Luna's voice, like a pebble thrown into a tranquil lake, stirred up tumultuous waves within Aelia's heart.
"Mother, Luna has something to say to you..." Her soft voice revealed a shocking secret.
Xiao Luna recounted the details of Leonard's betrayal as if telling a story, unveiling the hidden rendezvous, the cries of the illegitimate child, and the cold, merciless transaction... Each word struck Aelia's heart like a sharp dagger.
At first, Aelia was merely stunned, unable to believe it. Her face was etched with disbelief, as if she had heard an absurd tale.
Leonard?
Her husband?
The man who had been gentle and caring, who had promised her eternal love?
He would betray her?
How could this be possible!
She instinctively wanted to refute it, to deny the vivid details Ke Luna described. They felt so real, so clear that she could not dismiss them.
Luna's clear blue eyes seemed to see through everything, leaving her no escape.
Aelia's complexion gradually turned pale, as if all color had drained from her face.
She clutched her chest, as if it were suffering from excruciating pain.
Memories of her first encounter with Leonard flooded back—the sunlight gently illuminating his face, the heartfelt vows he had made. In hindsight, they now felt so ironic, so hypocritical!
Once sweet moments had transformed into piercing blades, each one mercilessly wounding her heart.
Tears finally could not be held back, streaming down her Luna and dripping onto her trembling hands.
“No... it’s impossible...” Aelia murmured, her voice trembling with a hint of despair.
She could not accept this reality, could not accept that her years of dedication had been wasted!
Her love, her trust, her youth—all gone to waste.
A fury of betrayal and deception erupted within her like a volcano.
Her breathing became urgent, her hands clenched into fists, veins bulging as she struggled to contain her anger.
This rage was not only directed at Leonard's betrayal but also at herself for her naivety and foolishness over the years.
She hated herself for not discovering the truth sooner, hated herself for being blinded by love, hated herself for believing Leonard's lies so easily.
Meanwhile, in other corners of the Magic Castle, monumental changes were also taking place.
Her elder brother, once disabled due to the Magic Backlash, had successfully lifted the curse under Luna's guidance.
At this moment, he strode confidently down the corridor of the Magic Castle, a self-assured smile lighting up his face.
He felt the surge of Magical Power within him, like a long-awaited rain after a drought, filling him with hope.
The past despair and despondency had vanished, replaced by a vision of the future.
With each step he took, firm and resonant, it was as if he were crushing all the shadows of his past beneath his feet.
Second Brother had once been deceived by a close friend, falling into the Magic Dilemma. It was with Luna's help that he uncovered the conspiracy and emerged from the predicament.
His gaze was resolute, eyes shining brightly, no longer clouded by confusion and pain.
He decided to refocus on his magical studies, determined to prove himself through his own strength and make those who had deceived him pay for their actions.
A sense of determination radiated from him, like a sword just drawn from its sheath, sharp and gleaming.
The air in Magic Castle was thick with tension, as if it were the calm before a storm.
Luna's arrival triggered a dramatic shift in the internal dynamics of Magic Castle, akin to the butterfly effect.
Once the Glorious Demon Fortress, it now simmered with undercurrents; everyone harbored their own thoughts, waiting for the inevitable eruption.
As night deepened, the lights of Magic Castle gradually dimmed, and everything fell into silence.
However, in Brother San's room, the light remained bright.
He held a Grimoire in his hands, brow furrowed as he seemed to grapple with a difficult problem.
He flipped through the Yellowed Pages repeatedly but could not find an answer.
Suddenly, he recalled something Luna had once said… He snapped the book shut. "Could it be that I…?"
The night was deepening, and the Glorious Demon Fortress lay like a slumbering giant, tranquil yet majestic.
Beneath this calmness, however, a current of change was stirring.
In Brother San's room, the lights burned throughout the night.
He set down the Grimoire in hand, its yellowed pages curled from countless readings, and the book spine worn and frayed, clearly showing signs of extensive study.
In the past, he had relied on his exceptional Magical Talent, approaching his training with indifference, believing he could easily surpass others without much effort.
However, Luna's words struck him like a wake-up call, bringing him to a sudden realization.
While talent was indeed important, without diligent nurturing, it would ultimately fade away like a fleeting flower, gone in an instant.
He rose to his feet, pushed open the door, and made his way to the Magic Castle's Magic Training Ground.
The night breeze brushed against him, carrying a hint of chill, yet it could not extinguish the burning flame within his heart.
The Training Ground was empty, with only a few solitary magical lamps casting faint glimmers of light.
He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and felt the surging Magical Power within him.
"From today onward, I will use my sweat to make up for the time I have wasted!" he vowed silently in his heart.
