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墨書 Inktalez
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the stained glass window, casting a kaleidoscope of light and shadow on the floor, resembling an impressionist painting. In the cradle, Luna clutched tightly to a piece of silk adorned with lace, her violet eyes sparkling with an unusual wisdom that belied her age.
Her small face was taut, and her pink lips were pressed together, resembling a young general strategizing her next move. The cradle rocked gently, creaking softly like an ancient lullaby, yet this did not disturb Luna's thoughts; a fierce brainstorming session was unfolding in her little mind.
Meanwhile, in the luxurious living room of the Glorious Demon Fortress, Aelia was elegantly enjoying her afternoon tea. The delicate ceramic cup held rich black tea infused with a strong cedar fragrance, with fresh rose petals floating on the surface, filling the air with a subtle sweetness.
Dressed in a splendid silk long skirt, Aelia reclined lazily on a soft sofa, exuding the noble demeanor of a lady of high society with every gesture. She took a gentle sip of tea, savoring the warmth as it slid down her throat, a satisfied smile gracing her face. Outside, birds chirped joyfully while a light breeze fluttered the curtains; everything felt so calm and peaceful, as if it were the tranquility before a storm.
However, this serenity was soon shattered. Luna's small hands waved restlessly as she babbled incoherently, calling out for something. Qin Si, Aelia's personal maid, immediately approached the cradle and gently picked up Luna, soothing her softly.
Luna's tiny hands clutched at Qin Si's sleeve, her violet eyes shimmering with an unusual light as she spoke in fragmented phrases that only Qin Si could understand. "Fortress... Master... outside... woman..."
At first puzzled, Qin Si quickly grasped Luna's meaning. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at the infant in her arms. Luna's words detonated like a bomb in her mind, instantly revealing the truth of the situation to her. An indescribable surge of anger and excitement flooded over Qin Si; she felt her heart race and her breath quicken.
Holding Luna tightly, she silently vowed to seek justice for her mistress. Almost running to Aelia, Qin Si's face was pale and her lips trembled slightly as if she had something important to announce.
Noticing Qin Si's distress, Aelia set down her teacup and asked with concern, "Qin Si, what happened?"
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Qin Si relayed Luna's words to Aelia. Upon hearing them, Aelia nearly dropped her teacup. She felt her blood run cold as an icy wave surged from her feet to the top of her head. Her complexion turned ashen as she gripped the armrest of the sofa tightly; her knuckles whitened from the pressure as if she might faint at any moment.
"It can't be..." she murmured to herself, her voice trembling as if denying this cruel reality. She had always loved Leonard deeply; for him, she had sacrificed family honor and given up a life of freedom to become the woman behind him. She bore his children and managed their household; she had given him everything.
She had always believed that Leonard loved her just as much and that they would live happily ever after.
But now, she had learned that Leonard had betrayed her and was seeing another woman. This news was undoubtedly a thunderclap for her, making her feel as if her world had collapsed in an instant. Her heart felt as if it had been pierced by a sharp blade, causing her pain so intense that she could hardly breathe. She could not accept this reality, nor could she understand why Leonard would do such a thing.
"Madam..." Qin Si looked at Aelia with concern, wanting to comfort her but unsure of what to say. Aelia slowly raised her head, feeling as if her body had lost all strength, as though she might collapse at any moment. She took a deep breath, striving to keep herself alert.
"Go... bring Leonard here..." she said with a trembling voice, a hint of determination in her tone. Qin Si nodded and immediately turned to leave the room.
Aelia sat alone on the sofa, staring blankly ahead as if she had lost her soul. Her mind was a chaotic whirlpool of thoughts, intertwining and causing her immense pain and despair. The room was silent, with only the occasional chirping of birds from outside amplifying the oppressive atmosphere within.
Before long, a steady sound of footsteps approached and stopped at the door. "Aelia, you called for me?" Leonard's voice came from outside, tinged with confusion. Aelia slowly turned her head, her gaze icy as it fell on the doorway.
"Come in."
Leonard pushed the door open, and what met his eyes was Aelia's exquisite face now marred by frost. Her once gentle eyes were now as deep and unfathomable as a cold pool, causing an inexplicable panic to rise within him. The air was thick with tension, and even the sweet aroma of tea felt suffocating.
"Aelia, you don't look well. Are you feeling unwell?" Leonard asked feigning concern, though his eyes dared not meet hers, flickering uncertainly instead. He tried to mask his inner turmoil with a gentle tone, unaware that this poor act only served as mockery in Aelia's eyes.
Aelia did not respond; she simply stared at him quietly, her gaze seeming to penetrate his soul and strip away all his pretenses. Leonard felt a chill run down his spine as beads of sweat began to form on his forehead.
