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墨書 Inktalez
The grand hall of Glory Fortress was ablaze with light. Strings of enchanted Fireflies flickered softly, casting dancing shadows on the smooth black Obsidian floor. Tables lined against the walls were laden with delectable dishes—spicy roasted Griffin, shimmering Moonberry pies, and a bubbling apple cider fountain. The air was thick with the Cedar Fragrance of roasted meats and sweet pastries, filling everyone with anticipation.
The annual Winter Star Festival, a celebration of the fortress's founding, was about to commence. An electric excitement crackled in the atmosphere. Noble families adorned in silk finery and Leonard jewelry mingled with knights clad in shining armor, their laughter echoing against the high arched ceilings. A Bard strummed a lively tune on his Lute, weaving melodies through the excited chatter, creating a vibrant symphony of celebration.
Tonight, from the lowliest kitchen helper to Lord Leonard himself, everyone felt the magic of the festival. Lady Aria entered the hall in an Emerald Color gown that sparkled like captured starlight, her radiant smile lighting up the room. Beside her, Luna sat at Aurea's hip, dressed in a Sapphire velvet dress like a little princess. Her bright and curious eyes darted around the room, taking in the dazzling spectacle.
Following closely were Aurea's sons: the eldest bore the painful marks of past magical mishaps etched on his face, yet excitement still shone in his eyes; the Second Son's thin shoulders slumped slightly under the weight of betrayal from a friend; while the youngest exuded an almost carefree confidence. Qin Si wore a warm smile as he protectively watched over them, while Lucius trailed behind, his eyes filled with almost reverent admiration for Luna.
As Aurea approached the dais, the crowd parted instinctively, gasps of admiration rising behind her. Luna remained blissfully unaware of the attention she drew; she pointed excitedly at a particularly large Ice Sculpture, letting out a delighted gasp. This child's innocent curiosity somehow amplified the joy of the occasion, evoking memories of purity and magic that this festival represented.
It was a picture of familial happiness at Leonard's Last Night—a joyful and united family at the heart of their domain. For a fleeting moment, the shadows of past months seemed to retreat, swallowed by light and laughter. The Feast began, with clinking glasses, boisterous laughter, and the clatter of utensils and china intertwining.
At the head of the table, Lord Leonard raised his goblet, his voice resonating throughout the hall: "Cheers to Glory Fortress! May its strength and prosperity endure for another thousand years!" But just as the celebration reached its peak, an unsettling note disrupted the harmony of festivity.
A tall and thin figure emerged from the crowd, his face obscured by the shadow of a wide-brimmed hat. He pushed through with sharp words laced with accusation. "Lady Aria," he called out, his voice slicing through the cheerful noise like shattered ice, "may I have a word about this child?"
All eyes turned to Luna as her innocent laughter abruptly ceased. The festive atmosphere grew heavy with an inexplicable tension that filled the air.
"What do you mean by interrupting our celebration?" Lord Leonard asked with furrowed brows and evident displeasure.
Unfazed by Leonard's irritation, the stranger approached the dais, his gaze fixed intently on Luna—his stare unsettling. "This child," he lowered his voice ominously, "she... she is not what she seems. There is a dark aura about her—a stain of unnatural magic."
A gasp rippled through the hall.
Aurea instinctively pulled Luna closer, her protective instincts igniting in an instant. Her heart raced within her ribcage, fear and anger surging through her blood vessels. She felt Luna trembling slightly in her embrace, and the fire in Aurea's eyes intensified. How dare this stranger, this intruder, speak ill of her beloved Luna?
"You’re talking nonsense," Aurea retorted, her voice trembling with the effort to control her anger. "Luna is my daughter. She is a blessing from above, not a curse."
The stranger chuckled lightly, his dry, harsh laughter sending a chill down Aurea's spine. "A blessing? Or perhaps... a cleverly disguised curse? Lady Aria, have you considered that this child might be... 'infected' by some dark force? A container for some... evil entity?"
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Think about it, Lady Aria. Those strange occurrences... the whispers at night... and that... 'omen'." He paused, allowing his words to hang heavily in the air.
