Naveen took a stroll through New Orleans in the evening, he held onto the strap of his ukulele, hoping to run into a band so he could join in but it was quiet today. Tiana was at work and he was going to pick her up once she finished so he could go to her house to write a letter home. He didn't think he would be able to do it himself so with Tiana by his side, it would be easier for him to write it.

He wasn't sure what to tell his parents. Should he tell them about Tiana? Within a short amount of time, she managed to change his aspects of life in ways he never thought was possible. Yes, he was still selfish and spoiled but he felt as if he had calmed it down. More on the outside. He still had some internal demons to attend to.

"Hey Prince!"

Naveen paused in his steps and looked across the street to see who had called him. Since he was seen more and more with Tiana, no one really called him prince anymore so hearing it being shouted out was a bit odd.

It was a group of men, white, who looked around the same age or even older than Naveen. He looked at the way they were dressed and observed that they were of middle class.

Tiana and Kiara had filled him in on the racial tension here in America between white people and people of colour. Back home, race didn't mean a thing but here, it was dangerous so he had to be carefully. Not wanting to start anything, he continued to walk along.

"Ahh that's not very nice!" One other shouted. "Come here!"

Naveen ignored them.

"Let's go." The leader said to them. They all walked across the street and surrounded Naveen, blocking his path. "That's quite rude of you to ignore us, prince."

Naveen had to stop himself from sighing and had to compose himself. "My apologies, it's just I did not want to be disturbed as I walked around this beautiful city I just couldn't get enough of."

"Aww. Isn't that cute. Almost as cute as you and that little waitress of yours. What's her name again?"

His friends smirked. "Tiana, Jerry."

The leader, who Naveen now knew name was Jerry, let a sinister smile fall onto his face. "Yes. Tiana. The hard working one, unlike the other people of her... tone, around here."

Naveen's anger began to flare but he tried his best to supress it. The last thing he wanted was to get in a street fight and have his face plastered all over the newspapers and possibly sent back to his parents. That would not be good.

"Well, if you excuse me-" Naveen tried to move past them calmly but they stepped in his way again.

"Wait wait wait." Jerry held out his hand. Naveen looked around and saw that there were a few people watching but doing nothing. From what he had learned in a short time being here, no matter your status as a person, if you were white you still had power over people of colour even if you're in the same class. Naveen was in a much higher class but still got treated the same way. He would use his royal status but he wasn't that person to flaunt is wealth anymore. "I'm just trying to have a nice conversation and you want to be rude and walk away from us. Remember you're on our land, in our country. That Prince status doesn't mean nothing. If I was you... I would watch your back."

Naveen anger started to boil. "What did you say?"

Jerry smirked. "You heard me. Watch our Prince." Him and his friends laughed and walked away from Naveen, leaving him in a pool of anger.

'Faldi Faldonza, did that really just happen? Maybe I need to get my security back... no. I need to handle this myself. I am learning to be independent and this is one of the ways I can prove myself. It's not like I didn't get taught over 5 types of fighting and combat skills.' Naveen thought as he sped walked to Tiana's work. His walk had been ruined and now he was just going to sit and wait for her.

Just as he was going to turn the corner, a little girl ran up to him. Startled, he looked at her cautiously. She looked up at him and he had every right to be scared.

"He's coming." Was all she whispered before running away.

Naveen stood there shocked. 'Who is coming? Non capisco, I'm confused. What is happening today? Maybe it's just nothing...'

The most he could do was shake his head and walk into the café to wait for Tiana.

"And here's your drink." Tiana smiled as she placed the glass on the table.

"Thank you." The customer said.

Tiana stood up straight and went to walk to the back of the kitchen until she saw a familiar head of curly hair.

'Naveen?' She questioned and walked over to him.

"Naveen, what are you doing here? You're early." Tiana questioned. As she got closer, she saw that he wasn't his usual, energetic self. He looked lost. "What's wrong?"

Naveen looked up at his girlfriend and saw the concern written all over her face. "Nothing. Well, just worried about that letter we're going to write later."

"How was your walk?"

