Sophie Qiu was one of Emperor Alexander's people. So, was she sent to Prince Julian's manor on the emperor's orders, or did she have her own business with Prince Ethan?
"Understood." A thoughtful glimmer flashed in Damien Gray's eyes.
Maxwell Jing closed the door behind them before turning to leave. Morgan Shangguan looked at Damien Gray and asked, "What do you think of Sophie Qiu as a person?"
Damien Gray let out a cold laugh. "Ambitious," he said. Frowning in thought, he mused: At this moment, Emperor Alexander shouldn't have any reason to seek out Prince Ethan. Even if it was about Prince Shadow, he could simply summon Prince Ethan to the palace directly. There was no need for Sophie Qiu to secretly visit Prince Julian's manor. Then...
Suddenly, Damien Gray said, "Mo'er, rest a little longer. I have something to take care of and need to step out."
Morgan Shangguan raised an eyebrow and watched him for a moment. She pulled him close for a kiss, then wrapped herself in the blanket and went back to sleep.
Damien Gray smiled, bent down, and kissed her forehead softly. "I love you," he whispered.
Knowing Damien Gray had matters to attend to, Morgan Shangguan didn't tease him. She opened her eyes and replied, "I love you too."
Satisfied, Damien Gray got out of bed, dressed, and left the room, heading straight for the Ghost Chamber.
Ethan Gu noticed Damien Gray dressed in his Ghostmaster attire and couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, are you returning to the Ghost Guild?"
"No, I'm just stepping out for a bit. You don't need to follow me," Damien Gray replied.
Prince Julian's Manor was unusually quiet; the tense atmosphere had lingered for quite some time. At last, Prince Ethan looked at Sophie Qiu, a dangerous smile playing on his lips. "It seems my manor's guards are growing useless, letting people break into my bedchamber so easily." If he hadn't been alert, Sophie Qiu might have discovered the secret mechanisms of his hidden chamber.
Sophie Qiu smiled gently, her voice soft as she asked, "Has anyone else broken into Your Highness's bedchamber before?"
Upon hearing this, Prince Ethan's face darkened. Ever since he'd realized how deeply Morgan Shangguan affected him, he'd tried in vain to keep her out of his thoughts. Yet her image always surfaced unbidden, leaving him frustrated. He didn't need these unnecessary attachments!
Noticing his sour expression, Sophie Qiu's eyes flickered, but she didn't interrupt his brooding.
Meanwhile, Damien Gray appeared silently in a concealed corner outside. In a flash, a black-clad, ghostlike figure knelt before him on one knee. Damien Gray gestured, and the shadow vanished as quickly as it had come.
At last, Prince Ethan snapped back to himself, a cold glint in his eyes. It was always this way—whenever he thought of Morgan Shangguan, he lost focus, forgetting his own situation. Such distraction was dangerous. Morgan Shangguan... she could not be allowed to stay.
Regaining his composure, Prince Ethan asked, "Miss Qiu, what urgent matter brings you here today?"
Sophie Qiu smiled softly. "I know Your Highness is ambitious, but you must realize that, although Emperor Alexander is old, his desire for power remains strong." She paused, letting her words linger.
A flicker of mystery flashed in Prince Ethan's eyes, but his smile remained courteous. "And what exactly are you implying, Miss Qiu?"
Sophie Qiu gave a knowing smile. "Your Highness is clever. As long as Emperor Alexander lives, your ambitions will never come to fruition. The emperor is suspicious by nature; even as his son, he cannot fully trust you. Surely you've felt this yourself. The Crown Prince aside, Prince Damien, the Ghost King, is a major threat. He has not acted yet, but once he does, the struggle for the throne will only grow more chaotic. If you make a single misstep and arouse the emperor's suspicions, then..."
Prince Ethan answered with a confident smile, "I'm not so careless as to invite suspicion."
Sophie Qiu chuckled softly. "Even so, the emperor will always be your stumbling block, won't he?"
Prince Ethan raised an eyebrow, his smile playful. "Do you and the emperor have some sort of grudge, Miss Qiu?"
Sophie Qiu shook her head gently. "I bear no hatred toward His Majesty."
"Then what is it that you seek, Miss Qiu?" If there was no hatred, her intention was not to remove Emperor Alexander, but to cooperate for her own gain.
A flawless smile graced Sophie Qiu's lips as she replied, her voice melodious, "The title of Empress."
She harbored her own ambitions. Everyone must look out for themselves, so betraying Emperor Alexander did not seem wrong to her.
She had considered Adrian Yarrow, but from the start, she'd been branded as Emperor Alexander's spy at Adrian's side. Adrian Yarrow would never truly accept her. Even if he did, she was still of Silvermoon Kingdom, and with Mona Shangguan present, her chances of becoming empress were slim. That was why she chose Prince Ethan.
"Why not seek help from the emperor, Miss Qiu?"
Sophie Qiu smiled helplessly. "Surely you know, Your Highness, that His Majesty no longer plans to appoint an empress. Even Lady Sapphire, so favored, cannot attain that position, because the emperor still feels guilty over Consort Bella. Though the matter was kept secret, many know—even if no one speaks of it. Besides, I am one of the emperor’s own people; while he appreciates beauty, he is stubborn about keeping public and private matters separate."
Prince Ethan lowered his eyes in contemplation. He had promised Morgan Shangguan the position of empress, but now...
Looking up at Sophie Qiu, Prince Ethan smiled. "Agreed." It wasn't that he trusted easily, but in Sophie Qiu’s eyes, he saw a hunger for power and ambition.
After a moment’s pause, Prince Ethan continued, "Then, Miss Qiu, would you care to share your plan?"
Sophie Qiu did not rush to reveal her plan. Instead, she gently asked, "Lady Sapphire is your person, isn't she?"
At her words, Prince Ethan narrowed his eyes, his gaze deep and unreadable. Sophie Qiu smiled and said, "There's no need for suspicion, Your Highness. Now that we're partners, we're in the same boat."
Prince Ethan withdrew his gaze and asked calmly, "And how did you find out, Miss Qiu? I've always been careful—even Emperor Alexander has never noticed."