Luna's small hand tightly grasped Aelia's fingers, and in a baby voice, she uttered words that shook the very foundations of their world: "Mother, we can do it this way..."
She leaned closer to Aelia's ear and began to unveil her plan.
Though her voice was soft, it exploded in Aelia's ears like thunder, nearly causing her to tumble from her seat.
Her face turned pale, lips trembling, her eyes filled with disbelief.
"This... this..." Aelia stammered, gripping the armrests tightly, her knuckles turning white as if holding onto the last thread of hope.
She felt as though she were dreaming—a bizarre yet strikingly real dream.
The plan was so bold, so unfathomable, yet so... perfect!
It was like a sharp dagger, plunging straight into Leonard's soft underbelly, leaving him with no escape.
Luna gently patted Aelia's hand back, as if soothing a frightened little beast.
"Mother, don't be afraid. Everything will be alright," she said, her youthful face displaying an unexpected calmness, her gaze resolute as if everything was within her control.
Deep within her heart surged a powerful confidence from her past life; she was once the renowned Great Mage of the magical realm. This little scheme was merely child's play for her.
Beside them, Qin Si listened in stunned silence. After the initial shock wore off, admiration gradually flickered in her eyes.
She couldn't help but exclaim, "Miss, you are truly brilliant! This plan is simply extraordinary!" It was as if she saw a glimmer of hope; her previously furrowed brows relaxed, and she radiated newfound energy.
Luna sensed Qin Si's excitement and smiled slightly.
However, she keenly noticed a fleeting hesitation in Qin Si's eyes—a worry, a doubt about the feasibility of the plan.
"Sister Qian Si," Luna turned to Qin Si, her tone gentle yet undeniably firm. "I know what you're worried about. You think this plan is too risky and fear it might backfire, right?"
Qin Si was taken aback for a moment, surprised that a child could see through her thoughts so easily.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, she lowered her head and replied softly, "Miss is wise; I do have some concerns..."
Luna did not interrupt her but patiently listened until she finished.
Qin Si's worries were not unfounded; the success of the plan hinged on whether they could successfully sow discord between Leonard and his Concubine. If they failed, the consequences would be dire.
"Sister Qian Si's concerns are valid," Luna said slowly, "but we cannot let the fear of failure stop us. Think about it: if we do nothing and allow Leonard to continue his reckless behavior, what fate awaits the lady and the entire Magic Castle?"
She paused for a moment, then added, "Besides, I have made thorough preparations; the chances of success are quite high." She did not elaborate on what those preparations entailed but looked at Qin Si with confidence, as if to say: Trust me, everything is under my control.
As Qin Si met Luna's determined gaze, her doubts began to fade away.
She was inspired by Luna's confidence and started to believe in the feasibility of the plan.
"Miss, I understand," Qin Si took a deep breath and said with conviction, "I will do my utmost to assist you in carrying out this plan!"
Luna nodded in satisfaction.
"Then," she jumped down from her chair and took Qin Si's hand, "let's go to the Forbidden Grounds of the Demon Fortress."
Qin Si was slightly taken aback. The Forbidden Grounds?
What were they going there for?
But she did not ask further questions; she simply followed closely behind Luna as they walked toward the unknown forbidden land...
“Remember,” Luna's voice echoed in the empty corridor, “no matter what happens, do not make a sound.”
Qin Si's heart raced, a sense of foreboding washing over her.
She tightened her grip on the dagger in her hand, her gaze scanning the surroundings warily.
The corridor was eerily silent, with only their faint footsteps reverberating, and this stillness only heightened their unease.
They arrived at a heavy iron door, where Luna came to a halt.
She pulled a small key from her pocket, inserted it into the lock, and with a gentle turn, the door clicked open...
“Who?!” a deep voice suddenly rang out.
The heavy iron door creaked open, revealing a darkness so profound it seemed capable of swallowing light.
A bone-chilling gust of wind rushed toward them, carrying the musty scent of ancient stones and a faint metallic tang that stung Luna's nose.
Qin Si gasped, instinctively taking a step back while gripping the dagger hidden beneath her cloak.
