A/N: Thank you all so much for the favs and reviews. I'm having so much fun writing this story! And with Maldonia being so traditional I can see why Naveen didn't wanted anything to do with it, even if it was the 1920s. I bet if the fictional country of Maldonia was around today it would be a lot like the US and other countries…just sayin'. Also I will try to update every 2-3 days. Anyway, I do not own anything of and from Disney. Enjoy!!!!
Queen of Maldonia
A New Friendship
Within three days King Kabir was laid to rest with both lines of family in attendance. The country showed their respects with a song, as requested by the fallen king giving Naveen a better understanding of how much his father was loved not only by his family but the people of Maldonia. Tiana along with Nagina and younger brother Kanad all watched Naveen as he thanked friends and family of the late king. It was very clear that Naveen did not want to do any of it. But as tradition say, the eldest son of a king or queen must bid farewell to every guest.
He greeted his aunt, who is duchess of Giodonia and the sister of his late father and the final family member to thank.
"It is such a tragedy to lose Kabir. Giodonia loved him dearly."
"Thank you Aunt Jasmine."
"Your father has done so much for my country. Even battling off the enemies from Tyfalsh, without him there would be no Giodonia."
"He loved the country."
Aunt Jasmine smiled. "And Kabir would've been very proud of you. You will make such an outstanding king. I can see it in your eyes, nephew."
"Thank you." He kissed his aunt on the cheek.
"Make sure you get as much rest as you could. I want to see the new king looking refreshed tomorrow."
Naveen nodded as she headed out the door. Finally. He thought as he headed toward Tiana and his family. He was relieved to have all that out the way, even if his right hand was sore from all the handshaking.
"Hey cousin, you forgot about me." A masculine voice said from behind. Naveen turned to see a young man, about his age but with dirty blonde hair smiling from ear to ear.
'Faldi faldonza' Naveen thought when he saw his cousin. "Lucas. I didn't know you were here."
"King Kabir was my uncle. Why wouldn't I be here to give respects?"
Naveen and Lucas had a past, a wild one. The girls, the parties, the spending. It seemed so long ago.
"Right, um…where's Uncle Akhil?" The Prince asked.
Lucas snorted. "You know my father will never break his life for anyone else's."
Naveen looked back over Tiana, who looked to being in a heavy conversation with his mother. Lucas looked as well.
"She looks just as stunning as she does on the newspapers. Does she have any sisters?"
Naveen rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Excuse me." And walked over to where his family was.
"Glad to get that all out of the way." He said, sitting beside Tiana. "Sorry for taking so long."
"It's alright." She said, looking at Lucas who was walking away. "Who were you talking to?"
"My cousin, Lucas. He won't be here for long."
"Who invited him?" Nagina asked angrily. "Your father banned him from ever coming back. Or did you forget about that?"
Naveen shrugged his shoulders. "He just showed up. I guess he took his father's invitation?"
"Well he isn't invited to the crowning ceremony tomorrow. And if he is then please un-invite him. I have no time for scandals."
Tiana watched as the two continued their conversation and couldn't help but to think about her restaurant. She's been gone for two weeks and by Eudora and Charlotte's words Tiana's Palace is going well. But words alone weren't good enough for her.
"Tiana?" Called out Naveen.
Tiana shook her head and looked over at her husband, who had a concerned look on his face. "Where were you? It took me three tries to get your attention."
"Oh. I was thinking about the restaurant."
"But Eudora said everything was fine, yes?"
She laughed a little. "You know how I am. Words aren't good enough for me when it comes to the restaurant."
"How about we take a walk outside and…scram from this place." Naveen began kissing on Tiana's neck.
"Naveen…" She said, her eyes widen and feeling embarrassed.
"You do realize that your mother and younger brother are still present?" Nagina spat out. "You newlyweds clearly have no sense of privacy anymore."
Kanad then covered his face with his hands, cheeks as red as cherries.
Naveen laughed. "My brother has seen plenty of romance in his six years of life."
"Six and a half!" Kanad shouted, with his eyes still covered.
