"Alliance Leader, is there something important you wish to discuss with me?"
Liam Duanmu shook his head. He had only wanted to ask whether she truly wished to become Empress. If not...
He laughed at himself, a little self-deprecating. He had been too impulsive, not thinking through the consequences—no, he had thought them through. He could give up his status and honor for her, but the situation was far more complicated than he had imagined. Her ties and responsibilities were too complex. If it were just the struggle for Silvermoon Kingdom's throne, even if he took her away, the Grandmaster's Estate would not be implicated. After all, the Grandmaster's Estate was powerful; to dismantle it would require great effort and would be a significant loss to Silvermoon Kingdom. He believed that no matter who became emperor, they would not attack the Grandmaster's Estate out of a moment's anger. But he had forgotten—Morgan Shangguan was the diplomatic princess of Azure Kingdom. Seemingly insignificant, her disappearance could very well ignite war between the two nations. In that case, the Grandmaster's Estate would surely be implicated because of him, and even if it survived, it would bear a lifetime of infamy. Once war broke out, it would be the people of both kingdoms who suffered most.
Morgan Shangguan raised her eyebrows. She had thought Prince Ethan had something to say to her! Otherwise, she wouldn't have sent Damien Gray away. Thinking of Damien Gray, the chill from their earlier conversation faded, warmth slowly returning to her heart, though her eyes remained complicated.
Damien Gray... can you promise never to let go?
Liam Duanmu spoke bitterly, "Princess Consort, if you ever need my help, please don't hesitate to ask." He couldn't take her away, but if he could help her, he certainly would.
Morgan Shangguan nodded. Liam Duanmu gave her a deep, lingering look, then rose to take his leave. Watching his lonely figure, Morgan's eyes still carried a faint smile, as if it had all been a casual conversation between friends.
Susie Yun came over to clear the teacups from the stone table and hesitantly said, "Miss, isn't this a bit cruel? Even if he took you away, you would still have the ability to protect the Grandmaster's Estate." She could see that Liam Duanmu truly liked Morgan Shangguan, and if Morgan really wanted to leave, who could stop her?
Even if you don't like him, you could refuse him more gently! Why force him to make such a choice?
Morgan Shangguan seemed to smile and softly said, "What if, one day, I no longer have that ability?"
Susie Yun was speechless, but Ryan Ouyang, after glancing at Morgan Shangguan, said, "Susie, what Miss needs is someone who will never abandon her. That person doesn't need to be strong enough to protect her forever, but must be able to never let go of her hand, even if it means bearing the weight of the world, being betrayed by everyone, and falling into hell! Liam Duanmu can't do that. If Miss were just an ordinary woman, when war broke out between the two kingdoms, could Liam Duanmu promise not to hand her over? Besides, Miss doesn't have any special feelings for Liam Duanmu. Letting him give up is not necessarily a bad thing."
Susie Yun suddenly understood and nodded. To never let go or abandon—such a request seems simple, but how many can truly do it? She looked at Ryan Ouyang, her eyes full of happiness. She knew Ryan would never let go of her hand, even if it meant going against his principles of justice. That's why the Demon-Slaying Sect became the Cloud Guild.
Morgan Shangguan raised her brows, teasing, "Ryan, I didn't expect you to know me so well."
"Ahem..." Ryan Ouyang coughed awkwardly, grabbed Susie Yun, and fled as if Morgan Shangguan were a flood or a beast.
Morgan Shangguan couldn't help but laugh, "Am I really that scary?" She hadn't said anything so outrageous, had she?
Actually, the reason Ryan Ouyang ran so quickly was because, ever since he'd started following Morgan Shangguan, Susie Yun often glared at him and always found fault with him. For example, last time, Morgan said all men think with the lower half of their bodies, which made Susie refuse to let him touch her for a long time. So, in his view, Morgan was the most dangerous person—the culprit behind their marital discord. The farther away from her, the better!
Morgan Shangguan glanced at the stone in her hand, satisfied, and curled her lips before heading inside.
Inside the study, Damien Gray absentmindedly flipped through the booklet in his hand, his frown deepening. Finally, agitated, he tossed the booklet onto the table and got up to leave.
As soon as he opened the door, he saw Claire Yi walking toward him. Seeing him, Claire quickened her pace and said with a smile, "Senior Brother, I made some soup. Try it!"
Damien Gray frowned, "I still have things to do!" He was still uneasy—Liam Duanmu clearly had ulterior motives, and what if he resorted to underhanded tactics?
He really was overthinking—it's not as if everyone is as 'ruthless' as he is!
Claire Yi's smile froze, her grip on the tray tightening. She forced a smile, her eyes pleading, "Senior Brother, it won't take long. Just have a little, please?"
Damien Gray looked at her and noticed her evasive gaze. A glint flashed in his eyes, and he nodded, "Alright." He stepped aside to let her in.
Claire Yi's eyes lit up with joy, though she felt nervous, her palms beginning to sweat.
Placing the tray on the table, Claire Yi took a deep breath, then ladled a bowl of soup and handed it to Damien Gray.
Damien Gray reached out to take it. Claire Yi stared at him, unconsciously tightening her grip. Just as the spoon reached his lips, Damien suddenly stopped.
Claire Yi quickly asked, "What's wrong?" Her nervousness was obvious to anyone paying attention.
Damien Gray smiled and asked, "Aren't you going to drink some?"
"Uh... no... that's not necessary..." Claire Yi waved her hands anxiously, flustered.
Suddenly, Damien Gray put down the bowl and got up to leave. Claire Yi, unsure of his intentions, quickly called out, "Senior Brother..."
Damien Gray ignored her and ordered someone to bring another bowl and spoon. Claire Yi breathed a sigh of relief, then felt lost, finally forcing herself to calm down under Damien's gaze.
Damien Gray personally ladled a bowl of soup and handed it to her. Seeing Claire Yi holding the bowl in a daze, not drinking, he asked, "Why aren't you drinking?"