Despite Luna's repeated reassurances, a wave of anxiety surged within her.
This was the Forbidden Zone, a place shrouded in rumors and fear.
Before Qin Si could voice her unease, a shadow detached itself from the darkness, lunging at them with a low growl.
It moved with an unnatural speed, like a swirling mass of black mist, radiating ominous energy.
Qin Si raised her dagger with a shout, but Luna was quicker.
"Stop!" Luna's voice, though faint, carried an unexpected strength.
A surge of pure Magical Energy erupted from her small frame, sweeping over the shadow.
The mist recoiled as if struck by a tangible force, its form flickering and distorting.
"I am Luna, the daughter of this house. What right do you have to block my path?"
The shadow coalesced into shape, transforming into a gaunt figure clad in ancient armor—a Ghost Rider.
A strange Blue Light burned in its hollow eye sockets.
"This place is a Forbidden Zone," it rasped, its voice dry like withered leaves rustling over pebbles.
"Child, return before you unleash something uncontrollable."
"I am the Master," Luna declared firmly, her voice unwavering.
A faint golden halo began to shimmer around her.
"There is a prisoner held in this place. Release him, and you will no longer be disturbed."
The Ghost Rider hesitated, the Blue Light in its eyes flickering uncertainly.
"The master's orders..." it began, but Luna interrupted.
"Your master's orders are built on lies and deception!" Luna's voice was filled with a conviction beyond her years.
"He has imprisoned my brother; this is a crime against our family and magic itself. Defy him, and you will find peace. Obey him, and prepare to face my wrath."
The Ghost Rider trembled, struggling between conflicting loyalties.
A flicker of Blue Light shone in its eyes before dimming, as if its will was wavering.
Finally, it let out a mournful groan, dissipating into wisps of black smoke that vanished into the darkness behind the door.
Qin Si stared at Luna in disbelief.
The power displayed by the little girl was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
“Miss,” she said softly, “you... you commanded a magical guardian?”
“This isn’t command,” Luna corrected her, her tone softening.
“It’s a negotiation. He was bound by an oath, a cruel Contract imposed by Leonard. I granted him freedom.” She turned towards the darkness, her eyes shining with determination.
“Now, we go find my brother.”
The air in the Forbidden Zone was thick with remnants of magic, a tingling, electric sensation that prickled against Luna's skin.
As they ventured deeper, an enticing Cedar Fragrance wafted toward them—the aroma of freshly baked bread, roasted meat glazed with Honey, and spiced Blood Wine.
Suddenly, a banquet table laden with delicious dishes appeared before them.
Luna’s stomach growled loudly; in an instant, her childish desire for enjoyment overwhelmed her caution.
But then, a movement caught her eye from the corner.
The roasted chicken on the plate winked at her, its small round eyes twinkling mischievously.
The bread rolls wobbled and danced, their crusts forming grotesque smiles.
Luna became aware that this was an illusion, a magic trap designed to ensnare the careless by exploiting the deepest desires within their hearts.
She closed her eyes, focusing on her brother's kind smile and the warmth of his hand when it held hers.
The illusion began to shake, the enticing cedar fragrance gradually fading, and the dancing food twisted into something bizarre and distorted.
Luna gasped as she opened her eyes.
The banquet table had vanished, replaced by the cold, humid stones of the corridor.
"Very cunning," Luna muttered, irritation lacing her voice. "But not cunning enough."
They continued forward, the silence broken only by the sound of water droplets and their own footsteps echoing.
They arrived at another barrier, invisible yet shimmering with magical energy.
Luna reached out, her hand passing through it as if it were water.
She could feel the residual magic of the Ghost Rider clinging to it, a faint whisper of sadness and regret.
"He’s trapped here," Luna murmured, more to herself than to Qin Si.
"Bound here by Leonard's black magic. I must free him." She closed her eyes, concentrating as she used her own magic to unravel the Ghost Rider's bindings.
It was a delicate process, like untangling a spider web woven from moonlight and shadows.
Finally, with a soft sigh, the magical restraints dissolved.
