Because He Loves Me
Nothing To Lose Part Two
Naveen sat bored out of his mind as the Prince of Fashiana just finished his speech on trade and couldn't help but to wonder what Tiana was doing and how he wished he was with her at the moment. The thought was interrupted by a tap on the shoulder. He turned to see a beautiful strawberry blonde grinning at his direction.
"Hello Naveen."
He returned the grin, quickly realized who she was. "Fiona?" The audience applaud for the Fashianan prince.
"Yes. " She stood just as everyone else was.
Naveen also stood.
"Come, I know a room where we could get some privacy." She took his wrist and walked to a lounge room. "No one ever comes here."
Naveen was curious as to why the woman was in the alliance meeting. "What brings you here?"
She closed the door. "For my father. He thought that with me becoming Queen on the day of his death-
"Wait—your father is ill?" Naveen interrupted the woman.
"Yes." She answered with a smile. "You didn't know?"
"No…" He felt an awkward vibe from the woman and was ready to cut it off. "I should be heading back to that conference room. It was nice seeing you." He started at the door.
"Right. Leave like you always do." She quietly said, remembering her last time with the king—prince at the time.
Naveen knew their ending wasn't the best, but he didn't have time to be reminded on his past from another ex-girlfriend. He put his hand on the door knob. "I'm sorry about your father, but I really have to get this done-
"Do you love her?" She asked.
He stopped and looked over at the woman with a puzzled look on his face.
"Do you love your wife, Tiana?" She asked again.
"With all of my heart." He answered, opening the door.
"Don't ever hurt her the way you hurt me." She said, looking him dead in the eyes.
Naveen was already growing annoyed with the woman and her bitterness towards him. "Is this the reason you wanted to see me? To discuss on the past?"
Fiona smirked and said, "That night you and your friends might have been having a good time, but for me it was heartbreaking and the worst night of my life. I thought you loved me-
"I'm not proud of that night, and I apologize for hurting you. I was a different man then." He said, remembering the night she caught him on her with another woman. At least it was her first time catching him cheat. That was during the time of his old ways and he already warned her on what kind of man he was from the start of their 'hook-ups' as he called them.
"A boy." She corrected. "You were a boy then."
"It happened and it's over with. It's about time you move on." He said, trying to reason with her.
"You had your friends lie for you just so that you could be with this other woman, and when I finally caught you, all you said to me was 'you knew how I roll before you got with me'. I always hated when you used your Maldonian slang because you would do it when your friends were around. Do you know how devastating that was for me? I'm a princess, I was looked up to. I degraded myself just for you and all you did was walk all over me!"
"I was a pig at the time, I will admit. But it happened for a reason and all you can do is move on and live your life." Said Naveen. "You're becoming queen of Nihyo. The last thing you need to be thinking of is something that happened five or six years ago."
Fiona sighed. "I actually waited for you to come back to me until I found out about your engagement to Tiana. I didn't want to believe that you would marry her, but when you did..." She took a deep breath. "All the three years we've been on and off and to have this girl you just met in the United States in a matter of days take something that I longed and fought for. It was a slap in the face..."
Naveen watched the woman's frail figure shaking hysterically and offered her a seat on a chair. But she refused.
"...she has your heart." She finished. "Your very selfish heart."
Naveen felt more annoyed by the woman then pity. He always remembered her being melodramatic over the smallest things. "This isn't the time and place to discuss this, Fiona. Actually this discussion ended the day we ended." He scolded.
"I wanted to have your children." She confessed. "I thought that I could change your ways if you were with me. Someone who completely understood your life-
"You never understood me. I never wanted you as a wife. I wanted no wives at that time, Fiona." Naveen explained.
"Until you met good old southern belle Tiana! I've heard about the voodoo spells and witches in New Orleans!" She said, feeling jealous when she thought about Tiana. "But for some odd coincidence you found your perfect match there. Some poor peasant girl-
"Watch your mouth." He warned.
"I bet she was a virgin. Wasn't she?" She asked.
Naveen closed his eyes and sighed in frustration.
