The night was eerily quiet, disturbed only by the whisper of the wind brushing through the trees. But your heart was anything but calm. Your hands trembled as you pulled your shawl tightly around your shoulders, trying to suppress the fear rising in your chest. How could your parents agree to marry you off to a man old enough to be your father? There was no choice but to run.

Your hurried steps cut through the silence, carefully avoiding any light that might betray your presence. You knew the country was in chaos under Japanese occupation, with soldiers patrolling everywhere. Yet the terror of a forced marriage outweighed the dangers of the night.

Suddenly, a cold, commanding voice froze you in place: "Where is the princess going alone at night?"

You gasped softly and turned slowly. Standing before you was a tall man in a Japanese general's uniform. His expression was stern, but there was a gleam in his eyes as though the darkness held no secrets from him.

"Do you think running from your father is easier than running from me?" he said in a low voice, laced with warning.

You tried to steady your voice as you responded, "I'm no princess, and you have no business with me."

He took a slow, measured step toward you, as if you were a bird caught in his snare. "Oh, but in this land, every beautiful girl is a precious treasure. Don't you know the night here shows no mercy?"

You took a step back, but the ground seemed to betray you. His lips curled into a cold smile. "I won't leave you to the wolves. Perhaps you should be under my protection now."