The Humbled Prince

Festival Of Friends Part One

A month passed by and it was business as usual for Tiana as she had to get ready for more princess duties, but this time she was preparing for the Festival Of Friends. Looking through many skirts and tops with Demetrius playing in his playpen and Naiyah in her bassinet.

"Your majesty I believe that a bright yellow skirt will blend beautifully with your brown skin! And it is of course tradition for the princess to wear emerald green and yellow!" The royal head seamstress suggested.

"I don't know..." Tiana wasn't sure. It's been five weeks since she's given birth and she felt comfortable with darker colours. "I was thinking of wearing emerald or purple."

"The queen wears those colours during the festival. The princess always wears bright colours during the festival."

"And it's summer!" Naveen came into their suite but then frowned when seeing the seamstress. "I also see that you've brought the help in our bedroom again." He picked up Demetrius. "My big tadpole!"

The toddler laughed. "Hi dada!"

"Where's our little tadpole?" Naveen asked his son.

"There!" Demetrius pointed over to Naiyah who was wide awake in her bassinet.

Naveen scooped his daughter in his other arm. "Now I am com...wait!" He went over to give Tiana a kiss on the cheek. "Now I am complete."

Tiana playfully rolled her eyes. "Got everything done early today?"

"My father wanted to try on his best festival uniform! The purple and emerald."
"That sounds like an incompatible match."

"They actually blend well together. My mother is finally satisfied with her purple dress. How is your emerald green and yellow attire?"

"Can't I choose between wearing a skirt or a dress?" Tiana raised her brows.

"Yes, for the dance! You and the village girls all wear yellow dresses for the different. As the princess you also have to wear emerald green. You must also dance in all the adult dances. Particularly the fertility dance."

Tiana laughed."The last thing I need to be doing is some fertility dance! I just gave birth over a month ago!"

"Well, three times the charm, yes?" He wiggled his eye brows, obviously joking.

"You are too much!" Tiana smiled, picking up a long yellow with two splits. "This is a bit revealing for a princess."

"Not in late July early August!" His eyes wandered her body. "And you will look very enticing in it, especially with your motherly assets."

"Naveen!" Tiana grew embarrassed, hoping the seamstress didn't hear. "We have people in here!"

The seamstress then curtseyed. "I will leave! I left the rest of the dresses and skirts for you to choose from!"

"Thank you, A'ya!" Tiana picked up her son from her husband. "Oh you're getting so big."

"He's almost half your size!" Naveen teased.

"Your mother told me how big you were at this age! So if anything he gets his big head from his daddy!" Tiana teased back.

"I no big head!" Demetrius said, a hand on his head.

"No, you don't have a big head baby. It's ya daddy who carries that trait!" Tiana smirked at Naveen who also laughed.

"It's good that your mother has a sense of humour. I could name quite a number of things from her that's big, but she will kill me if I say it!"

"Careful Prince," Tiana warned with a raised brow.

"What? They're good big! I actually prefer them being big."

"Can you stop it with that word? Ugh!" Tiana annoyingly turned away to return Demetrius to his playpen.

"You started it!" Naveen quickly pinched her derriere causing her to squeak.

"Naveen!"

"Never lose that!" He told her.

"You can be very perverted!" Tiana said, serious.

"What? For touching my wife's ass?" He asked, humoured.

"Naveen!" Tiana scolded. "The children..."

"They don't know what I meant." Naveen looked down at his sleeping daughter. "You see? Naiyah has fallen asleep!" He put the baby back in her crib.

"But Demetrius is at that age now where he can..." Tiana stopped when suddenly feeling Naveen's lips on her neck. "Naveen, stop..." She turned right to his lips, the kiss deepened. The semi fight they were having completely forgotten.

Naveen then ended the kiss. "I looked forward to spending the rest of the day with mi benita," he pressed his lips onto hers.

"Mm...but Demetrius and Naiyah..." Tiana said through the kiss.

"He isn't looking," Naveen continued the kiss as Tiana surrendered to it, backing toward the bed.

"Tia!" Telese burst into the room and gasped. "Oops!"

Tiana ended the kiss to look at her sister.

