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墨書 Inktalez
The faint flicker of candlelight danced across Aelia's tear-streaked face, casting long, twisted shadows on the walls of her opulent room. The truth of Leonard's betrayal pierced through the poetic fabric of her marriage like a shard of cruel reality, leaving her dizzy and disoriented. This was not merely heartbreak; it was the collapse of the world she had meticulously constructed, a world built on trust, loyalty, and shared dreams for a lifetime. With every violent shudder of her body, she felt the foundation of her carefully crafted reality crumbling beneath her.
The air in the room felt heavy and suffocating, filled with the sweet scent of unshed tears mingling with the bitter taste of betrayal. Luna, in her cradle, watched Aelia with an insight far beyond her tender age. Her tiny fists clenched and unclenched, silently affirming the resolute determination brewing within her heart. Though her body remained that of an infant, her mind whirled with calculations, schemes, and maneuverings.
She had altered the family's destiny, a chain reaction triggered by her awareness of the original storyline. Witnessing Aelia's pain ignited a new resolve within her. Things should not have unfolded this way, she thought, her unusually bright eyes shimmering with unwavering light. The original tale had not accounted for Aelia's strength, nor considered the hidden power lurking beneath her sorrow.
Luna knew with a certainty that transcended her years that she held the key to navigating this tumultuous new path. It was time to turn the tide.
In the vast estate, her elder brother sat hunched over ancient scrolls in the silence of his study, as if transformed into a different person. The flickering candlelight cast ghostly glimmers on his weary face, accentuating the lines etched around his eyes by pain. The once vibrant and powerful magic that surged through his blood had now fallen into slumber, bound by a curse that left him scarred both physically and emotionally.
His trembling hand brushed against his withered limbs, a constant reminder of lost potential and stolen dreams. Suddenly, a stinging warmth spread through his arm like sunlight breaking through clouds. Confused, he looked down to see his fingertip glowing with the faintest light. The glow intensified until the entire room was bathed in dazzling golden radiance.
As he became aware of this impossible occurrence—the curse being broken—unbelievable tears welled up in his eyes. He could feel magic surging within him, raw and untamed, undeniably his own. A victorious roar echoed through the silent halls of the estate; this sound heralded new hope not just for him but for the entire family.
Meanwhile, Second Brother paced anxiously in his room, heavy velvet curtains drawn tight against the encroaching darkness. The betrayal of his closest friend cut deeper than any physical wound, leaving him adrift in a sea of self-doubt and shattered illusions. He had retreated from the world; his once vibrant spirit now shrouded in despair.
He slammed his fist against the wall, the dull thud resonating with the emptiness inside him. Yet as he replayed Luna's words in his mind, a spark of understanding and hope began to ignite within his heart. He realized he was not alone; he had underestimated the strength of family and most importantly, his own resilience.
As he began to formulate a plan, a smile slowly crept across his face—not just for revenge but to reclaim his life. The long-dormant spark in his eyes reignited with renewed determination.
Luna sensed a shift in family dynamics; there was a subtle change in the atmosphere of the estate that made her smile knowingly. This was a small victory but one that held great significance. She glanced at Third Brother's closed door, mischief sparkling in her eyes.
“Now,” she murmured softly, her voice barely above a whisper yet imbued with an unsettling power, “let’s have a grand finale…”
Third Young Master was locked away in his lavish room, starkly contrasting with the outside world. Sunlight filtered through the thick velvet curtains' gap, illuminating the dancing dust motes in the air while highlighting the palpable sense of stagnation that pervaded the room.
He was once hailed as a Prodigy, born with an innate connection to magic that others could only dream of. Yet, he had turned his gift into a crutch, a gilded cage that ensnared him in a cycle of complacency and self-pity.
Lazily sprawled on a luxurious chaise lounge, a half-drunk glass of Blood Wine teetered on the table beside him, while his gaze remained vacant and lost. Years of effortlessly wielding magic had dulled his senses, leaving him both mentally and physically lethargic. The subtle currents of Magical Energy swirling through the estate—the triumphant Ailya's Roar from his elder brother, the increasingly resolute determination of his Second Brother—barely registered in his awareness. He was so engrossed in the prison he had built for himself that he failed to notice the winds of change sweeping through the family.
Then, like a thunderclap, Luna's words echoed sharply in his mind: "Talent is a gift, not a guarantee." He shuddered as a long-dormant sense of shame surged within him. He had squandered his talent, allowing it to wither away until only a vague memory of potential remained.
