son and Luna's playmate Lucius sensed the shift in atmosphere; his usual lively demeanor replaced by an unsettling silence.
The ripples caused by Luna's carefully orchestrated revelation spread through the fortress like wildfire, igniting long-suppressed resentments and triggering unexpected alliances.
This fortress, once a symbol of strength and unity, now stood on the brink of transformation—all thanks to the schemes of this seemingly innocent child.
Little did they know that this was merely the beginning of Luna's grand plan; it was the first move in a magical chess game where the stakes were nothing less than the very Destiny of Glory Fortress itself.
And Luna, this unassuming reincarnated Great Mage, was determined to secure victory at all costs.
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