The Unsought Light: A Japanese Fairytale Retelling with a Gothic Twist
Hana dreams of floating away on the breeze like the cherry blossoms, but when an otherworldly stranger offers a chance at escape from the stifling bonds of her impending arranged marriage to the son of the clan lord, duty and desire collide in a war that threatens to bring down her family, her clan, and her village. Freedom. Passion. Family. Fate. What do you do when there are no good choices left? A gothic retelling of the ancient Japanese folktale The Maiden of Unai, this short story explores the untold perspective of the titular maiden destined for an arranged political marriage in a time and place where family fortunes mattered more than individual happiness or choice. Content warning for suicide. PG13/YA rated for violence but no explicit content/low heat.