"Leonard, tell me who that woman outside is," Aelia's voice was soft yet carried an undeniable authority. Each word struck like a sharp knife into Leonard's heart.
His body jolted as if struck by lightning; he knew the truth had been revealed. Desperately flailing for an escape, he stammered with shifting eyes, "Aelia, what are you talking about? I don’t understand."
Aelia let out a cold laugh and picked up an exquisite ceramic cup from the table before smashing it onto the floor.
With a loud crash, shards of porcelain scattered like broken hearts.
"Don't understand? Fine, let me make it clearer!" Aelia suddenly stood up and walked in front of Leonard, staring him down.
"You've been keeping a woman outside behind my back. Can you honestly say you haven't?"
Leonard was intimidated by Aelia's fierce presence; he lowered his head, his eyes darting away, unable to face her fury.
"Aelia, I..." He tried to explain but found himself at a loss for words.
"Speak! Go on, say something!" Aelia's voice rose sharply, tinged with desperate hoarseness.
"Say you haven't betrayed me! Say you've always loved me!"
Leonard fell silent; he couldn't bring himself to utter those insincere words.
He knew that his silence spoke volumes.
Tears streamed down Aelia's face, cascading like Luna's light, falling onto the lavish carpet and blooming into sorrowful flowers.
She loved this man and had given him everything, yet he had trampled her heart with betrayal.
"Why? Leonard, tell me why?" Aelia's voice choked with pain.
"What did I do wrong for you to treat me this way?"
Leonard slowly raised his head, looking at Aelia's tear-streaked face, feeling a pang of guilt rise within him.
He knew he had hurt this woman who loved him deeply.
"Aelia, I'm sorry..." he said in a low voice, filled with helplessness and regret.
"I... I don't even know what's wrong with me. I just... made a mistake that all men make."
"A mistake?" Aelia laughed bitterly through her tears, which flowed even more fiercely.
"Leonard, you call betrayal a mistake? Do you realize you've destroyed everything for me?"
Leonard was left speechless, silently enduring Aelia's wrath.
He knew he deserved the worst punishment.
Ultimately, under Aelia's relentless questioning, Leonard had no choice but to admit his mistake.
He confessed to his actions with the woman outside and acknowledged his betrayal of Aelia.
After hearing Leonard's confession, Aelia felt her heart shatter completely.
She slumped helplessly onto the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling as if all hope had vanished.
"Get out! I never want to see you again!" Aelia shouted with all her strength.
Leonard silently stood up and turned to leave the room.
His back appeared so lonely and dejected, like a lost traveler without direction.
Meanwhile, in another part of the Magic Castle...
In the study of the Elder Brother, a faint scent of herbs lingered in the air. He sat in his wheelchair, a thick magic tome placed before him, but his mind was far from the pages. Qin Si rushed in, bringing news of Leonard's betrayal.
Upon hearing this, the Elder Brother furrowed his brow, his expression turning grave. He gripped the armrests of his wheelchair tightly, his knuckles turning white from the pressure. "Mother...," his voice trembled with concern.
Qin Si shook his head, indicating that he too was unaware of the details. The Elder Brother sighed, a mix of emotions swirling within him. He felt anger for Mother and worry that their family might fall into crisis. Father's betrayal would undoubtedly send shockwaves through the Magic Castle and could even spark a power struggle.
"It seems I must take action..." the Elder Brother murmured to himself.
In Second Brother's room, chaos reigned. He angrily swept everything off the table onto the floor, venting his frustrations. Leonard's betrayal left him shocked and disappointed. The father he had always respected turned out to be such a hypocritical man.
"Those bastards! I will not let him get away with this!" Second Brother clenched his fists, fire flashing in his eyes. He vowed to seek justice for Mother and make Leonard pay.
Brother San was lying on his bed, idly playing with a magic water crystal ball when he heard the news. He sat up abruptly. "Father... how could he do such a thing?" Brother San said in disbelief. He had always been indifferent to cultivation, believing that his innate talent would allow him to succeed without effort. But at that moment, he became aware of the family's predicament and the responsibilities resting on his shoulders.
"It seems I can no longer continue like this..." Determination shone in Brother San's eyes as he resolved to take his cultivation seriously and contribute to the family's future.
As night fell, the Glorious Demon Fortress was shrouded in shadows. Lucius stood by the window, gazing into the distance with a subtle smile playing on his lips. He lifted a glass of red wine, gently swirling it; the crimson liquid rippled within the glass like surging undercurrents.
