A/N: I know that things are a bit confusing but know that some questions will be answered in futures chapters. I'll try to update as soon as I can. Life is once again becoming very hectic. :-)
The Manipulative Happiness Of May & December
Through Our Secrets Comes Exposure Pt 2
It's been almost a week since Naveen left and with the king on panic attack Tiana stayed to herself most of the time in the greenroom or at one of the outdoor gardens caring for her flowers whenever she wasn't in her room. The day the prince left began what Tiana and the servants named as 'hell in Maldonia'. Kabir was barely spoke a word to the servant and would suddenly snap if they were wrong on what he expected. In fact many of the servants went to Tiana for help if they couldn't figure out exactly what he wanted as if she'd make it better.
On the day Naveen left she laid on her bed in tears with so many emotions including betrayal and hatred for him. She couldn't believe that Naveen up and left without taking her with him! Then of course she thought of what Kathin told her about him being like his father. With all the emotions, doubt was now one of them which once again led her to questioning her judge of character. Naveen told her that he loved her but then again he is also the prince of Maldonia. He had a reputation of being a womanizing party boy, and like his father the prince could probably very well be using her as a pleasure toy the entire time. She felt like a fool.
As soon as she was done with her flower she returned and remained in her room while the king and his security team have been at it nonstop for the prince's whereabouts. A small part of her hoped that Naveen succeeded in his sudden disappearance but she also selfishly hope that he would be captured just for leaving her in this caged life. Of course she had no ties to him besides being his lover and that on his end was probably no strings attached.
How she wished her father was here to comfort her. Even her mother would've been welcoming if only she could remember her face.
"Why can't I remember her face?" Tiana asked in frustration. Whenever she was upset enough her mother's identity would be completely blank.
"Your highness?" Marguerite walked into the young queen's room. "I was knocking on your door and didn't hear you answering the door."
"I didn't hear you," Tiana wiped her moist eyes.
"I brought in some flowers from the new garden the king had arranged for you!" she smiled, holding a vase of flowers. "The new garden should be done soon and I know how uplifting they are for you."
"Thank you," Tiana didn't bother looking at the flowers.
Marguerite sighed, helplessly. "I know you're upset about the king—
"No, it isn't about him," Tiana interrupted, now massaging her temples.
The servant looked puzzled. "Then what is it that have you so upset?"
"It's about Naveen...,"
"I knew it!"
Tiana finally looked at her servant. "You know what?"
"That you and the prince had something going on," Marguerite said dreamily. "Your little quarrels and obvious chemistry was enough to convince me."
Tiana shrugged her shoulders. It wasn't worth walking around and lying about her affair to the servant. She knew that she could trust her. "We grew close and there was nothing more on his end," she said, standing up, pretending to no longer care. "I've always dreamt of becoming a head chef and traveling the world."
"And now Naveen is free and living this life while you aren't?"
"Yes and it isn't fair."
"It may not seem fair, but look at the beautiful life you now have," Marguerite said with reassurance.
"What beautiful life?" Tiana glared at the servant as if she stabbed her with a knife. "My husband is a murderer and manipulator!" she went over to her vanity. "I will admit that there were moments when I thought that I was developing some feelings for him but it was only the comfort...before I found out he killed his own children and other innocent people including his own brother..." she hugged herself.
Marguerite watched her queen stare off with darkness in her eyes. Her heart broke for her. "Tiana the stress is going to make you sick. We Maldonians need for our beautiful queen to remain healthy."
"Manipulation is why I'm your queen and his wife! Why I'm in his bed almost every night. Why his son up and left the country! Why I will never give him the pleasure of carrying and birthing his children! That one word has caused so many emotions for so many people and yet at the end of it we're all using each other only to satisfy our own selves? My husband's ego is full, Naveen is free while I still own a small part of my body," Tiana explained feeling furious.
"I know the king isn't the greatest man, but can he quite charming on his best days," Marguerite said.