"It was-"

"Tiana! Come back here and stop googling eyeing your little boyfriend! Damn, I got customers to serve." Duke shouted from the kitchen.

The young couple began to heat up in embarrassment as all eyes turned to them so Kiara decided to step in.

"Now Duke. You know you shouldn't be putting my girl's business out like that! It not even that busy."

"Well she still got work to do." Duke told her.

"Just leave her alone!" Kiara shouted at him.

"This is so humiliating." Tiana started to shrink in place.

Naveen lightly chuckled and touched Tiana's arm. "It's fine. I will wait outside so you don't get distracted by my guapo face."

Tiana raised an eyebrow at his smirking face. "I still don't know much Maldonia but I have a feeling you just called yourself handsome so on that note, I am going to go."

"Ah yes. You know me so well." Tiana giggled and Naveen winked at her. "I will be outside."

"Ok. I will bring you some-"

"Beignet! Si, I will never grow tired of your cooking." Naveen told her truthfully.

Tiana smiled at him, knowing he really meant it. "That's a good thing and when I get my restaurant, everyone from far and wide will be saying the exact same thing."

Naveen looked at Tiana and saw the light of determination shinning off of her. He loved whenever she would talk about her dream, it brought out a whole new side of her.

"And I will be right-"

"Tiana!" Duke shouted her name again.

Naveen saw the light disappear instantly.

She sighed. "See you after the shift."

He slightly waved at her as she unwilling went back to work.

'You almost there Tia. Almost there.' She thought to herself as she walked back to the kitchen to get the next order.

"Chin up Tia. If I had a handsome Prince as a boyfriend waiting for me to work every day, I would be the happiest woman alive." Kiara laughed.

Tiana rolled her eyes as she began making her beignet, she would finish it once she put the main ingredients in the bowl. "You know what my dream is-"

"Yes to get your restaurant I know. I am here working with you to help you get that dream but having that man by your side just adds to the dream girl." Kiara nudged her.

Tiana shoved Kiara and laughed. "If you don't get back to work before Duke comes and shouts at us again."

Kiara laughed too. "I'm just saying. He can be helpfully."

"Kiara. We are both talking about the same man that said he had servants brush his teeth for him." Tiana raised an eyebrow.

"Well he must know how to do it now since you're all kissy kissy now." Kiara teased.

Tiana body started to heat up so she whizzed out the room away from her laughing sister. Sometimes Kiara and Charlotte were very childish which was just so hard for Tiana to handle. She doesn't know if it got better or worse as they aged.

"I am done with you!" Tiana shouted back at her. Shaking her head, Tiana threw a smile on her face before collecting the plate from Duke's annoyed self.

"I should start paying you girls less or change your shifts. All you do is talk." Duke told her.

Tiana smirked. "We both know you won't."

She walked away with her hands full of different orders and effortlessly placed them all on the right table while keeping her smile and telling them to enjoy their meal.

Out of nowhere, everyone in the café heard the light strum of strings. They turned to see the Prince fiddling with his prized instrument in his own world. He didn't realise all the eyes that were staring at him while eating their food. Playing the ukulele was so natural to him that he never had to think much about it.

Tiana looked out the window to see Naveen being lost in the strings and she thought it was cute to see how spaced out he was. Sadly, she couldn't stare long but she knew from how quiet everyone was inside, they were just as enchanted with his playing as much as she was.

Kiara, being the business woman she was, saw the effect Naveen was having on the people. The usual busy dinner time had calmed as soon as they heard him start playing. She placed the order onto the right table before speeding outside. She grinned as she walked up to the Prince.

"Naveen!"

Hearing his name made him jump. He looked up to see his Kiara staring at him in excitement.

"Oh Kiara, sorry I was zoned out... is my playing too loud? I can stop if you want me-"

"No!" She cut him off, making his eyes wide at how hyper she was. "Sorry, I'm just excited but everyone inside heard you playing and instantly went quiet to listen. Why don't you come and play inside? I'm sure Tia got some beignets for you to eat after."

Naveen slowly turned around to see everyone staring at him. You could see they were waiting to see what else he was going to play next. He smirked as he stood up and held open his arms.

"Who am I to keep the people waiting?"

