The Prime Minister's Daughter

The Arrangement

Tiana Adalyn Onyango is the daughter

of the powerful Prime Minister of Giodonia, Hamidi Jamison Onyango and Eudora Dawynia Onyango. Life has been fairly easy for the young girl who despite following everything her parents asked her to do, still had huge shoes to fill when it came to accomplishments of her parents. She spent most of her life in her mother's home country the United States of America in New Orleans, Louisiana with her grandmother Adalyn, who she inherited her love of food from. During the summer instead of going off on holidays with her other peers, she would travel the world to find the best and unique dishes to add into her culinary journal. Which got her to meet amazing people along the way. It was always a thrill to join the cooks instead of watching them in creating their art. But none could top the way her grandmother prepared meals who was quite impressed with her granddaughter.

Her father wasn't so impressed as he would rather have his daughter marry an upper class man who will shower her with the best of everything while she sits pretty for the rest of her life. He valued education like the next parent, but since she was his daughter he wanted her to be taken care of. Which explained tonight's dinner with the king and queen of Maldonia.

At this very moment Tiana just finished tonight's dinner in which was meant for six instead of the usual three. She was excited for the guests trying her creations with the help of the cooks in the kitchen, but of course there were concerns from the other cooks themselves.

"You should hurry to your room!" One of the female cooks warned. "You remember how Master Onyango behaved when he caught you in here with us cooks before!"

Tiana placed the spoon aside and rolled her eyes at the memory. "Alright! I'll leave but do not add anything in my food! I'll know!" She warned before leaving the kitchen.

As she started up the stairs, she heard a whistle and turned back to see an over confident prince with a cocky smirk looking up at her.

"You look awful!" Naveen said, wearing his formal Maldonian uniform. "Where did you come from, a chicken coop?"

Tiana gave him a glare before storming up the stairs.

Naveen tilt his head to the side while watching her hips effortlessly sway side to side. "Well, at least your derriere looks good from here!" He teased and soon heard the door slam. He got a chuckle out of it before walking into the dining room where his parents sat at the table.

"They're still not here?" Naveen asked his parent by the doorway.

Kabir sternly looked over at his son. "Naveen, have a seat this instant!"

"I don't know why we're even here anyway...," Naveen walked toward the window to glance out at the garden. "There's nothing to do here!"

"I am sure that will all change shortly," Prime Minister Hamidi came in with a grin. "My wife and daughter will be down shortly. He extended his hand to the prince, "It's nice to see you again, Naveen. You grew up."

"Not quite," Kabir mumbled, walking over to shake the Prime Minister's hand. "My son is interested in the parties your country is famous for having!"

"There will be a huge celebration tonight," the Prime Minister promised.

Naveen's eyes lit up. "Really? Where?" He asked just as Eudora and Tiana stepped into the room.

"My apologies for our tardiness!"

The prince turned to see Eudora and just as he was about to look elsewhere, he spotted Tiana in a crème coloured dress, it fitted her like a glove and her hair in a neat ballerina bun with a water lily barrette completing her look. His mouth hung open while staring in awestruck caused some laughter from the adults.

"My son has never been this obvious without speaking!" Nagina teased.

Tiana herself felt a little embarrassed but couldn't save the prince. Not after him mocking her appearance moments earlier. "I certainly don't look like I came from a chicken coop."

Naveen gave her an apologetic grin that caused her to roll her eyes.

"Tiana!" Eudora exclaimed disapprovingly.

"Son, why don't you assist Tiana to her seat?" Kabir suggested.

Naveen sighed before walking over to the girl and extended his arm out for her to take.

When she did take it the prince helped her to a seat beside to his and didn't bother to start any conversation with him. This drug out during the entrée, main course and dessert. She felt that there was nothing to say to the arrogant prince and couldn't wait until dinner was over.

"Tiana, Naveen," Hamidi began with a nod to the King of Maldonia.

"Yes, Naveen, Tiana there is a reason why our families are here together..." Kabir began.

"Tiana you are seventeen years old and old enough to begin a new life of adventure!" Hamidi added

Tiana smiled. "So you agree with me going to culinary school in London?"

The Prime Minister gave a look of disapproval. "Culinary school? God no! I am talking about marriage!"

She frowned. "Marriage?"

Kabir decided to chime in "Yes, to my son of course!"

"What?" Both Tiana and Naveen exclaimed out loud.

"We have agreed that a marriage between you two will not only be a perfect match for you both, but create a solid alliance with Maldonia and Giodonia!" Kabir announced.

Tiana felt sick in the stomach and was about to stand up and leave when she felt her mother's hand on hers under the table.