A whisper of gratitude echoed in Luna's mind, followed by a profound sense of tranquility.
Behind the barrier stood a small stone cottage.
The air here was filled with a familiar scent—the fragrance of pine needles and the crispness of mountain air, along with a faint hint of Cedar Fragrance from the special Magic Ink that Luna knew her brother loved.
This was undoubtedly Lucius's scent.
Luna's heart raced, a mix of anticipation and fear swirling within her.
She pushed open the heavy wooden door, her hand trembling slightly...
"Brother," she whispered, her voice nearly drowned out by the sound of her own heartbeat.
The stone cottage was dimly lit, shadows lurking in the corners like watchful eyes.
In the center of the room...
"Don't... don't come any closer..." a faint, hoarse voice said.
The two-year-old Xiao Luna had an innocent face, yet her eyes held the wisdom of someone who had seen much.
She was playing with a chipped teacup, humming a tune that seemed oddly melancholic for a child.
Aelia watched her, despair deepening on her delicate features.
Leonard's betrayal, his blatant disregard for their vows, shattered her composure like a fallen crystal goblet.
"Mother is sad," Luna suddenly exclaimed, her voice piercing through the oppressive silence of the room.
She tilted her head, her understanding eyes fixed on Aelia's face.
"The bad man made Mommy sad."
Aelia forced a weak smile, trying to dismiss this as mere childish nonsense.
"Sweetheart, this is just an adult matter."
But Luna didn’t see it that way.
With the stubbornness that only a toddler or perhaps a reincarnated Mage could possess, she climbed onto Aelia's lap, her small palm striking Aelia's arm with surprising strength.
"The bad man... is... outside," she whispered, her voice carrying a strange, almost conspiratorial tone.
"The pretty lady... is... outside... Baby... is... outside."
Aelia froze.
A wave of icy fear and a nauseating certainty washed over her.
Leonard's frequent "business trips," his vague excuses, and the whispers she had tried so hard to ignore… everything connected in a terrifying clarity.
He really had another woman.
And… another child?
Tears welled up in Aelia's eyes, not from sadness this time, but from the fury of Xiong Xiong.
This little one, Xiao Luna, had uncovered a truth that Aelia had been blindly trusting and had failed to see.
“Qin Si!” Aelia shouted, her voice hoarse with excitement.
Her trusted maid rushed in, worry etched across her face.
“Find out everything,” Aelia commanded, her voice trembling with suppressed anger.
“About him… everything regarding those ‘business trips.’ Leave no detail unchecked.” Qin Si, ever loyal, bowed deeply and hurried away, the urgency of her footsteps echoing the command.
Meanwhile, Luna wriggled down from Aelia's lap, as if her task was complete.
She staggered toward the door, mumbling something about “hide and seek.”
A strange glimmer sparkled in her eyes, a hint of purpose that seemed far beyond her years.
Later that afternoon, accompanied by the anxious Qin Si, Luna arrived at a dusty, neglected side hall in the castle.
Trusting her instincts—or perhaps a fleeting memory from a past life—she tugged at a loose tapestry, revealing a hidden passage.
“Don’t go in there, miss!” Qin Si whispered in terror. “It could be dangerous!”
But Luna was undeterred; she squeezed through the opening, and Qin Si hesitated before following her.
The passage led to a dimly lit small room.
In the corner lay a young man slumped on a straw mat, his face pale and his eyes dull with despair.
He was Lucius, Aelia's youngest son, whom everyone believed was far away studying at an academy.
“Brother is sad,” Luna murmured, pointing at him with her chubby fingers.
Qin Si gasped in shock.
The implications of this discovery were enormous.
Leonard was not only a traitor but also a captor of his own kind.
Qin Si's mind raced as Fuluxius stood up.
He was weak and dazed, but still alive.
Looking at Luna, he recalled the unusual insights he had heard about Sister...
"We need to get you out of here," Qin Si said firmly in a low voice.
She felt deep down that the balance of power within the castle was about to change.
And this mysterious little one, with her subtle whispers and unsettling wisdom, was at the very heart of it all.
It seemed that the game had already begun.
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