Chapter 5 Golden Cage

Aria stood in the center of the suite, scanning its every detail. It's been days now since the marriage and her moving to this room but every single morning as she wakes up it always feels new to her.

She walked to the vanity and sat down. Her reflection looked back at her. Same eyes, same face, but none of it felt familiar anymore. The past few days had reshaped her life in a way she hadn't consented to. She touched the edge of the mirror with her fingertips, then stood again.

She opened the double doors to the balcony as the breeze outside was strong, lifting strands of her hair. She stepped out and rested her hands on the stone railing. The estate grounds stretched out below her. Neatly cut grass, stone pathways, rows of trimmed hedges. Every corner was guarded as armed men moved with strict purpose, their black clothing making them easy to spot even from above. They followed patterns, never standing still for too long and were always watching.

There were cameras on the outer walls, sensors placed near the gates, and spotlights mounted at intervals. All this wasn't just protection, it was like a lockdown.

She turned back toward the suite and walked through the room again but slower this time. Every object had been placed deliberately. The drawers were stocked, but empty of anything personal. She opened each one but it felt like this space didn't belong to her in any way.

The door to the main hallway was locked from the outside, so she had no control over when she could leave. Only Anna or the guards opened it, usually to escort her to dinner or meetings.

The isolation was strategic.

Around noon, a knock came and Anna stepped inside with a tray of food. She didn't speak unless Aria asked a direct question.

"Where's Leon?" Aria asked, sitting at the edge of the bed.

"He's in meetings," Anna replied. "You won't see him today unless summoned."

"When will I be allowed to go outside?"

Anna glanced toward the balcony. "You already have fresh air. If you mean beyond the courtyard, that depends on clearance. For now, remain within your floor."

"Am I a prisoner?"

Anna didn't react. "You're the wife of a man with many enemies and your safety is not optional."

"Did he give that order?"

"Yes."

Aria lowered her gaze. "Leave the tray. I'll eat later."

Anna placed it on the table and left the room, locking the door behind her.

Aria stood again as she crossed the room, then opened the closet and pulled on a light jacket over her top. The clothes fit perfectly, everything had been tailored without her input. She walked back to the balcony and sat in the chair nearest to the door.

Below, one of the guards made a slow turn near the garden path. His steps were even, controlled, and repeated every five minutes. She timed it with the movement of the shadow cast by the wall. He wasn't watching her directly, but she could tell he was aware of her presence.

There was no way out through the front door. The windows were reinforced, and the height from the balcony made everything seem more dangerous. The only time she left the suite was during escorted moments and even those routes were under surveillance.

Still, her mind turned the pieces over. She looked for gaps. She checked the corners of the room, the walls, the doors. She found nothing unusual or unsecured.

She picked up her phone and a basic model provided by the house staff. There were no messaging apps or internet access. Only a list of approved numbers, none of which connected to the outside world. She set it back down and returned to the window.

Time passed slowly.

Dinner came at six, brought by another staff member and still no word from Leon.

At seven, a different guard arrived and escorted her to the lounge room on the east side of the house. Leon was there, standing at the window, speaking quietly with Luca. When they saw her enter, they ended the conversation.

Leon sat down on the leather couch and gestured toward the chair across from him. Aria obeyed without speaking.

"I was told you've been asking about movement outside the suite," Leon said.

"I've been asking when I'll be treated like a person," she replied.

"But you're not a prisoner." Leon said with a chuckle

"Then unlock the door." Aria replied in a high-pitched voice.

Leon didn't answer immediately. "Everything here is a risk because if someone gets to you, they don't just threaten you. They threaten me."

" But I'm not part of your business." Aria said hissing.

"You are now." Leon said.

Luca remained standing, he didn't even look at her.

Aria sat straighter. "So why am I being protected?"

"Because you're an investment," Leon said calmly. "And investments are secured."

She felt her throat tighten. "That's not a marriage."

"No. It's not."

Leon's honesty was sharp and it hurt Aria a bit.

"You're not here to fall in love, Aria. You're here because your name holds value. And until you understand the balance it provides, this arrangement stays exactly as it is."

"Why not just lock me in the basement?" she asked flatly.

"Because I'm not cruel."

"You don't have to be cruel to control someone. You just have to remove their choices."

Leon leaned forward. "Then what do you want?"

"Freedom."

"You had that but you gave it up."

"No," she corrected. "It was taken."

He studied her expression. "And yet, you signed the contract."

She looked down at her hands. "You made sure there was no other option."

Luca stepped forward. "Leon..."

Leon raised a hand, stopping him.

"You'll have supervised access to the library tomorrow," Leon said, turning back to Aria. "You'll be escorted by two guards, but one hour only."

She blinked. "Why the library?"

"You're not a fool. I know you're looking for something, so go look."

"I wasn't asking for..."

He cut her off. "You asked for movement, so I gave it to you. You'll take it, or you'll stay in that suite indefinitely."

She stood. "I'll take it."

Leon gave a small nod. "That's all."

She walked out without waiting for dismissal.

The escort led her back to her room and as the door closed behind her again. This time, she didn't sit down right away. She walked to the balcony and stared out into the night. The guards were still in place and the cameras still watched.

But something has changed now. Tomorrow, she would walk into the one place they allowed her and she would be watching too.