"You can uncovered those eyes now Kanad." Tiana smiled. "There's no more kissing."
"Says who?" Naveen was about to kiss his wife
"Excuse me, sir."
But was interrupted by a male help.
"Yes?" Asked Naveen, clearly annoyed.
"You are needed in your office. The prime minister has arrived."
"Faldi faldonza." Naveen said and slapped his forehead. "We'll continue with this later." He said to Tiana.
"Office?" She asked, clearly confused.
"I have a short meeting with the Prime Minister. It won't be long." He gave her a kiss and walked off with the help.
Tiana sighed. She was now feeling out of place and frustrated about the restaurant.
"You'll get use to it." Nagina said with a smile. "He will be back. Now if you excuse me. I'm about to call it a day and have my dinner in my room. Come along Kanad."
The little boy took his mother's hand and looked over at Tiana.
"Bye." He said.
"Bye." She said as the two walked away.
Tiana herself got up with the thought of her restaurant and with the feeling of guilt as to letting her mother; the La Bouffs and Reginald take over for her. She trusted her mother and the LaBouffs but she was starting to feel skeptical about Reginald. He was a talented young man, college educated and smart with business experience but in the back of her mind she felt that it wasn't good enough. Maybe it's Naveen's jealousy that finally got into her head. He never cared for Reginald, no matter how much she tried to convince him that he was only "family". She finally gave up on trying and not bother fighting with her husband about the young man. She knew that her worries would briefly go away if she gave her mother a call.
"I'll call her now." She said still focused on her thoughts and not paying attention to Tela walking her way. Both girls came crashing into each other.
"Princess. I am so sorry." Tela apologized. "I should've gotten out of your way."
"It's alright. We were both too busy to notice each other. I didn't break any bones. See?" Tiana said with a smile.
"Is there anything you need?" Tela asked.
"Could you take me to the nearest telephone?"
"There's one in the family hall." A male voice suggested.
Both women saw Lucas walking their way with a sly smile on his lips.
"Princess Tiana." He took her hand. "It is such a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Thank you." Tiana said, pulling her hand away. She had a bad feeling about him.
"This way, princess." Tela lead them into the room where the phone sat on a marble table. "If you like princess I can also show you every room where a telephona sits." She suggested.
Lucas looked over at Tela. "Why don't you go do something useful other than communicating with people much higher than you?"
She curtsied. "I'm sorry, sir."
"Now hold on there!" Tiana stopped Tela. "You don't have to go anywhere. She was helping me."
Lucas frowned. "But I thought I helped by telling you where the nearest telephone was."
"You did, and I thank you for that, but to speak so coldly to her. She has feelings, too."
Tela looked down, obviously feeling uncomfortable.
"You are right princess." He extended his hand out to the young woman. "I apologize, Tela." . She shook his hand in return still looking down.
"Naveen has certainly married the right woman." Lucas looked Tiana up and down. "Hope to see more of you, princess." He then walked out the room. Tiana rolled her eyes and turned to Tela.
"You don't have to take anyone's mess while I'm here."
"But I'm just a servant, princess. What else was I suppose to do?"
Tiana patted Tela's back. "Stand up for yourself."
"Are all American women this way? So brave?"
"I don't know about the other women in America, but I will say that my parents always taught me to never let others look down on you. No matter how much money and power they have. Keep your head up. You're nobody's horse."
Tela smiled, "I am only a servant."
"And also my new friend." Tiana said. "If you don't mind, after my phone call we can talk more and you can show me the way to the kitchen."
Tela's eyes widen. "The kitchen? Why on earth would a princess want to go there?"
"I love cooking." Tiana said with a short laugh.
Tela shook her head, "The queen would never cook."
"Well I would…and I do. Let me go along with this phone call and you can show me the way."
Tela curtsied. "Yes, princess."
"Call me Tiana." She said with a smile. Feeling somewhat in place now.
"Yes pri…"
Tiana raised an eyebrow.
"I mean, yes Tiana." Tela smiled back.
