The Betrayal Of Maldonia

With Love, You'll Know

Twin brothers Naveen and Nereus are identical in almost every way. They have the same chiseled handsome face, perfect head of hair, strong broad shoulders and muscular physic. They even have the same speaking voices along with princely walk and stance. They even had the women swooning over them with their natural charm, but that's where the similarities ended.

While both are selfish, one has a heart of gold while the other has a heart of ice.

Naveen was the first to be born and also his father's favourite. Once a party boy himself he humbled himself after a recent battle with a rival kingdom called Giodonia, a nation now under the protection and leadership of Maldonia. He was pleased that his rich kingdom is now able to help the fallen country by cleaning up the tarnish scum the former leader left behind.

Nereus was the second born and loved by his father but not enough in favouring. He was still partying and womanizing every step of the way. His arrogance and ego grew after battling in the war and found the transition of Giodonia fairly boring.

Naveen knew his brother more than anyone and was the only person who saw the potential in him to becoming a great leader, or it could be the love he have for him. Which ever it was, he knew he saw the good in Nereus, the same goodness they both shared as children. Nereus was always about himself and no one else. To hell if someone was in trouble, it was their problem, not his.

Naveen dragged his drunk brother into his suite after finding him collapsed on a lounge chair in the ballroom while there were still people partying away, not carrying if it was well after sunrise, almost noon. He quickly shut the party down and ordered the servants to clean up the disastrous mess that was left behind and still managed to arrange the guests to abroad safely to their destinations.

"Nereus, you really need to slow down on the partying. You're getting worse, brother," Naveen said, grabbing a fresh face towel from the bathroom, running cold water over it.

Nereus groaned from the obvious hangover, slowly opening his sea blue eyes. "It was the party of a century! You should've been there! All the booze, women, and more women! Those whores were opening their legs one by one. Who knew Giodonian girls were that promiscuous!"

Naveen dropped the towel over his brother's face. "Those Giodonian girls were training to become the former leader's concubines."

"There's no need to train a woman into being a whore," Nereus said, folding the towel and placing it over his own forehead. "They're naturally born that way. We have our own concubines who were brought up as village girls as well."

Naveen sighed, disappointed. "Brother..."

"I'm going to sleep," Nereus rested his hands behind his back. "Have a servant bring in my usual drink."

Naveen left his brother but not before asking a servant for a beverage that would help with the hangover. Just as he was about to go down the stairs, he saw his father heading his way, his valet not too far behind.

"Son! I need a favour!" Kabir handed him a rolled up chart. "I need for you to check through the village of Orleans in Giodonia. They haven't been the hardest hit in the war but still suffer from theft and vandalism. I just handed you a rough draft of the list. The official counting list of the citizens are at the courthouse!"

Naveen looked through the calculated list and nodded. "I'll take care of it now, father!" He started down the stairs.

"And son?"

"Yes?" He stopped and looked up his father.

Kabir's lips formed a weak smile. "When you return I will need for you and your brother to attend my office."

Naveen nodded. "Will do." And left the palace.

()()()()

By the time he made it to Orleans he heard the hypnotically rich music from the villagers as well as smelling the delicious aroumas of foods that hit his nose. His party days might have been over, but he wasn't afraid to cut a rug when given the chance. And it was also a way of getting to know the people. Through food and music.

"I'm hoping that with all these beignets you're making maybe you will catch yourself a man! A rich and handsome one in particular!" Eudora said, watching her daughter set aside a basket a freshly batch of beignets.

"Mama, I've got better things to do then to catch a man! Now are you going to take over for me while I buy some more ingredients or not?"

"Your grandma and I only want what's best for you!" Eudora said

Tiana sighed. "I know and it'll happen someday. Just not today!" She smiled at her mother. "So will you take over for a few minutes?"

Eudora waved her hand. "Go on ahead."

