Queen of Maldonia

Forgiveness

"The party was very beautiful. The whole atmosphere." Tiana remembered. She and Tela were walking down the halls of the palace.

"I wish I could've seen it. I've only been to the duchess' palace once." Tela said. "Are her parties as magical as lady Nagina say it is?"

Tiana smiled. "Very. The chandeliers are what got my attention. All the lightings were impressive."

Tela did a spin. "I envy you so much. We come from similar backgrounds and yet you ended up not only marrying a prince who is now a king but you have your own dream as well."

"It wasn't always easy." Tiana explained. "It took real hard work and a lot of sacrifice to get to where I'm at now."

Tela looked down at her hands and sighed. "I will never be anything but a servant to your royal family. Sure I can read but I am not good at mathematics."

"But Tela you can-

"I never had a real family, except for my mother. Never met my father. People like me will never have a happily ever after. I'm useless"

"You're not useless" Tiana said. She then noticed a bruise on the young woman's neck. "Let's go in the library."

Both women walked in the library and sat on a sofa that sat by a corner.

"Tela, what happened to your neck?" She asked.

"My neck?" The young woman covered her neck.

"You can tell me. I won't tell anyone, I promise."

Tela looked up at Tiana and answered, "It was a burn."

"Burn? Sweetie, I've been cooking almost my entire life. I know what a burn looks like…"

Tela got up from the sofa. "What I'm telling you is the truth."

"Where are you going?" asked Tiana

Tela ran out of the library and down the hall. Tiana tried running after her but found it no use.

"Why was she so afraid to tell me what happened to her?"

!!!!!!!

Later that night…in the royal bedroom Tiana couldn't stop thinking about what happened between her and Tela.

"Ugh." She groaned in frustration. Naveen rolled over to look at his wife.

"What's on your mind?" He asked. "Is it that servant again?"

"She's not just a servant Naveen." She sat up on the bed. "The poor girl has been through so much. I can literally see her pain."

"She's always been miserable. It's nothing new. Now, let's focus on more important stuff, like us." He jumped off the bed to put on a slow jazz record in the phonograph.

"Let's dance to some cool jazz." He stuck his hand out to her.

Tiana sighed and took his hand. "I thought you like your jazz hot?"

"Eh. It depends on the mood I'm in and right now I'm in the mood of lifting my wife's spirits."

She smiled and rested her head on his chest. He ran his hand up and down her neck.

"I know you're trying to make friends and play nice with the help because I am not always around a lot. If it would make you feel better we can do something together perhaps a day or week in a private Floridonian island? It's beautiful this time of year."

Tiana laughed. "Floridonian island? Do most of the countries around here end in 'donia'?"

"Three more, I guess. But let's keep the conversation on us. Now what kind of bathing suit would you wear? The American ones are already out of the question. Doesn't show enough of my beautiful queen's legs."

"What? Since when? The bathing suits there show a little too much if you ask me."

"Or you can just go in the nude. It's always my favorite I will say." Naveen eyebrows moved up and down.

Tiana rolled her eyes. "It will never happen."

"Why not? It is private."

"I'm not walking around butt naked on no beach." She laughed. "Why don't you walk around naked on the beach?"

"Oh I have…several times actually. Why do you think so many women can't resist me."

She smacked him up the side the head.

"Ouch! What was that for?"

"Why am I not surprised? Of course you would do something so scandalous."

Naveen smacked Tiana on her behind.

"Ouch!"

"And you can be a stick in the mud when you can."

"Stick in the mud…hmm. I guess you weren't calling me a stick in the mud this morning."

"No, you were my little sheba…"

Tiana laughed. She always found that term funny.

"Are your spirits now lifted?" Naveen asked as the music ended.

"Mmm hmm."

"Good. Let us go to bed and see where the night takes us." He flashed her his famous smile.

"Mmm. Not tonight." She said, pulling away from him and climbing onto the bed.

"Why not? You never refused my advances unless you are very tired or-

"It's the time of the month." She cut him off with a half smile.

