The Spaniards did introduce Christianity to the people of the Island. They willingly accept it, and follow the traditions. They baptized them, and learnt to communicate with them. While all of that was happening, Antonio got to know the little girl. He taught her a bit of Spanish and English. That was, until, one tribe did not follow.

You remember the grumpy native from the last chapter, right? Yes, he's the one. You may all know him as the famous "Lapu-Lapu". He took away the child from Antonio, and rebelled against Catholicism. And these actions boiled Antonio's blood, and waged war against the tribe leader. Eventually, Antonio lost and Magellan died. The Spaniards retreated, with Juan Serrano taking command, but he swore that he will get the child back.

After several voyages from the Spaniards, the natives did not give away so easily. The young child grew as many tribes collaborate together to protect their lands, creating the Kingdom of Cebu. The tribe leaders recognize her as their leader, their nation.

x-x

February 22, 1565

x-x

"So, here we are…" Antonio says under his breath, looking over to the shore of Samar. They go there by boat, and once again, they were greeted by cautious natives. However, they welcomed them to the island, instead of attacking them.

Miguel Lopez made a very good relationship with the Datu of the tribe, and they performed on what the natives called "Blood Compact", which was also performed in the Datu of Limasawa, and the Datu of Bohol. Miguel befriended all of these Datus, and the Rajah of Bohol, and were in good terms. A month after that, they returned to Cebu.

Antonio was anxious, and he wonders whether he'll see her, and will she think of him. A traitor? Murderer? Liar? But he couldn't think of that now, he has to focus. Though, he expects the people to attack them again. And he was right. Rajah Tupas challenged them, but this time, they were overpowered. Miguel decided to establish a colony there, which led to the continuous colonization of the archipelago. But then, Antonio didn't care about what they'll gain.

He wanted to see her. He tried asking the natives, but they didn't know where she could be found. After numerous hours—no, days of searching for her, all hope was lost. Antonio returned to his colony within the Islands.

x-x

1572

x-x

Miguel died of a heart failure in that year, in Manila, which was an advantage to a rebellion. Multiple people of different Islands rebelled against the Spanish rule, and during that, Antonio had heard that she was part of this rebellion. But despite of these rebellions, Spain still remained in the islands, which is now called by Miguel, "Las Islas Filipinas". Antonio managed to find her again with the help of his soldiers, and promised to never lose her again. She was quite upset, but slightly happy, that she has found someone like her.

One day, Antonio knelt in front of the little nation. "We should give you a name," he says. "Besides Filipinas, of course."

Filipinas had learned his language a bit more than before, so she'll be able to talk to him without difficulties. "I've many names, and now you're going to give me another one to add to my long list," she retorts, and pouts. He looks at her straight in the eyes, a hint of… mixed feeling in them. "Mi corazón…" he whispers.

"Mi… corazón..? What's that?" Antonio ignores her question, and speaks again, "Maria Flores Corazon Carriedo. That's a nice name, isn't it?"

Filipinas thought for a while about the name. "I guess… it sounds okay. I'll use that name!" she says. Antonio nods in agreement. "Now then, want some churros?" He hands out a plate of churros. It's the first time Maria ate something from Spain's dishes. She hesitates, and takes a bite of the churro. Her eyes lit up with delight and she asks for more.

"It's delicious, ama!" she exclaims.

"Ama…?" Antonio asks. Maria is surprised at what she called Antonio.

"A-Ama… it means father."

Suddenly, Antonio drops the plate, his hands shivering slightly. Tears start to brim his eyes as he drops to his knees. Never did he ever dream that he'd be called "father" by a young nation. He starts crying, as he smiles wide. Maria doesn't know what's going on, and she is overcome by worry. "Antonio!? I-Is something…" She assists him to stand up, when he immediately hugs her tight.

"Maria… Mi hija… Te amo…" he whispers in her ear, while crying tears of happiness. Maria is hesitant to the sudden hug, but she does hug him back just as tight. She felt a new feeling course through her, something that she had never felt during the days before she was colonized, for all the natives did love her, but not in that way. It was the first time that she felt so warm, so happy.

"Te amo…"

x-x

"Here we are, Maria!" Antonio yells happily as he uncovers her eyes. Maria opens her eyes; looks at Antonio's home in awe. "It's so big!" she exclaims.

"Indeed, hija. You'll be staying here for a few days. Meanwhile—" Antonio was cut off by a loud wail from upstairs. "Oh my…" Maria's eyes widen, and she quickly hides behind Antonio's coat. "I-Is that a ghost..?" she asks. He shakes his head while smiling, then, another wail occurs.

"ANTONIO!" A crying boy came running down the stairs, and hugs the man's legs. "Where have you been, bastard!? What took you so long!?" The boy proceeds to hit Antonio's legs. Antonio giggles and lifts the boy up. "Lo siento, Lovi~! I've missed you so, so much!" Antonio hugs the boy. Maria tugs the coat, and peeks over.

"Ah! Of course!" He puts the boy down. "Lovino, meet Maria and Maria, meet Lovino."

Lovino looks at Maria from top to toe, and who is standing next to the Spanish. Maria smiles timidly and waves at the boy who is a few centimetres shorter than her. He reluctantly waves back. Antonio smiles in the cuteness of the two, and he excuses himself, leaving the two alone.

"So, are you Spanish too?" Maria asks, trying to spark up a conversation.

Lovino crosses his arms and replies, "No. I'm Italian."

"Oh? That means you're a colonized nation too!"

"Yeah… I heard that you're the country that Spain keeps trying to colonize."

"Yep!"

"He must really care about you…"

"I guess…"

"… Unlike me…"

"Not really. He talks about you quite often." Lovino is quite surprised.

"He… talks about me?"

"Indeed! He tells about how much you'd miss him and how much you wanted to come with him, and how you'd wet your pants..."

"Hey! That bastard… Wh-What else did he say?"

"He also told me about how you'd deny the fact he cares about you."

"He never did."

"Yeah he does!"

"No one cares about me, all right?"

"If he doesn't then he should be hurting you, treating you like a pet! He should have left you, or maybe stay away from you, leaving you alone! But Antonio does the complete opposite of that! He cares for you more than ever, Lovino."

"But he does leave me alone—"

"To find something that could benefit you and him!"

Lovino stays silent for a while. "… But even if he cares about me, he cares about you more. He thinks of you every night, of ways to get to you, of how he can 'hold you in his arms again'."

"Well, he's got me now. I suppose he cares about us equally, doesn't he? As his both of his colonies… as both of his children?"

"Children…? When did that happen?"

"Ever since he's got us." Eventually, silence covers an entire minute. Lovino turns around, heading for the stairs. "Where are you going?" Maria asks. "Do you want to sleep on the floor or in your bedroom?" he replies sarcastically. "Come on already." He goes upstairs. Maria smiles, and follows him up.