Naveen sighed, annoyed. "Have you ever learn how to knock?" He then looked down to see his sister in law in a very revealing attire, a silk robe that reached to her thighs.

"Not while my baby sister is in a closed door room with the likes of you!" Telese said in sarcasm while holding a yellow skirt and top. "Tia, I wanted to show you what I'm wearing at tomorrow's festival!"

"Looks like nothing much," Naveen said.

Telese rolled her eyes, closing her silk robe. "We're inside!"

Tiana tilt her head to the side, seeing her sister's revealed from the thighs. "Well, it is summer!"

"I meant this skirt and top! I'm keeping it traditional for once!" She held up the top and skirt.

"Its what the village women are wearing so you should be fine," Naveen liked Tiana's sister and was grateful for her being the first supporter of their relationship, but he really wanted some intimate time with his wife.

"I didn't ask for your opinion, brother-in-law!" Telese smirked.

"Well I know that you'll look amazing in it!" Tiana said. "You look like you never gave birth!"

Telese frowned. "Girl are you blind? You're the one who doesn't look like you gave birth! Look at how flat your belly is!" She put her hand on her sister's tummy. "Your waist so tiny! You should show off that body girl! Why don't we both show off our midriffs!"

"From above the navel up for my wife!" Naveen added.

Telese rolled her eyes. "Go play with your son! We're having sister time!"

"I much rather be having husband and wife time!" Naveen mumbled while picking up Demetrius' ball.

"I'm your new birth control!" Telese joked.

Tiana shook her head. "Anyway, do you really think that I can pull off showing of my midriff that low? Maldonia is very liberal, but also old fashioned."

"Nude beaches and villages yet they will try to give the princess and her sister a hard time on their costumes? Hypocrites," she started unbuttoning Tiana's blouse.

"Telese..." Tiana stepped back.

"Well I thought we both try on our costumes!"

"Can't you ladies do this later?" Naveen asked, desperately wanting his wife to himself.

Tiana felt bad for her husband but also wanted to try on her costume with new found interest. "It won't be long." She unbuttoned her blouse.

Naveen turned to see his wife and Telese undressing and quickly returned his eyes to his son. He use to be so comfortable around nude women before marrying Tiana. Of course that changed and now there are two women in the room doing it behind him. Not that he was fully uncomfortable, it was his need for Tiana being at an all-time high. He never really paid attention to Telese, she is very attractive but never been attracted to her. Now as for Tiana who is the only woman he desired for, there was the innocence and modesty that led his attraction her way.

Demetrius' ball hitting him on the forehead broke hm from his musing.

"So you want to play catch!" Naveen gently threw the ball to his son who obviously missed. He laughed as he watched the toddler get up to fetch the ball.

"Ooh, Tia you look good girl! Let's dance!"

Naveen turned to see Tiana in her revealing yellow costume and moving her hips along with her sister.

"I do look good!" Tiana agreed, stopping to examine herself in the mirror.

Telese smirked, looking over at Naveen watching his wife. "Down boy! She's not steak!"

Naveen's eyes remained on the princess. "Of course she isn't. She's my wife. Who I would prefer for her to raise that skirt a bit higher. I don't think a princess and a mother should expose herself that way."

"She's twenty years old..." Telese began before Tiana stopped her.

"Is that the only reason why you want me to raise my skirt?" Tiana asked, knowing her husband can get quite conservative. "Because if I do decide to raise it then my legs will be exposed."

Naveen sighed. "I don't mean it like that and you know it."

Telese could tell that an argument was in the making and she raised up her arms. "It's time I leave..."

"That's a good idea." Naveen said.

"No, don't leave," Tiana glared at her husband.

Telese picked up her things. "No, you two were having a moment before I came in. I'll see you later Tia." She hurried out of the room, bumping into Kabir. "Excuse me!"

"Oh, no, excuse me my dear!" Kabir apologized, bowing.

Telese raised a suspicious brow.

Kabir chuckled. "You seemed surprised.

"You apologized to me," she said.

His eyes roamed her body without any shame. "So you're wearing this at tomorrow's festival?"

"Yes," Telese began feeling uncomfortable at the way the king was eying her. "Well I best be going."

