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墨書 Inktalez
Luna's little thoughts were, of course, understood by Aelia.
But she didn’t say much; instead, she held Luna a little tighter and gently coaxed, “Alright, alright, Mommy will help you teach it a lesson, okay?”
Luna snuggled in her embrace and murmured softly, “We should put it in timeout!”
Aelia chuckled; this Little One was truly clever for her age.
In the following days, Luna subtly and overtly brought up various things about Leonard in front of Aelia.
For instance, today she said, “Mommy, is Daddy really busy lately? He hasn’t had time to play with Luna.” Tomorrow she would add, “Mommy, I smelled something strange on Daddy’s clothes. It’s not your scent!”
These words were like small pebbles—seemingly insignificant but striking Aelia’s heart one by one.
One day, Luna was sitting in the garden, directing the Magic Puppets to water the flowers.
Qin Si approached with a hesitant expression.
“Young Miss,” Qin Si began but hesitated, “there’s something I’m not sure if I should mention.”
Luna looked up, her big eyes blinking innocently. “Sister Qin Si, just tell me. You don’t have to be so polite with me!”
Qin Si bit her lip and leaned in closer, lowering her voice. “I… I heard that the Master seems to have someone outside recently…”
Luna secretly laughed; the bait had been taken!
But she feigned surprise on her face, widening her eyes. “Ah? How could that be? Sister Qin Si, did you hear wrong?”
Qin Si shook her head, her expression serious. "I can't be certain, but I've been hearing some rumors lately. Moreover, the master's behavior has indeed been strange; he often leaves early and returns late." She paused for a moment before adding, "The most critical thing is that when I helped the master organize his study last time, I accidentally saw a letter... The Tiny Inscriptions on it didn't seem like they belonged to anyone in our household."
Luna understood clearly that this letter must be evidence of communication between Leonard and Leonard's Concubine.
However, she couldn't show her feelings too openly and merely furrowed her brow in feigned concern. "Sister Qin Si, such matters shouldn't be spoken of lightly. If word gets out, it could tarnish Mother’s reputation."
Qin Si sighed. "I understand, which is why I've been hesitant to speak up. But I truly can't bear to see the lady kept in the dark. Young Miss, you are the lady's most beloved; perhaps you could find an opportunity to mention it to her?"
Luna pretended to ponder for a moment before nodding. "Alright, I'll find a chance to talk to Mother about it. But Sister Qin Si, you must not tell anyone else about this, understand?"
Qin Si quickly agreed. "I understand; I will absolutely not speak of it to anyone."
In the evening, Aelia was reading in her room when Qin Si entered with a tray of tea.
"Madam," Qin Si said cautiously, "there have been some rumors in the household lately, and I feel it's necessary to inform you."
Aelia set down her book and looked up with a gentle smile. "What rumors? Please tell me."
Qin Si hesitated for a moment but gathered her courage to speak. "I heard that the master has been... outside recently..."
Aelia's smile froze as she stared at Qin Si, her voice trembling slightly. "What are you saying?"
Qin Si knelt down and lowered her head. "Madam, I only heard this from others and cannot be certain. However, the master has indeed been acting unusually lately, and... I also saw an unfamiliar letter in the master's study last time..."
Aelia's face instantly turned pale as she closed her eyes, striving to calm herself.
She and Leonard were regarded as a model couple in the magical community.
They had gone through countless storms together, and their feelings for each other had always been strong.
She simply could not believe that Leonard would betray her.
However, Qin Si was the person she trusted the most; she wouldn’t fabricate such a thing without reason.
Moreover, Leonard's recent strange behaviors had forced her to doubt him.
Memories of their time together flooded her mind—how they had met and fallen in love.
They had studied together at the Magic Academy, gone on adventures, and built the Glorious Demon Fortress together... Those beautiful memories now felt like sharp knives, piercing her heart mercilessly.
"Give me the letter!" Aelia's voice was cold and trembling.
Qin Si quickly pulled a letter from her pocket and handed it to Aelia.
Aelia took the letter, her hands shaking as she opened it.
The contents of the letter were unbearable to read; every line revealed the ambiguous and lingering relationship between Leonard and that woman.
Her hand slackened, and the letter fell to the ground.
Her face turned as pale as paper, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably.
She couldn't believe it; she refused to accept that this was true!
"Madam..." Qin Si looked at her with concern, wanting to step forward to support her but hesitating in fear.
Aelia suddenly stood up and rushed out of the room.
