"Ahem, ahem..." Damien Gray suddenly began to cough, putting on a pained expression—though in truth, he was trying to hide the laughter that nearly escaped him.
Morgan Shangguan reached out and gently patted his back in a caring manner, but she softly hummed, "Is it that funny?"
Damien Gray shook his head, though his eyes were full of amusement. Back then, his attempt to win her over with charm had ended in utter failure! Even his deliberate seduction left her completely unmoved. Now, he hadn't done anything at all, yet... He truly felt wronged!
But from the looks of it, it seemed that besides playing the victim, he could also use his good looks as a tactic in the future!
Damien Gray glanced at the seat across from them and said softly, "Mo'er, it seems Mona Shangguan truly despises you."
Her gaze was fixed on Morgan Shangguan, which made Damien Gray quite displeased. Morgan was well aware of it, but she simply chose to ignore it. That look in Mona's eyes was all too familiar—just like the way Susie Yun once looked at her. Morgan understood perfectly: Mona Shangguan, like Susie Yun, harbored deep resentment toward her, and the knot in their hearts would never be untied. Gazing at a face so identical to Susie Yun's, Morgan couldn't help but sigh—was this what people called a fated entanglement?
Whether it was fate or mere coincidence, Morgan Shangguan didn't care. Suddenly, Damien Gray's voice sounded by her ear: "She reminds me of a courtesan from the pleasure house!"
Hearing this, Morgan couldn't help but laugh softly, once again witnessing Damien Gray's biting wit.
It was undeniable that Mona Shangguan was truly beautiful. Even with her future husband, the Crown Prince of Azure Kingdom, sitting beside her, no one dared to be openly disrespectful. Yet, the glances cast her way by some men still carried a hint of heat and longing.
Of course, such looks only came from the men, while the women gazed at her mostly with envy.
Morgan Shangguan and Mona Shangguan looked exactly alike, yet none of those men ever cast such heated glances at her. The aura of distance she carried seemed to set her apart from everyone else, a gap no one could cross. Her ethereal, almost celestial grace made her seem untouchable.
Mona Shangguan, on the other hand, seemed to revel in those admiring gazes. When Morgan looked her way, Mona even lifted her chin, her eyes full of disdain.
Noticing her nearly provocative behavior, the onlookers couldn't help but wonder what sort of grudge lay between the sisters. Twin sisters were usually close—why did these two seem to be enemies?
Damien Gray narrowed his eyes dangerously, but Morgan Shangguan simply picked up a meatball and stuffed it into his mouth, smiling as she said, "Looking won't kill anyone." She didn't care, so why should he be upset over something so trivial? It wasn't worth it!
Seeing Damien Gray look at her with a hint of grievance, Morgan Shangguan found it amusing. She was the one being hated, yet she didn't feel wronged at all—so what was he sulking about?
Regardless of who might be watching, Morgan suddenly leaned in and kissed the corner of his lips, then nonchalantly pulled away, ignoring the astonished stares. She asked, "Which faction is yours?"
The struggle for the throne had already begun with Crown Prince Adrian, and even at this banquet, those sensitive to politics could sense the tension in the air.
Damien Gray licked his lips with satisfaction, his devilish charm making Morgan Shangguan pinch his hand in protest—was he deliberately tempting her?
Damien Gray caught her hand and chuckled, then whispered, "All three factions have my people, but their true master is the Ghostmaster." This way, even if Emperor Alexander suspected something, he wouldn't focus on the Ghost King. Damien didn't mind if the emperor paid attention to the Ghostmaster.
The Ghostmaster was always elusive, and the Ghost Guild was shrouded in mystery. Even if Emperor Alexander tried to investigate, it wouldn’t be easy. And even if he did uncover something, he wouldn’t dare move against the Ghost Guild lightly!
As for the identity of the Ghost King, he had no intention of giving it up just yet.
Damien Gray remained leaning close to Morgan Shangguan. Whether it was because the matter was truly secret or he simply wanted to tease her, he deliberately stayed near, his lips brushing her ear as he spoke. His warm breath tickled her, making Morgan turn her head, which drew a low chuckle from Damien.
Morgan glanced at him, her eyes tinged with helplessness. She opened her hand, letting her slender fingers intertwine with his. Their fingers locked together, and Damien Gray gazed down at their joined hands, the curve of his smile lingering.
At that moment, the music and dancing in the hall abruptly stopped. The hum of conversation faded, and the lively atmosphere gave way to silence.
Morgan Shangguan looked up, only to see a woman veiled in light gauze gracefully making her way forward. Her features were as beautiful as a painting, her face half-hidden beneath the sheer fabric, exuding mystery. Dressed in pale blue, her figure was elegantly outlined. As she walked, her skirt swayed in a lovely arc, her delicate movements reminiscent of a willow in the wind—so gentle and captivating that, in an instant, all eyes were drawn to her.
Crown Prince Adrian's gaze was drawn to her, but he remained composed, frowning as he glanced at Emperor Alexander. This woman was not his arrangement—what was Emperor Alexander planning now?
Morgan took it all in and couldn't help but laugh, "Could it be that Emperor Alexander wants to plant a spy at Adrian Yarrow's side too? Has he gotten addicted to using beauty as a ploy?"
After bowing to Emperor Alexander, the woman walked gracefully to Adrian Yarrow, raising her delicate hand. Her veil slipped away, revealing a stunningly beautiful face. A collective gasp rippled through the hall—she was so breathtaking, it was as if she were a dream, not a real person.
The beauty bowed slightly, her red lips parting as she spoke, "Sophie Qiu greets Your Highness, the Crown Prince!" Her gentle voice rippled through the hall, stirring everyone’s hearts—her steps were like a dance, her words like a song.
Mona Shangguan's face had turned completely dark, but in front of so many people, she couldn't lose her composure. She could only bite her lip and glare at the woman before her.
Sophie Qiu? Morgan Shangguan frowned and glanced at Damien Gray, asking, "Sophie Qiu?"
Damien Gray nodded, then whispered in Morgan's ear with a low chuckle, "Looks like Emperor Alexander really went all out this time!"
Morgan narrowed her eyes and said, "She is indeed beautiful." She wondered if Adrian Yarrow would be able to resist her charms.