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墨書 Inktalez
"Mother, you are truly wonderful!" Luna said, gently patting Aelia's thin shoulders with her small, tender hands, her voice filled with genuine admiration.
In her clear eyes sparkled the innocence of a child and a deep affection for Aelia. Upon hearing this, Aelia's originally cold expression softened into a hint of a warm smile. She gently stroked Luna's soft hair; receiving Luna's approval felt like a ray of sunshine breaking through the gloom, warm and precious.
However, this heartwarming scene appeared particularly ironic to others present. Standing nearby, the eldest brother watched with an expressionless face. In his deep-set eyes flickered a complex light. On one hand, he felt glad that Mother could escape Father's betrayal; on the other hand, thoughts of the turmoil soon to engulf their family filled him with concern. He clenched his fists tightly, striving to suppress the tumultuous emotions within.
The second brother looked utterly bewildered. He still hadn't fully grasped what was happening. All he knew was that their once peaceful home had been thrown into chaos because of the woman Father had brought back.
He stole a glance at Leonard in the corner. Brother San maintained his usual nonchalant demeanor, but a trace of barely perceptible worry flashed in his eyes. He idly toyed with the magic sphere in his hand, seemingly indifferent to everything around him. Yet only he knew that his heart was far from calm.
Qin Si stood behind Aelia, carefully observing the surroundings with tense nerves, fearing any unexpected developments. As Aelia's most trusted maid, she understood just how complicated her mistress's feelings were at this moment.
Lucius wore a worried expression. Still young, he didn't quite comprehend the adult conflicts and grievances. All he knew was that something bad seemed to have happened at home, and it all revolved around that suddenly appearing woman. He clutched Aelia's skirt tightly, afraid she might be harmed.
Luna's innocent praise contrasted sharply with the varied expressions of those around her, creating a subtle atmosphere of surface calmness underpinned by turbulent undercurrents.
Aelia did not notice the expressions of others; she carefully picked up Luna and walked to the center of the hall, gently placing her on a chair cushioned with soft fabric.
"Luna dear, sit here for a moment," Aelia said gently as she adjusted Luna's skirt herself.
Then she signaled for Qin Si to bring over some exquisite magical snacks. These treats were made from magic elements; not only were they delicious but they also contained a hint of magical energy beneficial to the body.
Aelia picked up a small cookie and gently offered it to Luna's mouth. "Try this and see if you like it," she said in an extremely tender tone, as if handling a precious treasure.
Luna opened her small mouth and took a bite of the cookie, her face lighting up with a satisfied smile.
“Thank you, Mother, it’s so delicious!” she said, her words muffled as she chewed on the biscuit.
Seeing Luna’s adorable expression, Aelia couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction. She picked up another piece of pastry and held it to Luna’s mouth.
The entire hall was filled with a warm and indulgent atmosphere. Aelia’s affection for Luna was boundless.
Yet, in this cozy environment, Leonard in the corner appeared particularly lonely and disheveled. He kept his head down, curled up in the corner like a wounded beast. He didn’t dare to look up at Aelia, nor could he meet the disdainful gazes of those around him.
He knew he had completely lost his status and dignity within the family. His elder brother glared coldly at Leonard; he could not forgive their father’s betrayal nor accept the shame he had brought upon the family.
The magical energy within him began to surge uncontrollably, flickering with a dangerous light in his eyes. He clenched his fists tightly, struggling to restrain himself. He knew it was not yet time to explode. He had to seek justice for Mother and for the entire family.
“Leonard.” Aelia’s sudden voice broke the silence in the hall.
Leonard jolted, raising his head in shock, looking at Aelia with fear.
“Leave,” Aelia said coldly and calmly, devoid of any emotion.
Leonard was stunned; he couldn’t believe his ears.
“Mother…” he stammered, trying to say something.
“I said, leave,” Aelia repeated firmly.
