The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era [BL]-Chapter 719: CLOSE ENOUGH

LAUREN was slightly surprised when he heard that. Okay, maybe more than slightly. He'd 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 'considering' 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. "You're 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 I'm feeling a bit left out for not knowing."

Astrid quickly said, "It's not that I'm trying to keep it a secret from you. There's really no time to introduce you to him. And I can't 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. "Don't tell me it's the Emperor?"

"Close enough," Reas said from beside him. "It's actually the Emperor's brother."

Lauren snorted. "Oh come on, Reas. Now you're just messing with me."

But when no one laughed at what he'd 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 didn't know how to respond. And Astrid—well, he just gave Lauren a knowing look.

He blinked. Was his brain actually understanding this right? He couldn't trust what it was telling him—it was too unbelievable. So unbelievable that the idea of the Emperor being Astrid's suitor made more sense than... well, this.

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

Astrid nodded. "He did. And he's really not that crazy."

Lauren brushed past that last remark for now. "And you're actually thinking about saying yes to him?"

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

Lauren couldn't believe what he was hearing. It felt surreal, like he'd 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. Snow's 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. free𝑤ebnovel.com

His fingers twitched against his beer can, the condensation cold against his skin. This wasn't 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?

Lauren's grip on his beer can tightened. He turned to Reas, mouth half-open for a second before he managed to say, "And you're 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? You're seriously telling me you're 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 he'd choked on air. The noise made Astrid chuckle under his breath. Even Snow's lips twitched into a small smile.

Lauren didn't notice this because he was so focused on Reas, waiting for his response.

"Trust me, I wasn't 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 he's not as bad as the rumors say. So I backed off. But that doesn't mean I'd just stand by if he ever hurt Aster. Prince or not, if he tries anything, I'll hunt him down myself."

Lauren watched Reas as he spoke, noticing how his expression stayed steady and his voice didn't 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 it's 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 won't meddle with your choices. But if that prince ever hurts you?" He jabbed a thumb at Reas. "Tell me. I'll 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 Astrid's shoulders relaxed as he huffed in amusement. Reas only poked Lauren's 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 didn't think he and Reas were ready to have yet.

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