"Babycakes...,"

She couldn't leave. It would embarrass her family and as an obedient daughter she had to remain seated. Naveen on the other hand wasn't as compliant. "Marriage? Is that what you four set up to happen? I'm eighteen years old! I can't be tied down right now! Especially not to some dull Prime Minister's daughter!"

Tiana frowned. "You're not exactly a Romeo yourself you arrogant pig!"

Nagina gasped while Eudora shut her eyes.

Both Kabir and Hamidi chuckled.

"Those two are definitely perfect," the king said.

The Prime Minister laughed. "Why haven't we agreed on this sooner?"

"I would marry a frog before I'll ever marry you!" Tiana spat at the prince.

Naveen raised a brow. "Wow, a frog? I'd rather marry myself before I have you marry me!"

That ticked Tiana so much that she rose from her seat and stormed out of the room, outside in the garden. Being around Naveen was worse than any lecture her parents ever gave to her. A marriage to the prince would mean an execution sentence to her life as a chef that would eventfully turn into her having her own restaurant.

"Tiana."

She heard Naveen softly call her name as he stepped outside.

"I want to apologize for my behavior."

She rolled her eyes, not convinced. "What do you want?" Refusing to look at him.

"I already told you. To apologize," he stepped beside her, looking out at the fountain before. "You look beautiful tonight."

"Yep." She didn't want to be bothered.

Naveen snorted. "Is that all I'm going to get from you is a yep?"

"Yep."

Naveen noticed the tone in her voice for the first time. "You have an interesting sound in your accent. You're obviously from here, but I could also hear a little—

"New Orleans. I grew up in New Orleans," she answered without returning his obvious glances.

"New Orleans!" Naveen was impressed and thought, 'Perhaps she isn't a stick in the mud after all.' "One of my favourite dream cities to visit someday."

She rolled her eyes and mentally said, 'Give me a break!'

Naveen looked up at the stars and sighed. This marriage could be beneficial for him and get his father off his back while also having a nice little thing like Tiana in his arm. So in his most romantic voice and charming grin, he bowed in a princely manner. "I'd really like to start over with...us."

Tiana looked at him in disbelief. "What's to start with? You don't like me and I don't like you."

Naveen smirked. "Talk about putting words into my mouth. I've never mentioned anything about not liking you. As a matter of fact I actually do like you. Even enough to ask you to marry me."

She looked him up and down. "Are you serious?"

Naveen shrugged his shoulders with arrogance, knowing she will of course accept his proposal. "Yes. I am irresistible! A perfect catch for any woman and I will guarantee to be the best lover you've ever have." He wiggled his brows. "I've got references."

Tiana looked at him in pure disgust. "I will never marry you!" She exclaimed.

He reached out for her. "Tiana—

"My answer is no!" She ran back in the estate, not speaking to the adults on her way out of the dining room.

Naveen blinked in disbelief. "She rejected me...something must be wrong with her." He nodded convincingly. "Yes, that's what it is! Something is wrong with her!" He shrugged, not caring either way. "At least I tried."

Kabir ran outside. "What happened?"

"She said no and frankly I don't blame her," Naveen picked up a pebble and threw it into a fountain.

"Naveen, your mother and myself are counting on your to marry that girl! The kingdom needs Giodonia as it's a very strong alliance for the merger to be a success!"

"I rather have fun and live my life!" Naveen responded as cocky as possible. His ego at the moment was bruised. No woman has ever rejected him over anything, but he couldn't let his father see through him or let one mentally unstable woman ruin his night.

"Doing what? Partying all day and night with young morons? It is time you grow up and accept your responsibility as crown prince!" Kabir exclaimed.

Naveen sighed. Already knowing where this lecture was heading. "You want me to be king."

"As you're born to be! Now, the First Lady of Giodonia is speaking with Tiana this very moment! If she agrees with this arrangement then you better accept! I have no patience for your ego! Tiana is a lovely young lady who will eventually be our next queen if all goes as plan!"

Naveen looked ahead not answering his father who groaned at his behavior.

"Have you nothing to say?"

"No."

Kabir blinked. "Why is that?"

"Because I always have women throwing themselves at me! Proposing to me everyday—

"That lifestyle is over!" Kabir confirmed. "Once Tiana returns you ask again!"

"And if she says no again?" Naveen asked, not sure if he's able to handle another rejection.

"She won't. Not after she understands her place."

Tiana fell onto her bed as soon as she made it to her room. She was disgusted to be set up with the most arrogant prince in the tri-kingdom and the thought of having him for a husband felt like a death sentence.

"Tiana?" Eudora opened the door.

"Please mother just go away," Tiana said into the pillow.

"I understand how you feel," Eudora admitted.

"How? You married daddy because you love him. I don't love Prince Naveen."

"I didn't exactly love your father when I married him," she confessed

Tiana looked up at her mother, shocked. "You didn't love him?"

