The Heir Apparent - a historical why choose, rh, poly, MMF, spicy romance ✅

Chapter Twenty-Five

Anevay

It did not surprise me that Tolliver took the job of figuring out our very unique situation seriously.

In fact, when we were not in bed exploring each other's bodies, or arguing over the way to run the kingdom, he was distracted by his thoughts on solving what seemed like an unsolvable problem.

I did not worry myself with that particular issue, knowing I could trust Tolliver to figure it out.

I, instead, left it in his capable hands. And enjoyed what little free time I had with my men.

If you had told me just a few months before that I would not only be enjoying being physical with one man, but three, I would have had a good laugh.

Prior to coming to the palace, I had always figured that what existed intimately between a man and a woman was something merely to be endured, never enjoyed.

Enjoyment, though, was all that I found.

Enjoyment and a deep sort of affection that it took me a long time to start to call love.

See, I had never known love. Not truly. I was sure that, on some level, I had loved my father. I did not recall that time. All my memories of him had to do with him scolding me for something I was doing that was too bold or inappropriate for a well-bred lady. He was rarely home for me anyway.

I was raised by governesses and servants.

There was affection there, yes, but nothing like love. They always kept up a professional persona that made it impossible to love.

I had no friends, no family, and no pets.

Love was as foreign to me as a dead language.

As such, I did not recognize the warm, squeezing sensation in my chest, the longing that had nothing to do with intimate desire, and everything to do with being near them, with spending time with them.

I did not understand the ache in my chest when I thought one might be cross with me or when I was too busy to spend time with them.

It was not until I was hosting yet another assembly for the wealthy local townspeople, and the evening's entertainment included a poet who was lamenting the feelings of love and love lost that I finally understood.

I loved them.

Tolliver, for his maturity and strength, for his willingness to push me, to challenge me, for his great mind and his fierce love of the kingdom and its people.

Riven, for his confidence and his fearlessness, for his mischievousness and his protectiveness. As well as his delicious, filthy mouth.

And Casimir, oh, Casimir for his kindness, for his gentleness with me, for his perceptiveness and his dedication to making the field of feminine physical care better.

They were incredible men in their very unique ways.

And, somehow, all of them not only desired me, but loved me back.

I had to admit that I felt unworthy.

I recognized that, from the outside, being a queen seemed to give me everything in the world.

Yes, it gave me freedom and wealth. But it did not change who I was. Which still felt like a young woman who was trying to figure out the world.

Certainly not someone impressive enough to draw the affection of three older, wiser, much more worldly men.