The Manipulative Happiness Of May & December
Sacrifices Pt. 2
Tiana was escorted to the king's medical suite where she found an unconscious Kabir lying in bed. In an instant tears began to develop in her eyes.
"Oh Kabir," she reached out to caress his cheek.
The physician walked out of the bathroom with a face towel. "Oh, your majesty! I didn't know you were here!"
"What's wrong with my husband?" Tiana asked with concern.
"He's suffered a possible mini stroke."
She was shocked. "A stroke?"
"Possibly. It could've been associated with alcohol poisoning? A servant found him unresponsive on his smoking room floor and by the time I got to him he already expelled most of the alcohol from his system. Which is a good sign. But he hasn't woken up."
"A stroke..." she sat on the bed bench in disbelief. "But how could that be? I was with him hours before"
"Alcohol played a huge factor, your majesty," the physician explained. "The king had too much to drink and with that came this...situation."
She looked back at her husband who was obviously still breathing which was a relief.
"Perhaps you should return to the young pruto and pruta while I continue to look over him." The physician suggested.
Tiana didn't know if she should trust the physician, even after he did co-deliver the birth of her children. "I'll stay with him for a while."
The physician nodded, "Speaking to him can help."
Tiana waited until the doctor was out of the room before she walked over to sit on the bed. "Oh, Kabir...," she stared at him for a moment, not knowing exactly how to feel. While she hated seeing him this way she also didn't pity him. He drank himself to a point where he could never wake up. And what would've happened if he managed to not pass out? She would definitely be either on her knees or her on back at his sick command.
Then her mind began to get the best of her as it led her toward the pillows that lay beside his head.
'If he's dead then I could be free,' she thought but what if she was exposed? Surely an execution would be in order from the Constable who never really cared for the marriage between herself and Kabir's; his smile never with his eyes which were full of disapproval. And who will protect her children? Eudora didn't have any power.
Tiana sighed and shook her head. "No...,"
"Naveen...," Kabir whispered in his sleep.
She took his hand. "Kabir?"
"Tiana...," his lips formed a weak smile. "My...dear..."
"It's me," Tiana closed her eyes and exhaled as regret took over. How could she even stoop down the level of her husband? She was sure he'd put a pillow over her if she were in this position. Knowing him, what else would he be doing to her while she was unconscious? None of that mattered. She had to focus and remain strong for the twins and for the kingdom.
She got off the bed. "I'll be back!"
"Tiana" Kabir whispered.
She stopped at the door. "What is it?"
"The physician..." he said before falling unconscious again.
She didn't understand what he meant and opened the door to guards. "Call in the physician!" And returned to her husband. "Kabir?"
He groaned in his sleep.
"I called in the physician."
"No, not that physician" his voice slurred.
"Yes," she took his hand to hers, despite the alcohol that reeked from the king. "The doctor will be here shortly."
"No physician..."
Tiana looked at him puzzled. "What?"
The royal physician rushed in. "Has he improved?" and smiled when seeing the king still unconscious. "Wonderful! Do you mind if I check up on him?"
Tiana just couldn't help not trusting the man and asked one of the guards to remain in the room with the doctor who now seemed less enthused. "Yes, I need to see the twins anyway. I'll be back in a few!" Tiana told Kabir before leaving the room. It was somewhat of a relief to be out of that room. Seeing her husband laying helplessly in bed was not what she was use to seeing. Even as a child she would remember Kabir being active and about. And that physician as trustworthy as he seemed in the birthing room with the midwife present had a vibe about him that wasn't didn't sit well with her.
When she made it back to her room her mother was rocking the twin cribs.
"They're still asleep?" Tiana asked, closing both doors.
"Mmhm," Eudora answered. "My little grandson was looking for you. He's in his crib sucking his fist."
Tiana smiled, picking him up. "Piggy!" she teased.
"How is your husband?"
"He had a mini stroke."
Eudora raised a brow at her daughter. "And you're not concerned?"
"He spoke to me though sounded drunk." Tiana sat on the rocking chair.
