Luna stood in the center of the hall, her small figure resembling a stabilizing anchor, enveloped in an eerie calmness.
Her emerald green eyes, at this moment, were as deep as an ancient well, making it impossible to discern what she was thinking.
The air in the hall seemed to freeze, every person holding their breath, waiting for what would happen next.
“Aelia, you… what did you mean by that?” Aelia's voice trembled, like a candle flickering in the wind, ready to extinguish at any moment.
Her face was pale, and her hands clutched her skirt tightly, knuckles turning white.
Luna took a deep breath and slowly said, “Mother, Father… he has another woman outside, and they have a child.”
These words struck Aelia like a thunderclap, echoing in her ears.
She staggered back a few steps, her body swaying as if she might faint at any moment.
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
“No… it’s impossible…” Aelia murmured to herself, as if trying to convince herself or praying that this was not true.
She had known and loved Leonard for many years, always believing their relationship was rock solid, never imagining he would betray her.
Seeing Aelia's pain, Luna felt a pang of sympathy but continued, “Mother, I know it’s hard to accept, but this is the truth. The woman Father is with is named Isabella, and their child is already three years old.”
With each word Luna spoke, it felt like a sharp knife piercing Aelia's heart.
She felt her world crumbling around her; the illusion of happiness she had built over the years shattered in that moment.
“Isabella… three years…” Aelia repeated those two phrases, her gaze vacant as if she had lost her soul.
The hall was silent, the sound of a pin dropping could be heard.
Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and Brother San stared in shock at the scene before them. They had never imagined that their once-glorious Father would do something like this.
Eldest Brother clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white.
A surge of protectiveness and anger boiled within him.
The pain from the Magic Backlash that had once left him disabled was something he thought he had grown accustomed to, but compared to the burning fury in his chest at this moment, that pain felt like a mere dull ache.
Luna had helped him lift the curse that had plagued him, and he had always been grateful to her.
Now, seeing Mother suffer such a heavy blow, a strong impulse surged within him to protect her and fight for her.
He would not let Leonard get away with this.
Second Brother leaned against a nearby pillar, his usual cheerful expression replaced by a serious frown.
He had been betrayed by a close friend, and it was Luna who had healed that wound; now that memory resurfaced in his mind.
He knew all too well the feeling of vulnerability and the sting of broken trust.
Now, his family, his home, was facing a similar threat of betrayal.
A wave of protectiveness washed over him, and a firm resolve hardened his gaze.
He would not stand idly by while his family fell apart.
He would stand with his family, fighting side by side to withstand the impending storm.
Brother San had once been lost in the fantasy of his own talents, feeling adrift, but now a wave of guilt washed over him.
Luna's influence had brought him back to reality, forcing him to confront his own complacency.
Now, witnessing his family in turmoil, he became aware of the true meaning of responsibility.
He could no longer hide behind his potential; he needed to take action, to contribute, to protect his family.
His previously bewildered gaze sharpened with newfound determination.
He would no longer be a bystander.
He would become the shield for his family, a fortress against the approaching storm.
This was no longer just about magic; it was about family.
Aelia sat dejectedly in her chair, tears silently streaming down her face, leaving two clear trails on Luna's pale surface.
She clutched her chest, feeling a tightness in her breath as if a boulder were pressing down on her, making it hard to breathe.
Luna approached Aelia and gently took her hand, offering silent comfort.
She understood that Aelia needed time—time to digest this harsh reality, time to heal the wounds within her heart.
The atmosphere in the hall was heavy and oppressive, each person lost in their own thoughts.
Suddenly, a deep voice from Luna broke the silence.
It was Aelia.
The calm she had been desperately holding onto finally shattered, and tears streamed down her face like a flood, pouring out her sorrow and the pain of betrayal.
The sound of her crying was raw and heart-wrenching, echoing in the silent hall, a cold testament to the disaster caused by Leonard.
Luna squeezed Mother’s hand, her small face etched with a determination that belied her age.
She looked toward the doorway, her eyes glinting with an unsettling light.
“This,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over Aelia's cries, “is just the beginning.” Then she turned and walked into the shadows, her tiny figure disappearing into the darkness, leaving behind a chilling promise hanging in the air.
“Someone,” she paused, her voice carrying a cold calm that sent shivers down everyone’s spine, “needs to tell Father that he is no longer welcome here.” Qin Si knelt at Aelia's feet, tears falling like pearls from a broken string, each drop hitting the floor and splashing tiny droplets.
