The pitter patter of Nyx's bare feet on the shiny, plastic-like floor of the main lobby as she marched through the open doorway drew the attention of everyone that had been not so patiently waiting.

They had all been anticipating a chance to see the princess, the being that had caused so much chaos and disruption to their every day lives before she left, and so had congregated in the lobby full of expectation.

Most of them had heard the rumours and speculations about the First Princes, some even having unintentionally participated in spreading them and having a vague understanding of the looming political situation that the kingdom found itself in, they wanted to see a figure who, for better or worse, had become the central figure in a historical moment.

Most of those present were doctors or nurses, while the rest were patients that were healthy enough, as well as those who held influence or power, not to be chased off by security.

After they realised that the one who had entered was indeed the princess, they started to press forward like a swarm of moths heading toward a naked flame.

However, after seeing the look on the princess's face, as well as sensing the chilling, unapproachable aura emanating from her, they all held back.

Those present were mainly mortals or core foundation cultivators, not the third core layer or above that Nyx had been interacting with during the last week. As such, they didn't have the cultivation or experience to resist Nyx's natural, unconsious aura and were instantly repressed.

However, it wasn't only the ones waiting that showed this odd behaviour towards the princess.

The guards that were meant to be escorting Nyx out of the hospital, their faces somewhat lost in thought after having experienced something they couldn't quite work out, were much further than they should have been from her.

The Nyx they knew, the one that had given them many sleepless nights as she tried to escape or mess with their minds, seemed like a completely different person.

Before, even though she gave them an uneasy feeling, they hadn't felt any mortal danger. However, after her talk with the old triple gem expert earlier, a sense of danger, like one would get when working with a dangerous, unpredictable animal, had caused their hairs to stand on end.

As everyone was lost in their own thoughts, seemingly just going through the motions, Nyx continued to move towards the exit in a refined, elegant manner.

Her movements were not like those of a noble, but of a warrior. There were no wasted movements in her stride and while they were held at her sides, her arms felt like coiling dragons, ready to lash out at the smallest provocation.

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This feeling, even though she appeared to be no more than a small, frail woman in a beautiful, blue dress, caused those standing infront of her to instinctively make way. Some felt a sense of danger whereas others actually felt a small surge of attraction and respect, not wanting to hinder her progress in the slightest.

If any of them were to be asked to describe that feeling, most would have responded with how it should feel to stand before royalty. While this interpretation was influenced by Nyx's, or at least her body's, present standing, it wasn't far from the truth. However, instead of a royalty extending from a bloodline, it closer to that of pure energy that coursed through her being.

To those watching, including Granny who hadn't taken her eyes off Nyx since she had started walking in that eerie, unsettling tempo, Nyx didn't look anything like a traumatised princess who as being escorted out of the hospital. Instead, she seemed more akin to an all-powerful empress. One who was leading those behind her to war.

Nyx was oblivious to these thoughts as she continued to move forward unimpeded, ignoring everything in the room as if she was the only person in existence.

After the brief moment with Granny in the stairwell, Nyx felt as if she had finally woken up from a hazy dream and, though it was with some regret, had cast off the persona that had slowly been growing during that time.

After waking up and finding that people cared for her, or at least the bodies previous occupant, Nyx had succumbed to the lure of a life that wasn't filled with danger and violence.

She had enjoyed the ability to play up and do as she pleased, within limits, without fear of death or magical backlash from a soul bond. To interact with sentient life without the need to kill or be killed. A somewhat normal, mundane existence.

It had been so intoxicating that the strange, drum-like existence that had been resonating in her soul had diminished to the point she couldn't feel anymore as Nyx started to believe that she could have this kind of life.

It wasn't much to most, but even though it had its unenjoyable moments, Nyx could see herself finding some semblance of peace with such a lifestyle. To be surrounded by people and struggle through the throws of everyday life.

However, now that clarity had returned to her mind, processing and analysing all of the things she had pushed to the back in a vain attempt to ignore the cold truth, Nyx knew that this brief moment in time was nothing more than a lull in the storm.

A beautiful dream where she could have friends, family and live without mortal danger lurking around every corner.

Thinking to this point, the coldness in Nyx's eyes was augmented with resolution.

It wasn't as if this life, one that involved other people, was impossible for her. But before she could even dream of it, she would need to eliminate the threats to her existence or else the only possible outcome was for it to come crashing down around her.

Glancing to her left, Nyx saw Nalia and felt a little warmth return to her soul, a foreign but pleasant feeling.

While the woman was an obnoxious brute that cared little for social norms, honest to a fault, for Nyx who had been betrayed and played with so many times, it was one of the few personalities she could still bond with easily.

With this feeling in her chest, though none of it showed on her features, Nyx started to subconsciously change her plan.

Once she had secured her safety as a soul from the abyss, killed the fat man and destroyed the man who held her soul crystal along with it, maybe she wouldn't immediately return to the void.

Maybe, just maybe, she would give living in the mortal worlds another chance.

A small smile appeared on Nyx's lips, instantly stunning all that could see it. It was a warm smile filled with hope. A smile that didn't seem to belong on the princess, cold, proud face.