She needed to find Leonard; she had to get to the bottom of this!
In the study, Leonard was busy handling official matters.
Aelia burst in and threw a letter at his face.
“Leonard! You need to explain this to me! What is this?!” Aelia's eyes were filled with anger and sadness.
Leonard was momentarily stunned by the letter hitting him. He picked it up and, upon reading its contents, his face turned pale.
“Aelia, let me explain. It’s not what you think…” He hurriedly tried to clarify but found himself at a loss for words.
“Not what I think? Then what is it? Tell me, what is this letter about? Who is this woman?!” Aelia's voice grew louder, nearly turning into a scream.
Leonard knew that the truth had come to light, and there was no point in hiding it any longer.
He sighed and slumped into a chair.
“Aelia, I… I’m sorry.”
“Is a simple apology enough? Leonard! Do you have any idea how much I trusted you? I entrusted the entire Glorious Demon Fortress to you, and this is how you repay me?!” Tears streamed down Aelia's face as she felt her heart shatter.
Leonard looked at her in pain, feeling equally distressed.
He knew he had made a terrible mistake.
“Aelia, I... I don’t even know what’s wrong with me. I just... just made a mistake that any man could make.” He tried to defend himself, but his words fell flat.
“A mistake that any man could make? What a convenient excuse! Leonard, you have truly disappointed me!” Aelia completely broke down, pointing at Leonard and saying harshly, “From today on, get out of my sight! I don’t want to see you again!”
With that, she turned and ran out.
Leonard slumped in the chair, his face ashen.
He knew that between him and Aelia, everything was irreparably over.
The news quickly spread throughout the Glorious Demon Fortress.
In the darkened room of his elder brother, he sat in a wheelchair, looking desolate.
He understood that their father’s betrayal was a heavy blow to the entire family.
“Sigh…” he let out a breath, filled with self-reproach.
If he hadn’t been disabled by the Magic Backlash, perhaps he could have shared some of the burden with their mother, or maybe he could have prevented their father from making such a mistake.
In the room of his second brother, a stifling atmosphere hung in the air.
He stood by the window, gazing blankly at the scenery outside.
Memories of being deceived by a close friend flooded back to him, filling his heart with anger and disappointment.
“Why? Why does it always have to be like this? Is there really no one in this world that can be trusted?” he murmured, his voice filled with anguish.
Brother San's room was in disarray.
He smashed everything in the room to vent the anger boiling inside him.
“This is outrageous! How could he treat Mom like that? I have to go confront him!” he roared, ready to rush out and confront Leonard.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
“Who is it?” Brother San asked irritably.
“Third Young Master, it's me, Lucius,” came the voice from outside.
Brother San frowned and opened the door.
Lucius stood at the entrance, looking at him with a complicated expression.
“Brother San, I... I have something to discuss with you.”
Brother San snorted coldly and stepped aside to let Lucius in.
“Go ahead, what do you want to say?”
Lucius took a deep breath and slowly said, “Brother San, I know you're very angry right now, but... there are some things we need to think about calmly.”
“Calmly? At a time like this, how can you expect me to be calm? Do you want me to pretend nothing has happened?!” Brother San's emotions flared up again.
Lucius shook his head and said earnestly, “Brother San, that’s not what I mean. I just feel that the most important thing right now is for us to unite and face the current predicament together. We shouldn’t create chaos among ourselves and give others an opportunity to take advantage of us.”
Brother San was taken aback, looking at Lucius.
“What… what exactly are you trying to say?”
Lucius paused for a moment, lifted his head, and spoke with determination, “Brother San, what Father did this time was indeed wrong. However, he is still our Father, the Lord of Glorious Demon Fortress. We cannot just stand by and watch him make mistakes without doing anything…”
He hesitated, lowering his voice as he continued, “And have you considered what would happen if Mother really broke ties with Father? What would become of the future of Glorious Demon Fortress?”
Brother San’s expression changed slightly as he seemed to grasp Lucius’s meaning.
“Are you suggesting… we should…”
Lucius didn’t answer directly but gave Brother San a meaningful look.
“Some things cannot be rushed. We need to deliberate carefully to find the best solution.”
“Ha…” a cold voice interrupted from the doorway. Lucius stood there, his gaze inscrutable. “The best solution? I’m afraid some people don’t think so.” He stood outside the door, listening to the sounds of things being thrown around in Brother San's room, feeling a whirlwind of emotions inside.
