Chapter 140

Iris

The Skyline restaurant is located on the top floor of one of Ordan’s tallest buildings, thus offering a panoramic view of the city lights below. From here, I can see the entire city stretched out below me—the dense clusters of buildings in the center city, the streetcar wending its way through the avenues, the bridge that takes us up toward the northern territories, and finally the bay that separates Ordan and Bo’Arrocan.

As for the restaurant itself, Arthur clearly wasted no expense on decor. Skyline is already the fanciest restaurant in town, but the space has been transformed for the party. Candles flicker on the white tablecloths, crystals dangle from the ceilings, and an ornate balloon arch leads us into the main space.

But what takes my breath away isn’t the decor or the view—it’s the people. As soon as Arthur and I walk in, a chorus of cheers erupts. Everyone I love is here: Alice and Hunter standing near the bar, Brian and Liam waving enthusiastically from a table near the windows, and even my parents and Caleb are here.

“Surprise,” Arthur whispers in my ear. His breath tickles my neck. “I thought you deserved a proper celebration.”

“You did all this?” I ask, glancing up at him with wide eyes. “When did you even have time?”

He shrugs, looking very much pleased with himself. “I have people for that. I just made a few calls.”

“Show-off,” I tease, but I’m smiling so wide my cheeks hurt. It’s a really sweet gesture—the perfect thing to send off my residency and open up the next chapter of my life. I’m no longer Iris the struggling artist, but a wealthy heiress and the future Luna of Ordan.

Although, I push away thoughts of my next moves for now. I don’t want to think about charity initiatives and what to do with my newfound platform. I’m just excited to see my friends and eat some good food.

Alice rushes over first, pulling me into a tight hug. “You were amazing tonight! I’m so proud of you!”

Hunter follows behind. “The artwork was impressive. I especially liked the horseback piece. What was hiding behind that tree branch in the foreground?”

I blush and glance at Arthur again, who winks at me. “Our little secret,” I say cryptically, eliciting matching eye-rolls from Hunter and Alice. “Thank you both for coming.”

“Wouldn’t have missed it,” Alice assures me. “Plus, there’s an open bar.” She winks and holds up her cocktail.

Before I can respond, I’m swept away by more friends wanting to congratulate me. It’s overwhelming in the best possible way. My parents approach next, my mother looking stunning in a silver cocktail dress while my father is as handsome and imposing as ever in a tailored suit.

“Congratulations, Iris,” my father says, leaning down to brush a warm kiss to my cheek. “The exhibition was excellent.”

“Your final piece was breathtaking,” my mother adds. “And your speech about arts education—I’ve already had three people approach me about contributing to your cause.”

“Really?” My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “That’s… that’s amazing.” I’m not sure if I’ll ever get used to people actually wanting to support me without even speaking to me personally first. Maybe I don’t want to get used to it.

As the night progresses, the party falls into a comfortable rhythm. There’s a small band playing soft jazz, and couples begin to gravitate toward the dance floor. Arthur finds me after I’ve made my rounds, extending his hand with a small bow.

“May I have this dance, Lady Willford?”

I roll my eyes but take his hand, letting him lead me to the center of the floor. Our weeks of dance lessons immediately snap into place as we begin to move, but it’s more relaxed now. I don’t have to worry about impressing people; rather, I can simply rest my head on my mate’s chest, enjoying the gentle sway.

“Are you having a good time?” he asks, his lips brushing the top of my head.

“The best,” I admit. “Thank you for doing this.”

“You deserve it. Your exhibition was incredible, Iris. Everyone was talking about your work—the actual work, not just who you are.”

I wish that were true, but I know it’s not. Not really. I think that is one thing I’ll have to get used to, and I’ll have to make the best of it. Whether I like it or not, I’m essentially a celebrity now. But at least I can take the attention and spin it in a positive way. Hopefully my momentum follows me through my charity initiatives and beyond.

Arthur and I quietly dance through several songs, lost in our own little bubble despite the crowd around us. We don’t talk much, but we don’t need to. I’m just glad to be here, listening to my mate’s heartbeat in tandem with the music.

Together. In public. No longer hiding.

It’s still so… surreal.

Eventually, though, I’m pulled back to reality by Brian and Liam, who insist on stealing me away. Arthur relinquishes me with mock reluctance, pressing a quick kiss to my temple before heading to the bar.

Brian immediately pulls me into an enthusiastic hug once Arthur is out of earshot. “Look at you, Miss Famous Artist! Next thing you know, you’ll be too important to hang out with us nobodies.”

I roll my eyes. “As if. You’re still the ones who helped me get back on my feet when I had nothing. You’re stuck with me.”

Liam laughs, but there’s something thoughtful in his eyes as they follow Arthur’s retreating form. “So, what’s next for you two? Now that the residency is over and all…”

“I’m moving back in with him,” I say, feeling a flutter in my stomach at saying it out loud. “Next week, actually.”

“That’s huge!” Brian exclaims. “And then what? Wedding bells in the future?” He waggles his eyebrows suggestively.

I feel my cheeks heat up. “Goddess, not you too. I saw that ridiculous article with the picture of us at the park.”

“It wasn’t ridiculous,” Liam argues. “It was sweet. And you didn’t answer the question.”

The thought of getting engaged to Arthur makes my heart pound excitedly, but I’m not ready to admit that out loud—especially not when the media is already running wild with speculation.

“We’re taking things slow,” I insist. “We haven’t even moved back in together yet! Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

Brian gives me a look that says he doesn’t believe me for a second. “Uh-huh. Sure. Taking it slow. That’s why you two can’t keep your eyes off each other for more than five minutes, darling.”

“Shut up,” I mutter, but there’s no heat behind the words.

“Whatever happens,” Brian goes on, “just stay true to your heart, okay? Don’t let the politics or the pressure or any of that noise dictate what you do.”

His husband nods in agreement. “Exactly. And for what it’s worth, Arthur seems… different now. Better.”

“He… is,” I say softly, glancing across the room to where Arthur is engaged in conversation with my father and some city officials. Even from here, I can see the ease in his posture, the genuine smile on his face. So much unlike the perfect, polished President on posters and magazine covers, and yet somehow better.

“Fate brought you two back together for a reason,” Brian says firmly. “He’s put in the work to right his wrongs. I never thought I would say this, but… I’m glad you gave him another chance.”

I almost want to pine over the fact that I spent five years separated from him, but looking at him now, I feel as though the years weren’t wasted. They were necessary—for both of us to grow, to learn, to become the people we needed to be. Now that we’re back together, we can happily grow and change together in a positive way. Not just for ourselves, but for Miles, too.

I’m about to say something else when something behind them catches my attention. There’s a stir near the stage, and I spot Veronica making her way through the crowd. She’s changed from her exhibition outfit into something even more stunning—a shimmering red gown that seems to capture and reflect every light in the room.

Veronica approaches the stage, ascending the small set of steps. The crowd’s chatter begins to die down as people notice her, and even the band falls silent.

Veronica takes a seat at the grand piano, adjusting the microphone that’s been set up beside it.

“Good evening,” she says, her white teeth glinting in the low light. Her eyes meet mine, and there’s a shimmer in them that makes my heart lurch uncomfortably, although I’m not sure why. “In honor of Lady Willford’s success, I’m going to play a song.”