"Argus..."
And without warning the Saman suddenly said.
The guards and the Alipins who are anticipating the Saman's every action scratched their heads. Not all of them knew who this young man who suddenly appeared.
But among these crowd of people...
Toto knew him very well.
The love charm dwindled as Toto regained his composure, no longer smitten by this Saman's beauty.
In an attempt to erase his embarrassing fiasco a little while ago, he resolutely declared amidst the confusion of the crowd.
"Don't take my sister!"
The deadlock stare from which Miguel and the Saman had were broken by a sudden yell.
The Saman was displeased. she gnashed her teeth and shifted her gaze to Toto.
"Fool! you should be grateful instead of being nosy, I came here today to get a new set of servants and I wanted to have her as my servant"
When Toto heard what the Saman actually wanted, Toto smacked his lips.
He was surprised and felt really dumb.
Toto couldn't believe what he had just heard. One might say that being an Alipin is such a pitiful state, however, being an Alipin that serves a Saman is a different case and they will serve a distinguished person at that!
Toto immediately calmed down, he stopped babbling and he inaudibly sat on the floor while faintly gazing the Saman.
Toto's head was buried in the ground with great reverence. It was a respectful bow that contained utmost gratitude. Although Toto also did this when forced by the guard earlier when Argus got injured, now was different.
"Our dearest Saman, please take care of my little sister!" Toto earnestly said.
The Saman flashed a grin and observed everyone that is present for a while, maintaining her haughty posture.
And when the princess saw that everyone around has slowly kept their silence.
She looked around while tapping her fingertips unto her thighs then she swept her gaze below the Alipins whom she chose.
Then she spoke in a loud voice for everyone to hear.
"Starting today, these Alipins would become my new servants and they will live together with me under my protection!"
Pointing her fingers towards the two Alipins: Toto's sister and the only pale-skinned Alipin.
[13] "Now! Do you understand what that means? This means that you are now promoted to Sulgos—slaves that are owned by a distinguished person. You are mine! Understand?"
Hearing the Saman's words, the two Alipins had thrown all their worries away.
This was a rare opportunity for them to ascend.
Well, even slaves have their own social status too!
Miguel who witnessed this did not feel any better, he still could not adapt well to the concept of slavery and in fact, he detested it. He believed that people are free.
That nobody really owns anything.
But he kept his lips tied shut, he calmly observed everything.
Meanwhile, the guards who are haven't recovered from Toto's sudden dash forward filled by a fiasco were still recovering but after such words by their dearest Saman, they were utterly shocked.
Aside from living inside the Saman's residence, they can also gain the privilege to eat better foods. This means that starting today they can now eat meat, fish or crops from the harvest, they could even have the chance to become a Timawa after years of service.
Mix emotions were felt for some of the Alipins who are left behind by such a wonderful proposal. Envy, confusion, disbelief and a lingering sense of longing appeared in their faces.
The Saman, faintly smiled then she ordered the guards to remove the shackles from the Alipin's feet and the guards immediately complied inaudibly.
But before the guards could even approach Toto's sister, Toto stood up from his bowing stance and came a close to Toto's sister.
Toto grasped her feet, massaging the pained areas then came close to embrace her.
Toto with teary eyes gazed at her lovingly and patted her repeatedly while smiling faintly.
She began to whisper slowly and softly like the cotton clouds.
"It's okay, Big sister will be fine... I will be fine and I know you are worried about our father's condition but he will be fine."
Toto paused her words as she recalled what her father told her.
She hated the guilty feeling of lying to her little sister, but he had no choice but to do so, knowing that her little sister might be cursed with an endless worry while alone in a foreign place, away from her.
She touched her little sister's ruffled hair as she continued...
"We just talked not too long ago before the Saman came and I think he will be happy to know this."
Toto produced a perfectly joyful smile, but this facade did not escape Miguel's discerning eyes.
But Miguel also had some questions, he seemed to fail in hearing what Toto said at the first of her sentence due to the loud murmurs of the crowd.
He just thought that "This scene was tearfully wrenching, a heartful brotherly love."
He shifted his gaze towards the Saman who in turn was also watching with her arms closed.
After bidding her farewell, Toto's sister groveled on the floor, and in a humble tone she spoke to the Saman.
"Beautiful Saman, this servant of yours wishes to bid my farewell to my father, I promise to immediately return after my farewell, would you please allow me to do it? Dearest, Saman."
Toto became worried, what would happen if her sister knew their father's worsening condition?
But she can't help it now, as she also bowed and groveled together with her little sister and the Saman gazed at them with pity.
She thought for a while before she spoke in a stern voice.
She said " Alright! I permit you but do not forget your promise to immediately return here after your farewell and do not try to make some funny ideas of escaping either!"
Toto's little sister exclaimed "There is no way I would do that! Dearest, Saman!"
[14] "Alright! Go now my Sulgosa! Go! Before I change my mind!"
"Many thanks to our beautiful, Saman!"
Being magnanimous enough the Saman allowed them to go.
Toto and her sister happily rushed towards the location of their father, her little sister couldn't hide the gratified smiles in her face and Toto could not hide her worried face about her sister's reaction if she learned their father's health condition that seems to turn worse.
.
.
.
...
On the other hand,
Miguel who was left at the square with a burly guard and a curious Saman felt his scalps tingle.
He still had no clue why he was dragged here by this obnoxious guard,
He can't help but form a fist thinking that his time to sleep was reduced.
According to his observations.
This Saman gathered every available Alipins to choose someone who will become Sulgos as her servants.
But what he can't understand is that 'Why even he was dragged here?'
'I am not a girl, they all looked girl to me, except Toto. Why am I even here?'
'Well, at least now, I have a chance to talk with this Saman. It's impossible that she did not notice me, Argus looked a little different when they were little but still... she must have recognized Argus!'
Miguel's thought swirled around while patiently waiting beside the guard.
And, it did not take long before the Saman came close to him.
"So, here you are... former Ranoan." The Saman smiled wickedly.
'F*cking brat! I bet she was spoiled rotten by her parents! If she's my daughter I'll definitely slap that butt!' Miguel failed to gather his composure as she cursed inwardly.
[15] "Take him as my Sulgoso." Saman, Talia waved at the guard beside Miguel and softly whispered behind Miguel's ears...
"You are mine now..."
The soft voice blew past his ears,
And Miguel shuddered.