Tiana blew a kiss at her. "Thank you, mama!" And started walking down the street when she spotted what looked like the prince in casual attire dancing with an elderly woman. She laughed to herself, finding the gesture sweet while approaching a nearby shop.

Naveen was careful to not give the woman a dip at the end of the dance. She was old enough and knew that she couldn't afford any broken bones.

"You're a wise boy, your majesty" the woman chuckled, giving his shoulder a light pat.

"It's common courtesy for any man to make his dance partner as comfortable as possible."

"To be sixty years younger again," the woman said sentimentally.

"Then I would really be in trouble!" Naveen smirked.

The woman chuckled, ending the dance. "You go along and find yourself a young girl to share your dances with."

"Aw, you're trying to get rid of me?" He asked in humoured.

"Yes," she admitted, laughing. "These legs are not what they used to be!"

"Then I will grant you your wish, my lady." He gently took her hand and kissed it.

"Exactly like my Raymond!" The woman remembered. "I will be with him soon enough!"

"And your name is?"

"Evangeline."

"Until then, Evangeline..." Naveen gave the woman a wink before leaving her be.

He went on to the court house that was just up the street and collected the official list, his guards close by. After looking over the list and seeing that it matched the chart his father gave him, he returned to his car—until he heard a woman screaming.

Turning back, he witnessed a man snatching the young woman's purse from her hand and running off.

Naveen then saw the man heading his direction and swiftly pulled out his arm, causing the man to run right into it and falling on his back against the hard cobblestone surface.

The heroic prince then stepped on the man's neck. "One more move and I'll crush your throat," he threatened.

The man remained still on the ground until the guards retrieved him.

"Lock him up with rest of the filth!" Naveen ordered. He picked up the purse and walked over to the woman who didn't seem distraught or nervous. "Here you go...," he then looked into her rich brown eyes, greatly effecting him. "...beautiful. What is your name?"

"Tiana," she answered, taking her purse back and noticing the royal Maldonian symbol tattooed on his right hand. "...your highness!" She added and curtseyed.

Naveen shook his head. "There's no need to curtsy. I was only returning your purse from that thief."

"But you're a prince!" Tiana said, surprised at his modesty.

"Who also happens to also be a man," he gently took her hand and kissed it. "And if anyone should be curtsying it should be me."

"Oh?" Tiana was surprised and humoured. "You'd look pretty silly curtsying."

Naveen laughed at the statement. "You're right I would. So I'll bow." He did just that.

"I could get use to that," she joked, gazing into his beautiful honey coloured eyes.

He gazed back. "I'm sure you will."

She raised a brow at him.

Naveen then spotted a food stand behind her. "What is this?"

Tiana followed his eyes and smiled. "It's where I sell my beignets...," she noticed her mother nowhere in sight.

"They smell wonderful," he said as they walked to the stand.

"They tastes just as wonderful!" She handed him a napkin and held out a plate of fresh beignets before him.

Naveen's mouth water and took one before biting into it. "Mm...I'm in love..."

Tiana laughed at his compliment. "I never thought a beignet could effect a person that much."

Naveen smiled at her. "I wasn't talking about the beignet."

She felt her breath shorten, obviously charmed, but kept it under control.

He then finished the pastry and handed her back the napkin.

"Thirsty?" she asked, taking out a small pitcher of milk from the icebox under her stand and pouring it into a medium sized glass cup.

Naveen accepted it and handed the cup back to her. "That was very good." He then cleared his throat. "I'm looking forward to this for the rest of my life."

"What do you mean?" She asked, puzzled.

"You will be my wife." He was definitely certain. "And will birth my son."

Tiana crossed her arms. "And how is the prince so sure about all of this?"

"Because I am!" Naveen giving her a cocky smirk.

"Mm. You're also arrogant?" She asked.

"With a heart of gold," he added, smiling. "So you better tell your family the good news."

She put a hand on her hip. "What makes you think I'm going to marry you?"

"Because you will and I guarantee you that it will be the best decision you've ever made." He took out a gold fountain pen with a diamond band and handed it to her.