Eudora felt that Naveen should know about the status of his father's health. "Maybe I should leave. Your husband is going through things."
"You can stay here as long as you like!" Tiana was now feeding the baby.
Eudora knew it was her time to leave and picked up her purse. "I have to get going."
"So soon?" Tiana asked.
"Yes, I just remembered that I had one more piece of paper to sign for my room," her mother hated lying but had to get to Naveen.
"Would you like a driver to take you back?"
"I have my own...um, I already have a driver at a great price."
Tiana felt that the woman was hiding something but got distracted from Raffael's sudden crying after the nipple left his mouth. "Oh here you go baby," she put it back in his mouth where he sucked on.
"I'll come by in the morning," Eudora promised.
()()()()
"A stroke?" Naveen asked, surprised.
"Tiana didn't seem too concern but a mini stroke is something to take seriously. I think she's so use to being under his control...we've got to change this plan. What if you end up losing him?"
Naveen stared off, now having second thoughts on the kidnapping himself. "If something were to happen to my father then Tiana will have to rule the kingdom. The Constable is a lot like my father in terms of where women stand. He will not respect her."
"So what are you going to do?" asked Eudora.
Naveen looked at her. "Come back from the dead."
()()()()
Tiana later that night walked into the king's room hearing the physician's voice.
"You will definitely need your rest your highness."
"Tiana," Kabir breathed. "Where is my wife?"
"I'm here...," she went to his side side, taking his hand with her own.
Kabir gave her a weary smile. "Your presence brings me joy during this dark time."
Tiana noticed his eyelids lowering. "You're just tired."
"Stay by my side." Kabir finally closed his eyes.
"You say lay with him," instructed the physician. "But only laying. Nothing more."
Tiana rolled her eyes at the statement. Who in their right mind would think their patient would perform any activity that can cause them to suffer another stroke? She was glad when he left them alone.
"Cannot walk..." Tiana heard the king say as he slipped into sleepiness. She herself eventually fell asleep after a while, and was later awaken to a knock and the sun shining into the room.
"Don't answer," he slurred out.
"Why not? It could be the physician."
"Don't trust him," he said.
The door opened to the royal physician. "Good morning your majesty! Did you and the king sleep well"
"Yes," Kabir whispered, answering for them both.
Tiana walked over to the man, accepting his handshake. "What brings you here this morning?" Even though Kabir was partly asleep she could still feel his eyes on her due to another man being in the room. It didn't matter with the royal physician being older. He was a man, and therefore a 'threat' in his eyes.
She moved to the side and watched as the physician began asking her husband questions.
"Would you feel comfortable with the queen present in the room while I examine you your highness?"
"She may leave," Kabir answered.
Tiana left the room with her children in mind. She was sure they were starving in her mind, even though they had the breast milk she already pumped for them.
As she opened the door to the nursery her heart almost stopped when seeing the back of a man standing over her babies cribs.
"Get away from my children! Guards!"
Naveen turned to her voice and raised his arm. "Don't! Wait!" He rushed over to stop her.
Tiana was startled to see who was in front of her. "Naveen?" She stepped away from him in disbelief. "No, you're dead..."
The prince shook his head while taking a step forward "I never died Tiana."
"No, this isn't real. This is a dream!" Tiana still couldn't believe what she was seeing or hearing. Tears welled in her eyes. "H-how did you get in here?"
Naveen stepped closer to her as his own feelings were overwhelming his heart. "I came here on my own."
Tiana pressed her back against the doors. "But how could you have surv..." she was silenced by Naveen's lips on hers and instantly melted in his arms. Her emotions at this point was all over the place. Love, anger, fear, curiosity got the best of her. "Naveen...," she then pushed him away. "Where have you been all of this time?"
"Giodonia," was his answer.
"For a year?"
Naveen's eyes wandered her frame and as he couldn't help it but heard cooing from behind him. He turned back to walk over to see both babies who at the moment was awake. He honestly felt it in his heart that they were his. "They're mine." He said with no doubt in his mind.