“From today on, you are no longer the Lord of Glory Fortress, nor my husband.” Aelia’s eyes were filled with resolve.
Leonard completely collapsed. He sank to the ground, his face as pale as paper. He realized he had lost everything.
“That woman—take her with you,” Aelia said disdainfully, glancing at the beautiful woman standing beside Leonard with coldness.
The beautiful woman’s face turned pale upon hearing this. She hadn’t expected things to escalate to this point. She had thought that by being with Leonard, she would live a life of luxury and comfort. But now it seemed her dreams had been utterly shattered.
Leonard's breathing grew heavy as he became aware that things were far worse than he had imagined.
He originally thought that if he just softened his stance and admitted his mistakes, he could muddle through. However, he never expected Aelia to be so resolute, giving him no chance at all.
“Aelia, you can't treat me like this!” Leonard shouted hoarsely. “What have I done to deserve this? I've given everything for this family!” He tried to evoke Aelia's sympathy, but found it all in vain.
“You have betrayed the entire family!” Aelia reprimanded sharply. “You have betrayed your marriage and tarnished the reputation of Glory Fortress!”
“Now, I command you to relinquish your magical powers in hand!” Aelia said mercilessly.
Leonard trembled all over. “No... please don’t...” he pleaded, wanting to say something more.
“Take him away!” Aelia coldly waved her hand, interrupting Leonard's words.
Standing nearby, Second Brother immediately rushed forward, grabbing Leonard's arm and dragging him out.
“Let go of me! Let go of me!” Leonard struggled desperately, but it was futile. He was dragged out of the hall by Second Brother like a dead dog, disappearing from everyone's sight.
Leonard's scream echoed in the hall, sending chills down people's spines.
Watching Leonard leave in such a disheveled state, Aelia felt no sympathy; only endless disappointment and disgust filled her eyes.
“Mother, are you alright?” Luna asked with concern as she looked at Aelia.
Aelia shook her head and forced a smile. “I’m fine, Luna. You don’t need to worry.”
She took a deep breath, striving to calm her inner turmoil. She knew there were many things she needed to do next. She had to reorganize the family, protect Glory Fortress, and create a safe and happy home for the children.
“Luna, do you want to go out and play?” Aelia suddenly asked.
Luna's eyes lit up at the suggestion. “Yes! I want to see the outside world!”
“Alright then, Mother will take you out to play,” Aelia said with a smile.
“Really? That’s wonderful!” Luna exclaimed excitedly.
“But…” Aelia’s face showed a hint of difficulty. “Mother has some matters to attend to right now and can’t accompany you personally. How about this: let your brothers take you out to play instead?”
Luna pouted slightly in disappointment but still nodded obediently. “Okay, as long as I can go out and play, it doesn’t matter who goes with me.”
Aelia patted Luna's head gently. “I’m sorry for making you wait, Luna.”
She turned her gaze towards her eldest brother and Brother San standing nearby.
“Brother, Brother San, please take Luna out for some fun and make sure to keep her safe.”
“Yes, Mother,” the brothers replied respectfully.
Soon, Luna left Glory Fortress accompanied by her two brothers.
However, they were unaware that at the moment they departed the fortress, a great crisis was quietly approaching.
As soon as Luna and her brothers stepped outside Glory Fortress, they were surrounded by a horde of dark, menacing creatures.
These monsters varied in shape, their faces twisted in grotesque forms, exuding a nauseating Stench.
They clawed and screeched, as if intent on tearing everything apart.
“What’s happening?” The elder brother’s expression changed instantly as he shielded Luna behind him.
“I don’t know where these monsters came from!” Brother San said, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily, the Magic Sphere in his hand glowing brightly.
Luna looked at the fierce creatures before her, yet there was no trace of fear on her face.
Instead, excitement sparkled in her eyes.
“Has it finally come?” she silently thought.
“Watch out!” The elder brother suddenly shouted, throwing himself over Luna to the ground.
A black arrow whizzed past her head and struck the Ground with a thud.