"Charming." Kabir smiled.

Telese gave him a short smile before walking away.

Kabir watched her with interest.

"She's a very good looking woman Kabir!"

He sighed at the sound of his wife's voice. "What do you want Nagina?"

"I don't know? But I can clearly see what you want and I will warn you to stay away from that young woman! She's Tiana's sister!"

Kabir laughed, walking away.

"Kabir, I was talking to you!" Nagina walked after him.

He stopped and faced her. "Why don't you go and read something? Better yet, gossip about what you just witnessed to my mother of all people!"

"You have never been a good husband to me!" Nagina confessed.

"And how do you think I feel about that? You've done your job now go and do many of your hobbies. I have work to do!"

"While you lust over that young woman? She have not been pure as Tiana but she is a human! Do not force her to become your concubine. She has a young daughter!"

He frowned. "What in Maldonia are you fussing about?"

"I know you Kabir. More than anyone—

"Silence!" He raised his hand. "You're speaking irrationally again!"

"Stay away from her!" She warned. "Or I will tell Tiana! She will most likely tell Naveen who doesn't think too highly of you already!"

Kabir shook his head at his wife before walking down the stairs.

Nagina sighed, knowing her husband will do what he wants. Damn what she has to say.

()()()()

Tiana changed out of her costume as Naveen remained in the place he stood before Telese left the room. He was still waiting for his wife to speak to him regarding the costume.

When Tiana was out of her costume and in her original attire she walked passed him to check on her daughter and son before siting at her vanity table.

Naveen sighed and walked over to her. "So you're not speaking with me now?"

Tiana put her hair in a ponytail.

"Tiana I just feel that you shouldn't dress too revealing like the other girls. You're a princess and my wife! The only man who should see your full midriff should be me!"

"Oh really?" she stood up, looking up at him. "Because at this rate it will be a long time before you ever see any part of my body!"

Naveen looked at her in disbelief. "Mi benita..."

"I've worn less in the pool room!" She reminded him.

"When it was only us two in it!" Naveen reminded her.

"I was exposed to the seamstress!"

"Who happened to be a woman who is also used to exposure of the human body!"

Tiana walked around him and rolled her eyes when he grasped her hand. "Naveen!"

"Please, let us not argue mi benita!" Naveen wanted to spend the day with his family, not apart. "You can wear the skirt anyway you want if that truly makes you happy..."

Tiana smiled at her husband's attempt to reconcile.

"...just as long as you wear a blouse that will cover the upper part of your body."

Tiana rolled her eyes. "Really Naveen..."

"How would you feel if I exposed my chest to everyone?" He asked.

"You do it all the time and it doesn't bother me!"

Naveen nodded. "You have a point."

"I'm going to wear the costume any way I want," she told him. "It's not my final decision, but I'm not letting you choose what I should and shouldn't wear either!"

"You're right but if I see any men eying you a certain way."

"I'm pretty sure they'll be eying Telese. She's very sexually confident." Tiana looked at herself in the mirror again.

Naveen stood behind her. "You seemed very confident moments ago."

Tiana blushed. "Telese kind of brings out a side in me that I use to try to suppress before I became a married woman."

"And I brought out that side all together, yes?" He wrapped his arms around her.

She smiled. "You did bring out a lot..."

Naveen kissed her neck. "I've noticed."

Tiana exhaled, enjoying his lips on her neck and pressed her derriere over his firm front.

Naveen felt her brush over his arousal and moaned. "Mi benita..." And soon had Tiana's lips on his.

But that was short lived when the sudden crash of blocks could be heard along with the hysterical laughter of Demetrius who was playing with his building blocks in his playpen.

"No, Tiana...," Naveen whispered in her ear, not wanting their moment to end so soon.

"But Demetrius..." Tiana protested.

"Doesn't need you just this moment, but your husband does." He unbuttoned her blouse.

Tiana surrendered to him again but Naiyah's sudden cries broke them off this time.