Tiana's heart broke at the sight of Naveen with her children and knew that they were his, but never had the chance to really accept it because Kabir was the 'father' present. Then her mind shifted to Kabir and what would happen if her husband die what happens to her children? If he miraculously survive how will the relationship between father and son be? Her feelings for the prince was stronger than ever, what if she could no longer hold back?
Naveen gave both babies a kiss before laying them back in their cribs. "I need to see my father."
"Would you like for me to come?" Tiana offered.
He shook his head. "No, you stay with the children. I want to speak with him alone." And walked pass her, out the room.
"Naveen wait!" Tiana stopped him. "He's suffered a mini stroke and is still recovering. Seeing you could be too much for him!"
"My father has been through assassination attempts. He can handle my presence..." Naveen said almost defensively.
The door opened to the physician, who was surprised to see both Naveen and Tiana. "Your highness."
"How is the king?" Tiana asked.
"Very weak but he will pull through. His feeling in his legs are back and he is resting for the moment. It would be unwise for you to make your presence your majesty."
Naveen did at all like that answer. "What the hell do you mean?"
"The king doesn't need the stress at the moment. It will take weeks before he's recovered on top of months before he can't properly walk on his own."
Naveen hated hearing that and like his father he was stubborn in his ways. "I think you're wrong, doctor."
"Your Highness with all do respect—" he stopped when the prince walked on anyway. "Your highness!"
Naveen barged into the room to his sleeping father and opened his mouth to speak. "Don't do it, Naveen." He heard Tiana say with her hand on his arm. "Maybe in a couple of days, okay?"
Naveen sighed, knowing Tiana as right. That damn doctor was right but he would never tell him.
"Fine I won't speak to him but it will happen" he said before walking swiftly from the room.
Tiana watched him helplessly leave and gasped when hearing Kabir whisper, "Naveen..."
()()()()
And Kabir grew stronger within a few days even to a point where he could walk without support for a short amount of time. He still wasn't aware of his son being in the palace as everyone else knew by no until one afternoon in his own chamber when hearing a knock.
"Come in" Kabir answered, sitting at his desk looking through paperwork he was obviously behind in.
Naveen stepped into his father's room with memories of fear and anger as a child. Now he's an adult with those same feelings while watching his father perform his duty as king in the middle of paperwork.
"Tiana why are you...," Kabir stopped hen he saw that the person he felt watching him was his son and not his wife. "Naveen?"
The prince gave his father a nod. "Yes, father?"
"Am I dead?" asked the king.
Naveen had to laugh at his father. "No, but I will say that I am to blame for your current...setback."
Kabir slowly stood with the support of his desk. "Is it really you, son?"
Naveen was hesitant but walked over to the king. "All of me."
The king's eyes watered which surprised Naveen fully. But what completely shocked him was feeling his father's embrace.
"My boy...oh my first born is really alive!"
Naveen was so overwhelmed by his father's welcome that he shut his eyes, trying his best to prevent his own tears from falling and to remind himself that his father wasn't there for himwhile growing up. He failed as the tears came out anyway.
"My boy has survived!" Kabir cried.
This was the first time in Naveen's twenty years of living that his father ever showed any affection towards him. Never in his life has he ever expected this reaction from the man who was always cold and inconsiderate.
"Don't ever do that again!"
Naveen returned the hug. "I won't." And released from the hug.
"I know that I haven't been the best father to you. The day you fell I thought I failed you, and for all the moments I spent with the twins, were moments I tried making up for what I never experienced with you."
"Well I'm here," Naveen said with a genuine grin.
Kabir smiled in return. "And I'm truly grateful."
()()()()
Later that evening as Tiana glanced out the window into the night sky she felt the king's eyes on her. She knew that she was safe from laying under him in his bed but has he ever followed other people's rules? But since reuniting with Naveen he seemed more at peace, relieved even which is always for good for anyone.
"My dear may you hand me a glass of water?" Kabir's voice sounded a lot clearer when he asked.
"You're looking so much," she said, handing him the glass. "Naveen's return has definitely improved you physically, for the better!"