"Father, oh Father, you have finally made an error..." he whispered, an enigmatic glint in his eyes. He brought the glass to his lips and took a delicate sip, deepening the intensity of his gaze.
"Now it’s my turn to take center stage..." He set down the glass and turned toward the depths of darkness, leaving behind a cryptic remark: "The real show has just begun..."
The news of Leonard's betrayal spread like wildfire through Glory Manor, crackling in the luxurious hall and echoing in the hushed whispers of the servants. The air, once filled with the fragrance of Rose Scent and afternoon tea, was now thick with a tense atmosphere, as if a suffocating blanket of anticipation and unease had descended upon the estate. Every stone in the manor seemed to tremble in response to the impending storm brewing within Lady Arya's heart.
That evening, the grand dining room, usually alive with laughter and the clinking of silverware, was eerily silent. The long mahogany table, once laden with a feast fit for kings, now held only a few untouched dishes. The family members present—Lady Arya's three sons and Leonard himself—sat scattered like fallen leaves, each lost in their own tumultuous thoughts. The flickering candlelight cast long, dancing shadows across their faces, highlighting the worry etched between their brows.
The only sound was the occasional clink of ice in a glass, a nervous habit of Leonard's that resonated loudly in the stifling silence. He poked at his food, the delicious roast game hen suddenly tasting like ash in his mouth. He could feel the weight of their gazes upon him, each glance laden with unspoken accusations. His skin prickled with discomfort; the stiff collar of his shirt felt like a noose tightening around his neck.
Meanwhile, Lucius felt an unusual thrill coursing through him. Sitting across from his father, a barely perceptible smile played at the corners of his mouth, hidden by the flickering candlelight. He swirled the deep red Blood Wine in his crystal glass, watching as light refracted through the liquid, his eyes gleaming with a predatory glint. This... this was his opportunity.
The fissures he had been waiting for were finally appearing. He could sense power shifting, old orders crumbling, and he was ready to pick up the pieces. The sweet taste of victory danced on his tongue, more intoxicating than the finest wine. He could almost savor it—the heady mix of power and revenge.
Excusing himself from the tense and silent dinner, he left with a smile still lingering on his lips. As he walked down the dimly lit corridor, the polished marble floor felt cold and biting beneath his feet; he could almost hear the whispers echoing throughout the manor—a symphony filled with uncertainty and fear. He paused beside an armor stand and caught his reflection in the polished steel. The flickering candlelight made his eyes appear darker and sharper, burning with near-manic ambition.
“Game,” he murmured softly, his voice low and smooth, “has only just begun.”
Meanwhile, Aerya sat alone in her room, where the embers in the fireplace flickered like stars on the verge of extinguishing. Shadows enveloped the room, mirroring her inner turmoil. Her fingers traced the exquisite patterns on the silk tapestry hanging on the wall; the cool cursed fabric contrasted sharply with her inner burning rage.
The silence in her room was broken only by the crackling fire and her occasional suppressed sobs. In her hand, she clutched a small silver necklace box—a gift from Leonard on their wedding day.
The metal felt cold against her skin, a chilling reminder of his betrayal. She opened the necklace box and stared at the small image of Leonard inside, his eyes sparkling with laughter and love. A bitter laugh escaped her lips, devoid of any humor.
"Love," she whispered, her voice hoarse with pain, "what a lie." She snapped the necklace box shut with a sharp sound that echoed in the quiet room like a gunshot.
In the adjacent room, Xiao Luna stirred in her cradle. She opened her eyes, revealing the extraordinary wisdom flickering in the depths of her violet gaze. Her small hand reached up to rub her eyes, this childish gesture masking the complex thoughts swirling in her mind.
She sensed a shift in the atmosphere, a storm brewing within the walls of the manor. A faint smile emerged at the corners of her mouth.
So it begins. The first domino had fallen. Now, all she needed to do was wait... and watch.
Suddenly, a sharp knock echoed through the silent room. Aerya froze, instinctively reaching for her throat.
"Who is it?" she called out, her voice tinged with tension.
"Madam," came a low voice from outside the door, "it's Silas. I have... news."
Aerya hesitated for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest. What new revelations could Silas possibly bring? What deeper betrayal awaited her? She took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever news lay ahead.
"Come in," she said softly, her voice barely audible.
The door creaked open to reveal Silas's pale face, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and excitement. He stepped into the room and gently closed the door behind him.
He leaned closer to Aerya, his voice almost lost amidst the crackling of the fire.
"Madam," he said, his voice trembling, "I just learned... Lord Leonard... he..." He paused, glancing back as if afraid someone might overhear him.
Then he leaned in closer and whispered in the darkness, "He plans to leave."
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