"What's this for?" Tiana glanced at the beautiful object as he walked away.

"Keep it! It will replace the ring I'll give you the next time we see each other!" He got into his car and rode off.

Tiana smiled, shaking her head. The prince was definitely confident but also down-to-earth and on top of that he was modest and charming. A trait she liked most about him.

"You better keep that pen!"

She closed her eyes at her mother's voice. "How much did you see?"

"Everything!" Eudora grinned. "Babycakes, this could be our way out of poverty! And to stop selling your beignets and hips on this street."

"Mama, I dance with my friends. And the pay is decent...some of the time. And it's all the traditional dances. Nothing provocative."

"Mmhm and its going to get you girls in a lot trouble someday. Innocent or not!" Eudora said. "Prince Naveen's kingdom already saved us from former Emperor Facilier's reign."

"Us Giodonians can take care of ourselves!" Tiana said stubbornly.

"But being married to a prince who is clearly fond of you can also put some influence to dealing with our nation," Eudora added. "And by the way you were looking at him I'd say the feelings are neutral."

Tiana blushed.

"Mmhm" Eudora knew her daughter. "Let's finish this sale and prepare for his next visit. You want to look your best when he proposes!"

"Mama!" Tiana cried.

()()()()

"So I heard you played a hero!" Kabir teased his eldest son.

Naveen stood across his father and beside his brother. "It was nothing...you two would've done the same thing."

"Why did you want us down here?" Nereus asked, still exhausted from his heavy partying.

Kabir coughed. "To announce that I will be stepping down as king unfortunately."

Naveen looked concerned. "Why is that, father?"

"I'm sick." Was his answer.

That woke up Nereus. "Sick you say?"

Kabir exhaled. "I have a virus that cannot go away. In fact it is getting worse everyday. The prognosis doesn't look good."

"What does this mean for our kingdom?" Nereus asked, somewhat pleased.

Kabir could easily read his youngest son but didn't bother and looked over at his eldest. "This means that I will leave the throne to your brother Naveen."

Nereus' eyes widen in disbelief. "What? Why him?"

"Because Nereus, Naveen is responsible! He's changed his ways and has proven me that he is capable of continuing to lead our kingdom on the right path! And since he was born first he is undoubtedly the true heir and next in line to the throne regardless."

"Horseshit!" Nereus rose from his chair, enraged. "You've always chosen Naveen over me!"

Naveen was shocked but honoured. "Father?"

Kabir walked over to his eldest son. "I will make the announcement by sunset. I already have a celebration arranged."

"Celebration on your pending death?" Nereus then stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind.

Naveen felt both pity and disappointment in his brother's behavior.

Kabir sighed, disappointed himself. "He'll be fine after a drink or two." He then extended his hand for a handshake. "You will make an outstanding king. But..."

"But...," Naveen repeated knowingly on the pending topic change.

"I'm sure you'll be contacting some of the available princesses from allied kingdoms."

"I'm not interested in any of them," he said.

"You don't have to like your wife." Kabir pointed out.

Naveen then thought of his meeting with Tiana. "But I prefer to have some feelings for my wife."

"Her only importance is to give you an heir," said the king. "Your mother was a beautiful woman but knew her place which took a turn for the worse. She sacrificed her life for you and your brother."

"And I will forever be indebted of that." Naveen meant every word. Even if he didn't

remember his mother he still loved her for giving him such a precious gift. Life.

"Then why not call on a dutiful princess to marry?" Kabir suggested.

Naveen smiled weakly at his father, not agreeing with him and decided to tell him about Tiana. "What if I told you that I found a girl, but she isn't exactly a princess?"

The king raised a brow. "Bringing in a commoner can have it's benefits but then there's the emotional outcomes. It could be a difficult adjustment for her."

"She can definitely handle things around here," Naveen said with confidence.

"The good thing about commoner women are their dedication to their spouses and only to them."