"Until the person is in their most vulnerable," Tiana added. "Any sign of weakness is his greatest strength."
"Look on the bright side! When he dies you will inherit his fortune!" the servant tried her best to remain optimistic without sounding like Kathin.
"Then what?" she asked. "Naveen will probably come back and throw me out. The more I grow closer to him the more of Kabir I see in him," she said bitterly.
"The prince wouldn't do that to you," Marguerite said.
"I don't know what he wouldn't or would do," Tiana sighed. "I just hope that he is happy wherever he is."
"Even though you much prefer him with you?"
The young queen's response was putting her face in her hands as the tears broke from her once again.
()()()()
New Orleans -
Naveen finally made it onto New Orleans soil after a week of ship riding from Maldonia. A storm delayed his trip by three days and throughout the ride he had hope that his father didn't send any guards to track him down. With private funds inherited through his mother he would able to live very comfortably for the rest of his life. And with him living in a new country he was sure that this would be a new beginning for him. Away from Maldonia, away from his father, away from...
"Tiana..." he pulled out a portrait of Tiana with a heavy heart. He was certain that she despised him for his sudden leave but taking her with him would be the death of them both. His father was a merciless man when someone betrayed him. He is especially harder on allies and family and he was sure that Tiana wouldn't survive after one form of his torture.
It would be best to have Tiana on his father's good side. That way her chances of a somewhat enjoyable life with the man wouldn't seem impossible.
It was all all for the best. He needed to be away from all of misery. Even if his only happiness was still in a mist of it.
"Will that be all, sir?" asked the former owner.
"Yes. Thank you," Naveen took the keys then looked up at the apartment building he just purchased. It was already furnished for a family in mind but the prince already set on never marrying; though he wasn't ruling out dates. Bachelorhood would most likely be the way to go for him. And who knows? Maybe even a job or charity to keep him busy during the day?
He looked around at the spacious rooms and realized how much of a hassle it would be to maintain the cleanness. Hired help will have to do.
"Right after I purchase furniture," he said, looking around the empty living room.
()()()()
Maldonia – Queen's Chamber
"You should eat more Tiana. I know the king has kept to himself for the past week, but you must stay strong for him!" Marguerite encouraged.
"Marguerite is right!" Kathin agreed.
"I'm not hungry," Tiana said, disinterested.
"You're going to end up losing weight," Marguerite spoke with concern. "And what will that lead to?"
"And that is a wrong thing how?" Kathin asked.
The other servant rolled her eyes as someone was knocking on the other side of the door. Kathin answered to Kabir's valet.
"The king would like the Queen's company in his study."
Tiana sighed.
"Come along your majesty," Marguerite helped her up. "Your presence is what the king needs during these hard times."
Tiana followed the valet without saying a word. Her ladies remained in her room as she requested knowing that the visit could go either way and she would most likely need them.
"His highness is clearly upset so if you can..."
"Thank you," she told the valet while he opened the door, she stepped inside the room. Once the door shut behind her she immediately saw her husband sitting in his seat near the fire place.
She walked over so that he could see her. "Your highness?"
Kabir set his drink down before opening his arms out for her. "Come here my dear."
Tiana slowly walked over and sat on his lap. She tensed when he pulled her closer, feeling his lips against her neck.
"Oh how I needed this my dear," he whispered.
By the sound of his voice and breath she could hear that he was upset and drunk. She also wondered if it was for the girl he killed and not just about Naveen leaving.
Being a supportive wife, she responded, "I really hate seeing you this upset."
"My son has given me plenty of emotions in all of his twenty years," he admitted. "I remember the day Naveen was born and how much joy he brought me. A son...," he smiled weakly at the memory. "It was the best gift Nagina could've ever given to me."
Tiana was surprised to hear him mentioning his first wife's name. Does he finally realize the actions of his wrongdoings to his first family? His mistreatment to the family he has now?