On one hand, he thought Leonard’s actions were utterly disgraceful, practically trampling on the reputation of Glorious Demon Fortress; on the other hand, he couldn’t just watch this family fall apart. After all, his bloodline and future were tied to this Magic Castle.
He sighed and knocked on the door, trying to keep his voice calm. “Third Young Master, it’s me, Lucius.”
The door swung open with a loud bang. Brother San stood there with crimson eyes and disheveled hair, looking like an enraged lion.
“Speak! What do you want?”
Lucius felt a tightening in his chest, knowing that Brother San was like a powder keg ready to explode at any moment.
Yet he steeled himself and stepped inside, cautiously advising, “Brother San, I know you’re very angry right now, but… there are some things we need to think about calmly.”
“Calmly?!” Brother San grabbed Lucius by the collar and pushed him against the wall. “How can you expect me to be calm? My mother is being bullied like this, and you want me to stay calm?! Do you want me to pretend nothing happened and watch that old man live it up?!”
Lucius struggled to breathe under the grip but forced himself to remain composed. He pried Brother San’s hand away and said earnestly, “Brother San, that’s not what I mean. I just think that right now, the most important thing is for us to unite and face the current predicament together. We shouldn’t be in disarray, giving others an opportunity to take advantage of us.” He paused, lowering his voice. “Think about it—if Mother really falls out with Father, what will happen to Glorious Demon Fortress? Those lurking enemies will seize the chance to pounce on us and tear us apart.”
Brother San froze, his clenched fists slowly relaxing.
He looked at Lucius, confusion and doubt filling his eyes.
“You mean… we should help that old man keep this from Mother?!”
Lucius didn’t answer directly; he simply gave Brother San a meaningful look.
Some things are better left unsaid; being too explicit can backfire.
“Brother San, I just feel that this isn’t the time for impulsive actions. We need to plan carefully to find the best solution.”
“Ha…” A cold voice suddenly broke the tense atmosphere in the room.
Both of them turned their heads simultaneously to see their older brother appearing at the doorway, sitting in a wheelchair with an all-seeing gaze fixed upon them.
His already pale face appeared even more somber in the dim light, resembling a ghost rising from hell.
“The best solution? I’m afraid not everyone thinks so,” he said slowly, his voice deep and hoarse, as if mocking them or perhaps declaring something ominous.
Meanwhile, in Aelia's room, a chilling atmosphere prevailed.
She sat before the grooming table, her expression stern, her eyes burning with Xiong Xiong's fury.
What was once a delicate makeup now appeared somewhat disheveled, as if reflecting the turmoil within her heart.
She caressed an ancient ring on her finger, the one Leonard had personally placed on her when they married.
Once, this ring symbolized their love and commitment, but now it had become a source of irony and shame.
"Leonard..." she gritted her teeth as she uttered his name, as if she wanted to chew it up and swallow it whole. "How dare you betray me! How dare you betray our family!"
Taking a deep breath, she struggled to regain her composure.
Anger would solve nothing; she needed to think, to plan, to secure the best interests for herself and the children.
"Qin Si!" she suddenly called out, her voice cold and commanding.
Qin Si hurried in, kneeling on the floor and respectfully saying, "Madam, I am here to serve your commands."
"Go summon Mr. Zhang Fang. I need to review the accounts!" Aelia said coldly.
She needed to take full control of the economic lifeline of Glorious Demon Fortress; she couldn't allow Leonard any opportunity to transfer assets.
"Yes, Madam!" Qin Si quickly exited.
Aelia stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the bustling scene outside. Glorious Demon Fortress was built by her own hands, and she would not allow anyone, including Leonard, to destroy it.
"Since you are heartless, don't blame me for being ungrateful!" she whispered, her voice filled with a chilling intent.
At that moment, the entire Glorious Demon Fortress was shrouded in an atmosphere of unease.
The servants whispered among themselves, discussing the conflict between the Lord and his lady, speculating about the future of the Magic Castle.
Some subordinates who had once been fiercely loyal to Leonard began to waver, secretly seeking new allies.
With the eldest brother's disability, Second Brother's despondency, Brother San's recklessness, and an inexperienced Lucius... the future of Glorious Demon Fortress was fraught with uncertainty and variables.
Everyone was waiting, hoping that Luna, this miraculous infant, could once again create a miracle and lead them out of their predicament.
Yet at the same time, they feared that this turmoil would escalate, ultimately dragging the entire Glorious Demon Fortress into the depths of the Eternal Abyss.
As night fell, Glorious Demon Fortress sank into silence.