"Faldi faldonza," Naveen watched his wife tend to their daughter. He didn't remember holding off on sex being this difficult before. He yearned for any physical activity from his wife. Not that sex was all he wanted from Tiana; he didn't mind them holding one another in bed and kissing, or even fooling around but with him constantly under duty and her being a mother and performing her duties as princess it was difficult to spend any romantic time together.

Then knock was heard at their door.

Naveen went to answer it and saw his father's valet. "What do you want?"

"Your highness the king wants to see you in his office."

Naveen turned back to see Tiana feeding their daughter. "I'll be right back!"

Tiana nodded as he left his bedroom for his father's office.

()()()()

"You wanted to see me father?" he asked Kabir who was standing by the window with a cigar from his hand.

"I need for you to make a quick trip for me."

"Where to?"

"Giodonia."

"Why?"

Kabir put the cigar in the ashtray. "The trade agreement Giodonia have will expire by midnight tonight. The Prime Minster agreed to sign since he of course wants to remain in the merger agreement, same with the other tri-kingdoms."

Naveen sighed. "Fine."

Kabir noticed the prince unhappy behavior. "Something wrong, son?"

"Not that you'll understand"

"Try me." He walked over to him.

"Women in general." Naveen began. "Tiana's attire at the festival—

"Well of course be in yellow and emerald green! Is she defying you?"

"I really don't care about her defying me in clothes. She will be wearing the traditional colours, and it isn't about that! It's about making time with her!"

"Oh, panza..." Kabir said.

"I miss her when it was just us you know? You'd think she would agree on using the nannies for assistance but she wants to be hands on with everything!" He confessed to his father.

"Son, I am sorry to say this but it is time to look for a mistress—

"Not this again..."

"Not telling you to take on a second wife. I would never do that myself as your mother is a curse within itself!" The king said in disgust.

"Anyway, I love my children but I miss wife, and Telese doesn't help when she's bursting into the room every fifteen minutes."

"Telese? Tiana's sister?" Kabir asked with interest.

Naveen raised a suspicious brow. "Yes, she's even got Tiana into wearing her shirt clinging on her hips."

"Telese is a free-spirited woman. It shouldn't be a shock that Tiana finds her interesting. She's definitely caught my interest." Kabir admitted.

"What do you mean?"

"She's roaming around the palace in next to nothing. Obviously looking for attention. She's captured mine."

Naveen frowned in disgust. "I hope you're not looking at her for a new mistress."

"You're exactly like your mother."

"Well you don't the best track record when it comes to being a faithful husband."

"Telese is an adult, I'm an adult."

"So you're saying that you two have already done something?"

"Not yet."

"It doesn't bother anyway. She's taken." Naveen wanted to make sure to rub that fact in his father's face.

"By who? That damned foolish King Errol of Soluncia? He hasn't been in Maldonia in almost a year. And the last I heard from him he's clearly moved on to a new princess. He still has whorish tendencies."

Naveen knew his father was full of it. "I actually spoke with him yesterday and he's been incredibly busy cleaning up his kingdom. He'll be here for the festival tomorrow."

"Interesting." Kabir smirked. "Telese has a child out of wedlock so I wouldn't be surprised if he has another go with her!"

"She's Tiana's sister."

"And capable of doing whatever she pleases." Kabir smirked darkly.

Naveen didn't bother responding to his father as he left to get this agreement done and over with.

()()()()

Music Room -

Tiana walked into the room while her sister played the piano.

"Hey Telese! Where's Vivian?"

"At that school you signed her up for!"

Tiana sat beside her. "Oh, how does she like it?"

"She's Ms. Popular actually. She talks about all her little friends. I already met some of them. They're all girls" Telese rolled her eyes making Tiana laugh.

"Aw, she's friendly like her mother!"

"And is already going the wrong path by having too many female friends!"

Tiana rolled her eyes.

"You don't count! Lottie was only a childhood friend anyway." Telese said bitterly. "Just like her brother. Selfish."

"Lottie is a lot of things. Selfish isn't one of them," Tiana defended.

"Really? Then why are you the one who always contacting her? She never cares to check on you! She didn't even invite you to her fucking wedding!"

"She eloped with that young oil tycoon!"

"And I'm sure she was greatly disappointed to learn how horrible he is in bed! He was so tiny!" Telese said.

