Luca strode into his room, and his eyes settled on his Queen, he smiled. She was curled into a ball in the corner, her now dry hair, a curled wild mess, and black streaks running down her face from ruined mascara. Despite this, Luca thought she looked absolutely divine, worth worshipping. Soon, she would learn of his devotion and allow him to love her, worship her, and bring her all the pleasure. He knew this, so he continued to smile.
"My love, do not fret. You have come to your home. You are safe now," he spoke softly as he approached her. Even though he knew she would submit, he had to be gentle with his little flower. She is delicate and tender and he would keep her safe and protected. She couldn't even protect herself, speaking to strangers and walking around in the pouring rain at night. It made him mad, that his little angel was in such a state when he met her, but he also knew that she was protected now in his arms, and he wouldn't dare be angry with her.
She shuddered as she heard the strange man approach her, his voice doing little to calm her. Even though he said calming words, there was something about his demeanor that terrified her. What was she doing here? Why was she here? He reached her and lifted her up into his arms, bridal style. She yelped out, and tried to push herself free, but he chuckled as he barely felt her resistance. "Come, my sweet, you must rest." He walked over to the bed and placed her gently down. As soon as he did, she scampered to the other side, trying to get off the other side.
Shaking his head, he grasped her hands in his, keeping her from moving. Pulling towards himself, he lifted her body and adjusted himself so that he was seated and she was on his lap, her legs outstretched on the bed and her head leaning on his chest. She whimpered and thrashed about, but all that did was tighten his grip. Crying out in pain, she whispered, "Please, sir, it hurts."
Almost instantly, Luca lightened his touch and looked under where his hands just were. Visible handprint marks were starting to redden- likely forming a bruise. He growled in anger- his love was a delicate flower and he needed to be more careful, how could he forget so quickly, how dare he hurt her. Grabbing her gently, he pulled her close and buried his face into her hair. "I'm sorry, my dearest love, I'm so sorry. I never wished to hurt you, it kills me to know that I hurt you like this. Please forgive me, dearest. What can I do so that you'll forgive me?"
"Let me go, sir, please. I haven't done anything. I won't tell anyone, please. I beg you, sir, please." Hearing her ask to leave and her begging angered him. She was his Queen, she was never to beg to anyone, she was to command but that was one command he could never fulfill, ever.
"No, dearest, you don't ever beg, you only command. You are my Queen and the entire world is at your feet. As far as you letting you go, I can't do that. You are my everything. Whatever brings you joy in the world, you tell me. It will be here for you in this castle. But I can't let you leave, I need you at my side, I need to protect you and I will."
She continued to silently sob, not saying anything, she didn't even understand what he was saying. She wanted to go home, back to her life. He broke her from her trance, "Love, please don't cry. Are you hungry? What would you like to eat?"
She shook her head, she didn't want to eat with this man, she wanted to go home. Ignoring her shaking head, he continued, "Please tell me what you would like to eat or I will have the cooks make many different dishes and that will take much time."
She continued to shake her head. "You must eat," he pleaded.
She firmly shook her head. "You are not hungry, I understand, but you must eat, love. I could not bear to see you fall ill." He stated firmly as his hands continued to gently rub up and down her arms, light enough to not cause bruises, but firmly enough that she could not wriggle free.
After her continued silence, he gave up and called out, "Slaves!" A group of 2 women and a man instantly appeared at the door, bowing. "Get food for your Queen, NOW! Tell the chefs to make various types of dishes." They bowed and scurried off to do his bidding.
Hearing her gasping to breathe through her sobs, he reached for the water recently placed at the bedside. Turning her head so that she was facing him, he lifted her head and brought the glass to her lips, "Drink, my love, your throat must be dry from crying." He continued to wipe her face as he held the glass there, patiently waiting as she continued to sob, keeping her lips firmly shut.
"My love, it's not poisoned, I swear. Please drink." He implored as she continued to keep her lips closed. Sighing, he waited patiently.
"Would you like me to drink it first?" She nodded. Seeing the look in his eyes, she felt that he was being truthful and that the water was not poisoned. But this was a stranger, she didn't trust him
"Anything for you, my love," as he took a large gulp of water. "See, nothing happened," he stated as he brought the glass back to her lips. She hesitantly opened her lips just a smidge and he tilted back and forth the glass so small sips of water would be given. She greedily gulped down the water, and his smile grew, watching her drink the water so readily.