He swung his legs off the chaise lounge with surprising clumsiness and staggered toward the Floor Mirror on one wall of the room. The person staring back at him was a stranger—pale-faced, haggard, with weary eyes and a slack jaw. Disgust welled up inside him, an intense mix of self-loathing and regret.
He slammed his fist against the mirror, causing the glass to spiderweb outward from the point of impact. A shard sliced into his Palm, drawing forth a drop of blood. He stared at the deep red Blood Pearl with fascination. It was a stark reminder of his limited life, a reminder that time and opportunity were fleeting.
Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and forced himself to focus. He could still feel the magic within him, like embers lying dormant, waiting to be reignited. It wouldn’t be easy; it would require discipline and dedication—qualities he had long abandoned.
But for the first time in years, he felt a flicker of hope ignite within him—a determination sparked in his soul. He would rediscover his potential, not for glory or honor, but for himself, for his family, for the chance to become who he was meant to be.
With renewed purpose, he strode toward the training room—a long-forgotten space at the end of the estate, thick with dust. The air was heavy with the musty scent of neglect. He coughed a few times and waved away the Dust, scrutinizing the room with discerning eyes. It would take effort, but it was a start.
Meanwhile, in Aya's room, her loyal maid Qin Si knelt beside her mistress, worry etched across her face. A woman who appeared demure yet possessed inner strength, she usually maintained her composure; however, now her calm was beginning to crumble.
Having served Aya for decades and witnessed her triumphs and heartaches, seeing her so utterly broken was nearly unbearable.
"My lady," she said softly, gently stroking Aya's hair, "you cannot despair. You are strong and resilient, and you are loved."
Aya buried her face in Qin Si's Lucius' Thin Shoulders as she cried out, "How can I be strong when everything I believed has turned out to be lies? How can I face this world when my heart is shattered into countless pieces?"
Qin Si held her tightly, her own eyes glistening with unshed Tears. "You will find your strength again, my lady. You always do. And you are not alone. You have your sons; you have your family—and you have me. We will get through this together."
She straightened her Lucius' Thin Shoulders and her gaze hardened with resolve. Though merely a maid, she would do everything in her power to protect Aya; she would not stand idly by while Leonard trampled on her mistress's honor and dignity. She would help Aya reclaim her life, her power, and her rightful place as mistress of the estate.
In the hall downstairs, Third Son Lucius watched the bustling scene before him with a mix of awe and concern. He had always kept somewhat aloof from family disputes; compared to matters of the estate, he cared more about pursuing his own ambitions.
But recent events had shaken him deeply, forcing him to confront reality and the unsavory role he played in the chaos of his family. He saw the pain in his mother's eyes, the determination on his brothers' faces, and the unsettling spark of wisdom in Luna's gaze. He realized he could no longer stand idly by; he had a responsibility to step up and do his part to help the family through this crisis.
He found Luna in the library, surrounded by piles of ancient books. "Luna," he hesitated, "I want to help. Tell me what I can do." Luna looked up at him, her gaze scrutinizing. She had always suspected that Lucius possessed untapped potential, hidden wisdom, and cunning. Now, it seemed he was finally ready to explore those potentials.
"You can do some things, Lucius," she said in a lowered voice, her tone mysterious. "These tasks require your unique skills and knowledge. But first, you must understand the truth of this estate, the truth about our family, and the secrets buried for generations." She pointed to a dusty, open book on the table.
"This book," she said, "contains the key to unlocking those secrets. But be careful, Lucius; the truth is not always as it appears. Some things are better left buried."
As they delved into the ancient texts, a chilling story began to emerge—a tale of betrayal, ambition, and forbidden magic. They learned that their ancestors had entered into a dark contract that granted them immense power but at a terrible cost. They discovered that this estate was built on lies and secrets, with even the walls seeming to whisper forgotten echoes of horror.
"This can't be true," Lucius murmured, his face paling with shock. "Our family... they wouldn't..."
Luna shook her head. "Don't be naive, Lucius. Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely. Our ancestors were not saints. They were ambitious and ruthless, willing to do anything to achieve their goals."
Suddenly, a dark panel on the wall slid open, revealing a narrow passageway shrouded in darkness. A cold breeze rushed out, carrying a faint scent of decay and something else... an ancient and malevolent presence.
Luna and Lucius exchanged a knowing glance. "It seems," she whispered almost inaudibly, "that these secrets do not wish to remain buried."
With shared trepidation, they stepped into the darkness, their hearts pounding in their chests. As they ventured deeper into the hidden passageway, Luna murmured to herself, "I vaguely remember there being such a passage. But what lies ahead? And how does this relate to my family's destiny?"
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