Chapter 5- Trouble in the Northern Empire

Ivanna glanced from inside the carriage at Sarah whose body was almost covered with bruises as her body went on all fours on the rough ground. Her hands were also tied to the moving carriage.

"S-she didn't drag me along, First Young Master, I convinced her into it." Ivanna tried to plead on Sarah's behalf.

"I know." His simple reply came.

"B-but-"

"She disobeyed me."

Ivanna shut her mouth. It was true Sarah disobeyed her master, but she convinced her into it. She should be outside the carriage serving punishment like Sarah, not sitting comfortably inside the carriage while Sarah got dragged along.

Ivanna didn't know how she would face young master Xander when she also disobeyed him. Two days in a row.

"Don't worry, I'm not telling him." His words surprised her.

"Really?" Hope filled her chest.

He nodded. "He knows already."

And her hope disappeared just like that. There was no going back this time around, no mercy. She knew young master Xander, and he was never one to pity a person more than once.

Now, she either sits here and waits for the young master to kill her, or fights her way out of here. Her fingers tightened on her lap as she threw her head to the side of the carriage, observing the nightlife. Meanwhile, her fingers slowly crept to the center of her thighs.

Like she had told Sarah, she knew the skills of escaping. She brought out a knife made of silver with a speed she didn't know was in her and stabbed it Into the first young master's chest. She didn't wait as he grunted in pain and stepped out of the carriage. The carriage-man was a human, so he wouldn't be of any danger to them.

She ran towards the back of the carriage and used another knife hidden between her thighs to release Sarah from the rope tied to the carriage.

"Run!"

They both ran out of the empire. Silver bullets or silver items would kill a vampire, but she doubted if it would kill a pureblood.

They both needed to run for their lives.

_______

Dawn gently settled in. The morning sun and crickets woke the sleepy girls from their slumber. They were in the middle of nowhere.

"We're heading north, Right?" Sarah asked. Ivanna nodded.

Ivanna knew the only place safe for her was her mother's hometown. She was born and brought up there before leaving for the South at age four. It was also known for its protection.

"Do you have a compass to know that direction?" Sarah asked again. She just wanted to make sure they knew where they were going.

"I know the route to the North like the palm of my hand, Sarah, so don't worry."

"If you say so,"

_______

Ivanna and Sarah slowly made their way into the Northern empire after two days of traveling on foot. They were both exhausted and dirty.

As they stepped into the boundary, they became surrounded by men with weapons.

"And who do we have here? Runaway girls?" A man they deciphered to be the leader asked.

"No," Sarah replied.

"You're on foot and dirty, are the both of you slaves on the run? What crime did you commit? Murdering your masters?" The series of questions were starting to annoy Sarah. But Ivanna pressed her palm against hers to calm her down.

"We aren't criminals, so let us pass," Sarah said with a forced polite tone.

"You aren't entering the Northern Empire without an identification. Where are you both from?"

This time, Ivanna answered. "We were robbed on our way here. We are from the South and we're here to see our Mom."

The men eye Ivanna suspiciously. "From what family?"

"Lachlan household." Ivanna knew they wouldn't believe her, so she brought out a chain with the family symbol.

The surprised emotion didn't miss the notice of the two girls.

"We are sorry for the inconvenience, Misses," The leader quickly apologized. "Do you need a ride to the Mansion?"

"No, we are good."

Sarah continued staring at Ivanna as they walked further Into the town. She didn't know Ivanna knew someone that powerful.

The townies were dressed in different attires from the Western Empire. Their clothes weren't as shady and old. Life looked more peaceful and quiet. A beautiful land to live in.

But Ivanna knew it wasn't as perfect as it was portrayed. She didn't tell Sarah about the underworld deals the empire rulers make to other empires every time to save themselves. The people sold to buy more equipment for the safety of their families.

But it was where she called home. A place that treated her like family.

"There," Ivanna pointed at a big Mansion. "That's where we're going."

Sarah paused, curtailing Ivanna in the process. "You know that people? Or are you trying to become a slave to them?"

Ivanna laughed. "I'm not trying to become a slave, Sarah. Those are my people, my mother's parents." She explained. "I've never really told you my story, have I?"

"Not even once." And Ivanna chuckled. She didn't know why, but she was feeling kind of giggling and happy all of a sudden. The thoughts that they really escaped seemed unbelievable to her. It sounded too easy.

"I don't also know your story, that makes us even right? We'll tell each other when we are ready."

"Alright."

As they walked closer to the Mansion, Ivanna noticed carriages she was familiar with. The tag on the side of the carriage was something she couldn't forget easily. The tag had a symbol. The Breguet family symbol.

What was the carriage doing here?

She suddenly sensed danger.

"Let's get out of here," She held Sarah's hand and turned to flee, but the gates suddenly locked themselves. And a voice came from behind them.

"Look who we have here," Footsteps followed. "The forgotten Princess lives."

That was a voice she could recognize in her sleep. It belonged to someone she knew too well.

Young Master Xander was here. In her mother's family's Mansion.

Why?