Turning her gaze away from the royal guardsmen, Nyx started to descend the steps in front of the hospital with Harold, something she would have dreaded doing if she had given into the old woman and been forced into wearing high heels.
While she had lots of information, most of which Nyx had passively gained from listening and observations, she knew that it was mostly nothing more than speculation and conjecture. Without an accurate picture of the situation and players, Nyx knew that she couldn't act as recklessly as she once would have.
With the fate that awaited her in the abyss should she return before completing her self-set objective, Nyx had decided to treat her current incarnation as if it was her only life and so wouldn't take any unnecessary risks.
That was unless she was thoroughly provoked.
Nyx watched the separation of guards and knights, more evident by the moment, with a frown appearing on her face.
The fact that, excluding Harold, her body's original family and the royal guard that should have been protecting her were keeping their distance, seemingly unable to approach her, only added to her confusion.
To Nyx, the entire situation was weird, and while she could grasp the vague outlines, the detail that she needed kept eluding her as if she were trying to catch smoke.
Seeing his sister's frown, as well as the direction she was previously looking in, Harrold sighed.
His sister had always been intelligent, and while he had been commanded by both the council and his father not to mention anything about her fate, Harold couldn't resist the urge to try and reassure his sister. "Sis, it's not their fault really. Everyone is doing what they believe is best for the country. It's just the way some are going about it isn't quite.. right. But don't worry. As I said before, no matter what, I won't let anything bad happen to you."
Nyx ignored the comfort in Harold's words, instead of unemotionally responding with a quote she had once heard. "While there are many paths to the summit of the mountain, the view at the top is always the same."
Harold's words just now made it painfully clear to Nyx that, while they were not in agreement with the method, everyone had already agreed with the end result. She imagined that in their eyes, her fate had been sealed, and she was now wandering towards it like a blind hatchling.
Harold's face turned somewhat pale. While he knew she was smart, Harold hadn't expected his sister to fully understand the meaning hidden in his words. He had wanted to say enough so that if she looked back, she would believe he was trying to warn and comfort her but not so much that it would make her more stressed and unstable at the current time.
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Moving in a way that forced Harold's arm from her own, Nyx finally reached the open top carriage where the guard at the side stood with the door held open and the step's lowered.
However, instead of using the steps, Nyx lightly tapped her foot on the ground, and with a movement that seemed so graceful it looked otherworldly, she floated into the carriage with her dress fluttering in the breeze.
Harold couldn't help but release a bitter smile.
While he had said what he had with the best intentions, it appeared that he had offended his sister. However, even though he loved her dearly, Harold was fiercely competitive with his older sister and having seen her movement earlier, copied her previous motion.
He put so much power into his foot that the stone under him slightly cracked.
With a jump that was impressive, even if it was nowhere near the same level as Nyx's, Harrold entered the carriage and sat down opposite Nyx, looking into her eyes to see if she had seen.
However, Harold was only met with disappointment as Nyx's gaze, seemingly emotionless, scanned the crowd and her surroundings, paying him no attention what so ever.
The only other person to board the carriage was Granny, however, unlike the two before her, she merely climbed the steps and sat beside Harrold without any flare.
To those watching, she appeared to be nothing more than a simple, old maid. One probably only there to give the princess some form of comfort and support while she returned home.
Just as Granny had leant back into the leather seat, a messenger with the mark of the council on his right shoulder sprinted out of the crowd and towards the carriage.
What was surprising was, as if this had already been pre-arranged, not one of the guards attempted to stop the messenger. Instead, they seemed to make way for him.
For the royal guards who had been ordered to not interfere unless there was a direct attack on the prince or princess, seeing this made them growl and curse under their helmets.
Some even had taken a few steps forward, ready to charge the moment the messenger acted in a way that indicated displayed even the smallest amount of ill intent.
"Lady Longshaw." Without even looking towards the prince and princess or the royal guards that were emanating thick bloodlust, the messenger bowed towards Granny. "Your presence has been requested at the Grand Hall. Please make your way there without delay."
Granny snorted, not putting the messenger in her eyes as she relaxed into her seat. "I am already carrying out a request of the King. I will go there once I am finished."
The messenger, seemingly not expecting the old woman to ignore the immediate summons of the council, was startled for the moment. "Lady Longshaw. Both the King and Council are in session at the moment, and I have been instructed to bring you to them immediately. All other matters of the kingdom are secondary as in accordance in the pact between the Eastern Mountain sect and the Welshmar Republic."
Both Harold and Granny frowned. The messenger obviously knew of Granny's status. However, he dared to remind her of the pact that restrained her from taken action when it came to matters relating to the kingdom as well as the fact she was expected to respond to such summons upon hearing them.