"Great!" Kiara started to push the laughing man inside where people began to applauded him.

"Thank you! Thank you! You're all too kind!" He tried to be modesty but he secretly loved the attention. He would be lying if he said he didn't miss being in the spotlight, it was how he was raised. He was always in the public eye from the moment his mother was aware of his existence. Everyone wanted to get a piece of the crowned Prince of Maldonia. He loved the attention and he didn't think he would ever stop loving it. Being here has allowed him to love it a bit less and just be himself but he still had a reputation to uphold. He was a Prince at the end of the day. "Now this is a song that all people of Maldonia knows, it might as well be the national anthem." He laughed making everyone else lightly chuckle. "It's called, 'Abinaza' which means farewell back home. The song is about saying farewell for now and to not miss them too much." Naveen explained to the crowed as he stood at the front of the restaurant. He took a deep breath before running his fingers along the instrument and playing a soothe melody.

What people didn't expect was the Prince to sing. Tiana was shocked herself. She had heard him sing a little and those songs were usually upbeat but the song he was singing now was calm. This was the calmest she has ever seen Naveen and it was something she would like to see on a regular basis. It was just beautiful to watch and listen to.

No one understood what Naveen was saying as it was in Maldonian but they were all glued to his performance. Even Duke had to stop and listening before remembering he had to finish up his orders. It was closing time soon and he wanted to get the last few out the way.

Naveen began to walk around the room, singing to all the customers while being careful to not bump into Tiana or Kiara who were still working. He caught Tiana's eye and sent her a wink her way, making her blush but thanks to her dark skin, no one could see. He wanted to laugh but remembered that everyone was listening to him sing."Abinaza... abinaza... abinaza..." He sung the last lyrics. As soon as he let go of the last chord, the whole room exploded in applause. "Thanks once again, it was nothing!" Naveen humbly bowed but was feeling over the moon.

"Another one!" A child jumped up. His mother hushed him and pulled him back into his seat. The boy frowned as he sat back down.

"I apologise for my son." The mother told Naveen.

"Ah, its nothing." Naveen walked over and kneeled down in front of the boy. "Would you like me to play another song?" The boy sheepishly nodded. He turned to address the room. "Would everyone like another song?" They all began to clap and cheer. "Ashidanza! Then I shall play!" Naveen stood and began to play an upbeat Jazz song that he knew was popular in New Orleans at the moment which instantly made people happy and start dancing in their seats.

The café was brought to life and everyone was enjoying themselves. Duke was in the kitchen dancing and Tiana was now serving her fresh beignets which just made people happier. Naveen had forgotten all about his run in with the group earlier. However, they didn't forget about him.

Across the street, the same group looked into the café Naveen was in.

"Why does he look so happy? Isn't he a Prince and he's hanging with them low life's?" The blonde, Mike, questioned.

Jerry crossed his arms. "He may be royal but he's still a low life negro in these parts. You all need to remember that... you know, I don't like how untouchable he thinks he is. Need to knock him down a notch or two."

"What you thinking Jerry?" Charlie asked.

"I'm not sure yet. Give me time."

"Alright. We'll catch up to you later." They all walked away, leaving Jerry with his eyes glued in the same place. Everyone inside was dancing and laughing with the Prince who was centre stage of it all. He didn't understand the hype of this man, he was just liked the other coloured folk in this town, he shouldn't be treated differently as long as he was on this soil.

"I've heard what you've been saying about princey."

Jerry jumped as he heard an unfamiliar voice say from behind him. He quickly turned to look down the alley way. "Who are you?" He said in the darkness. A shiver ran down his spine as a set of purple eyes opened up.

"Come and I shall tell."

Jerry took a step forward and paused, wondering if he should actually follow this stranger. That's when he felt something push him forward and sent him flying after the figure. "What the?!"

Suddenly, he came into view of a large door that was already open, waiting for him to he walked in. As soon as it stepped in, the door slammed behind him.

"Who are you?" He asked into the empty room, or so he thought.

A tall, skinny man stepped in front of him, holding a stick in his hand. Jerry realised it was the same purple eyes he saw outside.

