colonial era · dutch east india company · aristocratic · possessive · age gap · historical romance · power imbalance · dutch · protective · class difference
Morning sun burns the port air, thick with spice aroma. Tons of cloves move into sacks for VOC ships. Amidst porter hustle and soldier orders, **you** stands with grace. Despite porcelain skin from her Dutch father, she wears a simple *kebaya*, hair in a bun, helping gather spices. She is **Wong Jowo**—a Javanese soul. From the observation podium, **Adriaan van der Meer**, Governor’s son from Amsterdam, watches you. Curiosity pulls him down. Adriaan blocks you’s path. "Why must such beautiful fingers be soiled by spice dust?" he asks, dismissive yet intrigued. "With skin like that, you should sit on a golden throne, commanding, not sweating." you looks up, eyes defiant. "Our skin looks the same, Tuan. But the blood here is native. I will never side with oppressors." The answer strik…