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“Please, tell me someone got married,” I whispered.

At my voice, everyone who had apparently been hiding in the adjoining room jumped out, each of them collectively shouting, “Happy birthday!”

It was an effort to keep my utter disappointment from my face as I took in Nessy, Zeke, and Loughlan.

The last of whom was of course wearing a party hat and large chunks of glitter in his wings and beard.

My gaze shifted behind them, recognizing Imelda, who must have taken the time to make the cake.

Given that there was still a faint dusting of flour near her graying hairline.

They each greeted me, starting with Nessy, who wrapped me in a hug that was more rib-crushing than a corset.

Plastering a small smile on my face, I looked for the one who was no doubt the mastermind behind the party. Nickolai. But he was nowhere to be seen in the group of people. Go figure .

I was still standing in the doorway when the hairs on the back of my neck stood up, giving me the sense that someone was behind me. Before I could turn around, Nickolai’s arms wrapped around me as he brought his mouth to my ear. “Happy birthday, Tiny,” he whispered.

I twisted in his grip and looked up into his compelling green eyes. Trying to hide my anger with him, I kept my voice light, “Why did you do this?”

The smile on his lips was sincere, still showing bits of the worry he had earlier.

“I thought we could remedy what you said this morning. . . Besides, you have a lot of people here,” he nodded toward the group behind me, “who all care for you, and they would like to show you just how much—There would have been more, but I knew you wouldn’t be too fond of this idea to begin with.

So for the sake of our relationship, this is only a dinner with friends that ends in cake and presents. ”

I’m not sure whether it was the alcohol within me or his words but I instantly felt my anger at him lifting away—becoming replaced with awe. This man chose me, time and time again, he chose me . The thought and courtesy put into this ‘dinner’ proved that even more.

I rested my forehead on his chest, grunting, “I don’t deserve you.”

He kissed the top of my head before whispering, “You deserve the world, my angel.”

Behind me, a chorus of laughter erupted from whatever joke was being told—the group already seeming to have started the party without Nickolai and me.

When we finally decided to join in, everyone sat down at the table, grabbing at the delicious food—the smell of which made my mouth water.

And Loughlan took the opportunity to share embarrassing stories, my favorites being the ones about Nickolai.

“Mira, did anyone ever tell you about the time that Nic accidentally found himself. . . undisposed in the courtyard?” Loughlan asked with a raised eyebrow.

Nickolai shook his head, “I don’t think Mira wants to hear about that—”

“Yes, she does,” I said, cutting him off.

Loughlan threw Nickolai a sideways look that earned a middle finger in response. “Well,” he continued, “after Nic was kind enough to nearly have Zeke and me executed by his father—”

“He wasn’t going to actually do it,” Nickolai clarified.

“You didn’t see the look in his eyes,” Loughlan countered. “Anyway, me and Zeke—”

“Zeke and I,” Nessy corrected.

“Do you want to tell the story?!” Loughlan shouted, staring her down briefly.

When she threw her hands up in surrender, he continued, “ We came up with this plan to drag Nickolai’s bed outside.

. . little did we know that it happened to be the night that he went to bed butt naked ,” he said, enunciating the last words.

“Oh, my goodness.” Placing my hand over my mouth, I tried to cover my smirk. I could already see where this story was going.

“The next morning we awoke to one of the garden staff having the shock of her life, followed by this guy,” he points to Nic, “yelling my name and storming through the castle wearing only a sheet around his waist.”

I looked to Nickolai, who glared at Loughlan, clearly still angry with the prank. “I know it was you who came up with the idea.”

I chuckled, “Still doesn’t sound as bad as what you did to them.”

“Oh, you mean the bears? Did he tell you about that?” Loughlan questioned with wide eyes.

I nodded. “Do you know how long it took for me to get the stench of that bear shit out of my room? Eight fucking months!” My chuckle turned into a full laugh that had me clutching my stomach, along with everyone else at the table.

“I’m sure that smell was an improvement,” Nessy added, which caused even more laughter and a roll to go flying across the table in her direction. She caught it with ease, taking a bite out of it before sticking her tongue out at him.

We finished eating without any more food being thrown.

Although I did see Loughlan debating it a few times.

Unfortunately, with the end of dinner came the cake.

Not that the cake didn’t look delicious—it just meant that the evening was turning into less of a dinner with friends.

Imelda, who fortunately wasn’t deterred by the night's conversations, got up to pass out slices.

“Let me help you with that,” I said, standing up from my chair and reaching for one of the plates.

She quickly swatted my hand away. “A lady does not serve herself cake on her birthday.”

“Then it’s a good thing I’m not a lady,” I said, grabbing two plates and jumping out of her reach before she could swat me again—giving her a wink when she glared at me.

Once everyone had their own serving, I sat down.

At the feeling of each set of eyes, I promptly looked around at each of them, asking, “What?”

“You have to take the first bite,” Ysabel clarified.

My eyebrows pinched together. “Why?”

“It’s a tradition,” she explained again.

“Since when?”

“Since always,” Loughlan added.

Rolling my eyes, I dramatically took a bite of the cake, which led everyone else to finally dig in.

We all collectively moaned as the soft, sweet sponge and buttercream frosting filled our mouths.

I hadn’t realized it until now, but this was what I needed.

While my heart still ached, it was now full of laughter and this memory that I will be able to cherish forever.

After the cake, Ysabel started off the gifts by giving me a new lotion that smelled heavenly.

Imelda, of course, brought me a bottle of one of the nice wines from the kitchens.

Followed by Loughlan and Zeke, who coordinated in getting me a set of throwing knives.

While Nessy got me a new perfume that also had me moaning in delight at the scent.

Once I finished opening each of them, I cast a look around the room, trying to hold back tears. “Thank you, I love it all.” This was the first time I’d ever received gifts for my birthday, and the thought put into each item made me want to spontaneously combust into a pile of tears.

Nickolai’s smooth voice calmly spoke out beside me, “You haven’t opened my gift.” I shifted my gaze over to his relaxed features, furrowing my brows, and he pulled a long rectangular blue velvet box from the pocket of his suit jacket—placing it on the corner of the table between us.

There was a collective gasp from each of the women and Loughlan. I felt my eyes widen as I took in the box. “What’s this?” I said softly, looking back up at Nickolai for a fleeting moment.

He smirked, “Open it.”

I tentatively reached out to open it, sucking in a breath when my eyes landed on the diamond and sapphire bracelet inside. “Nickolai,” I breathed, picking it up. The metal was cold and heavy from each of the large stones that were combined to make the strand. “It’s beautiful.”

Nickolai leaned forward, taking the bracelet and my wrist—securing the jewelry on it gently. “Not nearly as beautiful as you, my angel.”

We both leaned in for a kiss, which earned us hollers from the rest of the table. When I pulled away, there was an unstoppable smile on my face. “Thank you,” I whispered to Nickolai.