Aelia sat alone in her study, carefully flipping through the account books by the dim candlelight.
Her brows were tightly furrowed, her expression growing increasingly grim.
"Just as I thought..." she murmured, her voice laced with anger. "This Leonard actually dared to secretly transfer the assets of Magic Castle! Does he really think I know nothing?!"
She closed the account book, stood up, and walked to the window.
Moonlight bathed her face, highlighting her resolute features.
"Leonard, just wait. I will not let you succeed!" she said coldly.
Suddenly, she felt an unusual wave, as if something was approaching.
She turned around sharply and saw Qin Si rushing in, her face pale and breathing heavily.
"Madam... it's bad... Master..." Qin Si's words were cut off by Aelia.
"What happened to him? Is that vixen coming after him again?" Aelia asked with a cold sneer, her tone filled with disdain.
Qin Si shook her head, looking even more flustered.
"No, Madam... Master... he wants to..." She hesitated, seemingly struggling to find the words.
Aelia frowned, impatiently saying, "What does he want? Just say it!"
Taking a deep breath, Qin Si mustered her courage and said, "Madam, Master... he wants to leave the Glorious Demon Fortress!"
Aelia was stunned, her eyes widening in disbelief as she looked at Qin Si.
"What did you say? He wants to leave the Glorious Demon Fortress? Where is he going?!"
Qin Si shook her head, indicating that she didn't know either.
She was only sent to inform Aelia that Leonard had packed his bags and was ready to leave.
Aelia's face instantly turned pale; she felt as if her heart had stopped.
She couldn't believe that Leonard was truly going to abandon her and the children, leaving alone.
"He... why would he do this?" she murmured, her voice filled with pain and confusion.
At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the door.
Then, Lucius's voice broke through.
"Mother, Father, he..."
Lucius pushed the door open and stepped inside.
His expression was grim as he glanced at Aelia, hesitating to speak.
"Mother, Father, he..." He tried again, but his voice came out strained.
Aelia looked up at Lucius, hoping to hear some good news from him, even just a comforting word.
However, Lucius's next words shattered her last glimmer of hope.
"Mother, Father, he said... he wants to leave with that woman..."
Aelia's body trembled violently as she felt her world collapse around her.
She slumped helplessly into the chair, her gaze vacant as if she had lost all sense of self.
Just then, a tender voice broke the suffocating silence in the room.
"Mom... hug me..."
Luna stumbled over, running clumsily towards Aelia, reaching out her small hands in an attempt to embrace her.
Seeing Luna's innocent smile only deepened Aelia's sorrow.
She wrapped her arms around Luna tightly, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably.
"Luna... my Luna..." she choked out, her voice filled with despair and sadness.
Lucius stood nearby, watching Aelia and Luna, feeling a deep ache in his heart as well.
He knew that Mother needed comfort and support right now.
But he didn't know what to say to ease her pain.
At that moment, Luna suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with concern as she gazed at Aelia.
"Mommy... don’t cry..." she said in her tender voice, reaching out to gently wipe the tears from Aelia's face.
Aelia looked at Luna, feeling even more heartbroken.
She held Luna tightly, as if trying to merge her into her own being.
"Luna... will you always stay by Mommy's side?" she asked, her voice trembling with fear and unease.
Luna nodded vigorously, speaking with a determined tone, "Yes! Luna will always be by Mommy's side! Forever... forever..."
Her little face scrunched up as if she wanted to express something more but couldn't find the words.
She held Aelia tightly, using her small body to warm Aelia's cold heart.
Looking at Luna, Aelia felt an inexplicable surge of emotion within her.
It seemed as though a glimmer of hope had emerged in her heart.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself.
Wiping away her tears, she lifted her head and looked at Lucius.
“Lucius,” she said in a calm tone, “you just mentioned that your Father is planning to leave with that woman?”
Lucius nodded, his expression serious as he replied, “Yes, Mother. Father… he’s already prepared…”
A strange smile suddenly appeared at the corners of Aelia's mouth.
“Is that so?” she whispered, her voice laced with a dangerous undertone. “Then let them go…”
She paused for a moment, looking at Lucius,
“But…” she said slowly, “there are some things we might need to arrange in advance…”
Her voice grew softer, as if she were conspiring something unspeakable.
Lucius looked at Aelia, feeling an inexplicable sense of unease.
He sensed that Mother seemed poised to undertake something very dangerous.
“Mother…” Just as he was about to persuade her, Aelia interrupted him.