He began to wave his wand, murmuring incantations as beams of magical light flickered around him.
He practiced the basic Ancient Spells over and over again, striving for perfection in every detail.
Soon, sweat covered his forehead, soaking through his clothes.
His muscles ached, and his twin legs felt weak, but he gritted his teeth and pushed through the fatigue, determined to continue.
He thought of Luna, that small figure who held within her an astonishing wisdom and strength.
He remembered his elder brother and Second Brother; both had escaped their predicaments and regained their lives with Luna's help.
He could not let Luna down, nor could he allow himself to sink back into the vanity of the past.
He repeated the same motions over and over until his arms could no longer lift, until Twin Legs could no longer support him.
Finally, he stopped, leaning against the wall of the Training Ground, gasping for breath.
His body was utterly exhausted, yet his eyes were filled with determination and hope.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the Magic Castle, Leonard paced anxiously.
He had learned that Aelia was aware of his betrayal, and his heart was in turmoil.
He never expected that things would be exposed so quickly.
He had always believed he had covered his tracks perfectly, only to be seen through by a tiny infant.
He knew Aelia's character well; she appeared gentle and virtuous on the outside but was fiercely strong within.
Once she set her mind on something, she would never easily change it.
He could imagine how heartbroken and furious Aelia would be upon discovering the truth.
He needed to return to the Magic Castle as soon as possible to explain everything to Aelia.
He had to keep her steady, preventing her from doing anything impulsive.
After all, Aelia's family held considerable power; if she made this matter public, his position would be in jeopardy.
He hurriedly adjusted his clothes and forced himself to appear calm as he walked out of the room, heading towards Aelia's residence.
His steps felt unsteady, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
He tried to project an air of calmness, but the panic within him was hard to conceal.
When he arrived at Aelia's residence, Qin Si stood at the door, glaring at him with a face full of anger.
"Sir, the lady does not wish to see you right now," Qin Si said coldly, her tone filled with hostility.
Leonard took a deep breath, suppressing the anger boiling inside him. He tried to speak in a peaceful tone. "Qin Si, I know the lady is very upset right now, but I have something important to explain to her. Please make an exception and let me see her."
Qin Si stood her ground, looking at Leonard with disdain. "Explain? What is there left for you to explain? Your actions have already broken the lady's heart. Do you think a few sweet words can make up for your mistakes?"
Leonard's face turned pale; he knew he couldn't persuade Qin Si.
He had no choice but to force his way in.
"Step aside!" he shouted, trying to intimidate Qin Si with his presence.
Unfazed, Qin Si stood tall and replied firmly, "Unless I die, you will not step foot in here!"
Leonard's patience finally wore thin. He pushed Qin Si aside and forcibly entered Aelia's room.
In the room, Aelia sat silently in front of the grooming table, tears streaming down her face.
Her complexion was pale, and her eyes were hollow, as if she had lost all vitality.
Leonard felt a sharp pain in his heart. He hurried to Aelia's side, wanting to embrace her, but she pushed him away mercilessly.
"Don't touch me!" Aelia's voice was hoarse and filled with disgust.
Leonard's hand froze in mid-air as he looked at Aelia.
"Aelia, I know I was wrong. I apologize to you. Please forgive me and give me a chance," he pleaded.
Aelia lifted her head and coldly stared at Leonard. "A chance? You have already betrayed me; you have shattered my heart. Do you think I would still give you a chance?"
Leonard was left speechless. He knew he had lost Aelia's trust.
At that moment, a voice came from the doorway.
"Father, can you really face Mother like this?"
Lucius stood at the entrance, looking at Leonard with a complex expression. His brows were tightly furrowed.
Leonard's heart sank; he hadn't expected Lucius to be here.
"Lucius, let me explain..." he tried to reason with Lucius, but Lucius ignored him completely.
"I always thought you were an upright person, but I was wrong. You make me feel ashamed." With that, Lucius turned and left the room.
Leonard stood there in a daze, feeling utterly abandoned.
He had lost Aelia's love and Lucius's respect, and he didn't know where to go from here.
Aelia watched Leonard's desolate figure, but there was not a shred of pity in her heart.
She knew that everything had come to an end.
There was no longer any possibility between her and Leonard.
"Qin Si, show him out!" she said coldly.
Qin Si stepped in and unceremoniously ushered Leonard out of the room.
Leonard stumbled out of Aelia's residence, his heart filled with despair.
He looked up at the sky and saw a crescent moon hanging alone in the night, as if mocking his foolishness and sorrow.
"Luna..." he murmured to himself,
Just then, a shadow appeared behind him and softly said, "Lord of the Fortress, there are some things you may not yet know..."
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