Lizzy had arrived just in time for dinner, and her father was already waiting for her at the dining table.

“Hi, dad!” she greeted upon entering the grand room. Dinner was yet to be served on the large table. There were only two places set, one for Lizzy and one for her dad, there was no other family to seat. Lizzy sat on her place next to the head of the table, where her dad was.

“Hello, Lizzy. How was your day?” he politely greeted.

“It was fine, nothing big happened, just spent some time with Jimmy. What about you? Business stuff?”

“Yes. In fact, there is something I need to talk with you.” Suddenly the tension rose as his tone turned serious.

“What… What is it?” she asked, confused. “Am I in trouble?”

“No, not really. It’s nothing serious, just… I will part for a business trip for an indefinite amount of time, and during that time I want you to stay put, at home,” he formally explained.

“Excuse me?” she asked dumbfounded. Was he really saying what he was saying?

“Just like you heard: I won’t allow you to go outside until I come back.”

Lizzy looked at him as if he were crazy, but once she noticed that he was being serious, the surprised turned into anger. “You–! You won’t let me go outside while you are gone?! Why on earth would you do that?!”

“It’s for your own safety, if something were to happen, it is best for you to stay here, where it’s safe.”

“I’m not a child anymore! I don’t need you to protect me, I can take care of myself! So no, I won’t do that!”

“I’m afraid that you won’t have the choice, I’ve already told the servants, they won’t let you out from now on.”

Lizzy huffed and stood up. “I can’t believe this!”

“Lizzy, I’m sorry, but it’s for your own good…”

“I don’t feel hungry anymore.” With that said, she left to her room, too mad to eat a bite.

Lizzy’s room was an ample one, but she wasn’t keen on the idea of being trapped inside it for who knew how long! (she thought, completely ignoring the fact that she was allowed to go outside of her room). She dropped on her bed and looked at the ceiling for a while, then turned on her side, trying to not let tears of anger out.

She still couldn’t believe it. Why was her father being so overprotective? Why now? She had been on her own before, and he never was this strict, not even the previous times he had to travel. Didn’t he trust her?

Yes, Riverbel was far from the safest place on earth, but she was well aware of that and knew how to prevent danger! She didn’t need to sacrifice freedom for safety! Why couldn’t her father understand that? She was eighteen, she wasn’t a child anymore! And, again, this wasn’t the first time she was left alone.