Naveen shrugged. "I don't mind that at all in a wife."

Kabir laughed. "You're a lot like your father. A leader with pride who also happens to be a man. There's a lot of temptation that not even the most beautiful commoner girl can prevent. It is their duty to impress." He noticed his son's mind off to somewhere and asked. "What is her name? Is she one of the servants from here?"

Naveen shook his head. "No, she's from Giodonia."

"Ah! Well she must come to the celebration!" Kabir encouraged.

Naveen's honey coloured eyes lit up. "You really mean it? You're not messing with my head?"

Kabir waved his hand. "Of course not son! If you're this interested in the girl then she must be something special! And to have you marrying someone from Giodonia would bring in more trust from the people of that country! Bring her here and she will be dressed in the most beautiful gowns, bathe in the finest waters and resting in the silkiest of sheets. She will have her choice in whatever jewelry to be worn from the Queen's Diamond Hall. What is her name again?" He asked his son who was already heading out of the room.

"Tiana!" Naveen answered, leaving the room.

The king nodded, approvingly. "Princess Tiana of Maldonia..." He let the name sink in. "Queen Tiana of Maldonia...Both have nice rings indeed!"

()()()()

Naveen knocked heavily on the front door to Tiana's small and cozy looking home according to nearby resident but was disappointed when no one answered.

"Strange...,"' Naveen searched around the yard and found nothing. He sighed, and patted the ring box he had in his trouser pocket before returning to his car and riding down the road with some hope of finding Tiana walking down the street. Unfortunately for him, hope wasn't on his side.

()()()()

Later that evening...Centre Ballroom, Palace de Maldonia

"...so it is my honour to announce to you all that my son Prince Naveen of Maldonia will be the next king of Maldonia!"King Kabir announced.

The crowd roared for the crown prince who looked on proudly.

Naveen's honey coloured eyes then met with his twin's icy blues and could see that he's already been drinking.

Nereus gave his brother a pat on the back. "Naveen my dear twin brother! I am very pleased about you becoming the next king that I too have a gift for you..." set his drink down then clap loudly. "Ladies!"

A group of young women all came out wearing next to nothing, their breasts and pelvis region covered in their nation's colours of yellow and red, their upper thighs also exposed. "The Giodonian village dancers!"

Naveen frowned at his brother before glancing back at the women who all began dancing as soon as the music came on.

"Enticing whores...," Nereus said, eying one of the dancers.

Naveen followed his brother's preying eyes and did a double take at the future victim who was none other than Tiana. "You will not be seeing her!"

"Says who? She is only a village dancer. They are born to please. Notice how she moves with grace and yet her hips says otherwise..."

Naveen watched Tiana dancing and couldn't disagree, but will not share her with any man including his twin brother.

Kabir was equally impress with all the women dancers.

"Son, are not the dancers beautiful? I'd have to admit Nereus your taste is exceptional. Where did you find these girls?"

"I had them brought over!" Nereus answered with a smirk.

Naveen walked down the stairs to get a closer look at Tiana who did look graceful in her dance and overall presence. Her hips swayed effortlessly to the music. Her brown skin glistened through every beat. None of the other beautiful women caught his attention the entire time as his eyes were only glued to her, and in his vision she was perfection.

"She is a beauty."

Naveen heard his father say and knew how much of a womanizer he could be at times. "They're all beautiful."

But the king chuckled, knowing how his son is. "But she is different. Rare from the others."

"That she is," the crown prince agreed.

"Enough to distract you from your Tiana?" The king pressed.

Naveen didn't answer as he continued watching.

Kabir smirked in satisfaction. "I hate to say I told you—

"The woman is Tiana, father," Naveen confessed.

The king's eyes widen. "I see...very impressed indeed."

Suddenly both Naveen and Kabir were surrounded by neighboring leaders getting congratulations from them all.

Naveen frowned as he lost Tiana but found her again. "Thank you!" He tried to look on for her but was distracted again.

"You will make an outstanding king!"

