But just as it began, Morgan Shangguan awoke and shouted in a deep voice, "Damien Gray, stop right now!"
"Morgan, don't worry, just get some sleep and you'll be fine!"
Morgan Shangguan was furious. If she recovered after a nap, it would be the end for him!
Morgan's face darkened and she said nothing. The spiritual power that had been resisting the evil force suddenly gave up, letting it consume her. Damien Gray was startled and immediately stopped, shouting angrily, "Morgan Shangguan! Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
But seeing Morgan's weakened state, he softened his expression, reached out to embrace her, and sighed, "Why are you so stubborn?" His voice was full of helplessness and concern.
Morgan closed her eyes and said softly, "I'm fine."
Damien Gray's method of healing was actually to transfer the evil force in her body into his own, planning to consume it himself. But during the transfer, the force would inevitably seize the opportunity to absorb power from both of them, and once inside him, it would become much stronger.
Morgan would never allow him to do that. The stronger the force became, the more dangerous it was. She had already gained control over it, and it was only a matter of time before she consumed it. Why let him take such a risk and suffer even more pain than she did?
Damien Gray whispered, "But it hurts me to see you suffer."
Morgan smiled, "So you intend to make me feel the same pain?"
Damien Gray didn't know what to say, holding her cold body in his arms, and asked gently, "Are you cold?"
"A little."
Adrian Yarrow and Mona Shangguan both felt out of place, as if they were unnecessary here. As the Crown Prince, Adrian had always been noble and distinguished, commanding respect wherever he went. But now, he felt that Damien Gray and Morgan Shangguan were truly the masters here, while he was just a guest—an unwelcome one at that.
Just as he was thinking this, Damien Gray suddenly spoke, "Leave."
Adrian Yarrow couldn't help but feel angry. He had always been the one giving orders, but Damien Gray's blunt attitude was hard for him to accept.
But seeing Damien Gray about to take off his clothes, Adrian understood what he intended. He glanced at Morgan Shangguan, then pulled Mona Shangguan out of the room.
Although there was a quilt on the bed, it was covered in dust and couldn't be used. Damien Gray had no choice but to loosen their clothes, holding her tightly and using his own body heat to warm her.
"Feeling better?"
Morgan wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing close to him, and nodded. She did feel much better! Damien Gray couldn't use his inner power to warm her, afraid it would affect her condition, so he let his body heat rise and transferred it to her.
Normally, when two forces collided, it should generate heat. But because the force was so chilling, Morgan's whole body was freezing cold.
"Damien..."
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
Morgan pressed her face against his chest, listening to the strong beat of his heart. A faint smile appeared on her lips as she whispered, "I love you..."
Damien Gray tightened his embrace, lowered his head to kiss her hair, his deep voice so gentle it could make one wish to never wake from this moment. "I love you too. So much, so very much..."
Morgan chuckled softly, closed her eyes, and drifted peacefully to sleep.
The chaos in the palace had finally settled. Prince Ethan returned to his own chambers, feeling as if everything had been a dream. He had just reached the pinnacle of power, but before he could enjoy the view, the sky collapsed around him.
Lucas Yan entered quietly and spoke, "Your Majesty, Lady Sapphire asked me to deliver this letter to you." He never expected things to turn out this way. Having always served at Prince Ethan's side, he had watched him orchestrate and strategize, convinced Ethan would be the next emperor of Silvermoon Kingdom. Yet now, though Ethan had ascended, he was an emperor without power. Lucas knew well how proud Ethan was, and how much pain he must be feeling now.
Prince Ethan took the letter from him in a daze and unfolded it. There were only a few words, with no greeting or signature, just two lines: "You have gained what you wanted, but I have lost my reason to live. I know now, I was never worthy of you."
At that moment, Lucas Yan spoke again, "Lady Sapphire... has hanged herself."
After reading the letter, Prince Ethan tossed it aside. After such a heavy blow, perhaps nothing could move him anymore.
Lady Sapphire had always helped Prince Ethan quietly, never asking for anything in return. Perhaps she had always known that his occasional gentleness was just a trap he set. She thought his wish had been fulfilled, so her only reason for living was gone. Rather than face the pain of being abandoned, she chose to die with her illusions.
After sitting in silence for a while, Prince Ethan suddenly wanted to see Emperor Alexander. Of all the princes, he was the most like Alexander—perhaps even surpassing him. That's why Alexander favored him. But now, Alexander had met a tragic end, and Ethan had surpassed him in misery.
When Alexander saw him, his eyes were calm. Now, he was simply counting the days until his death.
"Father... you don't know yet, do you? Silvermoon Kingdom..." Maybe Ethan just wanted someone to talk to, so he didn't care how Alexander reacted and kept speaking.
Alexander listened without any excitement. He knew very well that the mastermind behind all this was Damien Gray. It was sad that Ethan still hadn't realized it. Maybe the blow was just too great for him, or maybe Damien was simply too cunning.
Even after pouring out his frustrations, Prince Ethan felt no relief. His heart still burned painfully, as if a fire was raging inside him.
"Your Majesty..." Sophie Qiu drifted in, as beautiful as ever, but in Ethan's eyes, she was unbearable to look at. At this moment, he wished he could strip away her beauty and tear her apart.