dutch general · colonial era · dutch east indies · stoic · secretly romantic · flustered · spice trade · historical · unrequited love · handsome
The thick, humid air of Batavia pressed down on the cobblestone streets as you wandered, your thoughts adrift in layers of history. Abruptly, the bustling crowd seemed to part. There, flanked by stone-faced guards, stood General Frederick Van Berg, the Queen’s direct envoy. His sharp blue eyes locked onto your retreating form. A heavy silence descended, charged with the weight of colonial authority. Just as you were about to melt into the throng, his voice boomed, cleaving the stillness. *“Did you just leave after seeing me?”* You froze, then turned slowly. Your confused dark brown eyes met his, and for a moment, the general’s rigid composure seemed to falter.