"Our marriage wasn't the happiest and while I do not regret my actions, she went through with our bargain and continued to respectfully remain active in our son's life." he shook his head. "How disappointed would she be if she was alive to witness our son's destructive behavior."
Tiana rolled her eyes at his selfish statement. Of course he had no remorse for others, seeing nothing wrong with his own actions. Never faulting himself as the reason why his son is no longer in the palace.
"Did you ever love her?" Tiana asked and quickly regretted her question expecting for the king to shun her but to her surprise he answered,
"No, but she was very beautiful and as a young arrogant king, love was the last thing on my mind. She tried but all I wanted was an heir," he answered, rubbing her thigh.
"Is that all you want from me?" Tiana asked, looking him in the eyes. It wasn't as if she cared. It was knowing his true intentions through his own mouth.
Kabir stared at her for a moment before saying, "You my dear are different. I have no idea what meaning you are to me besides being young and beautiful for my own pleasure. Unlike my first wife you filled my heart with some joy," he caressed her face. "You make me feel as if I'm twenty one again and have also succeeded in keeping the fire my concubines wish they can possess. But I care for you and in a way that could be considered love."
He stopped as he took another drink from his glass and groaned. "Maldonian Vodka. The strongest in the world."
Tiana suppressed her anger for her husband as best as she could. The king admitted a lot of what he felt tonight including his feelings for Nagina and herself. Not once did he mention or admitted missing or loving his son. Only expressing his pride for conceiving a male heir.
"I thought about us raising one of the concubine's child as our own," he began.
"What?" Tiana asked, shocked.
"It would be an eye opener to my hardheaded son if I'd announce to the world that you are expecting a child."
Tiana got off his lap. "I don't want to take a child away from it's mother!"
"We needn't worry about that child's mother," Kabir knew what his young wife was thinking of.
Tiana raised her brows, curiously. "What do you mean?"
"She will be dispose of like the others," he said carelessly.
"Dispose?"
Kabir picked up the cigar and smoked it before setting it in the ashtray. "You are an intelligent young lady, my dear. You should know my meaning."
She couldn't believe what he was suggesting. "You mean to kill her?"
"Is there another way?" he asked in sarcasm.
"I can't do that," Tiana confirmed. "I won't do it."
"You will do whatever I say and...," he stopped to control his tone and temper. "She will go away peacefully. It will be as if she never existed."
Tiana closed her eyes and sighed out. "She's a human being! I can't go along with this. You are killing another person in your hands?"
"I am the king of Maldonia and I demand respect from my own wife!" Kabir exclaimed, standing up.
She stared up at her husband's icy eyes and feared him.
"Let me remind you my dear that you are my wife and with that you have to obey and agree to me whether or not you like the idea!" Kabir warned.
"I can't..." she stopped when seeing his glare. And gasp when suddenly feeling his strong hands grasp at her arms, pulling her onto him.
"You have no other option but to respect my commands," he said darkly and rubbed his lips against her temple. "Do I make myself clear?"
Tiana closed her eyes.
"Tiana?" he pressed harder.
She swallowed before answering, "...yes, your majesty."
()()()()
New Orleans -
"...so you clean, make clothes and cook?" Naveen asked, not really concerned about her making clothes as he will definitely purchase his own.
"Simple dishes my husband taught me. I wouldn't call myself a chef but thanks to him I really became one for myself. As for making clothing I am the best and cleaning comes in a close second," the woman then gave the prince a warm smile.
Naveen politely returned the gesture, noticing something familiar about her. But wasn't sure what it was. "When can you start?" he asked.
"Now if you hire me," she answered.
"Then you're hired," he extended his hand to her calloused one and shook it. "Now, what is your name again?" he only remember it sounding unique.
"Ms. Beaumont."
He smiled at her formality. "And if I were like my father I'd want you to call me 'your highness' or 'sir', but let's be less formal since you'll be working for me. I'm Naveen."
The woman found the young man charming, as expected. "Hello Naveen. I'm Eudora."
()()()()
