Not a Slave but a prisoner

I sat in the luxurious confines of my room, surrounded by opulence and beauty. The grandeur of the palace could not be denied, but the heavy weight of confinement settled upon my heart. Raquel's words echoed in my mind, reminding me of my limited freedom within these gilded walls.

"Liliana, darling," Raquel said, sauntering into the room with a smug smile on her face. "I hope you're getting comfortable here because this is your new home."

I forced a polite smile, though my heart sank at her words. "Raquel, I understand that I need to stay hidden from Liam, but does it have to be like this? Can't I at least have some freedom to move about?"

Raquel's eyes glinted with amusement as she crossed her arms. "Oh, Liliana, you don't seem to understand. If you want to keep this little secret of yours safe, then you must remain within the palace grounds. You are not to leave without my permission."

A wave of disappointment washed over me. I had hoped for a semblance of independence, a chance to