"Faldi faldonza." He turned off the phonograph before climbing onto the bed. "Then perhaps I can just hold you in my arms."

Tiana laid her head back on her husband's chest and wrapped one arm over his abs. "Sounds like a plan."

Naveen began running his fingers through her curls. "I can get lost in your beautiful curls."

"Hmm?" Tiana's eyes were closed at the moment.

"Your hair is unique yet so beautiful." He continued to run his fingers through her hair. "And soft."

"It's just hair." Tiana pointed out.

"Yes but I've never seen any of the royal stylists do your hair…"

"And I never let them help dress me either."

"You know the Maldonian women would love to have your hair."

Tiana snorted.

"What is so funny? I'm speaking the truth."

"I didn't find it funny. I just think it's cute." Tiana's mind then drifted off to the two little girls she met. "Naveen?"

"Yes?"

"Remember when I told you I met two little girls after coming back here?"

"Uh…yes." He kissed the top of her head.

"I want to visit their school."

"Oh it's no problem. Just name the school and I'll have everything set up for you."

"I believe they said name was Timberla."

Naveen shook his head. "Timberla? Why not visit some of the more, better schools?"

Tiana frowned. "What's wrong with that school?"

"It's a school for the much lower class and criminals, are you sure you want to go there?"

Tiana shrugged her shoulders. "Yes. Those little girls were so happy to see me."

"Everyone would be happy to see you. You are the queen of Maldonia after all."

"So, are we going?"

Naveen wrinkled his nose. "We? I thought you only wanted to go."

"I do but I think we should go together."

"No time. And your schedule is going to be pretty busy here within the next couple of months."

"Why's that?"

"Maldonia is opening up a new pediatric hospital. They're expecting the new queen to be there. And there's the princess of Theodonia and the duchess of Theodonia's daughters. That should be coming up soon." Naveen was trying to dismiss the school topic.

"Oh." Tiana thought to herself. "Well, I would like to go to the school tomorrow."

Naveen sighed. "How do I put this nicely…I forbid it?"

"Since when do you forbid me from doing anything."

"Tiana-"

"How bad could it be? It's an all girl school."

"I will not have the queen of Maldonia go to some school where no matter what you say or do the girls there will end up being servants or whores or wifeless mothers."

Tiana got up from the bed, furious with Naveen. "I can't believe you of all people would say something like that! Or judge anyone."

"Tiana, I am only telling you what I know." Naveen sat up on the bed looking at his angry wife.

"Or what you've been told."

Naveen slammed his head back onto the pillows and hit his hand on his forehead.

Tiana crossed her arms and walked out onto the balcony.

Naveen watched her go outside. He quickly got up and followed, standing by the door.

"Tiana." He touched her hand but she refused his touch. "Look, I will let you go to the school tomorrow-

"Let me!" Tiana pushed pass him, and jumping back onto the bed. Naveen followed.

"I'm sorry, Tiana." Naveen apologized. "You can go to the school, without my consent."

"Ugh." She groaned.

He smacked his head. "Faldi faldonza." Naveen gave up and plopped down on the bed. He didn't understand Tiana at the moment. First she was sad, next happy and now she's upset again. It was like she was going through an emotional rollercoaster. He looked back at Tiana and saw the back of her. He didn't know if she was sleeping or if she was awake. All he knew is that he hated going to sleep knowing that he and his wife weren't on a good terms. And his father always taught him that no matter what argument you have with your wife, she is always right.

"Tiana, I don't know if you're asleep or awake but I need apologize. I was very rude and judgmental. I do not mind you going to the school…I've danced and spoken with commoners…I did in New Orleans…I mean…Ugh." He cleared his throat. "Okay, again. I apologize for all I have said. I am wrong and you were right. Please forgive me?"

Tiana rolled back around to face Naveen. As much as she tried to hold her serious expression she couldn't. His face was so cute and she could tell he was sincere. A smile formed on her lips. "I forgive you."

The two shared a small kiss and held each other until they fell asleep.