The days passed heavily after the accidental encounter, as if both of them tried to forget the other… or convince themselves that they were capable of forgetting.
Each returned to their usual routine:
Iris to her strictly timed royal lessons, and Louis to his calm lectures that were no longer as calm as before.
And at the beginning of the third week of the King's diplomatic trip, the official channels announced that the world-renowned musician Orion Valen—Iris's former music mentor—would visit the kingdom to perform a grand concert in the Royal House of Arts.
The kingdom had not hosted an artist of such stature in years, so preparations began early.
And as expected, Iris had to attend the concert officially and organize the private reception for the musician, being his former student.
But what she didn't know…
was that Louis was one of Orion's greatest admirers since childhood.
His shelves were filled with analytical studies about the composer—something he had never dared to tell anyone.
And when he heard of Orion's arrival…
he simply couldn't resist attending.
On the night of the concert, the House of Arts was crowded with guests.
The lights… the gleaming corridors… and the elegant faces awaiting the music.
Louis sat in a VIP seat beside Queen Iris, trying to look indifferent… though his heart beat with the excitement of a child.
As he skimmed through the concert's musical booklet, he sensed a shadow pass near him.
He lifted his head…
And there she was—Iris.
She wore a royal gown, simple yet majestic, and her hair was styled according to official protocol.
She didn't look around much; she knew all eyes were already on her, and that she must preserve her royal composure.
But what she didn't expect…
was that her gaze would fall directly upon Louis's.
A moment of silence.
A long moment—long enough to rearrange history itself.
She said nothing.
And neither did he.
But something changed.
They sat side by side without a word.
After the first part of the concert, Iris was invited backstage to meet Orion Valen.
According to royal protocol, the official photographers, guards, and the chief of ceremonies had to accompany her.
But the crowded hallways caused Louis—who was only trying to get close enough to catch a glimpse of the musician—to accidentally block the royal procession.
The guards stopped instantly.
The chief of ceremonies whispered:
"He is obstructing Her Highness's passage."
But another voice intervened…
Calm, steady, unexpected:
"Let him be… he is no obstruction."
It was Iris.
For a reason she couldn't understand, she did not want them to push him aside.
She approached slowly, the entire entourage watching her steps.
She said to him in a low voice only he could hear:
"I expected to see you here."
Louis didn't know how to respond.
He said, with surprising honesty:
"Orion… was my first teacher through his books."
She smiled—for the first time, a warm smile that softened her royal sharpness.
Then she said, "Then follow me. I'll introduce you to my mentor."
He nodded without even realizing why he agreed so easily…
perhaps it was her expression, or the strange calm surrounding her despite the protocol…
or perhaps because Orion Valen had been a dream of his since childhood.
Iris walked confidently ahead as the guards made way for the two of them.
Her royal aura was undeniable, but Louis could finally see past it…
He saw the human behind all the light.
She opened the door to the musician's private reception room and invited Louis inside.
Orion was sitting before a mirror reviewing some notes when he turned toward them with a gentle smile.
Iris said:
"My teacher… I want to introduce someone who has loved your music as much as I do."
Louis stepped forward respectfully.
He tried to hide his nervousness, but he failed.
Orion extended his hand:
"So you love my music? It's an honor."
Simple words…
but they fell onto Louis's heart like a new symphony.
Iris watched, smiling softly.
She wasn't used to seeing Louis this nervous.
The three exchanged a brief conversation about music, art, and Orion's newest works.
And from time to time, Iris found her eyes drifting to Louis… without noticing.
Or maybe noticing more than she should.
After the meeting, the two left the room together.
The hallway was nearly empty now; the echoes of the concert fading in the distance.
Iris walked beside Louis without guards this time—maybe for air… or maybe she didn't want the encounter to end so soon.
She said quietly:
"You seemed happy there… It's the first time I see you like that."
He looked at her from the corner of his eye and replied:
"Sometimes… we suddenly meet the dreams of our childhood."
She smiled softly.
The faint music in the background matched their steps.
Then suddenly, she turned toward him, serious yet curious:
"But there's something I didn't understand… How were you seated in VIP? Those seats are reserved for diplomats and elite guests only."
Louis stopped walking.
For a moment, he seemed unsure whether he should tell the truth.
Then he raised his head and said simply:
"Maybe… because my full name isn't as common as you think."
She looked at him, puzzled.
He continued:
"Louis Altair."
She froze.
The look in her eyes changed instantly.
Altair.
A name every child in the kingdom knew.
The name of the largest tech and telecommunications corporation in the nation.
The company that owned half the digital infrastructure of the kingdom…
and had supported the Crown for decades.
She whispered, surprised:
"You're… the CEO?"
He replied as if it meant nothing:
"I preferred to be known as a teacher… not as a company director."
Iris stared at him for long moments, as if seeing a completely different person.
As they walked toward the theater's exit, she smiled in a way Louis could not understand yet.
Their steps slowed… almost as if neither wanted the night to end.
Before reaching the outside courtyard…
Iris stopped.
Louis stopped too, confused.
She turned to him, her eyes glimmering under the warm golden lights.
Something in her gaze was different… stripped of royal pride.
She spoke softly, with a hint of hesitation:
"Louis… do you have time this week?"
He raised an eyebrow.
He wasn't expecting that.
He didn't know how to answer.
She continued, trying to sound formal—yet her voice betrayed her:
"There's a new music exhibition opening Friday… and I was thinking…"
She breathed, paused.
"…perhaps… we could go together? Since music… matters to you."
It was the closest thing to an invitation a princess like her could offer.
Louis, who never faltered before full lecture halls, felt something warm rise in his chest.
He looked at her for a long moment, then said with a quiet smile:
"I would be honored."
Something in her expression shifted—relief mixed with nervousness.
She nodded lightly, unsure if she had done the right thing.
She took a step forward, then turned back:
"Friday, then. Don't be late."
Her tone was playful—unusual for her—before she walked out through the grand doors, followed by the crisp night air and the whisper of her royal gown.
Louis remained standing, staring at the path she had taken.
He didn't know if it was just an outing…
or the beginning of something much greater.
But one thing was certain—
Everything changed that night.