"She was. I could see it in her eyes. All those dreams, plans...I had the same gaze in my eyes whenever I was with you. Except I wasn't pure like she was! I was very experienced when we were together-
"Goodbye, Fiona." Naveen opened the door again.
"I wanted you to tell me that you loved me when we made love, and you never did." She said with tears in her eyes.
"I never loved you." Naveen said. "I'm sorry, but I didn't. You were just another number in my left or right arm." He admitted. "It's time you find someone who will give you the love you deserve."
She felt hostile towards the king and said, "Has Tiana gotten you to finally stop drinking? Or helped you with your addiction with ganjo?"
Naveen knew that it was hopeless to reason with the woman and left the room. She was speaking out of bitterness and understood her pain, but he warned her of his philandering ways at that time He couldn't take back the pain he caused her, like the others but he learned from them. He's got a beautiful wife and children whom he loves more than his own life. Everything was perfect just because they're a part of his life. All the money in the world could never over-shower the love he have for them.
()()()()
"Breakfast is delicious!" Eudora said, sitting down her glass of water. "Who knew what a little hot sauce could do to an omelet?"
Tiana shook her head in humour. "Mama, you are so silly?"
"Well it is delicious!" She said.
Nagina laughed. "Since returning here I thought that my mornings would be boring. Graci Eudora."
The middle age women laughed and Marcel raised an eyebrow.
"Why was that funny?" He asked his mother.
Tiana rolled her eyes. "Now ya'll confusing my baby here."
"I hope that I don't add anymore confusion." Pierre added as he walked into the breakfast room.
Nagina frowned. "I had no idea that you spent the night here, Pierre."
"I couldn't possibly miss out sleeping in the palace any longer." He sat beside Marcel as a servant sat a plate set in front of him. He then clapped his hands. "What's for breakfast?"
"Why don't you see for yourself?" Scolded Nagina, standing up to leave. "I've lost my appetite."
Pierre shrugged. "She always loses her appetite when I'm around." His eyes moving to Tiana and her voluptuous figure. "My don't you look scrumptious this morning."
"What does scrumptious mean?" Asked a curious Marcel.
"It means that your mother is a very attractive woman." Pierre answered, hinting more of a flirt to the young queen.
Tiana felt his eyes on her and did not give him the pleasure of returning the gaze.
Marcel watched his older cousin gazes at his mother and frowned. "Why are staring at my mama's milkbags?"
Tiana's eyes widen. "Marcel!"
"Daddy calls them milkbags! And Roslyn sucks milk from them!" Marcel pointed out.
Pierre choked on his water before clearing this throat.
Eudora shook her head and raised an eyebrow at the man. "You look like Naveen, minus the charisma."
Pierre chuckled as his throat cleared. "And you look like a very mature version of your daughter. Minus her being half your size."
"Excuse me?" Eudora's eyes widen, growing defensive.
"Mama..." Tiana tried to make this a drama free breakfast.
Eudora stood. "Who do you think you're talking to young man-
"I beg your pardon, ma'am but-
"I have a great idea! Why don't we all eat breakfast in peace?" Tiana cut off the two with a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
"Sounds like a good idea." Eudora eyed the man. Not trusting him one bit.
()()()()
Tiana held on to Marcel's hand as they made it out to the garden.
"Now I want you to stay close. Don't go near that pond." She instructed her son.
"I won't, mama!" Marcel said as she let go of his hand. "May we go by the gazebo house?"
"Sure, why not?" She answered as they began their path, but stopped on their tracks when they spotted Pierre and Cassie kissing.
"Yuck!" Marcel said. "He's sucking on her mouth like daddy suck yours."
Tiana rolled her eyes in homour more than annoyance. "Let's go back in the palace."
Cassie pushed Pierre away from her. "You are a terrible kisser!"
"But I thought you enjoyed it this time!" He said.
"I will not marry you!" She pulled off her engagement ring and threw it at him. "I want a man who knows what he's doing!" She turned to see Tiana and attempted a fake gasp. "I am sorry your majesty. Is there anything you-
"No." She cut her off. "We've seen more than we should've." Referring to her and Marcel. Cassie held her head down as she walked back in the palace.