They were disturbed by a knock on the door and the slaves walked in with six trays of food under domes. Her eyes widened in surprise as she realized he wasn't joking. He would have everything made so that she would like something. Under his nod, they began to remove the domes and her nose turned up at the smell.
Meat. Fish. Tofu. Mushrooms. All the foods she despised.
Even as a child, she hated the smell of meat. But HE seemed to be happy at the smell. Does that mean he likes meat? Would he force her to eat it? She didn't want to eat it. Would he be angry that she won't eat it? That she doesn't eat it? He scares her.
"Love, see anything you'd like?" He softly called out to her. She firmly shook her head. He was sure that she would have liked something that was made.
"You don't like any of it?" She bit her lip and continued to stare down at the bed. This angered him.
"YOU SLAVES ARE PATHETIC AND WORTHLESS! YOU ONLY HAD ONE JOB- MAKE YOUR QUEEN HAPPY AND YOU FAILED. ALL 3 OF YOU ARE PUNISHED TO DEATH- YOUR FAMILIES WILL DIE WITH YOU. FETCH THAT IMBECILE THAT FAILED TO MAKE ANY FOOD MY QUEEN LIKES AT ONCE!" He thundered in anger. These fools couldn't even make food the Queen would eat.
Hearing him say death, she shivered in fear. He truly scared her now.
Sensing her fear, he turned to her, "Sorry, my love, I shouldn't have yelled with you in my arms. I forget how delicate and precious you are. I shouldn't speak of death with you here."
She continued to shiver, her fear only growing. His brow furrowed and he turned to call out, "SLAVES!"
A different group of three people rushed in, "Your Queen is cold. Make a fire and bring some blankets." They bowed and rushed away, one of them moving towards the fireplace directly across from the bed. The three sentenced to death continued to stand there, terrified, but they didn't dare to move.
Two people rushed in with an assortment of blankets, mink, plush, velvet, yarn, silk, all different textures and colors present. Bowing, they presented the Queen with her options, "My Queen, are any of these adequate?"
She didn't want one, but she knew if she didn't pick one, HE would be angry. With her trembling hand, she ran it across the options, stopping at a deep blue velvet one, feeling that the texture was comforting. Almost instantly, he snatched the blanket and wrapped her in it.
Although he was hot, she was cold and he would suffer the heat to make sure she was comfortable. Between the heat radiating from his body and the blanket, she felt warm, but she still shivered in fear. Those people were going to die and it was all her fault.
"My Queen, are you still cold?" He whispered into her ear, concern all over his face. He was almost sweating, there was no way she was still shivering from the cold, unless she was sick...
"Do you feel well, my love? Shall I call for a doctor?" He asked, a whole different concern on his face. Moving his hand to her forehead, he checked for a fever, feeling none.
"Sir, please don't kill them." He heard a mumble on her lips, her eyes continuing to be trained on her hands. His anger grew, she had no care for herself, but she wanted to take care of these fools. They were slaves, they were disposable, his love was not, and they had failed to adequately care for her.
But it was his Queen. She had asked him to not kill them, so he wouldn't. "Very well, my Queen, I won't. But you must eat. Otherwise, these slaves will feel my wrath."
As soon as he said this, the door was opened by a very timid man in a chef's hat. Trembling, he walked forward and kneeled, bowing over so low his forehead was touching the ground. "My Queen, forgive me for failing to please you. Under your magnanimity, you allowed me to present you food and I failed to make anything worth your gracious palate. Please forgive this slave and allow him to show that he is worthy of your servitude."
"Shall I kill him, my Queen?" A guard stepped up behind him, his hand on his gun in his holster.
She shook her head, shaking in the Luca's arms. Luca shot the guard a glare- no one should be showing the Queen a gun, let alone talking about killing a man in her presence. She was delicate.
"My love, allow him to redeem himself. Or he will die." Luca threateningly whispered into her ear. He wanted her to choose for herself what she wanted in this castle, but she had to eat. She had to take care of herself.
"Sir, I want to go please. I'm not hungry." She whispered back.
"YOU WILL NOT LEAVE! YOU ARE TO STAY HERE- STOP ASKING ME SUCH QUESTIONS!" He thundered. She shuddered back in fear, and instantly, guilt filled in his chest. Luca knew he shouldn't have yelled at his delicate flower.
