Ang did not know what to say when he saw this.
"Have you never considered leaving His Majesty and living with Preston?" Ang asked in a deep voice. His tone was neither hurried nor slow, yet it landed in the noblewoman's ears like a heavy hammer.
The noblewoman trembled slightly at his words, but she still kept her head lowered and said nothing.
"Why are you unwilling to leave?" Ang's tone carried a little more probing. "I think if you truly wanted to go, the emperor would allow it."
In a hidden palace, the emperor sat alone. Upon hearing those words, his hand paused slightly around his wineglass, though a cold smile curved his lips.
He slowly raised his eyes and looked at the beautiful women kneeling on either side of him. His voice was low and meaningful. "You... would be willing to leave me?"
The two noblewomen immediately raised their heads, their eyes filled with affection and attachment. In unison, they said, "Your Majesty, we will always remain by your side."
The emperor nodded slightly, his gaze deep. "It seems this Ang... can easily guess my thoughts. Could it be that he and I are kindred spirits?"
His voice was extremely low, yet it still carried an inexplicable hint of amusement.
The two women heard him, and complicated emotions flashed through both their eyes—partly ingratiating, partly unfathomable.
Before the bed, Ang watched the noblewoman for a moment. Seeing that she still remained silent, he continued, "His Majesty may allow it, but you still cannot leave... Is it because of Preston?"
The noblewoman slowly raised her head. Conflict flickered in her eyes before she finally nodded.
"As far as I know, Preston is already an Archmage. Perhaps he has no interest in the throne," Ang said slowly, his tone soothing.