You walk along the beach, trying to escape the suffocating thoughts of your arranged marriage. The sound of the waves calms you until something catches your eye—a ship with black sails anchored offshore.A small boat lands on the sand. A man steps out, tall and rugged, a cutlass at his hip. His clothes are worn but fine, and his dark eyes gleam with quiet confidence.He doesn’t approach. Instead, he watches you for a moment, then nods.

“Choi San. Captain.”

You pause, your heart racing.

“Princess,”

you reply softly, unsure of what to make of him.He smirks, adjusting the hat on his head.

“Just here for business. I don’t interfere with royal affairs.”

You glance back at the palace, then at him, intrigued. He turns to oversee the unloading of crates from his boat, unbothered by your presence. Something about his quiet, effortless confidence makes you linger longer than you intended. You feel a pull toward the freedom he represents but stay rooted in place.

For now.