"I'm so sorry, my love, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled, but I can't bear to hear you talk of leaving me. Please, stop crying. What can I do? I'll do anything. I'll buy you anything." He soothed her, rocking her back and forth in his arms. While he thought he was comforting her, she was still terrified. But now her hunger was starting to make itself known.
Seeming to defy her fear, her stomach growled. Luca's face broke out into a smile, now she would eat. "Why would you like, my Queen? This worthless slave will make you whatever you wish," motioning to the chef who remained bowing on the floor, silently shivering in fear. The chef knew that if he didn't make something that the Queen ate, he would die.
She continued to shake her head. She didn't know what she could say that wouldn't make him angry. What kind of food would he approve? What if he didn't like what she said- would she be punished? How could she know?
Luca sat in silence, thinking of how to get her to state what she wished. Then, he remembered the blankets. She wouldn't say what kind of blanket she wanted but she was responding enough to pick from a choice. Turning to her, he lifted her head so that she could see his eyes. Gazing into her doe like big black eyes that were bloodshot from crying, he brushed her hair from her face. She stilled, allowing him to move her hair. She was afraid of what HE would do if she dared move away. He continued to stroke her hair with one hand and held her hand with another.
"Let's play a game, love. I will name foods to you and you squeeze my hand when you hear ones you like, ok?" She squeezed his hand, indicating she understood. This was good, it would be his ideas, so he couldn't be mad at the foods she picked.
"Burger." He felt a delicate squeeze.
"Ramen."
"Oysters."
"Chocolate." Strong squeeze.
"Escargot."
"Sushi."
"Tacos." Semi-squeeze.
"Burritos." Another squeeze.
"Ribs."
"Pizza." Another squeeze.
"Ice cream." Strong squeeze.
"Salmon."
"Potatoes." Another squeeze.
"Bacon."
"Naan." Another squeeze.
"Chicken."
"PB&J Sandwich." Another squeeze.
"Waffles." Another squeeze.
"Turkey Sandwich."
"Fruit." Another squeeze.
"Rice." Another squeeze.
"Salad." Another squeeze.
"Steak."
"Soup." Another squeeze.
He noticed that as he was listing foods, she very carefully never squeezed at foods that were only meat or fish. Clearly, there were certain foods she would never eat.
"Ok, my love, you did such a wonderful job. Now, we're going to switch the game and you will tap my hand when I say a food you don't like." Her face turned into a frown. "What happened, dearest? You did so well the first game."
"Will I get in trouble, sir?" She whispered.
"No, my love, never. You will never be in trouble with me. Are you ready to play?" She nodded.
"Do you eat chicken?" He felt a tap.
"Steak." Tap.
"Beef." Another tap.
"Any meat?" A hesitant tap.
"Milk." Nothing. So she wasn't vegan.
"Cheese."
"Fish?" Tap.
"Are you vegetarian?" She squeezed his hand, which he was sure meant yes.
"Are you vegan?" Tap.
Looking over at the trays, he continued, "Tofu?" Another tap.
"Tomatoes."
"Mushrooms?" Another tap.
"Olives."
"Anaheim peppers." Multiple taps. Very clear NO.
"Eggs?" A small tap.
"Do you like eggs?" Tap. No.
"But you'll eat them?" She nodded, biting her lip.
Luca nodded, he could work with this. Turning to the slaves and chef, he called out, "Despite your pathetic performance earlier, per your Queen's request, I will give you all one chance to redeem yourselves. Your Queen is a vegetarian, so all food prepared for her will be made in a kitchen free of meat and fish in brand new dishes. I don't even want the smell of meat to be present when her food is prepared. You all saw what she likes. Be gone and bring some food for my Queen." With that, the slaves bowed, relief clear on their face, eager to please their Queen. They would be grateful to their Queen. Despite her own fear, she asked for their lives. They were indebted to her.
Luca turned back to her, "See, all I want is for you to be happy." Even though she was terrified, she could feel herself relaxing just a bit as he continued to soothe her, running his hands all over her arms and back. She remained seated with her head leaning against his chest and under her ear, his steady beating heart calmed her. Feeling the exhaustion of crying take over, she stopped fighting the darkness and allowed it to consume her.