Kabir emptied the glass as soon as it hit his lips and handed it back to her. "That was delicious."
"Are you hungry?" she asked.
His eyes scanned her frame. "Very."
She sighed, placing her hands on her hips. "I meant for food."
"A little."
"Well I can request soup—
"All I need is your lips on mine," he interrupted..
She raised her brow. "I—Well, the doctor instructed—
"Who is king?" he asked sternly.
She sighed, not surprised to see his old ways returning. "You are."
"And I'd appreciate it if you respect that truth," his smirk returned.
'That didn't take long', Tiana thought. "Yes, your majesty."
Kabir patted his hand on his bed. "Sit with me."
Tiana climbed on the bed she shared many nights with her husband and leaned forward to press her lips against his before resting her head on his shoulder.
Kabir gave her a hug. "I can be a difficult man to live with and there have been some less than honourable choices I made you perform on my part but I do not regret them."
Tiana rolled her eyes.
"I have decided that I will be stepping down as king tonight. I'll throw a coronation ball in a month"
"What?" Tiana was stunned by the announcement.
"Naveen will take over. I've done all that I needed to do as king. Plus my recovery will also take up time and Naveen is much younger to handle the pressures of being a leader. He will be able to take over immediately."
()()()()
A Month Later...
Tiana and Kabir watched as Naveen took his position as the new king of Maldonia. Tiana saw the pride in the former king's eyes as the new king sat on the throne. As selfish as it sounded Tiana wished that she was standing alongside Naveen as his wife and queen.
She also noticed the other young women from allied countries and kingdoms looking his way all wishing the same thing but the difference is that one of them will eventually be there with him someday while she watches from a distance in a marriage she never wanted.
Her eyes watered at the reality and hated now that he ever came back. Another woman will take her place in his arms and possibly his heart.
"It is a beautiful ceremony," she heard Kabir say.
She nodded, carefully wiping her eyes with a handkerchief.
()()()()
The coronation ball was later that night and the young king was surrounded by many officials alongside his father who was assisted with a cane.
"You must be extremely proud to live through seeing your son become king," said the king of Genexia.
Kabir was very proud of his son. "I am proud and incredibly grateful that he's agreed to this new privilege!"
"It takes a strong man to step down from so much power! The thought of my son taking over is a bit terrifying! And he's only a child!" the man said with a laugh.
"You old men having children young enough to be your grandchildren should be terrifying!" A prime minister teased.
"And our wives young enough to have be our daughters!" The Genexia king glanced over at his twenty year old wife. "She's a year older than you, Naveen!"
Naveen looked at the woman for a second before moving his eyes on Tiana who is wearing a golden hug fitting gown. Her style was always feminine compared to the other women who preferred to dress based on the time. She looked sexy yet also sophisticated while occasionally speaking with some of the women on topics he knew she didn't really care for. In his eyes, she was obviously the belle of the ball.
Kabir was well aware of his son's eyes wandering his wife. "My son's taste in women is a lot like mine, right son?"
Naveen glanced back at his father. "I would like to share a dance with your wife."
The former king didn't want to cause a scene in front of their allies and nodded. "Go ahead." He leaned in and say, "But don't tire her out too much. She is going to have to sleep with me tonight."
The older men all chuckled at the comment as Naveen left them behind.
"The luxuries of being a king." Kabir heard the Genexia king say.
Naveen kept his eyes fixed on Tiana as he walked over to her. He bowed before her, "May I have this dance?"
Tiana's heart about pumped against her chest when the young king requested a dance from her. She didn't even think to look her husband's way as she accepted his hand.
Naveen led the dance while pulling Tiana closer to him, now that he was king he didn't care what his father thought about dancing so intimately with Tiana. She was his and his to have if he wanted. He knew that his father didn't love her, not like he did. He also know that Tiana returned his love, her eyes and warm smile was obvious.
"Mi benita" Naveen couldn't keep his eyes off her.
Tiana felt warm, blushing even though she and Naveen have spent more than enough time in each other's arms horizontally.
"We're sharing another dance," Naveen said.
