The days following the concert passed with a heaviness that resembled a sweet kind of anticipation…
The kind that does not understand patience, yet plants a gentle warmth in the hearts of both Iris and Louis.
And on a bright morning of that same week, the Royal Guard officially announced the return of King Roland II and Crown Prince Ryan from their diplomatic journey.
The royal caravans returned to the palace, the strict protocol regained its familiar rhythm, and Iris—outwardly—returned to her usual royal routine.
But nothing inside her was as it used to be.
She kept thinking about Friday…
About the meeting that was unlike anything she had ever experienced.
The First Date… That Was Never Just a Date
On Friday, Iris arrived at the musical exhibition wearing a simple grey coat, far from her usual royal glamor. She wanted to look… normal.
Or perhaps she wanted to see how she would feel away from the watching eyes.
Louis arrived moments before her.
He stood by the exhibition gate, reviewing the program as if preparing for an exam.
And when he saw her approaching… everything around him stopped.
"I didn't expect you to arrive before me," she said softly.
He smiled. "I was afraid I might be late…"
She laughed lightly—something she rarely did. "So was I."
They entered the exhibition side by side, and as the music washed over them, it loosened the threads of old hesitation.
They talked about melodies, about Orion, about childhood, and about dreams neither had ever dared to say aloud.
Those few hours were enough to reshape everything between them.
Not friendship…
Not yet full love…
But something gentle and unmistakably growing.
The King's Return… and the Beginning of a New Stage
A few days after the date, Iris was sitting in the royal lounge when her father, the king, called her with his usual serious tone.
"Iris… we need to talk about something I heard."
She stiffened. "About what?"
"There is a man… Louis Altair."
Her heartbeat quickened.
"I heard he has been accompanying you at certain events. Is that true?"
She inhaled calmly and replied: "Yes, Father. He is… important to me."
The king remained silent for several seconds until Queen Roxalina, sitting beside him, said:
"Then let us invite the young man to dinner. Anyone who does not fear the king does not deserve our daughter, isn't that right?"
Iris laughed, and even the king's stern expression softened.
And so… the first official invitation was issued.
Louis Meets the Royal Family
Louis was rarely nervous…
except that night, standing before the royal palace.
Wearing a dark elegant suit, holding a small gift for the queen—a rare book on the history of music—he followed Iris's advice carefully.
He was welcomed by the guards, escorted by the grand chamberlain, and when he stepped into the hall… the royal family awaited:
The king with his historical presence,
Queen Roxalina with her warm grace,
and Crown Prince Ryan, eyeing him like he was decoding a mystery.
"Louis Altair… we finally meet," said the king.
"The honor is mine, Your Majesty," Louis replied respectfully.
The dinner lasted over an hour—filled with political talk, cultural debate, music, and a touch of personal questions.
The king was testing him… and Louis answered with confidence free of arrogance, and intelligence free of pretense.
Later that night, as he stood with Iris on the balcony, she whispered:
"They… liked you."
He smiled. "And you?"
She looked at him for a long moment. "I… since the concert."
Neither finished the sentence.
They didn't need to.
A Marriage That Changed the Kingdom
Months later, after their relationship became public, the king granted official blessing for the union.
And when Iris appeared in her royal white gown—with Louis beside her, unshaken and proud—everyone realized the kingdom was stepping into an entirely new era.
The wedding was legendary—filled with music, protocol, and hidden tears.
The lovers' kiss before the people marked the dawn of a renewed royal age.
Years Later… and an Eighteen-Year-Old Prince
Young Murad grew in the harmony of a calm royal palace, raised on culture, music, and leadership.
On the morning of his eighteenth birthday, he stood before his parents in the golden hall to make a request:
He wished to travel to the Kingdom of Florida for his higher studies.
Queen Roxalina asked gently, "Are you certain?"
He nodded, carrying the confidence of his father and the calm of his mother.
"Florida… will be my beginning."
