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墨書 Inktalez
The air in Glory Fortress was thick with a tension that felt almost tangible, humming with a heavy silence.
Xiao Luna curled up in her luxurious Cradle, seemingly oblivious to it all.
Her chubby little hands clutched a worn leather book—an object that appeared to be an ordinary toy but was, in fact, a key.
This was the first edition of the story she had become entangled in, where she was meant to be an inconsequential minor character, a tragic footnote.
But Luna did not want to be a victim.
Her eyes, mismatched with her angelic face, sparkled with an unsettling intelligence.
Her small fingers traced the faded Tiny Inscriptions, unraveling the intricate web of lies and betrayals that constituted Leonard's double life.
The whispers she had overheard, the misplaced documents she had "accidentally" discovered—each clue pieced together like fragments of a puzzle.
The scent of betrayal hung in the air, sharp as metal, heavy and pervasive, yet it seemed only Luna noticed it.
She collected those fragments: small papers, faded ribbons, a strand of unfamiliar hair, and stuffed them into a little bag embroidered with flowers.
Her movements were precise and ritualistic, like a young High Priestess preparing for a sacred Sacrifice.
In a quiet moment within the Nursery, this little bag found its way into Aurea's hands.
The setting sun cast long shadows across the room, bathing the walls in an eerie glow that seemed to foreshadow the future.
Aurea had no Awareness of the storm brewing within that silk bag; she smiled as she gently opened it.
Her smile froze and then shattered; her complexion turned as pale as if the sun had swiftly dipped below the horizon.
The items inside the bag—each one a testament to her husband's infidelity—struck her like a heavy blow.
The ribbon carried Leonard's familiar sweet Cedar Fragrance, now turned acrid and nauseating.
The world around Aurea began to spin, the luxurious Nursery transforming into a kaleidoscope of blurred colors.
The laughter of Children playing in the courtyard, once her source of joy, now mocked her with its innocent sound.
Memories that were once as precious as jewels now pierced her heart like shards of glass.
The stolen kisses under the moonlight, whispered promises, shared dreams… all were lies.
She clutched the bag tightly against her chest, a choked sob escaping her throat like Luna.
The room seemed to shrink, the walls pressing in on her, the weight of her husband's betrayal nearly suffocating her.
Her fingers gripped the ribbon tightly, the silk digging into her skin, an external manifestation of the pain her soul endured.
Her anguished cries drew her sons to her side, their faces etched with concern.
Her eldest son, partially paralyzed from a magical accident, moved stiffly and slowly, a wave of helplessness washing over him.
He longed to protect Mother, to shield her from this pain, but his own broken body felt like a prison.
The Second Son had just experienced betrayal himself; he saw his own plight reflected in their family's predicament, sending chills down his spine and reminding him how fragile trust could be.
His heart raced in his chest as anxiety for their family's future gripped him; their legacy crumbled before his eyes.
The youngest son's youthful face was now marred by worry; he regretted the years he had wasted, having neglected his magical training to the point of being powerless in this crisis.
The brothers exchanged grave glances, the unspoken heavy emotions weighing down on their hearts.
This fortress, once a symbol of their family's strength and unity, now felt like a tomb.
Aurea's breath quickened with urgency; each painful gasp reminded her that the life she thought she had was stolen away from her.
She looked at her sons, their faces reflecting her own pain, and a new emotion surged within her, replacing the suffocating despair.
It was not sadness, nor sorrow, but… anger.
A cold, intense anger coursed through her veins, heralding a desire for revenge.
“Go… go fetch Leonard for me,” she said hoarsely, her voice trembling with emotion. “Bring him to me now.” Qin Si, seeing Aelia in such distress, hurried forward. Her usually composed face was filled with anxiety, yet she struggled to maintain her calm. “Madam, please don’t do this! Crying won’t solve anything! Think of Young Miss, think of the young masters; the Glorious Demon Fortress cannot fall! You must not falter!” Qin Si’s voice was soft but carried an undeniable firmness, like a shot of adrenaline that steadied Aelia’s emotions.
Qin Si gently wiped away Aelia’s tears and spoke softly, “Madam, the master… he may just be confused for a moment. You are the matriarch of the Glorious Demon Fortress, the most esteemed Aelia; you must show your strength! Think about how to respond and how we can preserve everything we have!” Her words conveyed both loyalty to Aelia and a subtle worry for the future.
She understood better than anyone what turmoil would ensue if cracks appeared within the Glorious Demon Fortress.
In the suffocating silence, Leonard’s figure appeared at the door.
He wore a deep blue velvet Magic Robe adorned with the golden emblem symbolizing the Glorious Demon Fortress. His hair was meticulously styled, and his face bore its usual haughty smile.
His arrival was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, sending ripples across the surface.
“What’s going on? I heard crying from afar. Aelia, are you alright?” Leonard’s tone was casual, as if he were merely offering a routine greeting.
His gaze swept over everyone before finally landing on Aelia’s pale face.
“Father!” Lucius rushed over, quickly reaching Aelia’s side with concern etched on his features. “Mother, are you okay? What happened?” Lucius sensed that something was off in the atmosphere; his eyes held a hint of inquiry and suspicion as he looked at Leonard.
