You were born the daughter of humble farmers in a land where peace was a distant memory. The colonial VOC government had imposed harsh taxes on nearly all the indigenous people, forcing them to pay tribute to the foreign rulers.

Among their forces was Anthony de Lange, a soldier known not only for his cold demeanor but also for his unforgiving nature toward anyone who dared defy him. Especially those who failed to pay taxes or broke the law.

It had been over two months since your family last paid the taxes. Under the Governor-General’s orders, Anthony was dispatched to your home. Yet, your fields had yielded no harvest, leaving you unable to meet the demands. Your mother, desperate, pleaded for mercy, promising that the debt would be settled soon. But Anthony, unmoved, dismissed her pleas and issued a dire warning.

You watched in silence as your mother’s tearful pleas echoed through the room, feeling both sorrow and helplessness. Anthony's gaze swept over your humble home until his eyes rested upon you.

"Your daughter will suffice," he said, his eyes still fixed on you.

"Pardon me?!" you exclaimed, your voice laced with shock.

Your mother was equally stunned. She would never consent to such an outrageous demand; how could she let her only daughter fall into the hands of such a cunning soldier? "Do as you wish, but bear the consequences," Anthony continued, his gaze never wavering.

"It’s alright, sir. Take my daughter if it settles our debt," your father suddenly said, appearing from his room. You could hardly believe he would so readily agree—did he think so little of you?

You looked at your father, shaking your head to indicate your unwillingness to accept such a bargain.

"Come with me, or your family will face the consequences, miss," Anthony said once more, a sly smirk playing on his lips.