"You must be proud of your son!"

"Kibar made the right choice!"

Nereus stood with his guard and pointed out to Tiana. "Get her!"

The guard followed orders, walking over to the younger woman.

Tiana hated that she was ordered to dance for the royal family in such a derogatory manner. She also couldn't believe how different the Maldonian brothers are...

Tiana was out with her mother when the dark prince approached her.

'You will definitely do.'

She looked into Nereus's icy blue eyes and knew that it wasn't Naveen's warm honey coloured orbs. 'Excuse me your majesty?'

Nereus's eyes wandered her body. 'Turn for me.'

Tiana looked at her mother who was offended. 'Your majesty with all due respect...'

'Stay out of this old woman. That is if you don't want to be imprisoned,' Nereus said to Eudora without looking at her, his eyes still on her daughter. 'You will dance at my brother's celebration. You will be the prize of the group of girls I've already chosen and you will certainly go to bed with me tonight.'

Tiana gasped as he moved forward to her.

'Where have you been all my life?'

She never felt more disgusted. 'Not with you!'

He looked stunned. 'What did you just say?'

'She said yes!' Eudora didn't want anything to happen to her daughter. Even if something were to inevitably happen to her under the prince's hand.

Nereus gave Tiana a dark smirk. 'It wouldn't matter what her answer was. I'm your prince and she'll be my new concubine.'...

"Come!"

Tiana felt the guard roughly grasp her arm, pulling her along. "Please, I can only dance with the other girls." She begged.

Nereus laughed. "You are adorable! Lune, bring her to my bed."

"No!" Tiana screamed.

Naveen heard the familiar screaming, looking over and noticed Tiana missing. "Where is she?" He saw the back of his brother's guard walking up the stairs with brown shapely legs kicking through every step. He hurriedly followed.

Tiana was terrified when the guard threw her on the prince's bed. She backed up against the headboard with her knees against her chest as she saw the blue eyed prince walking into the room.

Nereus closed the doors. "Now...where were we?" He rubbed his hands together, climbing on the bed.

She tried to jump off the bed only to have the prince grab her right leg, pulling her under him.

"I don't want this your majesty!" she cried, crossing her legs closed.

Nereus ignored her as his lips ran over her neck. "Mm. I love the sound of a woman crying when I'm fucking her."

Tiana punched at him only to have him slap her face.

"Keep fighting! It will only turn me on even more!" He warned, grasping at her thigh.

"Please, I'm engaged! I'm saving myself for my husband!" She cried in desperation.

He raised a brow. "Then your husband will thank me when he spends his nights with a well seasoned wife."

"Nereus, what the hell are you doing?" Naveen asked after busting into the room.

"Get out Naveen I'm busy!" Nereus ordered.

"No," he pulled his brother off Tiana who had a look of dismay on her face. "Look at her?"

The dark prince snorted. "She's only a concubine!"

"No, she is my fiancée!" Naveen announced.

Nereus frowned in disbelief. "Since when?"

"Since today," Naveen helped her out of the bed.

Tiana was so overwhelmed that she was speechless. She didn't remember ever being this frightened in her life.

"Is this what you do to all the women you bring in your bedroom?" Naveen scooped her up in his arms, not caring if his brother was furious when leaving the room. "I'm sorry Tiana. I know that you are probably just as confused as I am but you will not have to worry about my brother ever hurting you."

Tiana honestly didn't know what to say as he led her outside into what looked like a garden. Even in the dark night the lighting made it seemed like the sun was shining down on them.

He set her down on the trimmed lawn. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Tiana said, not wanting the prince to feel sorry for her. "I'm used to men trying to steal what they don't own. He won't be the last."

"He will be if you marry me."

She frowned at the crown prince who was very serious. "Marry you?"

"I just said that," he pulled out a ring from his pocket and got down on one knee. "I told you that the next time we see each other I'll have a ring for you."

Tiana covered her mouth with her hands. "This is crazy. We just met!"