Tiana frowned in disgust. "Have you slept with every wealthy man?"

"Mainly the coloured ones, but I've had my share of wealthy white men. Some are more giving than others but most are exactly like Charles!Hate black men but love their women. The European ones tend to act a bit more freely to a certain extend. Shower you with everything you only dreamt about. But that's that's because they're most likely old money. Then there are the ones who watch before making their move. Much like that philandering father-in-law of yours."

"What brought up my father-in-law?"

Telese shrugged. "The man give me the creeps but s very obvious with his motives and that's all I will say about that."

Tiana could read her sister better than anyone and knew she was uncomfortable. "Telese do you want to—

"Anyway, I was playing this song we use to sing when we were little!" She changed the subject.

"We sang a lot of songs when we were children," Tiana said.

"The one that goes:

I sing because I'm happy
And I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow...

Tiana nodded. "I remember. Such a beautiful song."

"I feel like singing that song!" Telese said.

Tiana smiled. "Alright. You start!"

Telese nodded and began:

Why should I feel discouraged
Why should the shadows come
Why should my heart feel lonely
And long for heaven and home

When Jesus is my portion

A constant friend is He

His eye is on the sparrow

And I know He watches over me.

His eye is on the sparrow

And I know He watches over me...

Tiana sighed. "That was beautiful."

"Go on and sing ya part, girl!" Telese encouraged as she continued playing the piano.

"Right," Tiana said and began her part:

I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow

And I know he watches me
(Telese:) He watches me
(Tiana:) His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches
(Telese:) I know he watches
(Tiana:) I know he watches me...

Kabir walked into the music room as he watched the two sisters singing.
(Tiana & Telese:)
I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow
(Tiana:) And I know he watches me
(Telese:)He watches me
(Tiana & Telese:) His eye is on the sparrow

(Telese:) And I know he watches me
(Tiana:) He watches me
(Telese:) He watches me, I never thought...
(Tiana & Telese:) He watches me

They both hugged but that ended when they heard clapping.

They turned to see Kabir with what look like a smile on his lips.

"I must admit that even songs about your God and this Jesus are incredibly beautiful. Your voices are as beautiful as your appearances."

"Thank you, Kabir," Tiana said. "What brings you in the music hall?"

"Your voices," the king admitted. "My son should be back within a few hours. I would've joined him but I had business here."

"I know," Tiana said.

"I was also hoping to ask," he looked at Telese. "If you two would sing at the festival parade tomorrow."

"You want us to sing at the festival?" Tiana had to be certain of what he was requesting.

"Yes, I would like that very much." Kabir said.

Tiana looked at her sister "Telese?"

"I don't know..." Telese had to mess with the older man. "What do we get out it?" She didn't trust him at all.

"What do you get out of it?" Kabir asked, puzzled.

Tiana rolled her eyes. "Yes, we'll do it."

Kabir nodded. "Thank you ladies." His honey coloured eyes stayed on Telese. "I look forward to hearing your angelic voices!" He then left the room.

"That was totally unexpected," Tiana said. "Kabir seemed like a humbled man...for once."

"All I saw was an old man staring at my breasts," Telese was being more serious than sarcastic. "Well, I should go meet up with Vivian. You'll be okay in here?"

Tiana nodded. "I'll leave out for my room in a minute you go right ahead." She watched as her sister leave and she then got up from the piano to stand by the window for a few minutes. Thinking what was on her sister's mind and why Kabir was suddenly so interested in her.

"There you are!"

Tiana heard her husband's voice and was surprised to see him. "That was fast!"

Naveen went over to kiss his wife. "Where's the children?"

"Both are down for their naps," she told him.

"That's good to know." Naveen then pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips onto hers.

"Mmm...Naveen!" Tiana put her hands on his chest to stop him.

"What is it?" He was obviously disappointed.

"We're in the music room."

"So?" Naveen wiggled his brows. "We've already been in the ballroom, the library, the second kitchen, most of all the guestrooms—

"I don't want Vivian walking in on us," Tiana stepped back. "And Telese and myself have been added to the festival program."

"By who?"