"Of course not! He came to New Orleans for business and stalked me everyday claiming it was love at first sight. Once he discovered where I live he befriended your grandmother and asked her for my hand, and do you know what her answer was? Yes! I was devastated feeling as if my world had ended because I was doing so well with the dresses I was making! I even landed my own clientele for a few families including the LaBouffs, the wealthiest family in Louisiana. My mother came to me explaining that I will thank her for this but I only cried in my room, the same way you're doing! And after many tears I thought it through and decided to marry him and believe me when I tell you that he is the best man I have ever known. Over time I did fall in love with him and..." Eudora smiled at the memory. "It is the most beautiful feeling in the world."

Tiana wiped her moist eyes after hearing her mother open up to her. It was a first for them both. "What made you fall in love...with daddy."

"His ability to get into your soul with his eyes. There are leaders who make promises and leaders who make it happen! He's one of those leaders and I couldn't be prouder to be his wife." Eudora explained

Tiana raised a brow, confused. "That's what got you to fall for him? His leadership skills?"

"He's a romantic as well! He threw me a surprise New Orleans themed birthday celebration! And to this day writes me poetry!"

"Poetry?" Tiana smiled.

"Mhm," Eudora watched her daughter, noticing her pondering away. "Overtime you will discover Naveen isn't such a bad person. He will make a fine husband. Now he isn't perfect—

"Of course he isn't! He think he's god. I can see it in his eyes!" Tiana rolled her own orbs once again.

Eudora raised a brow. "Well I guess you can bring out more in him."

Tiana sighed. "Why is it so important for me to marry him anyway? I'm not even ready."

"A marriage will created a peaceful alliance with Maldonia. Giodonia is in a fatal line at this moment and with Maldonia we can also have larger countries behind us! Such as my home country the United States who believes that Giodonia is nothing but a terrorist and dictatorship nation."

Tiana was stunned. "You said that Giodonia is in a fatal line? And that the US believes that we're a nation of terrorism and dictatorship?"

"And the king of Genexia is threatening to attack unless we...," Eudora paused then confirmed. "...we can't do this alone. Maldonia and Giodonia merging would help our alliance with the United States. Your father did not want you to know this!"

"I won't bring it up," Tiana promised. "But if I do end up marrying Prince Naveen then he will most likely expect...well, I'm not ready to..." she felt uncomfortable discussing about topic of marital sex.

Eudora understood what she meant. "Naveen seems like a gentleman. Your father waited as well and promised to do so for the rest of his life."

"Well you obviously didn't wait," Tiana pointed to herself.

"You're here for a reason," Eudora smiled as her daughter rolled her eyes. "Talk to him. I'm certain Naveen will understand that you're not ready."

"And if he doesn't?" she asked.

"Naveen isn't an animal," Eudora said knowingly. "His family are decent people!"

"Fine..." Tiana then sighed, no longer wanting to continue with the topic. "Do you think that Naveen is still outside?"

Eudora walked over to look out her daughter's window, seeing both the prince and king. "Yes, he's still outside."

Tiana got out of the bed to fix her tear stained face. "I'll give him my answer."

Eudora went over to her daughter before hugging her. "It will all turn out just fine, baby."

She looked at herself through the mirror. "I hope so."

After some time to herself and much consideration Tiana stepped back outside to find Naveen throwing a pebble into the fountain. She stood beside him before picking up a pebble herself. "I'll marry you." Throwing it out into the fountain.

Naveen looked over at her. "You will?"

She nodded her head, facing him. "Yes, but there will be guidelines."

"Guidelines?" Naveen repeated. "What sort of guidelines?"

"Yes, there will be no kissing."

Naveen frowned. "But we're suppose to kiss after our vows."

"Then after our vows," Tiana said. "And there will absolutely be no sexual intercourse—

"Whoa, whoa wait! No sex? Do you even know who you're speaking to?" Naveen asked, annoyed.

She put a hand on her hip. "I can always say no to the marriage."

"Fine! No sex! But you don't know what you're missing!" He wiggled his brows.

Tiana rolled her eyes. "We will also be sleeping in separate bedrooms."

"My mother and father sleep in separate bedrooms so I have no problem with that rule," Naveen said. There will be no issues on bringing in girlfriends.

"Good. So you'll also be okay with me cooking?" She asked.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't care. As long as you're not bothered by my hobbies."

"Deal," she extended her hand.

Naveen took her hand before placing a gentle kiss on it. "A gentleman kisses a lady on the hand. Not shake it."

"Is that all?" she asked, ready to return to her room.

He extended out his arm. "We're going to have to announce the good news to our parents."

She sighed, accepting his arm as they stepped back into the estate where they soon caught the adult's attention.

