Drawn in

Ashlyn's POV
I sat in the comfort of the carriage and got uncomfortable once in a while whenever we hit a stone.
I had a lot of thoughts in my mind. Thoughts of escaping. Thoughts of running far away but I knew otherwise.
If I tried to run away now, I'd be caught in no time. With a bunch of lycans following us behind the truck. Also, Lucifer's threats were still lurking in my mind. I had no doubts he would carry out each and every word he said.
Running away was something I should think about carefully. At least not today but oh, how it feels good to be outside. Seeing the tall olive trees, rocks, and streams. I was finally out of my prison walls. Out of the nostalgic air, it possessed that threatened to suffocate me.
It was a long, tiring, and bumpy ride and when we finally got into Edinburgh, my heart raced as I saw the familiar surroundings of the Royal Mile a far distance away.
With this ray of luck, I could easily run home but I knew otherwise. I'd be putting myself and my family in grave danger with Lucifer.
He'd have no choice but to slaughter each and every one of them like animals. That I would not mind if he did but I could not risk Darius' life in this and perhaps I could spare Joshua for the one time thing he did for me before I was taken away.
The coach did not pass through the Royal Mile Rd but took another route and I leaned back into the carriage with sighs and a heavy heart.
When we finally passed the Royal Mile lands, I heaved a sigh of relief. My head had been full of all the mockery and injustice I had to face in my father's hands.
I began to wonder why we were not attacked by my Clutch. Usually, the route the coach took was always been roamed by bloodthirsty vampires seeking prey.
I know during the battle between us and the lycans, we were rendered to dust but I was very sure many still survived.
Enough vampires to still be around in rebuilding father's lost empire.
Why weren't we attacked? Did they know that it was the lycans passing their territory and decided not to hunt?
Why I was so bothered about this alarmed me. It should not be of a matter to me if we were attacked or not. Neither should it bother me if my father was rebuilding his lost empire or if it was lost forever.
I really wish his empire was lost forever, so his ego could deflate, brutalized and all he should spend the rest of his life doing is nursing is never healing wounds.
After almost four long and torturous hours through the route of Royal Mile to Dunbar, we finally arrived at the city of Dunbar at exactly Five PM.
We had spent a maximum amount of nine hours from Glasgow to Dunbar.
When we turned into the narrow route leading to the town, the lycans behind us went into hiding in the woods surrounding the warlord king's palace.
The coach arrived in front of the fierce iron gate and was immediately halted by the warriors parading the front gate as if they were waiting for us to unveil our disguise.
My heart was in my throat when I heard the harsh voice of one of them.
"Where are thou from?" He demanded.
"From the French quarters," Tim said in a voice rid of fear.
"Thou have an appointment?" He demanded again.
I cleared my throat. "Oh, I say young Sheldon, what is the delay?" I asked in a rich accent.
"Nothing that cannot be taken care of madame." He replied too emulating my tone.
The warrior walked towards me.
"Who are thou?" He questioned with suspicious eyes.
"Lady liberty of France," I said to him having my fan covering half of my face.
"Does my master know of your coming?" He asked.
I almost choked. Lucifer did not tell me about this. Does one need an invitation before meeting these hounds?
"If no invitation, then I'm afraid Lady liberty, thy shall not go in." He said with furrowed brows.
I immediately fumed with anger.
"You dare say that I, Lady liberty of France the third, shall not see the warlord king? After traveling so far to bring him gifts only the quarters of France bequeath? Such arrogance and pride. Such insubordination!" I vented out on him.
"I have never suffered such humiliation in my life! I'll have the whole of France after you all for this impudence!" I said so angrily that one would not believe I was acting.
He eyed me and motioned to one of the warriors to inform the warlord king that the Lady liberty of France was here, that was me of course.
"I'll not let this slide if I return to my homeland with these gifts I'm here to present to the king. Not after the journey that took days before I arrived here. I'm weary and tired and my beautiful feet deserve to rest. Rest I say!" I said to him and it looked like he was getting impatient and tired of my constant nags.
The warrior returned and whispered in his ears.
"What gifts have you brought to the king?" He questioned.
"Gold sir. Real gold." I said to him making a flick of my hand.
"I'm having doubts about giving him these gifts, not after the way his warriors have kept my aching arse and legs waiting," I said to him.
The other warrior went to the truck and unveiled it as he touched the gold.
"The lady tells no lies sire. It's real gold. Solid gold!" He exclaimed and the warrior before me motioned for the huge gates to be opened.
"I'll let your king know you did not treat his guest right. If not for the respect I have for him, I would have discontinued going in," I said to him and huffed. "Scoundrel," I said to him and his eyes blazed as he stared angrily at me.
Oh no, I've exceeded in my role and now I've gotten myself in trouble.
He lowered his head. "Forgive thy servant milady, I'm only following the protocols of the palace." He said.
I scoffed. "Well understood, carry on Young Sheldon," I said and leaned back into the carriage as the coach rode into the palace. I almost snickered but I maintained a strict face. Oh my, I deserve an award for this. Why did not I think of joining the theatre? Look at me weaving my way into the strongholds of Dunbar with my pretentious act. I'm good.
Now it was time to weave my way into the warlord's heart. It was going to be tough doing so and I guessed so since he was the warlord king.
The coach alighted from the horse and came before me at the carriage and stretched forth his hand and I placed my gloved one in his. I sighed in my heart. Such care and it was so sad only a servant could give that to royalty.
Someone came to us. "Thy horse shall be in thy servant's care." He said.
"Why, thank you, kind sir," I said to him and turned back to see the truck being led away by the warlords. I really hoped Lucifer had a good plan up his sleeves. I was no administrator for violence. I believed in peace but since this was what Lucifer thought best for an egocentric man like my father, then so be it.
As I walked towards the entrance of the palace, I noticed all the warlords were dressed in the same fashion style. High knee boots, Plain not so white sleeves that tightened around the wrist, a vest, and swords slung on their backs.
Their women were dressed almost alike with them. Different colors of plain dresses with a corset right around the dress.
They stood staring at me in awe and I squared my shoulders, angling my head. It was time I do what I came for.