Life of a Mistress

This is set in the 1830's Russia. Serf IS Slave, slave is serf. In 1723 Czar Peter ended agricultural slavery / serfs that became share-croppers like America's poor whites and blacks became after America's Civil War. House serf slavery remained yet if mistreated serfs would run away without consequences except loss of job. No freedom certificates required by law, no mistreatment beatings allowed by law. In 1861 Czar Alexander freed all house serfs with regulated working conditions and wages.

This is a Major plot hole that keeps recurring yet moving the time period back over 100 years will not work due to Russia being a hegemony of war lords sometimes claiming monarchy, vast parts ruled by Poland, Ottoman empire, Cossacks, Baltic states, ...