Morgan Shangguan did not press further. "Forget it, then. I want to sleep. Would you kindly return to wherever you came from, Your Highness?"
Just as she was about to get up, Damien Gray asked, "Do you think I should seek revenge, Princess Consort?" His voice was calm; it was a question, but there was no uncertainty in his tone—as if he asked only out of boredom.
Morgan Shangguan raised her brows. Back then, when Grand Astrologer Simon made Consort Bella drink the drugged chicken soup, there were witnesses. She had investigated the matter thoroughly, but who rescued Consort Bella remained a mystery.
However, she suspected it was Grand Astrologer Simon's disciple—Consort Bella's senior apprentice—because after Consort Bella disappeared, that person vanished as well.
"Doesn't Your Highness already know? Back then, Consort Bella cursed the Simon Family, sacrificing her life so they would lose their mystical powers. There may have been other reasons, but the most important was to ensure your survival! Had she not done so, Grand Astrologer Simon would have hunted you down. Even if you were lucky enough to be born, you would not have survived. As long as you live well, that is her greatest comfort."
Damien Gray let out a light laugh. "Princess Consort, you've investigated thoroughly!" He knew Consort Bella was a good mother—even though he'd never met her, he ought to avenge her. But since her last wish was for him not to seek vengeance, he would honor it.
In truth, he did not hate Emperor Alexander at all. Although one could say Consort Bella died because of Emperor Alexander, Damien had never spent a day with her. Thus, he couldn't bring himself to resent Alexander. Nor would he hate Alexander for depriving him of everything he once had. Whatever he wanted, he would claim for himself—he didn't need anyone's charity!
Morgan Shangguan replied coolly, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."
Upon hearing this, Damien Gray raised his brows. "So Princess Consort sees me as her enemy!" Morgan Shangguan only smiled and said nothing.
Blood painted the sky red—no, perhaps it wasn't the sky, but her own eyes. The heavy scent of blood filled her nose. She could even feel the hot splatter of blood against her skin, as if her flesh was about to burn.
Damien Gray woke up with a start. Seeing the person in his arms frowning and drenched in sweat, he was stunned for a moment. He rubbed his forehead—how did they end up sleeping together?
He remembered that after their conversation last night, he fetched a few more jars of wine, and eventually finished them all. Looking at the empty wine jars scattered across the floor, he confirmed his memory was correct.
It seemed they had both gotten drunk. Though their clothes were disheveled, they were still fully dressed. Apparently, nothing reckless had happened under the influence.
"Mm..."
The pained murmur brought Damien Gray back to his senses. He frowned, then lifted Morgan Shangguan into his arms, gently patting her face. "Morgan Shangguan, wake up!" Had she drunk too much and fallen ill? Maybe drinking should be left to men!
Morgan Shangguan slowly opened her eyes, confusion clouding her gaze. After a while, her eyes finally focused. When she recognized Damien Gray's face, she suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest. In a soft voice, she said, "Hold me for a while."
Sensing something was off in her voice, Damien Gray tightened his embrace. Neither spoke—they simply held each other in silence.
A bitter smile curled at the corner of Morgan Shangguan's lips, unseen by anyone. Now, she could face anything without fear. But back then, the first time she killed someone, no one knew how terrified she was. She was young, her powers still uncontrollable, and she'd never killed before. She was so afraid, unable to control her strength, and watched helplessly as a living person was reduced to fragments. It was as if a rain of blood had fallen from the sky—blood and flesh landed on her head, her face, her body. The blood should have been warm, but she felt as though her skin burned where it touched, aching with pain. How she wished someone would hold her then.
But that was only a luxury. Lillian Shang was a strict woman; even before Morgan turned five, she had never embraced her, nor did she allow Ethan Yun to do so. Not just Morgan—Timothy and Susie Yun were the same. After Morgan turned five, guilt made that embrace belong solely to Susie Yun. But Morgan never envied or hated Susie Yun, because love born from guilt was beneath her. She had imagined what her mother's embrace would feel like, said to be the warmest in the world. No matter how she tried, she couldn't conjure that warmth. Deep down, she believed Lillian Shang's embrace was cold.
Such longing only existed before Fiona Yun left the training base. She spent three years there; when she came out, she was no longer the same Fiona Yun—no longer innocent, no longer dreaming, even her emotions had faded. She didn't know what she lived for; living had become a habit, a remnant from her struggle to survive at the training base.
After a long while, Morgan Shangguan nonchalantly pushed Damien Gray away and said coolly, "Next time you want to drown your sorrows, don't come to me!" Alcohol really was no good—it dredged up memories she should have forgotten, making them painfully vivid. These were emotions from the past, and since they belonged to the past, they shouldn't trouble her now.
Damien Gray gave a vague grunt, though it was unclear if he agreed.
Morgan Shangguan paid him no further mind and called out, "Susie Yun..."
Susie Yun entered with washing supplies. Seeing Damien Gray, she was momentarily stunned, then glared at Ryan Ouyang in the courtyard, blaming him for not guarding the door properly—forgetting entirely that Morgan Shangguan had refused his help last night.
Ryan Ouyang looked completely innocent, having no idea what had happened. Although he was a ghost, there were still boundaries between men and women; he would never casually enter Morgan Shangguan's room, so he hadn't noticed an extra person inside.
Susie Yun withdrew her gaze and looked at Damien Gray, giving a half-hearted salute. Morgan Shangguan smiled, "No need for such formalities in the future. I'm sure His Highness won't mind, right?" She glanced at Damien Gray, her smile gentle. "Isn't that so, Your Highness?" Her people only needed to show respect to her.
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