“Madam, you have suffered!” she choked out, her voice hoarse with deep sorrow and anger.
Her slender fingers gripped Aelia's icy hand tightly, as if trying to transfer her strength to help her through this difficult time.
Qin Si's heart was tumultuous, her resentment toward Leonard growing like wild weeds.
She had witnessed Leonard's tenderness toward Aelia firsthand and had genuinely blessed their love.
Now, those beautiful memories of Leonard's Last Night shattered in her mind, replaced by endless anger and disappointment.
She hated Leonard for his betrayal, hated his ruthlessness, and loathed herself for her previous ignorance.
“Madam, please do not be sad. You still have us, and you have the Young Masters. We will always be by your side.” Qin Si's voice trembled slightly but remained strong and resolute.
She lifted her head, gazing intently at Aelia as if trying to etch her loyalty and determination into Aelia's heart.
Qin Si gently wiped the tears from Aelia's face, her movements soft yet imbued with an undeniable strength, as if to convey that Aelia was not alone in this fight.
Meanwhile, Lucius found Luna.
He discovered her in the forgotten herb garden, a place she often visited, overgrown with weeds and standing in stark contrast to the meticulously trimmed grandeur of the rest of the estate.
The wild Thyme and Rosemary filled the air with a Cedar fragrance, their bittersweet aroma reflecting the current atmosphere within the castle.
Luna sat on a moss-covered stone bench, her small hands cradling a wilted rose.
Her expression was elusive, an extraordinary calm masking the storm brewing within her.
Lucius approached her cautiously, his footsteps barely disturbing the tranquility of the garden.
"Luna," he said softly, his voice filled with awe and concern. "What should we do now?" He trusted Luna completely.
She had long demonstrated wisdom beyond her years, guiding their family through several perilous moments.
Now, facing this new crisis, he instinctively turned to her for help, seeking her guidance and unwavering resolve.
Luna looked up at him, her once mischievous Emerald Eyes now reflecting a profound wisdom that seemed to stem from an ancient soul.
"We fight," she said, her voice gentle yet firm, each word carrying a conviction far beyond her tender age.
"We fight for our family, for our home, for justice." A faint smile graced her lips—a chillingly confident smile that sent shivers down Lucius's back.
"And," she lowered her voice, adding with a conspiratorial tone, "we will make him pay."
The news of Leonard's betrayal spread like wildfire throughout the castle.
The corridor was filled with hushed whispers, servants huddled in corners, lowering their voices, their eyes filled with fear and speculation.
A tense atmosphere hung in the air, and the once vibrant and bustling estate was now shrouded in a heavy veil of uncertainty.
Leonard locked himself in his study, pacing back and forth like a beast trapped in a cage.
The news had reached his ears like a devastating blow, shattering the carefully constructed facade he had built.
He had underestimated Luna, viewing her merely as a child.
Now, he was acutely aware of how deep his foolishness ran.
A cold fear gripped his stomach, tightening more and more.
His reputation, his power, his entire future were all hanging by a thread.
He ran a hand through his hair, his face pale, beads of sweat rolling down his temples.
He had to do something—anything—to control the worsening situation.
He grabbed a feather pen and frantically wrote on parchment, composing a letter to Isabella.
His hand trembled, ink splattering onto the paper, an outward manifestation of his inner turmoil.
He needed her; he needed her support and advice.
He needed her to help him weather this dangerous storm.
With shaking hands, he sealed the letter, his heart pounding in his chest.
He had to deliver the letter to her as quickly as possible.
He called for a servant, his voice taut, almost a whisper.
"Take this," he commanded, his eyes darting nervously around the room, "and deliver it immediately to Lady Isabella." After the servant hurried away, Leonard collapsed into a chair, a sense of foreboding washing over him.
He had unleashed a force he could not control, and he feared the consequences.
He muttered to himself, his voice filled with dread and despair, "What have I done?"
Suddenly, a sharp knock echoed through the room.
Leonard jumped, his heart racing in his throat.
He hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the doorknob.
A wave of fear surged within him, an ominous feeling gripping his soul tightly.
He was certain that his world was about to change forever.
"Who is it?" he asked hoarsely, his voice barely audible.
A youthful yet chillingly calm voice came from outside the door. "It's me, Luna, Father. We need to talk."
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