Being royalty isn’t easy. Being royalty when your spouse spends more time conducting business than bothering to make time for you is even harder. It’s lonely and no one actually understands it. Every last person you’ve spoken to about your loneliness has said something about it being par for the course and that you really should have expected it.

It’s not like you had any choice in who you married. You were betrothed from birth, married young. Now, four years into your marriage, you understand why so many kings and queens have taken concubines. Despite this understanding you never really considered it for yourself even though your advisors had mentioned it a few times.

Your loneliness isn’t a good image for the kingdom. It makes no sense for your spouse to be portrayed as someone who’s incapable of keeping you happy and doing their job. Well you thought you’d never consider it. That went out the window when your spouse brought home two concubines from one of their business travels. It made it even harder to get your spouse’s attention. Even still it’s not as though you sought out your concubines. Each one seemed to just fall into your lap. How could you not take on a few concubines when they were all so caring and respectful?

It was an odd mix of people but it worked. They bonded quickly and soon it felt more like family than a member of royalty and your concubines. Their stories were all different. Ranging from injury to death, all four of your concubines had hard lives. They faced impossible circumstances, beat the odds, and now live in luxury. None of you would have it any other way. It led to nights like this one. Nights where you’re tired and just want to relax. Nights where they have a bath drawn with lavender and other nice smelling herbs before you even get to the room you share with the four of them.

John and Kyle approached you first. Kyle gently works at the fastenings of your clothes while John takes your hands in his and quietly explains what they had set up for you. Simon and Johnny are in the other room, preparing a large platter for the five of you to share. It’s as close to perfect as life can be.