“Lucius,” Aelia said in an undeniable tone, “remember, from today onward, you must listen to me. You will do as I say. Do you understand?”
Lucius looked into Aelia's determined eyes and sighed inwardly.
He knew he could no longer stop Mother.
“Yes, Mother,” he said helplessly, “I understand…”
Aelia nodded in satisfaction. She turned to gaze out at the pitch-black night sky.
“Leonard…” she whispered, her voice filled with hatred, “you owe me, and I will make you pay…”
As soon as her words fell, the candlelight in the room began to flicker violently, as if heralding an impending storm.
A suffocating sense of oppression filled the air, as if something terrifying was about to happen.
Luna clung tightly to Aelia, her small body trembling with fear.
She felt scared and uneasy.
She had no idea what would happen next.
At that moment, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the door. Then, a panicked voice rang out.
“Not good! Madam! Not good! Something has happened!”
Aelia furrowed her brow, a sense of foreboding washing over her.
Taking a deep breath, she walked to the door and opened it.
There stood a servant, his face pale and trembling all over.
Upon seeing Aelia, he immediately knelt down, stammering, "My lady... the master... the master..."
Aelia looked at him coldly, her voice icy as she demanded, "What happened? Speak clearly!"
The servant trembled as he replied, "My lady... the master... he is trapped in the Teleportation Circle! He can't get out!"
Aelia was taken aback, her eyes widening in disbelief as she stared at the servant.
"What did you say? He is trapped in the Teleportation Circle? How... how is that possible?" she murmured, her voice filled with shock and confusion.
Just then, a chilling voice suddenly emerged from the darkness.
"There is nothing impossible..."
Aelia spun around sharply to see a figure slowly emerging from the shadows.
It was a man clad in a black Magic Robe, his face obscured by a silver mask that concealed his features.
His gaze was cold and sinister, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.
He approached Aelia slowly, speaking with a tone laced with Mockery, "My lady, it has been a long time..."
Aelia looked at the man, a wave of inexplicable fear washing over her.
She sensed that this person was extremely dangerous, emanating a suffocating aura.
"Who... who are you?" she asked tremulously, her voice filled with terror.
The man did not answer; he slowly raised his hand and removed the mask from his face.
Aelia stared at him, momentarily frozen in shock.
Her eyes widened as she looked at this man in disbelief.
"You... you are..." she stammered, her voice trembling with astonishment and fear.
The man gazed at Aelia, a strange smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
"Indeed, my lady," he said softly, "I am the last person you would expect..."
He paused, slowly uttering a name that made Aelia's complexion turn ashen.
"Lucius..."
Aelia's body jolted as if struck by lightning; she felt her world shatter completely.
Weakly, she sank to the ground, her gaze vacant, as if all her spirit had been drained away.
Lucius observed Aelia's expression of despair, feeling not an ounce of pity, only endless mockery and indifference.
"Mother, you are truly naive," he said with a cold laugh. "Do you really think I will let you control me forever?"
He slowly walked in front of Aelia, bent down, and spoke in a threatening tone, "Mother, from today onward, I will be the one in charge of the Glorious Demon Fortress. And you... will have to obey me, or else..."
He did not finish his sentence but slowly raised his hand, pointing at Luna, who was cradled in his arms.
Aelia felt a wave of despair wash over her as she watched Lucius's actions.
She knew she had completely lost hope.
However, at that moment, Luna suddenly moved.
She reached out her tiny hand and grabbed Lucius's collar, looking at him with eyes full of anger.
"Bad man!" she exclaimed in her childish voice, tugging fiercely at his collar. "Let go of Mommy!"
Lucius was taken aback; he had not expected this little infant to be so brave.
As he looked into Luna's furious eyes, an inexplicable fear gripped his heart.
He sensed that this infant seemed to harbor some mysterious power.
"Hmph..." he scoffed, attempting to shake off Luna's grip.
But just then, Luna's body erupted with a dazzling light.
The brilliance was so intense and radiant that it instantly illuminated the entire room.
Everyone was stunned by the sudden burst of light, closing their eyes in fear of looking directly at it.
Amidst this brilliance, Luna's small body began to undergo a series of astonishing transformations.
The light of the Teleportation Circle flickered, and Leonard's figure appeared and vanished within it. He shouted in terror, but his voice was gradually swallowed by the encroaching darkness... At the moment the Teleportation Circle ceased its operation, Luna seemed to sense something. She abruptly looked up, her small face filled with anxiety as she gazed in the direction of the Teleportation Circle.
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