The Bigshot's Superstar Wife - Chapter 91

Chapter 91: First Time Meeting
Inside the warship, the princess sat in a small but well-appointed room, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

She had been given a moment of respite after her arrival, but as the ship hummed through space, her nerves were taut.

The journey had been long and filled with uncertainty, but she was finally about to meet Lawrence Demerin, Athena’s older brother.

The weight of her fake identity felt heavier now that she was closer to her goal, and her pulse quickened with both anticipation and fear.

She had always heard stories about Lawrence, he was a man of action, brilliant in both strategy and execution.

He was a general known for his unwavering resolve and focus. The princess was certain he would be able to help her, but she had one pressing concern, her true identity.

Though she had been traveling under the name of the Jericho family, it was only a matter of time before Lawrence might discover the truth. She couldn’t afford to let her guard down.

The door to her room opened without warning, and there he stood, the man she had been hearing about all her life, but never expecting to meet.

Lawrence Demerin, Major General of the Demerin military, a man known for his stoic demeanor and commanding presence, now stood before her.

He was tall, his posture straight, with a sharp gaze that swept across the room. His uniform was immaculate, and his demeanor was so calm that it almost made her nervous.

Lawrence’s eyes met hers, but his expression didn’t change. He was still, as ever, all business.

“Miss El,” he said, his voice deep but not unfriendly, “I trust you’re well. I’ve had the crew prepare your accommodations.”

“Thank you, Major General,” she said, her voice steady but unsure. There was so much she wanted to ask him, but she wasn’t sure how to begin.

The questions piled up, from her safety to what she should expect next. She knew she needed to be careful, though. The truth of who she really was had to remain hidden for now.

Lawrence didn’t wait for a reply. “We have little time,” he said, his gaze flicking to a terminal near the wall.

“The situation we’re dealing with is critical. I need to make sure we’re properly equipped before we reach Asenus. I’ll leave you to your quarters, Miss El. Rest if you can.”

With that, he turned to leave, but before he could make it to the door, the princess felt an unusual urge to stop him.

Her mind raced as the words tumbled out before she could stop them.

“Wait!” she called out, her voice a bit too sharp, as she rushed forward.

Lawrence paused, his brow furrowing slightly as he turned to face her again. She had his full attention now, and for a moment, she forgot all her doubts.

A childish impulse bubbled up within her, something she hadn’t done in years.

Without thinking, she rushed to stand in front of him and raised her hands, pushing her palms into his chest, just enough to stop him in his tracks.

He stared at her, caught off guard by her sudden action. The princess held her breath, her cheeks flushing as she realized what she had done.

She quickly stepped back, stumbling over her own feet, but caught herself. “I-I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to…”

She paused, her heart pounding. Was this really happening?

She hadn’t meant to act so childish, but the tension was too much, and Lawrence’s indifference had made her anxious.

The situation was too serious, and here she was, acting out.

Lawrence blinked, clearly stunned, but his lips quirked into a small, amused smile.

He didn’t move, but instead, he glanced down at the princess’s hands still awkwardly suspended in the air, as if she had forgotten they were there.

“You’re… quite forward, Miss El,” he said, the corner of his mouth lifting. There was a spark of humor in his eyes now, though it didn’t mask the gravity of the situation.

The princess, mortified, quickly lowered her hands. “I didn’t mean to… I just…” She stopped, trying to gather her composure, but her words felt trapped in her throat.

“Is something on your mind?” Lawrence asked, his tone softer now, though still commanding. “You’ve clearly got something to say. Why don’t you speak your mind?”

The princess hesitated, then finally gave in to the urge. She let out a long breath and took a step forward.

“I… I just wanted to say, thank you,” she said. “I know you’re busy. And I know you have a lot of responsibilities. But, well… thank you for helping me. I appreciate it.”

For a moment, Lawrence said nothing, just looking at her as if contemplating her words. Then, to her surprise, he nodded slightly. “I’m doing my job. Don’t think too highly of it.”

The princess, not used to being spoken to so straightforwardly, let out a nervous laugh. “I’m just… not used to this, you know?”

Lawrence didn’t answer right away. He just gave her an appraising look, his expression still unreadable.

“I imagine not. But don’t get too comfortable, Miss El. This mission is far from over. You’ll need to be ready.”

“I understand,” she said, her tone a little more serious now. She nodded, though her mind was still filled with questions.

But something in Lawrence’s demeanor made her hold back. It was clear that this man was a professional, someone who wouldn’t tolerate any distractions, especially from her.

As she turned to sit back down, there was a strange, almost playful glint in her eyes. She glanced back at him, a soft smile tugging at her lips. “Is it true you never smile?”

Lawrence raised an eyebrow, his gaze narrowing. “Excuse me?”

“You always look so serious,” she said, trying to keep the tone light, even though she knew she was on thin ice. “I was just wondering if you ever smile.”

There was a pause, and then Lawrence let out a soft, almost imperceptible chuckle. It was fleeting, but it made the princess’s heart flutter.

She hadn’t expected him to respond in that way, but it was enough to break through some of the tension.

“You’re a strange one, Miss El,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice now.

The princess smiled, relieved that the awkwardness between them had passed, even if only for a moment.

She hadn’t expected Lawrence to be so easy to talk to, despite his cold exterior.

“Maybe I’ll smile more, then,” Lawrence said, his voice a little more relaxed as he turned to leave. “But I don’t promise anything.”

With that, he left, and the princess was left alone in her thoughts. Despite the chaos of the situation, there was something oddly comforting in their exchange.

She was a princess, someone used to dealing with power, politics, and danger, but she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of something new, something that made her feel a little more at ease.

For the first time since she had stepped onto the ship, the princess allowed herself to smile.