Pierre sighed in defeat before sitting on the bench. Tiana actually felt sorry for the man.
"Mama he's sad." Whispered Marcel.
"I know he is." Tiana took the boy's hand.
"Why don't we check on him." He suggested.
She raised an eyebrow. "I think he would rather be alone."
"But mama you always told me that all people should be happy-
Tiana sighed. "Oh come on, Marcel." They walked over to the man. "Pierre, are you alright?"
The man looked her way, wiping away the fake tear he created. "I don't understand what I'm doing wrong."
Tiana watched the man to see if his tears were indeed sincere. "She'll come around."
"No she won't. This was the final straw." Pierre continued crying.
Tiana didn't know what to say or do after watching the man crying before her. If anything, she felt awkwardness from him the entire time.
Marcel raised an eyebrow at the man. "You're a coward!"
"Marcel!" Tiana said with widen eyes. Lately the boy has been surprising her with his mouth.
"No, no he is correct. I am a coward. A heartbroken coward." Pierre then stood. "Excuse me."
"No, wait a second." Tiana stopped him. "My son isn't allowed to name call and he owes you an apology."
"But mama-
"Marcel..." She gave him 'the look'.
Marcel sighed, not looking up at the man. "Sorry cousin Pierre."
"It's alright." Pierre said. "If anything he is correct. My entire life I have never had the time to court a woman because of my father's dedication of me taking over my uncle's throne."
Tiana took her son's hand, in disbelief of what she just heard. "You mean to tell me that you've never went on dates? Or out partying with Naveen?"
"No. I was focused on the throne at the time." He answered. "Naveen and I have never met eye to eye. We were total opposites. The day Maldonia learned of his engagement to you I was just as shock."
Tiana didn't know what to think when it came to the man and felt that it was her time to leave. "Well, you take care." She and Marcel began walking. Pierre followed.
"I didn't mean to be forward. It's just that-
"You don't need to explain." She said. "You take it easy. Cassie will come around."
Pierre grinned, watching Tiana and Marcel nearing the gazebo house. "My plan is slowly coming together."
()()()()
Later that day, Tiana sat in the royal sitting room holding Roslyn in her arms. The more she looked at the infant the more similarities she saw within the baby. She had her father's eye colour, as well as complexion and hair colour. The baby inherited her eye shape, round nose and full lips. The curls were a mixture of her own and Naveen's texture. Occasionally Roslyn would wrinkle her nose in her sleep, much like her father would.
"My sweet little Roslyn." She said before placing a soft kiss on the baby's forehead. Suddenly, she heard a woman and man's voice in the hall. Interrupting her and Roslyn's time.
"I do not love you, Pierre. Please. I must go." Cassie's voice could be heard.
"Why can't you love me?" Pierre asked.
"You are not the man that I want."
Then it went silence, and the door opening with the man slowly walking in.
Tiana sighed and whispered to the baby, "There are so many other rooms in this palace."
Pierre heard her and pretended to be surprised. "Oh, I didn't know that anyone was in here. I—will leave-
"No, we were just leaving." Tiana stood up.
Pierre smiled at the mother and daughter. "Princessa Roslyn?"
She held on to her baby protectively and nodded. "Yes…"
"May I see her. I'm afraid I haven't met my cousin." He admitted.
Tiana didn't want to be bothered, but out of politeness she showed the infant to the man. "She's very tired."
"She's beautiful. She looks like the both of you." He chuckled, finding the baby adorable. "Naveen will not enjoy her during her courting years."
"I don't think young people court much nowadays." She said.
"If she's anything like Naveen was she will…" He stopped himself when he remembered that he had a plan to follow through.
"She'll be fine. Confidence and handwork goes a long way for a person." Tiana said, looking down at the baby.
Pierre looked Tiana up and down. Very impressed with what he saw. "I still cannot believe that Naveen is married, a father and a king…"
"Well he is." Tiana said, looking back at him. "I'm proud of how he's handling everything."
Pierre nodded in agreement. "He's certainly changed."