Iris placed a hand on his shoulder. "Go, Murad. Study, learn, and make something worthy of your name."
Prince Ryan embraced him tightly. "Time passed too fast… I still can't believe you're leaving for college."
Murad, beloved by his family and even the palace staff, was urged by many to remain and study within the kingdom.
But his resolve was sincere… and the royal family had no choice but to respect it.
A New Child… and a Summer of Anticipation
Iris was in her final months of pregnancy—her belly growing softly, adding a serene beauty to her royal presence.
The royal physicians monitored her closely, while the kingdom awaited the arrival of its new prince or princess.
Louis was the most nervous, despite his attempt to hide it.
One evening, on the palace balcony, Iris placed a hand on her stomach and whispered:
"I feel the baby will come soon… before summer ends."
Louis looked at her with a tenderness only she could see.
"Let's hope the baby arrives before Murad leaves… it would be beautiful for him to see his sibling before starting his new life."
She nodded, though her eyes carried a hint of worry—her first childbirth—and perhaps a touch of longing.
Preparations for Murad's Journey
Murad's departure was anything but simple.
Royal paperwork had to be arranged, diplomatic correspondence with Florida strengthened for the prince's official reception, and elite security measures prepared.
Crown Prince Ryan met with the royal security council to finalize accompanying protocols.
King Roland II signed the documents granting Murad a special academic residency.
Murad packed his own bags, trying to hide his nervousness beneath forced maturity.
One night, he approached his father and asked:
"Father… do you think Florida will see me as a prince… or just a student?"
Roland placed a steady hand on his shoulder.
"They will see you as a human first… and that matters more than any title."
Murad smiled, though a greater question lingered in his heart.
The Birth of Prince Loras
Not long after, labor began.
Just weeks before the end of summer break, the royal hospital announced that the queen had gone into labor.
The entire palace gathered, and Murad—who had returned from a short trip—rushed to be there.
After long hours, the doctor emerged with a glowing smile.
"Congratulations… it's a prince."
Tears filled Iris's and Louis's eyes.
Murad was the first to hold his newborn nephew, staring at the tiny baby boy as if promising to be the brother he would have to leave behind for a while.
The royal family soon arrived—King Roland, Queen Roxalina, and Prince Ryan—to welcome their newest member.
"My beautiful daughter… you are now a mother," Roland said, touching Iris's head.
"I can't believe I'm a grandmother," Roxalina whispered as she held the infant.
Iris called out, "Ryan! Come see your nephew!"
She embraced both her brothers, Murad and Ryan, tears of joy shining in her eyes.
Then the king and queen embraced their children together.
The Royal Celebration… and the Farewell
A grand ceremony was held in honor of the newborn prince.
The king, queen, crown prince, ministers, and prominent figures attended.
Murad stood beside Prince Ryan, who stood next to the king; Queen Roxalina stood on the opposite side—each in their correct protocol position.
Music filled the hall.
Despite her exhaustion, Iris looked radiant, holding her tiny child.
Ryan asked, "What will you name the little prince?"
"I have many ideas," Iris replied.
Louis suggested, "There's Raux… or we could combine letters from our names: Loras."
Murad smiled. "Loras sounds beautiful."
Ryan nodded. "Perfect, just like our sister."
Iris laughed softly. "Then Loras it is. I'll tell Mother and Father after the ceremony."
At the end of the celebration, King Roland and Queen Roxalina sat on their thrones.
Roxalina sighed, "The children have grown."
The king approached Murad and said:
"The time for your journey is near… a new world awaits you."
Murad looked at baby Loras sleeping peacefully in his mother's arms…
then at the sky, glowing with a promise of change.
No one knew then…
Would his path be one of royal glory?
Or an adventure unlike anything the kingdom had ever witnessed?
The only certainty was this:
Prince Murad's journey had not yet begun.
And its true beginning… would be in the Kingdom of Florida.