"I asked for Tiana's hand in marriage and she accepted!" Naveen announced.

"Achidonza!" Kabir clapped his hands.

Hamidi walked over to the couple and gave his daughter a warm hug. "I'm proud of you, babycakes."

Tiana smiled, pleased to know that her father was thrilled and from the look in his eyes relieved. This could work, this marriage on guidelines.

Three months later – Maldonian Abbey Of Mystras

"Ladies and Gentlemen I announce to you all Prince Naveen and Princess Tiana of Maldonia!"

Everyone applaud at the newly wedded couple especially the parents of the bride and groom.

Naveen held a fake smile for his bride who was still covered under her veil. He lifted it from his new bride's face and was taken aback by her beauty. "Wow..."

Tiana softly smiled at him knowing he was impressed. She was just as impressed after seeing her own transformation but was cut off guard when Naveen pressed his lips onto hers and couldn't end it due to his arms locking her onto his frame.

When he pulled away she gave him a glare which caused him to chuckle.

"I couldn't stop myself," he said before taking her hand and walking down for everyone to congratulate them.

During the reception ball both prince and princess shared dances in which neither didn't particular enjoy. The music was very slow and traditional. They were aware that everyone has already fallen inlove with their coupling and had to keep them pleased by dancing.

Tiana rolled her eyes at Naveen who was already flirting and winking at what she assume are old girlfriends and mistresses.

"You have no shame," Tiana said, as they danced once more.

Naveen sighed blissfully. "Yes, I know..."

She groaned in annoyance.

Maldonian Palace - Honeymoon Suite

After leaving the wedding reception ball, the newlyweds were escorted to their honeymoon destination. Tiana couldn't wait to find her room in the family estate that the Maldonian king and queen provided to them and fall asleep. But to her dissatisfaction the guard escorted her and Naveen to a room with doubled doors labeled in a golden plate: Honeymoon Suite

Tiana was confused. "So this is where I'll be staying in tonight?" She glanced at Naveen his guard and his valet.

"No your majesty!" The valet answered as the guard then opened the doors. "This is where you and the prince will be staying."

"What?" Tiana looked into the room, noticing one bed. "Will there be another bed in this suite?"

"No your majesty."

"And how about the other bedrooms in the palace?" She looked at Naveen.

But the valet answered for him. "None of the rooms are available."

She grew furious while walking into the room, not noticing the valet and guard leaving them alone. "I can't believe that out of all the suites in this mansion of your family, that they only arranged for us to stay in a one bedroom suite! The least they could've provided was a two bed suite."

Naveen didn't see what the big deal was and plopped on the bed. "It's only the one night. I'll call my parents about unlocking some of the rooms. Relax! I'm very drunk." He opened his arms. "Now, come to bed with your husband!"

Tiana frowned. "You're not sleeping in here!"

Naveen rested his head on his hands. "Then where am I suppose to sleep? On the sitting room couch?"

She walked over to open the door. "Yep. Goodbye!"

Naveen stayed put. "Eh. I'm staying here."

Tiana then thought of an idea. "Well how about another kiss?"

Naveen snorted. "You come to me."

"Drunk," Tiana blurted out.

"That wasn't very nice to call your husband." The prince sat up with a smirk.

Tiana placed her hands on her hips.

Naveen was tipsy and strangely aroused by her frustration. So he stood up and walked over to her. "Of course we can always forget our deal...for this one night."

Tiana frowned in disgust. "What?"

"I am attracted to you and you're clearly attracted to me." He looked at his fingernails then back at her. "We can get to know one another through a physical aspect?"

Tiana gave him a seductive grin. "You really think so?"

"Oh course!" Naveen stepped over to her, arrogance in his demeanor. He knew he had her.

Their lips were a brush away.

"We can always forget our deal..." Tiana circled her arms over her husband's broad shoulders before pressing her lips on his.

Naveen wrapped his arms around her waist, deepening the kiss and just as he was about to scoop her in his arm he fell outside the honeymoon suite floor.

"What the...?" He then looked up at a disgusted Tiana glared at him before getting the door slammed on his face.

"What the hell?" He got up and twisted the knobs unsuccessfully. "The doors are locked!"

"As they should be!" Tiana exclaimed. "Good night!"

"Oh come on Tiana!" Naveen whined. "I've never slept on a couch! I'm a prince!"

"Well there's a first time for everything!" Tiana laughed, falling back on the bed. "Goodnight, Prince Naveen!"

Naveen grunted and plopped on the couch; his ego bruised once again. "This isn't exactly how I planned to spend my wedding night. On a couch!"

Tiana sighed in relief, slipping out of her wedding dress and into a night gown before plopping onto the soft bed in bliss. "This is exactly how I planned to spend my wedding night. Alone."