The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 733: UNEXPECTED MEETING

ASTRID blinked, wondering if he was seeing things. But the man remained standing there. There was no mistaking it. This was Valentine Davis, the current number one on the [Star List]. VirtualNet’s rules didn’t allow anyone to use famous people’s likeness at all. And Valentine wasn’t just famous, he was extremely well known. Even people living on the most desolate of planets probably knew him. So, the man before him could only be Valentine himself.

But how was this possible? Wulfric had clearly said no one could enter this island without his permission. So why was Valentine here? Did that mean Wulfric had allowed him access? That would imply they knew each other. Was that really the case?

Astrid’s confusion must have been written all over his face, because Valentine let out a quiet chuckle.

"Sorry," he said, sounding genuinely amused. "I didn’t mean to startle you."

Valentine’s voice was smooth and rich, like dark honey poured over velvet. It was warm but with an undercurrent of something distinctly magnetic. And when he smiled, it was like watching sunlight break through storm clouds. His already striking features became downright breathtaking, those crimson eyes crinkling at the corners while his lips curved in a way that made even a simple apology feel intimate.

Astrid found himself staring, because honestly, it wasn’t fair how someone could look that much better when smiling.

He gave his head a quick shake, snapping himself out of his daze. He opened his mouth to ask what Valentine was doing here when another voice cut in.

"Val, why are you just standing there?"

Then another man stepped into view from the side. He was tall and lean, with golden hair that fell in soft waves around his face and bright golden eyes that seemed to glow with their own light. His features were sharp yet delicate, high cheekbones, a straight nose, and lips that naturally curved into a faint smile. His skin had an almost luminous quality, like moonlight given form, making him seem more like a being from some otherworldly realm.

If Valentine Davis looked like some timeless vampire lord, this man resembled nothing less than a fairy king. He was ethereal and radiant, like he might vanish into moonlight if you blinked too long. Every movement he made carried a kind of effortless grace.

Astrid’s eyes widened further, his shock doubling, no, tripling at the sight of the golden-haired man. If seeing Valentine had surprised him, this felt like getting struck by lightning. His mouth actually went dry. If that was even possible to happen in a virtual world.

Because standing before him was none other than the freaking Emperor! That’s right. Cynric de Lunaris himself was here!

The emperor’s golden eyes locked onto Astrid, a slight frown creasing his perfect features. "Who are you?" he asked in a cold voice. "And why are you on my brother’s private island?"

Brother? That’s right. The emperor was Wulfric’s brother. Could this be why they were able to enter the island? Did the emperor have special permission to come here?

"Did you not hear my question?" The emperor’s voice grew sharper, a flicker of irritation crossing his flawless features.

Astrid snapped back to attention. Now wasn’t the time to overthink. He needed to be alert. He drew a steadying breath and opened his mouth to respond, but once again, someone spoke before he could.

Valentine casually slung an arm around the emperor’s shoulders. "Easy, Cyn," he said, grinning. "Remember your imperial dignity." Then he turned that easy smile on Astrid. "You’re not secretly recording this, right?"

Although Valentine’s lips curved in a smile, his crimson eyes remained cold and unreadable. The contrast could send a chill down anyone’s spine. That pleasant expression didn’t match the calculating sharpness in his gaze. It felt less like a question and more like a warning disguised as casual conversation.

But what really threw Astrid was how Valentine addressed the emperor as "Cyn" and touched him so casually. It was... surreal. Valentine might be the top celebrity in the empire, but this was the emperor. The one standing at the very top of the Empire. Yet here they were, acting like old friends. The disconnect made his head spin.

Astrid pushed those thoughts aside and answered Valentine’s question evenly. "No, I’m not recording anything." Then he stepped back and opened the door wider. "Your Majesty, Mr. Davis, please come in."

Astrid stepped aside, pressing his back against the doorframe as the two men walked past him into the tree house. The emperor moved with that same unnatural grace, his golden hair barely swaying with each step, while Valentine’s crimson eyes flicked over the interior with open curiosity.

The emperor scanned the room with a critical eye. "What did Wulf do to the old mansion?" he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

"I think it’s got charm," Valentine said. Then his gaze slid to Astrid. "But we’ve got more pressing questions to address, don’t we?"

The emperor’s golden eyes followed Valentine’s gaze, locking onto Astrid. "Well? Are you not going to introduce yourself?"

Astrid hesitated. Should he give his real name? But this was the emperor. If he lied, it would take no effort at all for the man to uncover the truth. While he had no doubt Wulfric would shield him from any consequences, the last thing he wanted was to cause tension between the brothers just because he wouldn’t tell the emperor his real name.

Astrid drew in another steadying breath before answering. "I’m Astrid Townsend, Your Majesty," he said. Then, after the briefest pause, added, "I’m... a friend of Wulf."

"A friend of Wulf, is it?" the emperor asked with a raised brow. A flash of interest appeared in his golden eyes. Then, as if remembering something, an expression flickered across his face like a lightbulb had just turned on inside his head. "Wait— you’re that actor my brother has been obsessed with lately. But why is your avatar like that? Let’s change it now. I want to see your real face."

Before Astrid could even process the emperor’s words, a screen materialized in front of the man, his fingers already tapping commands. A second later, a notification flashed into Astrid’s view.

[User Aster010’s avatar has been updated to match registered biometrics.]