Page 16 of Club Royal: Calendar Collection

Andrew

Across from him sat one of his partners, Prince Consort Kean, his hair tousled in that effortlessly handsome way that Andrew adored, especially when he’d been dozing. Kean’s eyes blinked open, and he caught Andrew’s gaze and offered a lazy smile, making the king’s heart race a little faster.

“Thinking about your kingdom again, Andrew?” Kean teased, yawning while his arms stretched above his head, exposing a sliver of skin beneath his T-shirt.

“Not today,” Andrew replied with a chuckle. “Today, I’m thinking about nothing at all. Just you, me, and the sea.”

“And Kendal,” Kean added with a smirk, nodding towards their sleeping partner, Prince Consort Kendal, the other half of their royal triad.

Where Kean was full of energy and excitement, Kendal was brooding and sensible, something Andrew wished they didn’t have to be.

Their laughter was infectious, and even in the most serious of times, Kendal had a way of making everything feel easier.

Both Kean and Kendal shared the weighty burden of the crown on their shoulders.

“Yes, and Kendal,” Andrew agreed, his smile growing wider as Kendal snuffled in their sleep.

It had taken the kingdom by surprise when Andrew had not only taken Kean as his consort but had also formed a bond with Kendal.

Though not the royal family’s first polyamorous royal relationship, it had still caused a scandal at first. Over time, though, many people of Great Britain had come to see that love, in all its forms, was worthy of respect and admiration.

Now, the three of them ruled together, side by side, each bringing their unique strengths to the throne.

But today was not about ruling—it was about the rare joy of being alone together, away from the court and the watchful eyes of the kingdom. Well, it would be if their house was as secluded as they’d been told it was.

Kean leaned forward, his eyes locking onto Andrew’s with a mischievous glint. “Do you think Kendal will be sad if they miss the view of the sea?”

Andrew laughed, imagining Kendal’s eager face pressed against the window, their hair catching the light as they vibrated with excitement. “If I know Kendal, they’ll charm every fisherman and beachcomber they meet along the way to the shore.”

Kean chuckled softly and reached across to take Andrew’s hand in his. “I’ve been looking forward to this for weeks. It’s been too long since we’ve had time to ourselves.”

Andrew’s fingers intertwined with Kean’s, and for a moment, the weight of the crown felt even lighter. “Agreed. We’ve all been running ourselves ragged. This holiday is exactly what we need.”

The cars slowed as they approached the coast, the salty tang of the sea air wafting through the cracked windows.

The rhythmic sound of the waves crashing against the shore grew louder, and Andrew’s heart swelled with anticipation.

He had always loved the sea—its vastness, its mystery, and the sense of freedom it brought him.

Here, away from the responsibilities of everyday life, he could be simply Andrew, a man in love with two extraordinary people.

As the cars rolled to a stop, Kendal jerked awake, wiping at their eyes and mouth, removing any chance of drool that might’ve occurred.

The guards moved swiftly to open the doors, and Andrew stepped out first, taking in a deep breath of sea air as the view spread out before him.

The beach stretched in both directions, the golden sand shimmering in the sunlight.

The deep blue of the ocean disappeared toward the horizon, while the white foam crashed onto the sand.

He turned to help Kean out of the car, and they both stood together for a moment, taking it all in. The warmth of the sun on their skin, the scent of salt in the air—it was intoxicating. Kean slipped his arm around Andrew’s waist, pulling him close.

“This is almost perfect,” Kean murmured, resting his head on Andrew’s shoulder.

Before Andrew could respond, a joyful shout reached his ears. They both turned to see Kendal racing down the path towards the beach, their eyes wide with excitement.

“Andrew! Kean! Isn’t this amazing?” Kendal called out as they ran past them, nearly stumbling in their haste to reach the shoreline. “I haven’t seen the sea in years! Look at the colour of the water—it’s like something out of a dream!”

Andrew couldn’t help but smile at Kendal’s infectious enthusiasm, something they didn’t show too often in public, preferring to be calm and sensible.

“It’s beautiful,” he agreed, though there was no way Kendal could hear him.

