Nyx continued to scan her surroundings, aware that the impressive, dome-like building in the distance, the one that seemed to be their destination, was getting closer at a relentless pace.
While she didn't know what was going on, it was clear the council, as well as her current body's parents, were not only in disagreement with each other but playing games trying to win the support of the public.
The thought, of being controlled and manipulated, sickened Nyx and she was all too happy to disappoint, her mood turning as sour as the weather.
High above the carriage dark, brooding clouds continued to gather, threatening the land below with rain.
"If you could do anything when we get home, what would you do?" Harold, seeing Nyx's seemingly distraught alertness, wanted to distract his sister. While he had a good idea on what was about to happen, and that he was powerless to stop it, he still wanted to shield his big sister from the harshness of the world.
"If I could do anything?" replied Nyx in a somewhat absent-minded tone, not really paying attention to Harold.
For her plan to work, the location had to be perfect. If it was too open, and too many people could see her, not only would her plan fail, it could backfire spectacularly and cause even more hassle in the future.
Nyx's goal wasn't to escape, for that seemed to be impossible, but to delay her meeting with the council by a few days to a couple of weeks.
Currently, Nyx knew she didn't have enough information to face the leaders of a kingdom without, even if she didn't want to, falling into their schemes. Her choices were limited and so, just like she had done in the past, she would avoid the confrontation altogether.
"I would soak in a hot bath, one with lots of bubbles, until I grew gill and fins. If I could have a nice, strong drink, maybe a brandy and some dried meat at the same time, I'd almost be able to die without regrets."
Nyx's answer shocked Harold, but when he saw her, who was still looking around without paying him much attention, he had a deep impression that she wasn't lying or giving a random response.
To him, it didn't sound like the answer of a young woman, even under the shadow of her traumatic experiences, but of an old man wanting to rest his weary bones.
While Nyx wasn't feeling the most energetic after her night of escape attempts and the battering Granny had given her earlier, it wasn't to the point that she would seek relief. Instead, her answer was founded on the very few things she could still find comfort in.
Most of her past guilty pleasures had been spoilt during her previous incarnations, normally linked with memories and emotions she would rather forget, however, good food, hot water and strong alcohol still held a place in her heart.
Even if they could never compete with the darkness.
If she was still in a male body and wasn't trying to repress the emotions of what had happened to her, she might have even added that she would have liked to seek another comfort. However, subconsciously Nyx had decided it was too soon for such thoughts and buried them away.
Thinking about the answer that had come from the depths of her soul, Nyx started thinking about how she had been unable to clean herself while being held captive. Even after waking up, she had only been able to have a sponge wash, something that was strangely disturbing when someone was watching her, fearing she would try to escape if she was left alone.
The thought of a hot bath or shower became more and more appealing in her mind, causing Nyx to almost forget she was looking for a location to fake an assassination attempt on her life.
Shaking her head, a lazy, somewhat dreaming smile appeared on her face, one that caused Harold to stare in disbelief.
After a few moments, Nyx cast the thoughts aside.
After she had dodged the council summons, Nyx felt it would be child's play to achieve those simple, yet incredibly tantalising goals.
Noticing Harold's still shocked expression, Nyx gaze moved to Nalia, who was walking with the other escorts at the side of the road a dozen or so meters ahead.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
Seeing the two people, that only after a week had managed to slowly close the gap, Nyx couldn't help feel somewhat complicated emotions. She knew they were a weakness and created a risk of her being hurt, but at the same time, their presence seemed to give her a little strength and improve her mood.
In the past, Nyx knew that not only would she not live long enough to have any meaningful relationships, but most of the people she came into contact with would be a target set by her master.
Befriending an enemy, even if it was the only chance to make the kill, was something Nyx was unwilling to do. Though she couldn't disobey her master's orders, Nyx always found a loophole to immediately expose herself, forcing the fight into the open, earning her master's limitless anger.
It wasn't like Nyx was always alone, often working in small groups of summoned souls to achieve an objective, but after she realised that her master would ruthlessly punish anyone that she got close to, often killing them outright, Nyx stopped trying.
