Seeing Morgan Shangguan remain silent, Damien Gray lowered his head until their foreheads touched and smiled, "Princess Consort, you don’t need to be so moved. I’m only trying to keep you by my side forever—this is just my way of making sure you can’t leave me!"
Morgan Shangguan wrapped her arms around his neck, meeting his gaze, and let out a soft laugh. Even knowing this was a scheme, she was willing to fall for it—because he was carrying out this plan with his whole heart, holding nothing back. When someone throws themselves into something with complete abandon, the force behind it is frightening. That’s why she had lost so thoroughly, fallen so deep, she didn’t even have the urge to struggle.
Damien Gray sighed softly and said, "I know Master Ethan Yi has always treated me well, so I’ve always respected him. But I also know that the reason for his kindness is really because of Consort Bella Simon. He loved her deeply, so whatever she wished for, he helped her achieve—including saving my life and caring for me!"
After a pause, Damien Gray continued, "Maybe he doesn’t even realize it, but he actually resents me. If it weren’t for me, Consort Bella Simon wouldn’t have died. He also despises my coldness, so whenever he sees me act ruthless, he sighs and leaves! I suppose that’s his way of avoiding what he can’t bear to see."
No one can ignore the prophecy of the Demon Child, because its chaos threatens not just one or two people, but everyone in the kingdom!
If his fate comes to pass, then Master Ethan Yi will be branded a criminal. Yet he promised Consort Bella Simon he would take good care of Damien Gray, and he refuses to break his word to her. So his care for Damien is genuine, but it’s less about Damien himself and more about honoring the memory of Consort Bella Simon.
He and Morgan Shangguan are truly alike—able to see through everything. People like this have it hard; they can’t even fool themselves. No matter what they show on the surface, their hearts are cold, because seeing the truth so clearly makes them more vulnerable than those who are oblivious. To avoid getting hurt, they have to become indifferent.
But no matter what, Damien Gray knows that if not for Master Ethan Yi, he wouldn’t be alive today. So he pretends not to know these things.
This is already the best possible ending. If he hesitated or dragged things out, he would eventually be forced to fight Master Ethan Yi—and that’s the last thing he wants to see.
Damien Gray brushed a gentle kiss on Morgan Shangguan’s lips and whispered, "So, Princess Consort, you don’t have to feel sorry for me." He didn’t want her to carry any guilt toward him.
Morgan Shangguan raised her brows. Was he trying to tell her that Master Ethan Yi never liked him anyway, so it didn’t matter if he disliked him even more? That even if their relationship broke completely, he wouldn’t be upset?
Morgan Shangguan smiled and sighed, "I was going to comfort you, but it looks like I don’t need to." He ended up comforting her instead—he hardly seemed like someone in need of consolation.
Suddenly, Damien Gray’s expression changed. He looked heartbreakingly sad, pulled her hand to his chest, and said weakly, "Mo’er, I’m so miserable..." It was as if his face said, "I need comfort!"
Morgan Shangguan couldn’t help but laugh, reaching out to rub his face and teasing, "Shang, it’s a shame you don’t act—you’d be wasted otherwise!"
Damien Gray replied seriously, "If Princess Consort likes actors, I’ll seriously consider it!"
Morgan Shangguan lowered her eyes and smiled, then suddenly looked up at him, wrapped her arms around him, and kissed him. Damien Gray’s eyes were filled with laughter; one arm around her waist, the other cradling her head. When her slender hands began to undress him, Damien Gray froze, his gaze darkened. He pulled back slightly and asked, "Mo’er, aren’t you tired?"
Morgan Shangguan pressed her hand to his chest and raised her brow, "Does Your Highness want it or not? I’m not always in the mood, you know!"
Damien Gray was silent for a moment, then scooped her up and carried her to the large bed behind them. After all this fuss, he had long lost any playful mood—and now, even less so.
Morgan Shangguan snuggled against his chest, a hint of a smile in her eyes. She didn’t want him to have time to dwell on unhappy things—and this was the best way.
Damien Gray looked down at the woman in his arms, his lips curled in a smile, eyes full of tenderness. How could he not understand her intentions? His arms tightened around her, and a warmth he couldn’t describe filled his heart. At this moment, he felt that as long as he could be with her, even if it meant enduring loneliness and hardship for lifetimes, it was worth it.
Clothes scattered, whispered words of love lingered in the air, wrapping around them long after. Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a warm, romantic glow across the room.
After a few quiet days, there were only two days left before the national temple festival. On this day, the Azure Crown Prince and his future consort finally arrived.
The Azure Crown Prince’s visit wasn’t for any major affair; his future consort was simply curious about Silvermoon Kingdom’s grand festival and wanted to experience it. The prince, who doted on her deeply, petitioned the Azure Emperor for permission, and after it was granted, he brought Mona Shangguan to Silvermoon Kingdom.
Anyone with a bit of sense knew this was just a cover story. Few believed it was the real reason. As the Crown Prince of a nation, Azure Yu Yang wouldn’t travel to Silvermoon Kingdom just for a woman’s curiosity. Even if he truly cherished Mona Shangguan and wanted to fulfill her wishes, the Azure Emperor wouldn’t allow it. If Mona had such sway over Yu Yang, the Emperor wouldn’t let her remain at all.
Otherwise, the position of Crown Prince would change hands—but that was unlikely, since Azure Kingdom only had two adult princes. The other was no threat at all. As long as Mona Shangguan still held the title of future Crown Princess and was living well, her importance to Yu Yang couldn’t compare to his power and status.
In previous years, Azure Kingdom hadn’t paid much attention to Silvermoon Kingdom’s national festival, but this time the Azure Crown Prince came in person, and at such a sensitive time. It was hard not to suspect Azure Kingdom’s true intentions.
The sun was nearly at its zenith, but the room remained quiet. The bed’s curtains were tightly drawn. In the silence, there was a faint swish—a small object was tossed from inside the bed, landing on the floor with a crisp sound, rolling a short distance before coming to a stop.