He tightened his hold on Kean. “I’m glad we could all come here together. ”

Kean beamed up at him, his energy practically vibrating through his body. “Let’s not waste any more time! Come on, my king. I want to feel the water, run on the sand, just…be free!”

Without waiting for a response, Kean darted down to the water’s edge to join Kendal, who was already paddling in the surf minus their shoes, their laughter ringing through the air. Andrew watched them for a moment, letting the scene sink deep inside where he would remember it forever.

“Come on, Your Majesty. The beach awaits.” Dominic, his guard, said with a smile.

Kean

The three of them spent the afternoon revelling in the simple pleasures of the beach.

They waded into the cool water, splashing and laughing like children.

Kendal, true to their nature, made friends with every fisherman and villager they encountered, charming them with their serene smile.

Kean relaxed in the warm sun, his arm draped lazily over Andrew’s shoulder as they watched Kendal explore.

As the sun dipped toward the horizon, the sky a vision of pink and orange, they sat together on a large blanket spread across the sand.

A small fire crackled nearby, casting a warm glow over their faces as they shared a simple meal of freshly caught fish roasted over the open flame.

How had Kean never known that Landon had “in the wild” training, as Kendal called it?

It made their experience that much more unique and amazing.

Kendal, their hair still damp from their earlier swim, stretched out on the blanket, resting their head in Andrew’s lap, eyes closed. “This is perfect,” they sighed, their voice soft and content. “I wish we could stay here forever.”

Andrew smiled down at him, running his fingers through Kendal’s strands. “If only it were that simple,” he said, though his tone was light. “But the kingdom awaits. We’ve got duties and responsibilities to return to.”

Kendal huffed, though there was no real frustration in their expression. “I know, I know. But I’m going to enjoy every second of this while it lasts.”

Kean had been quietly watching the exchange, and he turned his gaze to Andrew. “They’re right, you know. We don’t get moments like this often. We should savour them.” There was an unexpected weight to his words, like something was coming they couldn’t stop.

Andrew nodded slowly, staring out at the sea.

They had all been so consumed by their roles in the kingdom—by the politics, the expectations, the drama—that moments like these, moments of peace and connection, were far too rare.

They made time for each other, of course they did.

But it was getting more and more difficult with every new task any of them were given.

And yet, there they were, together on the beach, the world far away for a few days longer.

“I love you both,” Andrew said, his voice barely above a whisper, as though speaking the words too loudly might break the spell of the evening.

Kean reached over, resting his hand on Andrew’s knee, while Kendal shifted in Andrew’s lap, looking up at him with those bright, adoring eyes.

“We love you, too,” Kendal said, their voice full of sincerity, warmth and, of course, love.

Kean nodded, his eyes barely able to keep the tears from spilling over at how much he loved them both. “More than you’ll ever know.”

For a long moment, they sat there in silence, the only sounds the crackling of the fire, the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore and the quiet hum of conversation from their guards, who had a similar fire to themselves a short distance away.

The world seemed to slow, the pressures of their titles and duties melting away.

As the fire died down and the stars twinkled overhead, Kendal shifted, sitting up and stretching their arms above his head. “We should go for a night swim,” they suggested, his eyebrows waggling.

Andrew raised his eyebrows, glancing at the dark water that stretched out before them. “A night swim? Isn’t it a little…cold for that?”

Kendal grinned, already rising to their feet. “Nonsense! The water’s perfect. Come on, my liege. When was the last time you did that?”

Andrew glanced at Kean, who shrugged with a small smile. “He’s got a point, my king.”

With a sigh that was more amused than reluctant, Andrew allowed Kendal to pull him to his feet. “Fine, fine. But if I catch a cold, I’m blaming you.”

Kendal laughed, already stripping off their shirt as they raced towards the water.

Kean followed suit, his movements more measured but no less eager.

It was nice to see Kendal with so little reservation for a change.

Keeping on his underwear, mainly so the guards didn’t have to avert their eyes too much, he waited for Andrew.

“You don’t have to, you know,” he said as Andrew hesitated.

“I just don’t want this to end up on the front page of the papers.”