Luna raised her head in shock and saw a tall creature standing not far away, its Blood Red eyes fixed intently on her.
“Cackling…” The creature let out a chilling laugh that sent shivers down her spine.
“Little One, your good days are over!”
Who was speaking?
Wasn’t Leonard taken away?
And what did that mean by “your good days are over”?
Luna’s heart was filled with confusion.
I am preparing to weave a tale filled with magic and conspiracy!
Let us enter Luna’s world:
“What did he mumble?” Luna’s small voice broke the tense silence in the hall, hiding an unsettling wisdom beneath her innocent and adorable face.
Her sharp eyes, like purple Crystal Fragments, were fixed on the distant figure of Leonard, who was being dragged away like a broken puppet.
She heard a low whisper escaping his Lips, a venomous hiss that she could not quite make out.
Qin Si remained ever vigilant, loyal to her mistress; she approached with a practiced smile.
“Oh, poor confused soul. He was just mumbling words of gratitude to your Mother, Xiao Luna. You know, thanking her for her… generosity.” She let out a hollow laugh that echoed emptily in the spacious room.
Then she exaggeratedly presented a plate piled high with glistening Sugar Coating plums.
“Darling, how about one? These were just picked from the Magical Orchard.”
Luna's gaze lingered on the now empty doorway as she delicately took a plum with her small, slender hand.
Taking a bite, the sweet juice dripped down her chin, but the sweetness did little to mask the bitter taste of doubt in her mouth.
Something was off—very off.
Like a discordant note in a beautiful melody, it stirred unease beneath her skin.
After the meal, apart from the three boisterous brothers, hardly anyone had touched their food.
Luna felt an inexplicable urgency and walked over to Aurea.
“Mom, I want to go outside. Please, can we go to the Whispering Forest?” A hint of pleading crept into her usually cheerful voice.
As expected, Qin Si positioned herself between Luna and Aurea.
“Alright, alright, Xiao Luna, it's not safe outside. Those dark creatures have been particularly restless lately.” Her tone, while outwardly concerned, held an underlying firmness.
Luna's lower lip trembled slightly as her bright eyes turned toward Aurea.
That gaze could melt the coldest of hearts; her silent plea spoke louder than words.
Aurea's face was etched with fatigue, as if she had aged decades in an instant, and she hesitated.
She longed to grant Luna's request, to provide a semblance of normalcy in this shattered world.
But a cold fear gripped her heart.
A voice whispered in her ear, warning her of unseen dangers lurking beyond the light.
Finally, she sighed, the weight of unspoken burdens heavy in her voice.
“Alright, Luna. But the three brothers must accompany you. And you must swear by your magic that you won't step beyond the forest's edge. Do you understand?”
The three brothers, always eager to escape the stifling atmosphere of the castle, readily agreed.
One of them casually bowed to Aurea, flashing his usual carefree smile, but Luna noticed him tense up at Aurea’s words.
“Not a step beyond the forest,” Aurea reiterated firmly, her voice taut with anxiety.
“And you three brothers, if anything happens—anything at all—you must bring Luna back immediately. Understood?”
“Understood, Mom,” the brothers replied solemnly.
As Luna and the three brothers made their way toward the castle gates under the watchful eyes of a small group of anxious guards, Aurea watched them with white-knuckled hands gripping the edge of the table.
Tears shimmered in her eyes, reflecting the storm raging within her heart.
It was a mother’s instinct—a primal fear for her child's safety that gnawed at her soul.
Lucius tugged at her skirt, looking up at her with confusion etched on his face.
“Mom, you look sad. Are you okay?”
Aurea forced a smile that seemed pale and weak compared to her usual warmth.
“I’m fine, dear. Just a bit tired.” But this lie hung heavily in the air, snuffing out the last flicker of hope.
The heavy oak door of the castle creaked open, revealing a sunlit scene outside.
The guards were tense, scanning their surroundings warily with hands hovering over their sword hilts.
