Passing through the corridor that connected the outer hall and the main hall, she moved inward.
Although the Royal Palace of Athens did not have the labyrinthine structure that would confuse assassins as some later palaces did, it still had a vast area.
Passing the hall where they would usually hold council, Andrea saw several influential figures in Athens, gathered in small groups, discussing the startling events of the night.
Theseus would usually convene meetings here, listen to their opinions, and announce his decrees.
But now, he was not here, and the prominent seat remained ominously unoccupied.
"Your Highness, this way."
Following the call, Andrea looked in the direction it came from.
It was her father's trusted aide, standing near a side door at the back of the hall.
With a sinking feeling, Andrea noticed some gazes inadvertently directed at her from the surroundings.
The fact that the King returned in the dead of night but did not meet with ministers in the main hall to stabilize the people's hearts, preferring instead to have the Princess meet him first, did not seem like good news at any rate.
'Breathe—Andrea, don't panic, stay calm.'
'You can handle this, it's just a small matter, it's not a big deal.'
Mentally encouraging herself, Andrea raised her head and displayed a polite smile.
She turned and nodded at those looking her way, acting as if it were just another normal night.
Some returned her smile, others wore a look of anxiety, while a few ignored her altogether. But Andrea didn't say anything; she just did what she needed to before moving towards the rear side of the hall.
"I'm here, please lead the way."
Without saying much, for Andrea was well aware that most of those present in the hall were professionals of exceptional skill, capable of hearing even the slightest noise.
Therefore, despite her worries about her father's condition, she didn't ask any questions.
"Alright, please follow me."
With succinct words, the chief guard turned and led the way, and Andrea promptly followed.
As soon as they left the hall, the murmuring behind them grew intensely.
Arguments, disputes... Some were pondering the matter of the next King, since Theseus had other sons, not just Demophon.
Others were discussing how to stabilize relationships with neighboring territories once the new King ascended.
While Theseus was alive, Athens acted without restraint, but in his absence, they would face much backlash.
Eryxis was just the beginning, many were aware of Athens' secretive preparations for war in recent years.
They knew who their enemies were – none other than those ancient human kingdoms in the west.
Despite objections and fears before today, since Theseus had insisted on his course, everyone else had to comply.
But what choice they would make after today, that was uncertain.
The nectar cup tipped over, shattering on the ground into countless pieces.
The still paleness of the injured Theseus at the front of the throne room retracted his hand, momentarily speechless.
The cup had hit the floor, and what shattered was not just the vessel. Shaking his head slightly, Theseus didn't know what to say.
Although the divine assassination had not succeeded, he had eventually returned to Athens. But they had also succeeded because the dagger in his back remained there.
Ordinarily, for a Mortal Demigod as powerful as he, piercing a vital spot did not mean death. Certain potent Divine Arts could even revive someone who had just died, restoring their soul and reviving their body.
But Theseus knew none of that would help him.
The dagger had been overwhelmed by the power of Evil Creatures and, with the unrest of the previous battle, began to spread throughout his body.
Even if he used all his strength to delay this process, it was only a postponement of the inevitable.
Perhaps seeking aid from All Gods might use Divine Power to barely maintain his life, but from then on, he would never wield a sword again.
Such an outcome was not what he desired.
At the entrance of the great hall, hurried footsteps sounded rapidly approaching, and Andrea burst into the hall in a panic.
Immediately, she saw the pale Theseus before the throne and smelled the faint scent of blood permeating the air.
She moved forward a few steps, and Light immediately shone from Andrea's hands, healing Divine Arts falling upon Theseus.
However, the next moment, Andrea felt a chill from head to toe.
The power she had released seemed to flow into a bottomless void, not only useless but also evoking a soul-deep sense of Fear.
"It's okay, don't waste your efforts, this isn't something you can heal. Even All Gods are extremely cautious of it, and Divine Arts... it's useless against it."
Nodding slightly, only at this moment, as he watched his hurriedly arriving daughter, did a smile finally appear on Theseus's face.
She was still very young and naive in her actions, but she was no longer a child... Perhaps she was not his initial choice, but now, it seemed there wasn't anything wrong with it.
While places like Amazon had Queens, traditional human Kingdoms did not. However, Theseus was never one to follow the rules.
Moreover, thinking of Amazon, he couldn't help but recall Hippolyta.
She once came with the Goddess of Beauty's belt to seduce him; not only did she fail, but she was also impressed by his character and abilities.
In the past, Theseus had never dwelled on this, not until the night's upheavals.