Tiana saw the lust and love in the young king's eyes. "That's because of you, your majesty."
"I don't want you to ever refer me as 'your majesty, highness'. Naveen is good enough" Naveen said, looking serious. "That is is my only order to you."
"I will submit to that order, Naveen," Tiana answered, pleased that the title didn't get to his head.
"You are beautiful," he took her hand and kissed it, causing Tiana to stiffen in his arms. "What is it?"
"I'm still married to your father." She could feel the former king's eyes burning through her.
"My father won't hurt you. I will make certain, mi benita" promised Naveen and whispered only for her to hear, "I love you."
She smiled, "I love you too."
Kabir watched the two dancing with envy and betrayal. Envy because he couldn't top his son's youth and charismatic nature to make Tiana light up, or how easy it is for his son to gain everyone's respect. It took winning a war that came along with very strict laws before gaining respect, fear for the former leader. His betrayal from his son and wife's attraction for each other was clearly evident. The longing gazes Tiana gave his son was none he ever received from her, and the way his son held his wife as if she were his enraged him.
He will certainly put an end to that.
Suddenly, Kabir fell onto the floor causing everyone to react.
Both Naveen and Tiana stopped their dance to go by the fallen man.
"Father?" Naveen helped him sit up. "What happened?"
"Oh, my son...," Kabir pretended to seem weak. "I'm not feeling too well."
"Guards! Help my father to his room!" the young king ordered the men.
Kabir raised his hand. "Where is my wife?"
"I'm here!" Tiana took his hand.
"Come with me, my dear!" his voice weak.
"I will!" Tiana walked along with the guards assisting her husband. While walking away she could hear Naveen making more orders.
She and Kabir were brought into his new suite where the physician was also waiting for the former king and within minutes, Kabir was being checked up.
Tiana waited outside the room with concern and hope to see Naveen but after several minutes to her disappointment he wasn't around. Too busy to even see how his own father was doing.
"Your majesty?" the doctor stepped out of the room. "He's alright. He needs your company for a moment."
Tiana hurried into the room to see Kabir standing in front of his new and very large bed. "I thought that you were—
"Sick? Weak?" He slowly walked toward her. "You've underestimated me once again, my dear! I am as healthy as a young king lusting for his father's slut of a wife!" he grabbed her wrist.
Tiana gasps, feeling his tight grip. "What are you talking about?"
"You know damned well what I'm talking about! Dancing out there with my son! Looking like those young whores who thirst for men with power! And I saw how my son was looking at you! How he always looks at you!"
"You're overreacting over nothing!" Tiana exclaimed.
Kabir ignored her and said, "You are going to leave the palace and Maldonia."
She frowned. "What?"
"And the children shall remain here," he added.
"I'm not leaving without my children!" Tiana wondered just how long he's been pretending to be sick.
"You will do as I say" Kabir glared at her darkly,releasing his hold. "I will not share you with my son! If he's anything like me and I know he is—he will come after you! The question is, are you willing to lay with him or will you have more honour for yourself!"
When Tiana didn't answer the former king hissed out, "Slut."
She was honestly stunned by his mood swing and hated for falling for his one of 'tricks'
again. "Guards!" he shouted and instantly both guards who were standing outside his door stepping into the room. "Escort my wife out of the palace and to the car..."
"No!" she cried.
"But your highness..." one of the guards said.
"Do as I say!" Kabir scolded. "...and tell my driver to send her to the hideout. He knows where that is!"
"Please let me see my babies!" she pleaded with teary mascara running down her face. The guards dragged her out of the room and down the corridors, passing each room until reaching the nursery.
Tiana used all her strength to break free from the men.
"Cease her!" ordered Kabir.
As Tiana placed her hand on the handles of the nursery, the men grasps her arms. "No!" she screamed so loud that it echoed the halls.
Naveen along with the other guests heard a woman's screaming and looked the way of the former queen getting dragged out the palace.
Naveen rushed out of the ballroom seeing his father with a dark smirk on his lips. "What the hell is going on?" he asked his father.