Her existence had turned into one that most would call pitiful. That was if they didn't realise that she was the monster so terrifying, that she haunted the nightmares of some of the most powerful existences in the four continents.
However, against expectation, Nyx didn't really mind.
The peace and solitude of the darkness was her haven from the madness that had become her life.
Nyx sighed lightly, looking more feminine and attractive in her beautiful blue dress than she ever had done before.
To the crowds that had gathered along the expected route, a noble, lady-like air projected from Nyx, exactly what they would expect from the First Princess of their kingdom.
The slow beating tap of her foot, along with the drumming of her fingers, continued as Nyx lost herself in thought.
She still had a mission to complete, and while she was confident that the horrors of the past were over, Nyx knew it wasn't going to be easy.
"Maybe when that method has been destroyed, I can find some semblance of peace in this world. Then may-." Nyx didn't finish her sentence, having spotted the ideal location to feign an injury, though the damage to her body would be real, and insinuate a failed assassination attempt on her life.
Having been injured and under threat, Nyx strongly doubted that she would be forced to appear before the council, gaining valuable time she desired.
Harold frowned at Nyx' words, not understanding as they seemed completely out of context, especially with the smile still lingering on her face.
The smile, still there from the thoughts of what Nyx would do after her plan was successful, mainly wallowing in hot water and eating her fill, vanished instantly. It was replaced with a cold, somewhat murderous frown as her body stiffened.
"Nyx?" the change had been extremely drastic, causing Harold to instantly noticed. "What's up?"
"Something's wrong." Nyx's gaze continually moved, scanning the crowd, buildings and sky around them. While she had planned to carry out a similar act to fool those nearby, her current actions were far from a deception.
Nyx's skin crawled with the familiar sensation of being watched by an entity with ill intent.
However, it wasn't just one.
Dozens of murderous gazes had locked onto her at almost the same time, causing her blood to run cold.
Coincidently, it was just as they were approaching the spot Nyx felt was perfect to carry out her plan.
"Stop the carriage," shouted Nyx, however she didn't move, not wanting to give away any indication of what direction she might dodge in. While it was fine if it was a trap of her own making, she would never walk into someone else's willingly.
"Sorry, Princess," lazily replied the smartly dressed, if a little gruff, driver. "Council's orders. You have to be delivered on time. No exceptions."
"Delivered?" Nyx snorted as her disdain for being controlled and told what to do almost overrode her need to avoid the trap.
Nyx was about to stand up and jump out the carriage even if it the best she could do was to cause a scene. She knew she wouldn't be able to escape her so-called protectors and so, could only hope to rush those hiding in the shadows.
However, just before she moved, Nyx's eyes locked onto white, rectangular pieces of paper falling from the sky at an absurd speed.
Sucking in a breath, Nyx's eyes tracked one of the pieces of paper, praying that they weren't what she thought they were. However, after noting the small black lines, looking like runes and letters, drawn onto both sides, she couldn't help but release a flurry of curses in her heart as a chill crawled down her spine.
Nyx had seen many talismans in her time, especially the more deadly ones, and so could instantly recognise that the ones currently falling were not only extremely powerful but filled with explosive power.
Harold turned to look at what had caught her attention, displaying a similar reaction to Nyx, his face turning as pale as snow when he spotted the falling talismans.
Some of the nearby guards, mostly the royal knights that were keeping a distant perimeter, had also noticed and jerked to a halt, unable to believe what they were seeing.
Not only where they inside the capital, the place they should be safest, but they all knew that a single talisman would cost a few months wages or more, depending on the grade. Yet, in the sky above them, thousands fell like tiny, white meteors.
"To Arms!" Just at the talismans were about to start touching the ground, mere seconds after Nyx had first spotted them, one of the royal knights roared an alert, his silver helmet adorned with what looked like small wings. "Protect their Highnesses."
At the sound of the man's shout, Harold startled and, with an almost superhuman-like speed, reached out and pulled Nyx onto the floor, quickly falling on top of her to act as a makeshift, flesh shield.
Moments later the street that the quiet, somewhat lacklustre procession had been passing through turned into a scene that one could only describe as a living hell.