“It’s nothing; I just got pricked by Hua Ci accidentally. It hurts a bit,” Aelia replied in a hoarse and icy voice, her gaze fixed intently on Leonard as if trying to see through him.
“And you, Leonard? Why did you come back so late? Where have you been?”
Leonard paused slightly before regaining his nonchalant demeanor. “Oh, I just met with some old friends to discuss matters regarding the Magic Castle. What? Do I need to report to you for being back late?” His tone carried a hint of impatience, as if Aelia's questioning was an affront.
“Report? I wouldn’t dare,” Aelia scoffed lightly as she took the embroidered pouch from Qin Si's hand and slowly opened it.
“I just want to ask you, how do you plan to explain these things?”
Leonard's gaze fell on the small pouch, and his previously calm expression instantly stiffened.
He stepped forward quickly, trying to snatch the pouch away, but Aelia pushed him aside forcefully.
“What are you doing? Are you feeling guilty?” Aelia's voice rose sharply, filled with a fury akin to Tear's.
Everyone present was stunned by this scene.
The elder brother leaned on his cane and slowly stood up, his gaze sharp as an eagle, fixed intently on Leonard.
Second Brother's face turned pale; he seemed to recall his own experience of betrayal by a close friend. Brother San looked bewildered, as if he still didn’t quite understand what was happening, only sensing the atmosphere was unusually tense.
Lucius also became aware of the gravity of the situation. He walked over to Aelia and said in a low voice, “Mother, what exactly happened? Father, please explain clearly!” His tone carried a hint of expectation; he hoped Leonard could provide a reasonable explanation that would prove Aelia was mistaken.
Aelia began to dump the contents of the pouch onto the ground.
There was an intricately embroidered handkerchief stained with a strange cedar fragrance; a letter written in elegant script filled with ambiguity and affection; and a strand of long black hair that did not belong to Aelia or any of the women from Magic Castle.
Each item felt like a sharp knife, piercing deeply into Leonard's heart.
His complexion shifted from red to white, then from white to green, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found himself utterly unable to defend himself.
“This... this must be someone framing me!” Leonard's voice was hoarse and weak as he attempted one last struggle.
“Aelia, you have to believe me; I have never done anything to betray you!”
“Framing?” Aelia shot back. “Even now, you still want to argue? Are these things all fake? The cedar fragrance on this handkerchief, the tiny inscriptions—are they all forgeries?”
Leonard was left speechless.
He knew that he could no longer hide the truth.
He slumped into a chair, as if all his strength had drained away.
Lucius looked at his father. "Father, I always thought you were my role model, the person I admired most. But now, you have disappointed me deeply!" His voice trembled with profound sorrow.
"Lucius..." Leonard raised his head, wanting to say something to Lucius, but was coldly interrupted.
"No need to say anything! From today onward, I stand with Mother, I stand with the Glorious Demon Fortress!" Lucius's voice was firm and resolute, filled with disappointment towards Leonard and a fierce loyalty to Aelia.
The atmosphere inside the Magic Castle grew exceptionally tense, creating a stark confrontation.
On one side stood the furious and determined Aelia, alongside Lucius; on the other side were the pale-faced Leonard, unable to defend himself, and his bewildered elder brother, Second Brother, and Brother San.
A suffocating sense of oppression hung in the air, like the calm before a storm.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for the impending tempest.
Aelia coldly regarded Leonard. "Leonard, I ask you one last time—do you admit it?"
Leonard lifted his head, his gaze evasive, unable to meet Aelia's eyes.
He opened his mouth but ultimately chose silence.
Aelia smiled—a cold and piercing smile, like a Snow Lotus blooming in the harsh winter.
"Good! Very well! From today onward, you are no longer the Lord of the Glorious Demon Fortress, nor are you my husband! Guards, take him away and imprison him in the dungeon!"
Aelia's command rang out like thunder within the Magic Castle.
Several Knights immediately stepped forward, lifting Leonard and dragging him out of the room.
Leonard continued to struggle, shouting, “Aelia, you can’t do this to me! I am the Lord of the Glorious Demon Fortress, I am your husband! You cannot—”
His voice grew fainter until it finally vanished into the darkness.
In the room, only Aelia, Lucius, Qin Si, and Luna, who stood silently by the Cradle, remained.
Aelia's gaze fell upon Luna, her little infant who seemed to possess a mysterious power capable of seeing through everything and revealing all lies.
“Mother, what should we do next?” Lucius's voice broke the silence as he looked at Aelia.
Aelia took a deep breath, striving to calm herself.
“Next… we must fight for the Glorious Demon Fortress!” She paused, her expression becoming resolute and sharp.
“Qin Si, send out orders to seal off the Magic Castle; no one is allowed to enter or exit! Lucius, go gather all the knights loyal to the Magic Castle and prepare for battle!”
Qin Si and Lucius immediately complied and left, leaving the room quiet once more.
Aelia slowly approached the Cradle. She gently caressed Luna’s small face and whispered, “Luna, my little angel, are you here to bring hope or destruction?” Her voice was low and hoarse, tinged with a sense of confusion and unease.
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