"It was time we expel some distractions from the palace," was Kabir's answer.
Naveen didn't understand the comment and ran outside the palace to see the car with a screaming Tiana driving further away.
"She's gone Naveen," Kabir announced, walking over to him with his hands folded. "You will rule this kingdom the way I wasn't able to. Without distractions!"
"Where is she off to? And where are her children?"
"The children will remain here with us. They are blood. Tiana was only the shell for them and is no longer needed"
Naveen was beyond furious, wanting to strangle his father and would've had not the many guests who were attentively watching.
"You will thank me, son," Kabir gave his son a pat on the back before smiling at the guests. "Why are you are out here? Let's celebrate the new reign who is my son!"
Naveen noticed how healthy his father suddenly was and wondered if he as faking his illness all along? And know the dance he shared with Tiana led his father to sending her away in such a humiliating manner.
Naveen is now king and will know Tiana's whereabouts. He swiftly walked over to the former king where he put his hand on his shoulder.
"Where did you send her off to?"
"Look around you my son!" Kabir extended out his arms. "There are plenty of beautiful women here who will give you all your heart's desire. My wife is no concern of yours so you shouldn't worry about her."
Naveen took a hold of his father's arm and pulled into another room for privacy. "Tell me where is she!" he demanded.
Kabir chuckled. "You want her bad!"
"I have the power now father! If you don't tell me where Tiana is then I will have no choice but to throw you in the lowest, filthiest prison cell for the lowest, filthiest, scum of a human being." Naveen glared at his father without a blink.
"I'll surrender to any prison before let you have her," Kabir vowed. "I am trying to remain proud and civil with my son, but you are making it very easy to becoming my rival. Don't cross me, boy!"
"Your threats are nothing more than watered down acts of treason and even those can led you to a deserving demise!"
"All for that slut?" he asked with an angry grin. "A slut who I own?"
Naveen didn't remember when his fist hit his father since all he saw was red but he could remember seeing the older man on the floor, bloody nose and all.
The guards who were at the door now surrounded them and Naveen crouch down to his his father, his voice dark. "I own you now you old bastard." He rose back up. "Take the bastard!"
The guards obeyed. "Unhand me you idiots!" Kabir tried fighting but knew it was worthless. "Y-you're going to pay for this you unappreciative bastard!"
"I am only doing what's best for the kingdom, father," Naveen smirked darkly.
"You won't find her! I guarantee it!" Kabir explained.
Naveen raised his hand to stop the men. With sheer satisfaction he walked over to the fallen former king. "You see that's where you're wrong, father." He then grabbed at the older man's uniform. "We are exactly alike when it comes to getting what we want. And when I find her I will annul your marriage and have her as my wife and only mine to have."
"That is im—
"Impossible?" Naveen interrupted, his brows furrowed. "You taught me everything about changing rules when it becomes an inconvenience, old man."
Kabir frowned. "You son-of-a-bitch! You will never find her!"
"I will because like you I always get what I want! And from what I already accomplished, what a prize she is!"
Kabir narrowed his eyes, understanding his son's meaning. "So you did sleep with her! Nonetheless because she belongs to me!"
Naveen crossed his arms, staring at the man with contempt. "Send him to a dungeon."
Kabir started throwing out every curse word he could think of at his son who eventually stopped the guards.
"Send the old man to the corner dungeon. I maybe king but I'm not heartless." He saw the relief in his father's eyes but knew that he could never trust him. After lying about his stroke and overall health especially with the physician going along with it he couldn't trust anyone close to the older man.
"Arrest the royal physician and send him to the dungeon," Naveen ordered another guard. "It's time clean house gentlemen! Let's get to work!" he didn't bother returning to the ball. His next goal was to find his future wife and mother of his children, who was obviously somewhere in the tri-kingdom.
When he stepped into the nursery the nanny excused herself from the room to give the king his privacy. He stared down at sleeping babies, who were both asleep in their cribs without a care in the world.
"I will find your mother and give you the happy, secure home that you all deserve. No matter how long it will take."
()()()()
A/N: Only two chapters remain...