Tiana grew curious of the man who's first impression wasn't so great. "Why do you and Naveen hate each other so much? What happened between you two? If you don't mind sharing."
Pierre smirked. "It all started when we were children. Naveen was the golden child since his father was king, and we shared the same grandfather with my mother and Kabir being siblings. Even he was more gracious toward my cousin. Our rivalry didn't always exist. Naveen was born a month after I was and we were like brothers until we turned seven. That's when things made a turn." He explained, looking toward the window at the other end of the room. "We had the same education and always competed with everything. It was fun until my father pushed me to take my competition more serious. By age twelve, Naveen left for Navy training which left me more time to study. My father had this mindset on me becoming king. My mother would laugh it off because she already knew that it would never happen which lead me to siding with my father and immediately considered taking this more seriously. So I studied and studied with no intention for girls, parties, friends, no life. My main focus was to become the next king of Maldonia." He explained, his eyes brightened when he looked into Tiana's eyes. "I thought that it would happen after the scandal…I'm not sure if Naveen shared that with you-
"I know what you're speaking about." Tiana said, remembering Naveen telling her about the unfortunate story.
"Well, Kabir was pissed, and cut him off. I bonded with the man until he caught me trying to take a pen from his desk. I only needed a pen to write down a telephone number I wrote down for him after he stepped out of his office. I just so happen to forget that I had the pen in my hand but he didn't believe me. He said that I wasn't to be trusted and to never return to his study again. Moments later, he received a telephone call from Naveen about his engagement to you. I couldn't believe it…" He sighed. "But the wedding portrait said otherwise in the throne room, and the king's hall…then Kabir's dedication for Naveen to take over came about." He took a seat on the sofa nearest the door. "At least I still have my lord title."
Tiana felt bad for the man and saw something in him that she saw in her own husband. Both men had dreams that were taken from them. She also pitied for the man because she herself never got to fully enjoy her childhood as she was focused on saving enough for her restaurant.
Pierre looked up at the queen, noticing her silence. "I'm sorry for sharing such a depressing story-
"No, it's fine." She gave him a soft smile. "Naveen's story is similar to yours, well, opposite until the very end. The last thing he wanted to be was king of Maldonia."
"That I know. He wanted a commoner's life which I will never understand." He shrugged.
"Yes, being a commoner is so horrible." Tiana said with sarcasm.
"I didn't mean it that way." He said with a nervous smile.
"I know what you meant…" She rubbed on Roslyn's back. "At least you have your life. Ya parents loves you and maybe Cassie does, too."
'Cassie?' He thought as he then remembered his plan on hurting Tiana to get back at Naveen, but now had a hard time sticking through it after the kind treatment he was receiving from her.
"Never lose sight of what's really important." She advised. Hoping her encouraging words can help him. "My mama and daddy always told this to me and it took my entire life to realize what that meant."
"And what was did they mean?" He asked.
"Love." She smiled.
Tiana's smiled caused his stomach to tighten. She was so beautiful and good while she gave him the answer. "I can see why Naveen loves you." Pierre smiled, speaking from the heart. "You're a very good woman. The perfect woman."
Tiana was flattered by the compliment. "I wouldn't say all that."
"Well, you are." He said. Understanding what Cassie meant about the young queen.
Tiana raised an eyebrow at the man who was silent before her. Everything Naveen had told her about him was not present at the moment, nor was the arrogant uptight man she met almost a year ago. "So is this the true Pierre? Because I don't remember you acting this way around Naveen."
"I have to put on an act just to keep up with him." He joked.
"What's there to keep up with? He's always gone or in his office." She said. "Slow down and try to get to know him again. You have nothing to lose. I have a feeling that you will like what you see." She gave him a soft smile before leaving the room with the baby.
Pierre couldn't help but to watch the queen walking down the hall and up the stairs. She did something to him, but had no idea what it was. Could Tiana be right? Should he consider getting close to his cousin again? "No, I can't. Why am I thinking this way?" He stood and shook his head. "I have to go through with this plan. Naveen doesn't deserve happiness."
()()()()