What a relief!!!
**Ashley’s POV**
I woke up the next morning and found myself in bed all alone. I was naked, with only the thick duvet covering me, and I couldn’t help but reminisce about what had happened the night before between Lucas, Simon, and me. I groaned as I buried my face in shame. What in the world had come over me that I suddenly craved intimacy so intensely? If I hadn’t managed to lock myself in and stay indoors while trying to calm down, only the goddess knows whom I would have ended up with.
“But wait, how did this even happen? Obviously, I wasn’t in my right senses. Something’s wrong with this whole thing,” I murmured to myself, trying to make sense of what had happened. Even if I wanted to blame it on the effects of the mating season, which everyone knows is still a few weeks away, it didn’t explain everything. If my urges were due to that, my wolf would have understood, and it would have resulted in a conscious willingness to let her take over. However, this time it wasn’t by choice but because I had no other option. In fact, I’m certain that if I hadn’t let her take control, things could have gone terribly wrong.
Amidst it all, one thing I was honestly grateful for was that nobody else entered the room during that dire situation other than Simon. I wasn’t happy that they had gotten to be with me again despite everything that had happened, but at least it wasn’t anyone else. If word ever got out that I slept with another wolf inside the palace, despite being married to the kings, things would definitely go wrong. So, amidst the disappointment about giving in to Lucas and Simon, whom I had vowed to punish with my nonchalant and frustrating acts, I was still relieved.
I got up from the bed, walking across the room without anything on, before heading to the closet to grab myself a robe. I looked around but, to my annoyance, couldn’t find one. I couldn’t understand why all my robes had been taken without leaving any for me. I was about to call for one of my newly appointed handmaids when one walked in with several thick robes draped over her arm.
“Oh my goodness, my lady!” she exclaimed as soon as she saw me standing there naked. “My sincere apologies, my queen. The washing machines have been under maintenance for a week now, so the ladies have had to hand-wash all the clothes. I’m really sorry you’re just getting your robes now,” she said, as she helped me put on one of the freshly scented robes in a tan brown shade.
“It’s fine, but I hope the repairs have finally been done. I really can’t be running out of things like this,” I said.
“Affirmative, my queen. May I go run you a bath?” she asked, and I nodded, tying the robe with a quick knot.
“Oh, and please make the water warm. I need it,” I added, and she curtsied slightly, a small smile on her face. As she walked toward the bathroom, I felt the soreness in my inner thighs, flashes of the night before replaying in my mind. I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed, knowing her smile hinted at some understanding of what had happened.
As she continued her task, it suddenly dawned on me that I had neither seen my children before going to bed nor after waking up.
Gosh! What a terrible mom I am!
“Oh, Rita, um-”
“Yes, my lady?” she said, stopping and turning to face me.
I nervously scratched the back of my neck, unsure how to ask without sounding like an irresponsible mother. “I, um, I just wanted to ask about-”
“The boys? Don’t worry, my queen. I figured you and Their Highnesses would be busy through the night, so I slept with them in King Lucas’ room. I already ran them a bath, and when His Highness returned, he took over their care.”
“Oh!” I said curtly, now fully embarrassed. She knew everything that had gone on, and it was clear that last night’s events hadn’t gone unnoticed. Who knows how many others had heard what happened?
“Well, thank you. I hope you didn’t get in trouble for staying with the boys in Lucas’ room?”
“Not at all, my queen. In fact, His Highness was the one who gave me permission to take them there.”
“All right, that’s a relief.”
“May I assist you with anything else before I prepare your bath?”
“No, I’m good. Thank you. Please go ahead,” I said, and she curtsied before continuing into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. I bit my lip as soon as she left.
“Shit!” I cursed, sitting on the bed. I couldn’t stop chastising myself for what had happened, but my wolf quickly interrupted.
“Oh, please! It’s not like you did anything wrong. You just had an amazing time with your husbands! Get over it. In fact, I want more of it now-it’s been six years, and this can’t be a one-time thing.” Her voice lingered in my mind, but I shook my head to clear those thoughts. I knew I shouldn’t feel this way, but my wolf was strong, and whether I liked it or not, she would have her way eventually.
I didn’t realize Rita had returned until her voice broke through my thoughts. “My queen, your bath is ready.”
“Oh, it is? Okay, thank you,” I responded, mixing up my words slightly before regaining composure. I got up and made my way to the bathroom, where I was welcomed by the sweet vanilla scent of the bath soap. Rita walked in with a towel, followed by my other two handmaids.
“No, no, ladies, I’m fine bathing myself today. Thank you,” I said, and they all curtsied and left.
“Wait! Rita, stay behind,” I said softly. She nodded as the others left. Once we were alone, I removed my robe and stepped into the warm water.
“Do you think they’re upset?”
“What?”
