Chapter 570: Arcadia, The First Planet In All Creation (XLVIII)

Aestrea calmly turned his head slightly toward Vespera.

"Nope. I didn’t consider his proposal. Not even for a second."

Vespera’s hand remained on his shoulder, her fingers pressing a little firmer as she leaned in closer.

Her emerald eyes narrowed, a possessive glint flashing within them. She didn’t believe him, not one single bit.

"Are you sure?" she asked, her voice low but carrying a dominant, almost challenging tone.

"You were smiling quite charmingly at the old man.

And his daughter is quite the catch, isn’t she? Beautiful, intelligent, heir to one of the biggest conglomerates in the world. Any man would be tempted."

Aestrea met her gaze evenly, unfazed.

"I’m not interested," he replied, his tone firm but calm.

"I have enough on my plate with my career. No need for complications."

Vespera’s lips curved into a small, dangerous smile.

She stepped even closer, her body pressing against his side as her hand slid from his shoulder to his chest, fingers tracing lightly over his suit.

"Oh, darling," she purred, her voice dripping with possessiveness.

"You say that, but I know you better than that. You were looking at her. For a moment. Don’t think I didn’t notice. Are you sure there wasn’t even a tiny spark of interest? A little curiosity about what it would be like to have someone like her on your arm?"

She leaned in, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered.

"Tell me the truth, Aestrea. If I wasn’t here... would you have considered it? Even for a second?"

Aestrea remained still, his green eyes calmly looking at hers.

"No. I really wouldn’t."

She stayed close, her body language clearly possessive as she continued to press him, refusing to drop the subject completely.

"Are you absolutely sure?" she asked again, her voice a soft, insistent whisper. "No lingering thoughts? No ’what if’ in the back of your mind?"

Aestrea sighed softly, but his expression remained calm.

"Positive."

Vespera studied his face for a long moment, her fingers still tracing patterns on his chest. Finally, she let out a small, satisfied hum, though the possessive glint in her eyes didn’t fade.

"Good boy," she whispered, pressing a quick, claiming kiss to the corner of his mouth, quick enough for no one to see.

...

A few hours later...

The grand banquet had been in full swing for most of the evening. Speeches had been made, toasts raised, and deals whispered in quiet corners.

Aestrea had spent the time mingling minimally, mostly staying near Vespera as she networked with powerful figures.

The night had been a blur of polite conversation, expensive wine, and the constant weight of eyes watching them.

Eventually, Aestrea excused himself to go to the bathroom.

He relieved himself in one of the luxurious stalls, the sound of running water from the elegant sinks echoing softly in the marble-tiled room.

After washing his hands, he stepped out, adjusting his suit jacket as he walked toward the exit.

The moment he stepped into the hallway, he nearly bumped into someone.

It was Veronica Helix.

She stood there, looking slightly surprised but quickly composing herself with a graceful smile. Her silver-blonde hair was perfectly styled, and her elegant gown hugged her figure tastefully.

Up close, she was even more striking, clearly carrying the features of her family’s legacy.

"Aestrea Voss," she said softly, her voice warm but a little nervous. "I... I was hoping to run into you tonight. My father was quite taken with you earlier."

She paused, her cheeks gaining a faint blush as she continued.

"I wanted to apologize for how blunt he was. He means well, but he can be... very direct when he sees something he likes."

She looked up at him with genuine interest, her eyes searching his face.

"I’ve seen all your films, by the way. Your performance in The Silent Abyss was... incredible. You really disappeared into that role."

Aestrea looked momentarily surprised, his green eyes widening slightly as he took in the young woman standing before him.

He hadn’t expected her to seek him out so directly, especially after her father’s very public suggestion earlier.

But he recovered quickly, his expression changing into a polite, charming smile, the same kind that had won him countless fans and awards.

"Miss Helix," he called out politely, giving a small nod.

"It’s a pleasure to finally speak with you. Your father mentioned you earlier. I apologize if I seemed distracted during the introductions."

Veronica smiled warmly, a faint blush still lingering on her cheeks as she shook her head.