"We can have a long engagement and live here if you like." He smiled.

She then look to the entrance of the palace. "But what if..."

"He won't be interested as long as you're with me," he said with reassurance. "And with me now being crown prince I have higher power to stop him completely."

"I well, um...," Tiana thought about the prince's proposal and as tempting as it sounded she couldn't do it. "I'm sorry but I can't. When I marry I want to be in love with my partner."

"And you don't think that will happen with us?" He pressed.

She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know."

He took her hand. "Then why turn down on a possibility of happiness? We like each other, correct?"

"Well, I like you, yes—

"And every couple I know who's in love started out as friends..." he slid the ring through her ring finger even before she gave him an answer. "Give me the chance to prove your doubts wrong."

Tiana gazed into Naveen's honey coloured eyes and felt her heart flutter. His proposal was genuine and the charm she found in him earlier got through to her. He is definitely not his brother, she felt safe with the prince. He saved her life not once but twice already, and this could really help her family who have been struggling all their lives. "Yes...I'll give you that chance."

Naveen knew that Tiana's feelings were more than friendship because he felt the same exact way. Guarded but with her trustworthy. There was something pure about her, good spirited. So he extended his hand out to caress her face, "Mi benita."

Tiana placed her hand over his. "What does that mean?"

"My beauty," he answered with a smile.

She smiled, trying to hide her obvious blush.

Naveen was humoured. "I found a woman who I want to marry! And I'm only nineteen."

"I'm seventeen," she added.

"So young," Naveen teased.

She raised a brow. "Still interested in me marrying you now?"

"Of course I am!" Naveen stepped up to her. "And to prove my gratitude...," he pressed his lips onto hers.

Tiana accepted his kiss which started out as innocent then gradually turning passionate.

Naveen realized that his new fiancée wasn't quite the expert at kissing and found it his duty to teach her everything he knew on the art. His tongue slowly entered her mouth, tasting the sweet nectar wine she obviously had prior to the dance.

Tiana felt the prince's tongue and followed with hesitance before giving him her own tongue in the osculation. She moaned softly and that was when the kiss quickly ended.

Naveen had to end the kiss as Tiana quick learning and moaning got to him. The last thing she needed was another man coming on her.

"That was some kiss...," he held her in his arms.

Tiana tried recovering from the kiss without embarrassing herself, but knew that was impossible as he was gazing right at her. She returned his smile.

He then kissed her forehead. "Mi benita..." Already knowing how he felt for her. "Love at first sight is a powerful source."

She closed her eyes and exhaled deeply. "You love me?"

"I do," he admitted.

She then looked up at him and asked, "How does it feel?" She had to be certain that it was the same reaction.

"It's difficult to explain," Naveen admitted. "When I first saw you there was an obvious attraction. You are beautiful, but there was your eyes and how easy it is to see how pure your soul is. You have ambition, drive, passion, kindness. A lot of women I know also don't make my heart feel as tight or cause me to lose focus on my busy life. Then there's the nerves. You actually make me nervous."

"Nervous?" Tiana questioned, confused.

"A good nervous," he added. "I also don't want to lose you."

She read his honey coloured eyes, easily seeing the genuine and honesty in them as well as love. A love that was different from what she has with her family.

Naveen gazed at her. "I also can't imagine a future without you in it. As my wife and mother to my son."

"That's how I feel," Tiana confessed. "But we just met..." She felt his hand gently caress her face.

"With love, you'll know," the crown prince said and pressed his lips onto hers once again.

Nereus stood from his balcony watching the entire exchange. Furious.

()()()()

A/N: There you have it! The first chapter and definite introductions of the main characters. I hope this first chapter wasn't too overwhelming. My first chapters tend to be longer than the average chapters I write. Hope you enjoyed what was written so far as I will be working on chapter two soon!

I'll also be posting 'The Prime Minister's Daughter' very soon! Until then, I hope you enjoyed the first chapter to this story!