The Bigshot's Superstar Wife - Chapter 92

Chapter 92: Falling for the Character
Under the name of Miss El, the princess had cleverly created situations that allowed her to cross paths with Lawrence Demerin, much more than a simple coincidence.

At first, her intentions had been purely tactical, observing him, learning more about him, and figuring out how she could secure her place in the Demerin family’s plans.

However, as the days went by, she couldn’t help but notice something stirring inside her every time their paths crossed.

It started with casual greetings, an innocent exchange of words, always polite but brief.

But soon, she found herself lingering just a little longer in the hallways where Lawrence passed, or “accidentally” running into him by the communications desk.

She told herself it was just curiosity, a need to understand the man who held so much power and control, who was both a ruthless general and yet oddly approachable in moments of unexpected quiet.

But deep down, she knew there was more to it.

The first sweet encounter came when she happened to bump into him outside the warship’s strategic briefing room.

Lawrence was walking briskly, his attention absorbed by a datapad, likely reviewing tactical information.

She had been on her way to the ship’s library, but as she saw him approaching, a flutter of nervousness hit her.

“Major General,” she said with a soft smile, trying to mask her sudden surge of energy. He paused, his sharp eyes lifting from the datapad as if surprised to see her.

“Miss El,” he said, his voice even and cool. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here. Shouldn’t you be resting?”

“Resting? It’s only early in the day,” she responded quickly, even though she had been struggling to find a quiet moment for herself.

“I was actually heading to the library to read. I’ve been so busy, I’ve hardly had time for a good book.”

Lawrence looked at her for a moment, and for some reason, he seemed to study her closely.

A slow smile spread across his lips, but it wasn’t a sarcastic or cold smile. It was different, softer.

“I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you without a book in hand. Well, it seems like you’re adapting well to your surroundings. I’ve heard the crew speak highly of your intellect.”

She had to fight not to blush. “I try to keep myself busy. It helps to pass the time on such long journeys.”

There was a brief silence, but then, unexpectedly, he motioned for her to follow him.

“The library, you say? I was just heading to the war room, but perhaps I could accompany you. A walk through the ship might be a good change of pace.”

He said it casually, but there was something in the way his gaze lingered on her that made her heart race.

It was as though he was offering her more than just company, he was offering his attention.

They walked together through the sterile corridors, the quiet hum of the ship’s engine almost a backdrop to their conversation.

She found herself smiling more than usual, her thoughts not entirely focused on the mission or the facade she had built. Instead, she was keenly aware of the warmth of his presence beside her.

As they passed through the main halls, Lawrence’s deep voice broke through her thoughts. “You seem to enjoy reading quite a bit. Do you always find escape in books?”

“I suppose so,” she replied thoughtfully, turning her eyes toward the corridor ahead. “Books are comforting. They take me to places I can’t go myself.”

“That’s the allure of a good story,” he agreed.

“I’ve always been more interested in strategy and war, but I understand the need for escape. Every mind, even the sharpest one, needs rest.”

His words, so calm and measured, reminded her of how different their worlds were.

She was a princess, thrust into the role of a hidden noble, while Lawrence had lived his life in the world of soldiers and tactics.

Yet, as they walked side by side, their conversation, though polite and respectful, felt natural. It wasn’t forced.

It wasn’t tactical. It was two people, each with their burdens, sharing an unspoken understanding.

She wasn’t sure when it happened, but suddenly, she found herself looking forward to these fleeting moments with him, when their paths would cross.

He seemed to have a quiet way of drawing her out, of making her forget about the weight of her disguise.

Over the course of the next week, she engineered more chances for them to meet.

Sometimes she would linger by the war room door, “accidentally” catching his attention as he passed by, offering to help him with his strategic analyses or simply engaging him in small talk.

On other occasions, she would “bump into him” in the ship’s cafeteria, pretending to be unaware of his presence, even though she had been waiting for him.

Each time, she found herself becoming more and more comfortable in his presence.

He didn’t seem to mind these small interludes, even though she could sense that, deep down, he was always aware of her presence.

His quiet strength, and the calm way in which he handled himself, only added to his allure.

He had a way of listening, really listening, that made her feel valued, even though she was only playing a role.

One evening, after a particularly long day, she found herself once again in the cafeteria. She was tired but still restless, and she knew she couldn’t sleep.

The warship was bustling with activity, and she was walking toward the counter to grab a quick bite when, as if by fate, Lawrence appeared in front of her.

His eyes met hers with that same cool, but calculating look he always had, and for a moment, they stood in silence.

“You’ve been busy today,” he remarked, his voice smooth. “Are you sure you don’t need to rest?”

“I’m fine,” she said, her smile genuine. “I just couldn’t sleep. I thought some fresh air might help.”

Lawrence nodded, as if contemplating something, then said, “Why don’t you join me for a walk later? I’ve heard there’s a garden area on the ship, something to break the monotony of all this metal.”