Damien Gray finally turned to her and asked, "Claire, what's wrong?"
Upon hearing this, Claire Yi wept even harder. Yet, faced with his gentle but distant demeanor, she struggled to find the words. At last, she choked out, "Lily Xia is dead!"
Hearing this, Morgan Shangguan snapped back to attention, frowning as she looked at the two timid Little Reapers hiding behind the doorway.
The two Little Reapers, guilty and nervous, nudged each other forward. Eventually, after some shuffling, they stood before Morgan Shangguan with their heads bowed in unison.
One Little Reaper whispered, "Master, we didn't mean to."
The other quickly added, "We just wanted to scare that little maid, but who could have known she was so easily frightened? She fell straight into the lotus pond in the courtyard..."
"We really didn't mean it. We tried to save her, but when we reached out to pull her up, she only struggled harder, and then..."
Morgan Shangguan rubbed her temples. These two foolish Little Reapers! They had no sense at all of what it meant to be a ghost!
Anyone would panic in water. With them grabbing at her, she’d rather sink than let herself be dragged out!
"This must not happen again!" Morgan Shangguan said, pulling free from Damien Gray’s arm and heading deeper into the residence.
Damien Gray’s eyes lit up as he watched her retreating figure, wondering if she was the slightest bit jealous. Only when Morgan Shangguan disappeared through the main doors did he hurry after her, calling, "Princess Consort, wait for me!" It was as if he hadn’t noticed at all that his junior sister’s maid had died because of his own Princess Consort—he showed no reaction from beginning to end.
Claire Yi, of course, had no idea that Lily Xia was killed by one of Morgan Shangguan’s Little Reapers. She stood frozen in place, forgetting even to cry. Her senior brother had just left her behind—without so much as a word of comfort!
He’d never been like this before; at least he would have offered her a few words of solace. He’d changed—all because of Morgan Shangguan, that enchantress, who had bewitched him completely!
She wouldn’t let her get away with it. Her senior brother belonged to her, and she was determined to win him back!
Maxwell Jing sighed and followed them inside. He had to admit, even if Morgan Shangguan was a spy, the Prince was still better matched with her!
Ethan Gu didn’t pay any attention to Claire Yi and simply followed the others inside. He could only hope that woman wouldn’t make any mistakes—otherwise, the Prince would show no mercy!
Morgan Shangguan glanced at those trailing behind her into the Nether Court, frowning. "Your Highness, I wish to rest!"
Damien Gray smiled gently. "I promise not to disturb the Princess Consort’s rest!"
Morgan Shangguan’s frown deepened. She turned to Susie Yun and said, "Susie, please escort His Highness back to the Ghost Chamber!" She needed time to herself to think, and didn’t want him interfering.
"Huh?" Susie Yun exclaimed in surprise. Was she supposed to use force? If she didn’t know the Ghost King was actually the Ghostmaster, she might not hesitate—but now... she wasn’t a match for the Ghostmaster at all!
Damien Gray let out a sigh, pulled Morgan Shangguan close and kissed her gently on the forehead. His voice was soft as he said, "Get some rest." Then he turned and walked away.
Susie Yun watched his somewhat dejected figure and glanced at Morgan Shangguan, hesitating. "Miss, the Ghostmaster seems hurt," she whispered. "Was that too harsh on him?"
Morgan Shangguan scoffed coldly, spitting out, "He's faking it!" That fox wears his mask thick—how could he be so fragile?
"Huh?" Susie Yun exclaimed again, but seeing Morgan Shangguan stride forward without looking back, she hurried to catch up, not daring to dwell on it any longer.
The ever-perceptive fox turned and watched Morgan Shangguan's retreating figure, sighing again. He had to admit, this woman was hard to win over!
After a nap, Morgan Shangguan seemed to have worked things out, returning to her usual calm and serene self, as if nothing had ever gone awry. But sleeping too much during the day meant she was wide awake at night.
She asked Susie Yun to brew a pot of floral tea. Sitting in the courtyard, Morgan Shangguan sipped slowly, watching the blue camellias sway in the wind, lost in thought.
"Woof woof..."
Morgan Shangguan snapped out of her reverie and looked down to see a cute puppy at her feet, barking up at her. She glanced at it, then looked away, but after a while felt something tugging at her skirt. Looking down again, she saw the puppy biting her hem. When she met its gaze, it released her skirt and barked repeatedly.
Morgan Shangguan smiled. This little dog was truly clever. She bent down and picked it up, noticing its longing gaze fixed on the pastries atop the stone table. Amused, she asked, "Hungry?"
She picked up a piece of pastry and held it to the puppy's mouth, wondering where this little one had come from. Surely no one in the prince's manor kept such an adorable dog—after all, it was full of grown men!
The puppy gobbled up several pastries, then, apparently satisfied, barked twice at Morgan Shangguan and licked her hand, looking up at her with an ingratiating expression.
Morgan Shangguan laughed softly at its adorable antics, unable to resist kissing its furry face. She had always enjoyed raising ghosts, but never a pet—perhaps she could keep this mysterious little dog!
"Damn you!" A thunderous roar echoed through the entire manor, making everyone tremble.
Morgan Shangguan frowned, looking up to find Damien Gray standing at the courtyard gate, though she hadn't noticed when he'd arrived.
His face was icy, eyes blazing with fury. Morgan Shangguan raised an eyebrow—she hadn't provoked him, had she?
"Did you come here just to curse me, Your Highness?" Her voice was clear and cool, a stark contrast to his roar.
"You actually kissed it!" His tone was full of anger, and jealousy welled up inside him—she had never kissed him first!
With that thought, his glare at the puppy grew even more menacing, frightening it so much that it burrowed into Morgan Shangguan's arms.
Morgan Shangguan glanced at the adorable puppy in her arms, then studied Damien Gray curiously. Was he actually jealous? She observed him for a long moment, and his jealous-husband look convinced her he really was. She couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth—was he seriously jealous of a puppy? Such childishness didn't suit his gentle elegance, nor his cold cunning. Had he been possessed by a ghost? But then again, no ghost would dare possess him!