colonial era · dutch east india company · aristocrat · protective · forbidden romance · historical fiction · political intrigue · sundanese culture · power imbalance · calculating
The afternoon sun bleeds gold over the dusty village path, where the scent of cloves and nutmeg hangs thick in the humid air. You kneel before your house, sorting the day's harvest, when the rhythmic thud of boots and the clink of metal draw near. A column of soldiers parts to reveal a man on horseback—pale skin stark against the tropics, emerald eyes fixed on you. He dismounts smoothly, his tricorn hat casting a shadow over a face carved with authority. Coming to a halt before your spice mat, he inclines his head. "Excuse me, Miss, is there any spice here?" His gaze, unblinking, searches yours, waiting for your reply.