THE NUMBER ONE STAR IN THE INTERSTELLAR ERA [BL]

WHEN they arrived at Astrid’s apartment, he went straight to the kitchen to start preparing dinner. Kiran followed and offered to help, so Astrid handed him a bowl of vegetables to wash. The sound of running water and the steady chop of a knife filled the space as they worked. Once Kiran was done, Astrid gave him a small smile and told him to just relax. Although he looked reluctant, he didn’t argue and pulled out a chair at the kitchen table, settling in to watch as Astrid worked. And soon, the scent of simmering spices filled the air.

Astrid decided to make an Italian themed meal, starting with a fresh salad of ripe tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil drizzled with balsamic glaze. For the main course, he planned a hearty vegetable lasagna layered with roasted zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and a rich tomato sauce, all baked until bubbling with melted cheese. On the side, he would serve garlic bread, crisp and golden, perfect for soaking up the flavors. To finish, a classic tiramisu would be perfect.

Yes, Astrid could cook a variety of dishes beyond Chinese cuisine, but his preference always leaned toward it due to its bold flavors and familiar comfort. However, he chose to go with Italian for tonight’s dinner because he had noticed that Snow preferred milder flavors, unlike the strong, savory, and spicy flavors of the dishes Astrid often cooked. Both were delicious cuisines, but sometimes people just prefer one over the other.

Since this dinner was meant to celebrate Snow’s recent achievement, Astrid wanted to prepare something that suited the other’s palate, ensuring the meal felt truly special and enjoyable for them.

As Kiran watched Astrid move around the kitchen, a question he’d been meaning to ask for a while suddenly came to mind.

“Aster, are there any available units left in this building?”

Astrid paused and turned to Kiran. “Are you thinking of renting here?”

Kiran nodded. “Since I’m earning quite a bit now, I want to have my own place of sort.”

He had been considering renting a place for a while now. Although he had the money, it wasn’t enough to buy a house yet, so renting seemed like the best option for now. When the thought crossed his mind, the first place that came to him was Astrid’s apartment building.

He had been here several times and really liked the design of each unit. It wasn’t particularly spacious, but it was more than enough for a single person. He could already picture how he would decorate the space to make it his own. More importantly, the building had top-notch security—how could it not, considering it was owned by the Butcher of Orus?

No, he probably shouldn’t refer to the prince that way—especially since there was a chance he and Astrid might actually end up together. The thought wasn’t one Kiran wanted to dwell on right now. Regardless of what Astrid ultimately decided about that relationship, Kiran had already made up his mind to be supportive and just offer advice when needed. Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire

Anyway, what he liked most about the place was its excellent soundproofing. With the right setup, he could produce and create music without worrying about disturbing anyone.

“I’m not sure if there’s an available unit,” Astrid admitted.

He hadn’t interacted much with his neighbors, and most of them kept to themselves, so he didn’t have any information about vacant units or anything like that.

“But I can ask Wulf,” he added.

As the building owner, Wulfric would have the most accurate information. Astrid hoped there was an available unit for Kiran to rent—it would be nice if they could go to school together whenever their schedules aligned.

It took Kiran a full minute to realize who this “Wulf” Astrid was talking about. And who could blame him? When people mentioned the prince of the Empire, their first thought wasn’t his name—it was all the crazy things he had done. But hearing Astrid call him by a nickname was surprising. It was clear their relationship had progressed further than Kiran had expected.

“Would that be alright?” Kiran asked hesitantly. “I mean, I don’t want to bother the prince.”

“I’m sure Wulf wouldn’t mind,” Astrid said with certainty.

Kiran raised a brow. “That might be true—but only because I’m your friend.”

Astrid paused, considering the statement. Then, after a moment, he blinked. “I want to deny that, but I just realized it’s kind of hard to do so.”

They looked at each other before breaking into laughter, both feeling amused by the conversation.

—–

By six in the evening, Astrid had finished making dinner, the rich aroma filling the apartment. Kiran helped set the table, placing the plates, utensils, and glasses while Astrid brought the dishes over. Once everything was ready, Kiran took a step back, glancing at the spread before them. It wasn’t anything extravagant, but it looked good—warm, inviting, and just right for a celebratory meal.

“Snow will probably be here soon, right?” Kiran asked, thinking of the message they just received from Snow telling them that he’s near the apartment.

As if in response to his question, the doorbell rang. Astrid immediately went to open it without checking first—there was no need. Only those registered in the security system by the residents could enter the building. Of course, not just anyone could be added. Wulfric had ensured a thorough screening process to prevent any dangerous individuals from being granted access. So, Astrid knew that the only person who would be ringing the doorbell at this time was most likely Snow.

Astrid opened the door and, just as he expected, Snow was standing there with a small smile on his lips, holding a bottle of wine.

“I’m not late, am I?” Snow asked, holding up the bottle of wine with a slight smile. “I brought this as a peace offering, just in case.”

Astrid smiled. “You’re right on time. But I’ll never say no to a good bottle of wine.”

They both chuckled before stepping inside the apartment, Snow following Astrid as the door closed behind them.

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