"That song of the phoenix... is it truly a blessing? Or a warning?"
Aurea felt a wave of coldness wash over her, an icy fear gradually seeping into her heart. She looked down at Luna, whose innocent big eyes gazed back at her, untouched by the malice surrounding them. Could this stranger be right? Could Luna...
"Enough!" Lord Leonard's roar interrupted the moment, his face flushed with anger. "Guards, seize this madman!"
But before the guards could react, Luna, still nestled in Aurea's arms, stirred slightly. She looked up at the stranger with an expression that was oddly inscrutable for a child of her age. Then, with surprising clarity and steadiness for someone so young, she said, "I think," she fixed her gaze on the stranger and continued, "you have something of my mother's."
The grand ballroom of Glory Fortress sparkled with brilliance; silk and jewels shimmered together like a vibrant kaleidoscope. Music danced through the air like a mischievous little sprite, interspersed with the crisp clinking of crystal goblets.
This should have been a celebration—a lavish display of the fortress's formidable strength. Yet beneath this dazzling facade, suspicion brewed quietly like a forgotten magic potion, ready to boil over at any moment.
Three-year-old Xiao Luna wore a frilly dress that made her look like an especially adorable rainbow cupcake. She surveyed the scene before her with eyes that held wisdom beyond her years.
Only someone who had been reborn would know that beneath the surface of this festive gathering lay turbulent undercurrents and lurking dangers. This was not merely a party; it was a den of vipers, and her family was ensnared within it.
Her elder brother leaned against a pillar due to his stiffened leg from a magical accident, looking nothing like the once-great mage he had been. Her second brother forced a smile; the betrayal of former friends still stung like an unhealed wound. Brother San, gifted—perhaps burdened by his talent—moved through the crowds unaware of the dangers lurking in gilded shadows.
Each one of them was a potential target; each one was a pawn in this game she was determined to win.
At the other end of the ballroom, Lady Aria of the Glory Fortress stood beside her husband, Lord Leonard. She was elegant and dignified, with a warm smile that concealed the turmoil within her. However, Luna noticed that the seeds of distrust sown by her carefully orchestrated whispers had already taken root.
Suddenly, an arrogant voice cut through the cheerful chatter. Lady Beatrice, a woman adorned with more jewels than wisdom, pointed a bony finger at Luna. “Tell me, Aurea, is this... thing really yours? She looks nothing like the esteemed Lord Leonard.”
The music came to an abrupt halt. All eyes turned to Luna, and the small figure became the center of attention. The air was thick with tense anticipation. This moment was what Luna had been waiting for.
She tilted her head, her innocent Blue Eyes widening even further. “Mommy is my mommy,” she declared, her voice surprisingly clear and firm. “But Daddy…” She paused dramatically, like a seasoned performer drawing in her audience. “Daddy says I’m special. He says I have magic like the stars.”
A collective gasp echoed through the room. Magic like the stars? Such immense power in such a small child was unheard of. Lord Leonard was caught off guard, stammering, “This… this is just a child’s imagination…”
But the damage was done. The seeds of suspicion had grown into thorny vines, tightly wrapping around Leonard's carefully constructed facade. Lady Aria narrowed her eyes. The rumors about Leonard's "other family," propelled by Luna's seemingly innocent words, suddenly gained credibility.
Later, as the party neared its end, Aurea cornered Leonard. Luna peeked out from behind a tapestry like a mischievous little angel, watching as Aurea confronted her husband. The ensuing argument was low in volume but fierce in intensity. Years of suppressed suspicion erupted into accusations that flew like Poison Arrows.
Luna wore a small, mysterious smile. The game had begun, and she, the most inconspicuous player, was about to checkmate the king. This was no longer just about saving her family; it was about seeking justice. And she, this reborn Little Mage, would achieve it with every carefully chosen word.
The once grand ballroom, a symbol of the fortress's might, had now become the stage for its impending downfall. Luna, the adorable Rainbow Cupcake, held the script in her hands.
