Anyone who didn't provoke him was already out of favor, so you could imagine that those who did would hardly get a pleasant response!
Morgan Shangguan had no choice but to remind him, "I'm a woman too!"
Damien Gray tightened his embrace around her and said, "You're my woman!"
Still a woman, isn't she? Morgan Shangguan didn't bother to argue with him about it. Leaning against his chest, she asked, "Did Crown Prince Adrian drug you again?" Otherwise, how could Morgan Shangguan have been rendered unconscious, and how could they ensure Damien Gray would touch her?
"Yes, it was Spring Daze! But I didn't drink it." Damien Gray used Crown Prince Adrian as a pawn to carry out this task, saving himself the trouble. Still, how could Crown Prince Adrian's tricks escape Damien Gray's notice?
Morgan Shangguan certainly knew about Spring Daze. Though it was an aphrodisiac, it looked no different from wine and even carried the fragrance of alcohol. After taking it, one would only show symptoms of drunkenness; unless it was revealed, only the person who took it would know it was an aphrodisiac. Yet she wasn't surprised that Damien Gray could detect it!
Damien Gray gazed at her, a hint of doubt in his eyes, and slowly said, "At first, I really thought you were just a weak woman who let others bully you. Later, when I realized how much you were hiding, I suspected you might have been faking unconsciousness back then." But now it seemed she truly knew nothing.
Morgan Shangguan would never fall for Crown Prince Adrian's tricks so easily. Even if she were to use a honey trap, she'd keep her wits about her, not let herself be knocked out and lose control of the situation. Besides, Morgan Shangguan wasn't one to resort to seduction so easily, even when isolated and unsupported in Silvermoon Kingdom. That was something Damien Gray could never figure out—what exactly was she trying to do?
He had never met the original Morgan Shangguan; everything he knew came from investigations and reports. So he simply thought she was hiding too deeply. If he'd met the real Morgan Shangguan, perhaps he could have guessed something, even things that ordinary people would never dare imagine.
Morgan Shangguan cupped his face in her hands, a faint smile on her lips as she softly said, "Damien, if I told you I was someone who experienced soul transmigration—coming back to life in another's body—would you find it strange?"
Damien Gray suddenly understood, nodding with a smile, "Of course not."
Morgan Shangguan smiled, unsurprised by his answer. In truth, Damien was not so different from her—he would never react with fear or shock like ordinary people.
Damien Gray gazed into her eyes for a long moment before finally asking, "You won't leave, will you?" The idea of soul transmigration was unsettling, and if the soul that had moved him were to vanish one day without a trace, what would he do?
Morgan caught the unease hidden deep in his eyes and softly replied, "I’ve told you before—if I don’t wish to leave, no one can make me go."
Damien Gray smiled and kissed her forehead. He would make sure she never wanted to leave.
"By the way, what did Quentin Hua want from you earlier?" Morgan asked casually, running her fingers through his cool hair.
Since she had decided to stand against the Ghost Sect, gathering more information was only wise. She was no saint—just a woman—so she didn’t care much about the means.
Damien Gray answered every question, "The Azure Kingdom will send envoys to attend the national rite. I’ve heard that the Crown Prince and his future consort—your sister—will be coming. Emperor Alexander’s decree should arrive soon, and the host will likely be Crown Prince Adrian." After all, the visitors were the Azure Crown Prince and Princess, so it was only fitting to send someone of equal rank. Besides, after the last ritual, Emperor Alexander was surely dissatisfied with Prince Ethan, so he wouldn’t send him. And with Crown Prince Adrian’s recent actions, the emperor must have noticed...
Morgan raised her brows. It seemed the Ghost Sect’s influence had reached the Azure Kingdom as well. Though the Cloud Guild had grown quickly, its foundation could never match the Ghost Sect’s.
"Is there anything else?"
Damien looked at her suspiciously, "What exactly do you want to know?" Her persistent questioning clearly had a purpose.
Morgan closed her eyes and replied indifferently, "If you won’t say, forget it."
Damien Gray glanced at her, then reluctantly said, "Quentin Hua is here."
Morgan opened her eyes and saw his reluctant expression, lips curling in amusement. So it was Quentin Hua—was Damien still bothered by him? The thought made her want to laugh, but it also reminded her of something important. She frowned and asked, "Do you know Quentin Hua’s true identity? Is being the Lotus Sect Master all there is to him? I’ve always felt he’s far from ordinary."
Morgan had expected Damien to know something, but he simply shook his head and answered bluntly, "No idea."
Damien Gray did admire Quentin Hua—few people earned his respect. Not Prince Ethan, Crown Prince Adrian, or even Prince Jueying. But admiration aside, Quentin Hua was shrouded in secrets he couldn’t uncover. Still, Damien was certain Quentin Hua was a friend, not a foe; he trusted his own judgment. Perhaps... Quentin Hua could be considered his friend.
Morgan frowned but let it go—there was no point dwelling on it. She reached under the pillow, searching for a moment before pulling out a pendant and fastening it around Damien’s neck.
Damien Gray looked at the purple bead and smiled, "Is this a token of your affection?"
Morgan laughed softly, "I just don’t want you getting lost. It’s my mark."
Damien Gray arched a brow, his gaze lingering on her as he murmured, "Should I leave something for you too?" As he spoke, he playfully bit her rounded shoulder, but after a moment, he met her eyes with a smile and couldn’t bring himself to bite down. Instead, he gently licked her skin and left a rosy mark with a kiss.
Morgan pushed him away with a soft laugh, "With this, you won’t have to worry about any more medicine."