"Strange," a guard murmured softly, his voice barely audible. "Even in broad daylight, there's not a soul in sight. The market is deserted. Listen... there's not a sound coming from the Magic Workshop. It's as if... everyone has vanished."
The air, once vibrant with the energy of magical activity, now hung in an eerie silence. The colorful exteriors of the magical buildings, usually teeming with life, now loomed over them like hollow eyes. A heavy stillness enveloped the land, broken only by the rustling leaves in the Whispering Forest and the rhythmic beating of their own hearts.
Even the cheerful chirping of magical sparrows was absent, replaced by an unsettling quiet. Then, from deep within the forest came a faint sound, like metal scraping against stone. They halted, every muscle tense and every sense heightened.
"Did you hear that?" one of the brothers whispered, instinctively reaching for the intricately carved Little Mage staff at his belt.
Xiao Luna was such a delightful child, her large, insightful eyes watching this drama unfold. Honestly, it was more captivating than any play she had seen in her past life—believe me, she had seen plenty! Alia, the fierce bear mother, was simply remarkable. She confronted the treacherous Little One, Leonard, with a cold fury reminiscent of a thousand storms.
The man strutted like a peacock at first, trying to deny everything. But Alia was clever; she had evidence—an overwhelming amount of it. One could say Luna had "facilitated" the collection of this evidence. Watching Leonard crumble under the weight of his own lies was immensely satisfying.
Luna almost felt a flicker of sympathy for him—almost. But then she recalled the original storyline where Alia and her sons suffered greatly due to his betrayal; that fleeting pity vanished faster than a fairy stealing gold.
Yet Alia handled the situation with such grace despite her righteous anger that Luna couldn't help but admire her. She didn’t resort to shouting or throwing things—she simply declared coldly that Leonard had lost all his power and pride. She was like a queen dismissing an especially incompetent jester.
It was truly inspiring. Luna thought to herself, "Now that's a woman worth emulating."
Later on, Luna nestled in Alia's embrace, pretending to be a sweet and innocent child as she expressed her strong desire to visit the Whispering Forest. Everyone knew it was a dangerous place filled with terrifying beasts, but Luna insisted she "had to" go.
Why? Well, let's just say there were some plot nodes she needed to nudge along. Besides, what’s a little danger? After all, who could refuse those pleading eyes?
Alia certainly couldn't refuse. However, the poor Alia was still troubled by Leonard's disgraceful actions. Dealing with that despicable Little One left her utterly exhausted, feeling like a wrung-out rag. She wanted to accompany Luna and protect her beloved little daughter, but to be honest, she barely had the strength to stand, let alone fend off the crazed Griffin.
With a heavy heart, she entrusted Luna to her Brothers, giving them countless reminders and warnings. God bless those Brothers; each had their own quirks. The eldest was still haunted by the aftermath of a severe Magic Backlash, remaining silent and vigilantly observing their surroundings. The Second Brother was still recovering from the shadows of betrayal, gloomy and reclusive. As for the youngest brother, the gifted Golden Boy, his magical talent made him overlook the importance of hard work; well, how should one put it? He was quite enthusiastic—perhaps too enthusiastic, bouncing around like an overexcited squirrel.
As they entered the forest, the air grew thick and heavy, an eerie and unsettling silence enveloping them like a shroud. The sunlight filtering through the dense canopy seemed to take on a sickly green hue. Luna sat atop her eldest brother's Lucius' Thin Shoulders, feeling a wave of unease wash over her. This was not just an ordinary creepy forest feeling; something felt off. It was as if the forest itself was holding its breath.
Then, as if receiving a signal, a low Roar shattered the silence. Shadows began to shift in the underbrush. In the dim light, pairs of glowing eyes like embers surrounded them. A pack of clawing, drooling monsters formed a circle around them. They were trapped.
Yet Luna, despite her fear, couldn't help but grin. Things were finally getting interesting.
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