The hall of Glory Fortress shimmered with brilliance, silk and jewels reflecting each other like a kaleidoscope of colors. The music from the Musician's floor cascaded down like flowing starlight. This was supposed to be a night of celebration, showcasing the enduring strength of the fortress. However, beneath the facade of joy, an unsettling undercurrent stirred.
Xiao Luna sat on her mother Lady Elyria's lap, acutely aware of this undercurrent, as if her skin were prickling with discomfort. She swung her chubby Twin Legs, her emerald green eyes—remarkably wise for such a small child—scrutinizing the scene before her. Tonight was a pivotal moment.
Luna knew that thanks to her past life's obsession with cheesy Fantasy Novels (especially this particular one), she understood that this seemingly harmless gathering would lay the groundwork for her philandering father Lord Leonard's downfall and her mother's rise to power. The small, reborn Luna was determined to set events in motion.
Lord Leonard remained blissfully unaware of the impending doom (or perhaps he was just too arrogant to see his flaws), engaging in loud yet insincere banter. He reminded Luna of a peacock flaunting its feathers, his ostentatious attire only amplifying his hypocrisy. Ugh, what a thick-skinned man!
Whispers began to spread quietly through the crowd, like the rustling of dry leaves in a gentle breeze. Naturally, these murmurs centered around Luna. For years, Lady Elyria had been unable to conceive, and Luna’s sudden appearance in her life raised suspicions. Tonight, fueled by copious amounts of wine, those doubts finally found their voice.
"They say she's a Miracle Baby," one noblewoman sneered contemptuously, malice dripping from her words. "Or perhaps... some unusual magical creation?"
Ailerya's body stiffened. Her hand resting on Luna's back tightened. This was the moment Luna had been waiting for.
Before Ailerya could respond, Luna dramatically began to cry with the perfect timing only a reborn soul could possess: "Mommy! That lady is so scary! Her face looks like a squished dried plum!"
Laughter erupted in the hall. Even Ailerya couldn't help but smile. The tense atmosphere was temporarily alleviated.
But Luna's antics were not over yet. "Mommy," she whispered loudly enough for nearby guests to hear, "didn't Daddy say he had a 'very important meeting' tonight? Then why is he here flirting with Mrs. Dried Plum Face?"
The whispers resumed once more, this time carrying a different tone.
Ailerya's gaze sharpened, taking on a new scrutiny as she looked at her husband. The seeds of doubt that Luna had carefully planted began to sprout.
Later, Luna cleverly "spilled" a cup of wine near Lord Leonard, revealing a hidden Jade Pendant that contained an image of a woman who was clearly not Ailerya. Whispers turned into gasps of astonishment. The meticulously constructed facade crumbled in an instant.
Ailerya's face turned pale, yet she stood her ground against Leonard. The ensuing scene descended into chaos. Tears, accusations, and a fervent sense of righteous anger filled the air. Luna safely nestled in her brother's embrace, his usually stern face softened with concern, and she watched everything unfold with a hint of cold satisfaction.
Her brothers each bore their own troubles—Magic Backlash, betrayal by friends, and inflated egos—and initially regarded their sister's strange remarks and extraordinary wisdom with skepticism. Now, they exchanged looks of confusion mixed with admiration. This little firecracker had indeed stirred everything up!
Even the usually aloof Third Son, Lucius, revealed a barely perceptible smile. Perhaps he would later admit to himself that his sister was somewhat… impressive. As for Qin Qin, Ailerya's loyal maid, she simply watched Luna with a mix of awe and amusement. This little girl was truly one of a kind.
The hall that once brimmed with false merriment now buzzed with tension and intrigue. Whispers continued, but this time the focus shifted to Leonard, filled with condemnation and disbelief. What was meant to be a night of celebration for Glory Fortress had become the beginning of its unraveling.
And little Luna, this seemingly unlikely Key Catalyst, knew that this was just the beginning. She yawned softly amidst the chaos and snuggled deeper into her brother's embrace. There was still much to be done. After all, for a toddler learning to walk, dismantling an evil empire and ensuring her family's happiness was no small task. But someone had to do it.
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