"I am a friend of yours." He smiled.

Jerry looked at him with disgust. "Why would I be friends with someone like you?"

The man's smile dropped but before Jerry could even notice, it was back up again. "Because we both have a common goal, to cause that prince some pain and the little lady could feel some too. With my skills and your connections, we can easily put them in a place they finally belong. One for disrespecting me."

Jerry started to think, it was a strange proposal but he was interested. "Who are you anyway?" He asked once again.

"Well I am Dr Facilier of course!" He laughed darkly as a burst of purple smoke and a shadow raced past Jerry's face, making him jump back. He had heard rumours of this man, the Shadow Man and nothing was ever really good and that's exactly what he needed. "Just know, my service comes with a price."

"Money is not a problem for me." He smirked.

"Good... so, do we have a deal?" Dr Facilier held out his slender hands to the young white male who looked down at it. It wasn't something he was thinking about doing but the opportunity presented itself. Who was he to let it pass?

"Deal." He shook his hand.

The voodoo man let a large smirk run across his face and bellowed out a laugh. "Yeeessssss." His shadow began to smile too. "Let's get down to business shall we."

"That's what I like to hear."

The two sat at the table and began to plot away against two innocent people. They had high hopes for their plan and couldn't wait for it to get into motion.

"That was honestly the best shift ever!" Kiara screamed as they walked towards their home.

"That was a very long shift too." Tiana told her.

"I know but your cute boyfriend made the ending better."

Tiana looked up at Naveen and they shared a smile. They walked hand in hand all the way home, not letting go once, not even when they got onto the trolley.

"I didn't do much." Naveen shrugged.

Kiara raised an eyebrow at him before walking further. "You are crazy if you think that. Tia said you could play but she didn't say you could ppllaaayy."

Naveen looked at her confused. "What does that even mean?"

Tiana laughed. "She's saying you play really good. Which you do, that song was beautiful Naveen."

"Thank you, I don't know why I have never played it to you before."

"Well maybe you can play it to me more often and other songs from Maldonia." She lightly flirted.

His smile got bigger. "I would like that... I would like that very much."

What the young couple didn't see was Kiara making various faces in joy as she heard the two talking but had to stop once they reached the door step.

"You ready to write the letter?" Tiana asked as they stepped inside.

"You're tired, you don't need to-"

"Naveeeeen." Tiana crossed her arms at him.

He sighed. "Ok fine, we'll do it."

Tiana smiled. "Good." She walked towards the living room to see her mother passed out on the chair, covered in pink fabric.

"I think Charlotte wants another dress." Kiara laughed lightly. The girls removed the fabric from her body and placed a nearby blanket over her. "Anyway, I will leave you two love birds to do what you need to do. I am going to collapse on my bed. Call if you need me."

The two waved bye to Kiara before walking into Tiana's favourite place in the house, the kitchen, and sat at the table. Tiana had her note pad and pen already ready to help Naveen write to his parents.

"So, first things first, how do you address them?" Tiana asked with the pen in her hand.

Naveen took a deep breath. It was the first time he would be writing a letter so personal. The times he would send letters were formal and that was because his father got him to start practicing with business.

"Well, it will start off as 'Dear King Rafu and Queen Nalea of Maldonia'." Naveen told her.

Tiana looked at him strange. "You don't call them mom and dad or even mother and father."

"When I am face to face to them but when I address them in writing, they're King Rafu and Queen Nalea of Maldonia." He explained to her.

"Ohh." She nodded in understanding. She started to write down their names, having Naveen help her with the spelling. "Ok, what's next?"

What was next? Naveen had no clue. Tiana saw the blank look on his face and had empathy for him. This was all new to him and it was sort of sad to see him so caught up the way he was. They're his parents, he should be able to feel comfortable to talk to them about anything. Tiana was close to her parents and they knew all about her dreams. When her father died, her whole world fell apart but her mother was there to help her through it. Yes, she had Kiara and Charlotte to get her through it but it was her mother's love that got her to power through it. She guessed the palace life wasn't so glamourous after all.

She reached out and gently rested her hand on his own. He looked down at it as he listened to her sweet voice coach him.

