Darling with a missing soul

In Solomon's office, formally Johnathan's, Merlin rises from the shadows on the floor. He finds Solomon looking through piles of documents on his desk.

"Did you find it?"

Merlin asks, but he doesn't look at him and instead replies, "Yes,"

"Give it to me,"

"No,"

Merlin slams his staff on the floor, "I said give it to me!"

Solomon breaks the tip of his quill and rises from his chair, "Why did you help her!? You could've stopped Lilith from taking over the city if you wanted to, why did you encourage it?"

"... She's doing what's best for both me and this kingdom. If the king were to die, I would follow. Besides, we both knew that Emberle would become a liability somewhere along the line,"

"And who damned her to that fate? Whatever happened to serving him with your life?"

"As long as the king lives, I have played my part. You on the other hand, you know what's happening but you didn't go and assist her. What did you see in its pages,"