"Your father the king," Tiana said. "He heard Telese and myself singing a gospel song asked us to sing at the festival."

"Wait, what?" Naveen couldn't believe what he was hearing. "My father wants you two to sing a song...does it have to be gospel?"

"I don't know! But knowing Telese she would only sing from that genre. Anyway, we have to figure out what song to sing."

"The festival is tomorrow!" Naveen said, almost in a panic.

"Exactly! Which means that we should get started if we don't want to embarrass the family!"

Naveen sighed, frustrated that he will not be getting the alone time he wanted with his wife. "There's always tonight."

But unfortunately for Naveen, Tiana was fast asleep and not in the mood by the time he came for her later that night.

()()()()

The next day – Festival Of Friends

"Citizens of Maldonia, friends of Maldonia we welcome you all to this day of friendship!" Kabir announced, standing on a podium before everyone. The people cheered all in their costumes.

"We're in for a treat. As you know my daughter the Princess Tiana—

Everyone cheered.

"Yes, I love her as well!" Kabir chuckled.

Naveen was used to his father's cheery act, already knowing his true stern personality.

"It is my honour to introduce my daughter and her sister as they shared their beautiful voices with you all!"

Naveen gave his wife a kiss before she and Telese stepped out, both in casual green dresses. He also watched his father hugging both women, his hand very low on Telese's back before letting her go.

Kabir sat on his throne made for the festival beside Nagina who held a fake smile on her lips obviously witnessed how low her husband's hand was on Telese's back. She now wondering if the woman was already sleeping with her husband.

"Good afternoon, Maldonia!" Tiana said on the microphone. "As you know I am Princess Tiana but I will also like to all introduce to you my sister Telese!"

Everyone applaud with some whistles from the audience.

Telese did a curtseyed, causing both sisters to laugh.

Tiana then smiled at her. "Are you ready?"

"Since yesterday!" Telese answered.

The sisters settled on performing the national anthem of Maldonia in their familiar musical style, making the citizens all join them.

Naveen watched his wife sing her heart out and could see how much she loved her adoptive home, it was the same way she looked when she use to sing in church back when they were dating. Every word touched her heart just as his touched his, and when she looked over at him while singing the last lines, he felt her emotion and love.

"Maldonia, Maldonia

My life, my home!"

Everyone cheered except for Nagina who glared at Telese who was hugging her daughter-in-law.

Tiana went straight to Naveen who held her tight. "You were amazing!"

"Mmm! I'm so glad to get that out of the way!" Tiana admitted before giving her husband a kiss.

Telese went to her daughter.

"Oh mama you and aunt Tiana sounded really good!" Vivian said.

"I couldn't agree more!"

Telese recognized the voice as Errol, her heartbeat skipped.

Vivian's blue eyes brighten. "Mr. Errol!" And hugged him. "I missed you!"

He picked her up, just as pleased. "I missed you too, Vivian!"

Telese smiled. "When did you get here?"

Errol smiled back. "I just got at the very end of you and the princess singing Maldonia's national anthem. I had no idea that you could sing. Is there anything you can't do?" He teased, obviously impressed

"Sleeping with husbands is all she can do!" Nagina cut in.

Telese raised a brow. "Excuse me?"

"How do you do, King Errol," Nagina extended her hand.

Errol took her hand. "How do you do, Queen Nagina." Confused at her accusation of Telese.

"The king will like to see you."

"Oh," He looked at Telese. "I will be right back."

"May I join you?" Vivian asked.

Errol smiled, taking her hand as they walked over to Kabir.

Telese noticed Nagina bitterly staring at her. "Is there something you see on my face?"

"A very pretty thing aren't you? My husband is definitely smitten, but let me warn you that you will not be the demise of my marriage!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Telese asked, voice risen and catching the attention of the royal family, Errol and Vivian included.

"You stay away from my husband! Our arrangement has worked after all these years and I will not have a loose whore come in and kick me out of what I worked hard for!" And with that Nagina stormed back over to her throne.

()()()()

A/N: The song Tiana and Telese were singing is called 'His Eye Is On The Sparrow' and that's posted on my profile page if you're interested in listening to it.