"Naveen, just say what's on your mind. They're your parents, they will understand how you feel. You may think they don't but I have a feeling they do. They love you enough to check up on you even after you was sent away. Let your words flow Naveen." Tiana encouraged him.

Naveen listened to what she said and took it all on board. He could do that, he could talk freely. He slightly nodded and cleared his throat. The two sat up straight but didn't remove their hands from each other's hold. "Dear King Rafu and Queen Nalea, I just wanted to say I love and miss you too and I have a lot to tell you." Naveen started out.

Tiana smiled happily at him before writing down what ever came to his mind, he was finally letting loose. She knew this was the first time he was able to say what he really felt and she was glad she could be there for him to get it all out. She was proud of him.

An hour later, Tiana and Kiara walked Naveen to the trolley. He had started to take it more often and he actually enjoyed this type of transport.

Kiara walked in front to give them some privacy as they walked once again, hand in hand.

"I am going to send off the letter as soon as I get home."

Tiana smiled up at him. "I'm proud of you Naveen. It was a beautiful letter you wrote. I know your parents are going to be happy to hear from you."

"I hope they are." He told her truthfully.

Tiana stopped to look him in his amber eyes. "I know you're used to thinking highly of yourself so I'm going to need you to go back to that Naveen for a second. They love you, I know that for sure. They sent you away in hopes you become a better man and you have. They will love to hear who you are becoming and we're still young, we make mistakes sometimes."

"You're right." Naveen sighed. "At times I would think they didn't love me since I had countless nannies and servants to take care of me. If I hurt myself, they would be the one to comfort me and make me feel better... and when you say I have become a better man, I really appreciate hearing you say that. I wouldn't have been able to do it with your help Tiana."

Tiana tip toed and kissed him on the cheek. "You're welcome. I didn't even do much, that was all you."

They gazed in each other's eyes, feeling comfort in the chocolate and honey pools.

"Guys! I hate to break up your moment but the trolley is coming." Kiara called out to them, breaking up their moment.

Naveen nodded. He placed his hand behind Tiana's head and connected his lips with hers. They slowly kissed. It would have lasted longer if they didn't hear the bell signally that it was there.

"Abinaza Naveen."

The native Maldonian grinned as he watched the word leave her tongue. Her pronunciation of the word was good which made him feel warm inside. He loved how open she was with learning his language and using it to communicate to him. It made him fall for her even more and deep down, he knew that feeling was going to turn into love soon."Abinaza Tiana." He walked away and said goodbye to Kiara before jumping on the trolley and going on his way.

Tiana sighed blissfully as she waved goodbye.

"You love him." Kiara teased.

Tiana rolled her eyes. "Now why you got to keep teasing me Kia? You and Lottie are just the same. Only Lottie can scream higher."

Kiara couldn't even argue against that, the blonde had a good set of lungs on her and they were told that the moment she came out the womb.

"It's just, you two are so cute together and I love how he treats you with respect. He's a good one Tia."

The young chef sighed. "I know... and it scares me just thinking about it. All I have thought about is my restaurant and I haven't even thought of no man in my life... I'm still going for my dream but-"

"But nothing. You're getting that restaurant and no one is going to stand in your way. Naveen just got to be by your side the whole way through. He has to support your dreams, don't let anyone stop you." Kiara cut her off.

"I know... and I know he won't get in the way of that but I understand what you're saying... let's get back home its lat-"

This time, Tiana was cut off by something else and it wasn't Kiara.

An unfamiliar car pulled up next to the girls sharply before 2 men with their face covered jumped out in front of them.

Their eyes grew wide and they tried to run but the masked men were just quicker. They were snatched and a piece of fabric was placed over their mouth, making them loose consciousness almost instantly before being thrown into the back of the car. The vehicle sped off into the night, with two young girls passed out in the back. There was no telling when they would be reported missing.

But hopefully, it was soon.

Another chapter eventually out. I don't know who is still reading these but let me know you here by dropping a review and any theories you have. Don't worry, Charlotte will be in the next chapter and I can't wait to write her so stay tuned for that.

Until next time

-TBG