The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 719: CLOSE ENOUGH

LAUREN was slightly surprised when he heard that. Okay, maybe more than slightly. Heʼd always thought Astrid would focus completely on his career, considering how hard the other worked and how dedicated he seemed to be. But now Astrid had just admitted that someone confessed to him - and he was actually considering it. Truthfully, the ʼconsideringʼ part surprised Lauren more than the idea of someone confessing to Astrid in the first place. With his looks alone, there would be people lining up to confess to him.

Kiran turned to Astrid, his eyes wide. ”Youʼre really considering it?”

Snow also looked at Astrid, his gaze filled with surprise and curiosity.

Lauren noticed how Kiran and Snow reacted - that slight shift in their expressions, the way they glanced at each other. It was clear they had some idea who Astrid was talking about.

”Wait,” Lauren said, looking between them. ”Do you two know who this person is?” He frowned slightly. ”Now Iʼm feeling a bit left out for not knowing.”

Astrid quickly said, ”Itʼs not that Iʼm trying to keep it a secret from you. Thereʼs really no time to introduce you to him. And I canʼt just casually mention him to you. We need a more private... venue for me to tell you about him without worrying that someone might hear.”

Okay, so the person who confessed to Astrid was a guy, Lauren thought. But what was with all the secrecy?

”Is it someone important?” he said jokingly. ”Donʼt tell me itʼs the Emperor?”

”Close enough,” Reas said from beside him. ”Itʼs actually the Emperorʼs brother.”

Lauren snorted. ”Oh come on, Reas. Now youʼre just messing with me.”

But when no one laughed at what heʼd assumed was a joke, Lauren hesitated. He glanced around the group. Reas simply raised an eyebrow at him. Kiran wore an awkward expression. Snow looked like he didnʼt know how to respond. And Astrid—well, he just gave Lauren a knowing look.

He blinked. Was his brain actually understanding this right? He couldnʼt trust what it was telling him—it was too unbelievable. So unbelievable that the idea of the Emperor being Astridʼs suitor made more sense than... well, this.

”Let me get this straight—youʼre telling me the crazy prince confessed to you?” he asked, just to be absolutely sure.

Astrid nodded. ”He did. And heʼs really not that crazy.”

Lauren brushed past that last remark for now. ”And youʼre actually thinking about saying yes to him?”

Astrid nodded. ”Not right now, but soon. At least, I hope it will be soon.”

Lauren couldnʼt believe what he was hearing. It felt surreal, like heʼd stumbled into some bizarre variety show where his friends were pranking him for laughs. His mind raced—maybe there were hidden cameras tucked somewhere in the apartment, capturing every dumbfounded expression that crossed his face. He half-expected a crew to burst out from behind the furniture, shouting ”Got you!”

But then he looked around.

Reas just stared back at him, completely serious. Kiran leaned forward slightly, clearly very invested in the conversation. Snowʼs eyebrows were raised a fraction, like he was waiting to see how Lauren would react. And Astrid—Astrid simply met his gaze, his expression calm.

His fingers twitched against his beer can, the condensation cold against his skin. This wasnʼt a joke. The realization hit him like a delayed shock—first a numb disbelief, then a slow, creeping what the hell? settling in his chest. The crazy prince? Really?

Laurenʼs grip on his beer can tightened. He turned to Reas, mouth half-open for a second before he managed to say, ”And youʼre okay with this? You—the one who wanted to bite my head off when we first met because you thought I had designs on your brother? Youʼre seriously telling me youʼre fine with the crazy prince chasing after Aster?”

Kiran snorted, like he was about to laugh, but then cut himself off so abruptly it sounded like heʼd choked on air. The noise made Astrid chuckle under his breath. Even Snowʼs lips twitched into a small smile.

Lauren didnʼt notice this because he was so focused on Reas, waiting for his response.

”Trust me, I wasnʼt okay with it. I reacted even worse than when I met you. I was confrontational—even tried to pick a fight with him. That went on for a while. Every time I saw or heard about him, I got aggressive. Then he became an instructor at my military academy for a week, and I realized heʼs not as bad as the rumors say. So I backed off. But that doesnʼt mean Iʼd just stand by if he ever hurt Aster. Prince or not, if he tries anything, Iʼll hunt him down myself.”

Lauren watched Reas as he spoke, noticing how his expression stayed steady and his voice didnʼt waver. It was clear the other meant every word. That quiet certainty made him pause. If Reas said this with that much seriousness... maybe there was more to the prince than the rumors suggested. But still.

”And itʼs not like I wanted to bite your head off when we first met. You just... got under my skin,” Reas continued. ”Looking back, maybe I was already drawn to you even then.”

Lauren felt heat rush to his face. His heart always pounded like crazy whenever Reas said things like that. He ducked his head slightly, fingers fidgeting with the edge of his sleeve.

”Shut up,” he muttered, but there was no real bite to it—just that flustered tone that made Reas smile.

He then turned to Astrid, the flush still warm on his cheeks. ”I wonʼt meddle with your choices. But if that prince ever hurts you?” He jabbed a thumb at Reas. ”Tell me. Iʼll tag along when this adorable idiot boyfriend of mine hunts him down.”

A short laugh burst from Kiran first, then Snow shook his head with a quiet chuckle. Even Astridʼs shoulders relaxed as he huffed in amusement. Reas only poked Laurenʼs cheek as if he found him amusing.

Astrid was relieved that all of his closest friends finally knew about Wulfric. Now, only the secret of his family remained. But that would be a much longer conversation—one he honestly didnʼt think he and Reas were ready to have yet.