“Irene and Yasmine,” I said, scooping water onto my chest. Once I was sure the temperature was right, I slid in further until the water reached my collarbone.
“Oh, them? Not at all, my lady,” Rita responded, and I remained silent for a while. I couldn’t deny that I enjoyed having Rita around more than the others, and I just hoped they didn’t feel offended or overlooked since I cared for all three of them.
“Are you sure? It just feels like they’re not happy that I always pick you to be with me more often.”
“Well, I can’t deny it might hurt a little, but this is more common than you think, so I assure you they’re not too bothered. Besides, they get more free time and don’t have to deal with the stress that comes with being the favorite.”
“Stress? Come on, am I that demanding?” I teased, smiling as she chuckled.
“Not at all, my queen. Fun fact,” she whispered, “everyone in the mansion knows you’re not as troublesome as Queen Veronica was when she first started. Wow, that woman really put us through hell.”
I laughed. “Oh really? And what if I turn out like her? Which I definitely forbid.”
“I forbid it for you too, my queen! That would be automatic suffering for us all!”
“You don’t mean it?” I teased.
“Oh, yes! Besides, Their Highnesses wouldn’t want a second version of Queen Veronica. They never enjoyed her company or the idea of spending the night with her the way they did with you last ni-” She stopped abruptly, and I turned to face her.
“Hmm, what were you about to say?” I asked, urging her to continue.
“I think I’ve said too much. My apologies, your highness.”
“Oh no, not at all. If you were overstepping, I’d tell you. Rita, I’m a woman, after all. This queen role is so lonely. Everyone avoids personal conversation with me, and it’s draining. I don’t even get to spend time with my sons anymore, now that I’m swamped with responsibilities.”
“I understand, my queen. I can only imagine how hard it is to adapt to this life after starting to build a simple one with your kids years ago.”
“I tell you, but we’ll be fine. I know it,” I said, and we began the process of washing my body. Once done, I hopped into the shower to rinse off before wrapping myself in the towel Rita had ready for me.
We returned to the bedroom, where she helped me choose an outfit from the hundreds of new dresses I’d received since becoming queen. After finishing my morning routine, I decided to visit Lucas’ bedroom to see my sons. I prayed that Lucas wouldn’t be there since I was too shy to face him again.
When I arrived, I knocked, but there was no response. I opened the door and found Lucas sitting with Simeon on his neck, and I froze on the spot.
“Shit!”
Lucas’s gaze met mine as I stood frozen at the door. His expression was unreadable, a mixture of neutrality and something deeper that I couldn’t quite place. Simeon, perched happily on his shoulders, giggled and waved at me, completely unaware of the tension that hung in the air between his father and me.
“Come in,” Lucas said, his voice even, though his eyes lingered on me a second too long. I swallowed hard and stepped inside, closing the door quietly behind me.
Simeon immediately scrambled down from Lucas’s shoulders and ran towards me with his arms outstretched. “Mama!” he called, and my heart melted, guilt quickly replacing the initial wave of awkwardness. I bent down to scoop him into my arms, holding him tightly.
“Hey, my love,” I whispered into his ear, breathing in the familiar scent of my child. “I missed you.”
As I held Simeon, I could feel Lucas’s eyes on me, watching our interaction intently. I didn’t dare meet his gaze just yet. I didn’t know how to explain what happened last night-how could I even begin? Would he expect me to explain it at all, or were we just going to pretend it never happened? The uncertainty gnawed at me.
“And where’s my strong man that has refused to come hug mama?” I asked, faking an angry expression as I rested both hands in my waist. In between, a smile just kept peeking through my expression as I placed Simeon back down. I needed to distract myself, to find a way to maintain that hard look I was clearly struggling to hold
“Why don’t you go ,” Lucas said to Luke, his voice soft now. The latter stood up, and unlike his brother who ran over to come meet me, Luke strutted towards me as if walking a runway, and I couldn’t help but be amazed by this act of his.
“Hmmm, look at my big boy!” I said, and it was only after he was very close to me that this aura of his finally fell flat to the ground, as he happily jumped into my arms.
As soon as I finished having my moment with the kids, Rita then came and took them out to get some fresh air and take in the morning sun while Lucas and I remained in the room.
I hesitated before taking a step toward Lucas. The room was awkwardly silent for a while but I immediately initiated the conversation as soon as something came to my mind
“So, the kids don’t have any training today?”
“Oh, no they don’t, today is their rest day”
“Oh, okay then” I responded, and the silence soon returned back in the room
“About last night…” I started, my voice barely above a whisper, not even sure if I wanted to continue that sentence. I wasn’t sure where to begin, but the words were out, hanging in the air between us now.
Lucas turned to me, his gaze softening slightly. For a moment, I saw a flicker of something-understanding, perhaps? Or maybe it was just my imagination. I hated not being sure of what the other person was thinking so much and I’m sure it was already obvious at this point
What the heck!