"Please, call me Veronica. And there’s no need to apologize. My father can be... enthusiastic. I’m the one who should apologize for how he put you on the spot like that."

Aestrea chuckled lightly, the sound low and genuine.

"No harm done. I’ve dealt with far more aggressive matchmakers in this industry. Shall we walk? It’s a bit crowded near the entrance."

Veronica nodded, falling into step beside him as they moved along the quieter edge of the grand hallway, away from the main flow of guests.

The soft lighting and distant music created a surprisingly pleasant atmosphere for conversation.

"I’ve been a fan of your work for a while now," Veronica was the first to speak.

"Your performance in The Silent Abyss was... haunting. The way you portrayed a man slowly losing his grip on reality, it felt so raw and real. I read that you spent three months living in isolation to prepare for that role. Is that true?"

Aestrea raised an eyebrow, genuinely impressed by her knowledge.

"It is. I needed to understand the isolation, the way silence can drive a person mad. Method acting has its risks, but it’s the only way I know how to do it properly."

Veronica’s eyes lit up with understanding.

"I thought so. Most actors would have faked it with technique, but you... you disappeared into him. There was a scene where you were just staring at the wall for almost two minutes without any dialogue. The audience could feel the weight of his thoughts. It was masterful. I’ve studied acting a little myself, nothing on your level, of course, but I can appreciate the dedication it takes to make silence speak louder than words."

Aestrea found himself smiling more naturally.

It was rare to meet someone in these circles who actually understood the craft beyond surface-level praise.

"Thank you. Most people just say ’great performance’ and move on. It’s refreshing to talk to someone who gets it. What about you? I heard you’ve been heavily involved in Helix’s entertainment division. Are you planning to produce anything soon?"

Veronica’s face brightened as she spoke about her work.

"Yes, actually. We’re looking at a few indie projects, stories that don’t usually get funding from the big studios. I want to focus on character-driven pieces, the kind where the acting can really shine. Like your Silent Abyss. No explosions, no CGI overload. Just raw human emotion. I think the industry needs more of that."

They continued walking, the conversation flowing easily.

Veronica asked thoughtful questions about his preparation methods, his favorite roles, and what drew him to certain scripts.

Aestrea found himself genuinely enjoying the exchange as she wasn’t just flattering him.

She understood the psychology behind performance, the discipline required, and the loneliness that often came with it.

"You know," she said at one point, her voice softening, "I read an interview where you mentioned that acting is the only way you can truly feel alive. I felt that. Sometimes the real world feels too... scripted. Too predictable. But when you’re in character, everything becomes real again."

Aestrea nodded lightly.

"Exactly. It’s the only place where I don’t have to pretend to be perfect. I can be broken. I can be lost. And somehow, that feels more honest than anything else."

Veronica smiled, her eyes shining with quiet understanding.

"I feel the same way when I’m working on a project I truly believe in. It’s like the world fades away, and for a while, you’re living in something bigger than yourself."

Their conversation continued for several minutes, touching on everything from favorite directors to the pressures of public life.

For the first time in the whole life of this illusory world, Aestrea felt a genuine connection with someone who saw through the superstar facade, even if only a little.

Veronica eventually glanced at her watch and sighed softly.

"I should probably get back to my father. He’ll be wondering where I am. But... it was really nice talking to you, Aestrea. I hope we can do this again sometime. Maybe without the whole banquet watching us."

Aestrea gave her a small, genuine smile.

"I’d like that."

Veronica hesitated for a moment, then leaned in and gave him a quick, polite kiss on the cheek.

"Take care of yourself," she whispered before turning and walking back toward the main hall.

Unfortunately for him... Vespera saw that last kiss on the cheek.

She had been watching from a short distance, a glass of sparkling water in her hand, when Veronica leaned in and pressed her lips to Aestrea’s cheek.

Vespera’s emerald eyes narrowed instantly, a cold, possessive glint flashing across her face. Her fingers tightened around the glass, the only outward sign of her irritation.

"Oh my... my..."