A Paradise Lost

A Gift Fit for a Queen

Queen Romina introduced Queen Raya to the most elite bachelors in Rome. She introduced her to the sons of the richest families in Rome and to the senior officers in Rome but none of them had smitten her the way Bayani did. Most of the Roman bachelors that were introduced to her were more handsome than Bayani but their looks did not steal her heart away.

“Did you find anyone you want to bring home with?”

“None of them can ever replace Bayani in my heart.”

“I don’t know what’s with that man that you’re so madly in love with. If you will not forget that man, you might miss the right man for you. Would you give up your chance to be happy for the sake of the man that doesn’t love you back?”

Queen Raya was not after a person’s looks but she was after a person’s character. Bayani had a distinct character that made her fall in love with him. He was a very courageous but humble person. He was so patriotic. He was always ready to risk his like for the sake of his country and fellow men. He was trustworthy and he would do his best for anyone who would need his help. He was selfless unlike the arrogant Romans he met. They might be more handsome than Bayani but they would never be like him in character.

“We would like you to meet our new champion.”

“That’s wonderful. I am more than happy to meet and greet him.”

“Queen Raya, I would like you to meet our new champion, Felipe. He was a slave from Spain that was sold to us.”

Queen Raya didn’t take her eyes off to Felipe. He was the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on despite of the wounds and bruises on his face. He was tall and lanky. His skin was golden tan. His deep-set eyes were like the color of the deep blue ocean. His straight-edge nose, prominent jawline, and square chin were perfectly shaped. It seemed like God took his time in perfecting his looks. He didn’t look like a slave to her. It seemed like he was a lost prince from another country. It was either he was pretending to be a slave or he was kidnapped and sold to slavery.

“What do you think of our new  champion?”

Queen Raya didn’t hear Queen Romina. She was mesmerized by his beauty.

“Are you okay, my queen?” Queen Romina snapped her fingers to get Queen Raya’s attention.

“I’m sorry. Yes, I’m perfectly fine. Where were we, again?”

“It seemed like you’re in another world, my queen. What do you think of our new champion?”

“Flawless.” Queen Raya stared at Felipe.

“Do you like him?”

“Yes. I mean, no.”

“No need to be shy. You’re the richest queen in the world after all. You can have anything you want.”

“Actually, I don’t get everything I want.”

“I’m sorry. I forgot about your unrequited love. I really wanted to be your best friend and I want you to be happy. Why don’t you take Felipe with you?”

“Are you sure you are going to give your champion away?”

“Of course. If that’s the only thing that will cheer you up, then I am more than happy to give him to you as a gift.”

Queen Raya stared at Felipe and never took her eyes off from him.

“No need to stare at him. He’s all yours. You can do anything you want to him. He’s a slave after all. He is yours to command. He has no choice but to follow your command.”

Queen Raya was happy that Queen Romina gave Felipe to her as a gift. She was also sad that they were not treating their slaves like a human being. She just gave Felipe away like a piece of toy after they had used him.

In her kingdom, they respected their slaves and even adorned them with gold, pearls, emeralds, sapphires, rubies, and diamonds.

“Gratitude!” Queen Raya took off her pink diamond necklace and handed it to Queen Romina. The pink diamond was the rarest of precious stones. There was none of it in the world except in the land of Maharlika.

“None required.” Queen Romina refused the gift but deep inside her, she really wanted to wear the pink diamond necklace on her neck to show off to her friends.

“But I insist.”

Queen Romina accepted the pink diamond necklace. Queen Raya put the necklace on Queen Romina’s neck.

“Thank you. If there’s anything you want, please do not hesitate to tell me and I’ll come running to you.” Queen Romina hugged Queen Raya.

“Felipe, from now on, Queen Raya will be your new domina. You must obey her and always follow her command. Queen Raya is a very kind person. She is the richest queen in the world. She adorns everyone in her kingdom with gold and precious stones including her slave. You are so lucky to be given away to her. Not every slave has been given an opportunity like you. I want you to cease every moment you’re with her. Do not fail her and she will surely reward you more than what you imagine.” Queen Romina instructed Felipe before handing him over to Queen Raya.

“Yes, domina.”

“He’s all yours now, my queen.”

“Thank you.”

Queen Raya was happy that Queen Romina entrusted Felipe to her. If the Romans threated him as a mere slave, she saw in him a potential that he would become a valuable asset to her warriors. She was excited to bring him home so that her warriors could learn about his fighting skills.

After dinner, Queen Raya bade goodbye to King Romulus and Queen Romina. She also thanked them for their hospitality.

Queen Raya, including Felipe, and all her warriors already went on board her ship ready to set sail for their next adventure. She only stayed in Rome for two weeks.

“Welcome on board, Felipe. I am now your new domina. I want you to regain your strength. You will do nothing except eat and rest until your fit enough to help us row our ship.”

“Yes, domina.”

Since Felipe could only speak the Spanish language and Queen Raya could only speak the Visayan language, Ahmad still served as their interpreter who luckily also knew how to speak the Spanish language.