Captured by the King

Chapter 3: Settling in

I woke up in this oversized bedroom, its elegance mocking me from every corner. I was still fuming, the reality of being here settling in like a weight in my chest. I didn't ask for this—didn't want to be trapped in Lorenzo's house, even if it was dripping in luxury.

Standing in front of the mirror, I put on a simple white crop top and high-waisted black jeans that hugged my curves. My long, curly hair cascaded down my back, framing my face and highlighting my brown skin. With a final check in the mirror, I turned away, still feeling out of place in a world that felt far from home.

I stomped down the staircase, every step reminding me of how much I didn't belong here. As I reached the kitchen, I saw Marco leaning against the counter with an annoying smirk, looking like he didn't have a care in the world. The sight of him only irritated me more.

"Morning, sunshine," Marco said with a sarcastic grin. "Sleep well?"

"Morning," I muttered, crossing my arms and giving him a pointed look. "As well as anyone can in a prison disguised as a mansion."

Marco chuckled, clearly unfazed by my mood. "Ah, come on, it's not that bad. You've got all the luxuries you could want here."

"Except for my freedom," I shot back, my voice sharp. "Not really my idea of a great deal."

He rolled his eyes, dismissing my irritation. "You'll get used to it. Just give it time."

I scoffed and turned away, annoyed at his nonchalance. Just then, Lorenzo appeared in the doorway, his face as unreadable as always. He looked between Marco and me, and I swear his gaze could freeze fire.

"Problems?" he asked, arching an eyebrow at me.

"None that you can solve," I said flatly, meeting his stare without backing down. I wasn't going to let him think I was some helpless girl who'd just roll over.

Lorenzo's eyes narrowed slightly, but then he gave the smallest nod, like he respected the defiance in my voice. "Good. Stay sharp. This isn't a game, Lilia."

"I know," I said, softening my tone just a fraction. "I'm not a fool, you know."

Something in Lorenzo's expression shifted, and for a split second, I thought I saw a flicker of understanding. I quickly looked away, not ready to give him any more ground.

To distract myself, I wandered over to the couch, fiddling with my fingers, trying to figure out what to do with myself in this massive house. I didn't want to admit it, but a small part of me was curious about these people and their world.

As the day wore on, I tried to engage Marco in a game of cards, but he was more interested in teasing me. "You sure you're not a little scared to play against a pro like me?" he taunted.

"Pro? Please, you're just a big joke," I retorted, trying to match his energy. But inside, I felt a flicker of annoyance mixed with something else—maybe a little amusement.

"Ha! We'll see about that," he challenged, and we both fell into a rhythm of playful banter. Despite myself, I found my defenses lowering just a bit.

Later in the day, Lorenzo sat down at the table, his eyes never leaving me. I could feel the weight of his gaze, and it made me bristle.

"You're adapting quicker than I expected," he said, his tone almost approving.

"Don't mistake my calm for acceptance," I shot back. "I'm only tolerating this because I have no choice."

He gave me a small, tight smile. "You've got spirit, I'll give you that."

I hesitated, biting my lip slightly, before finally blurting out, "When can I see Isabella again?" My voice cracked a little, betraying just how much I wanted to see my friend. "I know I'm stuck here, but I need to see her."

Lorenzo's eyes softened slightly, the smallest flicker of sympathy crossing his features. He didn't say anything for a moment, just studied my face like he was trying to gauge how much it mattered to me.

"We'll see," he said, his voice gentler than before. "I'll make arrangements when it's safe."

"Safe?" I echoed, my frustration bubbling up again. "I just want to see my best friend, not stage a prison break."

He gave me a long, measured look. "I know you miss her, Lilia. But safety comes first, especially with school starting next week. Things are getting more dangerous, and I won't take any risks with you."

The rest of the day passed with more banter between Marco and me, and the occasional sharp comment from Lorenzo. I was slowly starting to realize that this wasn't just some kidnapping—it was a twisted kind of protection, albeit one that made me feel like a caged bird.

As night fell, I still felt the weight of my new life pressing down on me, but somewhere in the back of my mind, I hoped that I could still carve out a space for myself—even if it meant facing the challenges that lay ahead.