The Villainess Now Has the Whole Galaxy on Their Knees

In the room, Sophie Wexler sat at the table, staring at the little boy as he stared right back.

For a moment, countless thoughts and conjectures flashed through her mind.

’Who on earth is this kid?’

’Could he really be Cillian Forrest’s illegitimate son?’

’He looks younger than ten. Did Cillian Forrest have a child that young?’

After a moment of thought, she couldn’t help but chuckle at herself.

Shawn Thorne blinked, carefully studying the pretty lady in front of him.

’So this is Uncle Forrest’s matched partner. She’s gorgeous.’

For some time now, the people from The Council of Elders had been forcing him to study all sorts of things: the history of the major Star Systems, the layout of the various military districts, the power of different factions, and so on...

He knew it was because the matching banquets had begun. Everyone was paying close attention, afraid the political situation would shift once the event was over.

He also knew his Imperial Father’s health was deteriorating day by day, so he had been taking his studies seriously.

However, yesterday, he had seen his Imperial Father’s usual melancholy vanish, replaced by a gentle smile he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Shortly after, Uncle Forrest arrived.

His curiosity got the better of him, so he quietly eavesdropped on their conversation. He hadn’t expected to hear much, but what he did hear gave him the shock of his life.

’Uncle Forrest... had actually gotten a match!’

After all, he’d never attended a matching banquet in all these years. Not only had he attended this time, but he’d also successfully been matched.

’Who in the world could possibly be a match for Uncle Forrest!’

Shawn Thorne simply couldn’t contain his curiosity.

Cillian Forrest had always been his favorite person. The last time he’d wanted to find Cillian, he had even snuck away to Karath, though he was eventually sent back.

So now that he’d heard such news, how could he possibly not go take a look?

And so, when that bunch of old fossils from The Council of Elders wasn’t looking, he slipped away again.

After all, when it came to sneaking out, Shawn Thorne was quite experienced.

At first, he went to Uncle Forrest’s large estate, but the man wasn’t there. Then he remembered that when Uncle Forrest was at the military district, he always stayed at another residence, which is how he ended up here.

He even deliberately chose a time when Cillian Forrest would be away, afraid he’d be bundled up and sent back before he could even meet her. Sure enough, she was right here.

The moment he saw Sophie Wexler, Shawn Thorne’s eyes lit up. She was just as beautiful as he had imagined.

And that was how Shawn Thorne had swaggered right into Cillian Forrest’s home.

He looked at the person before him with a grave and serious expression, maintaining his dignity as the Little Prince of The Empire.

Little did he know, this little act of his was just about the cutest thing Sophie Wexler had ever seen.

Sophie Wexler propped her chin on her hands and looked at him. "Little one, what’s your name?"

"Why are you here all by yourself? Where are your parents?"

At her words, Shawn Thorne seemed to instantly deflate. His expression turned serious as he said with great solemnity, "This Prin... I, I’m not a child."

It was a slip of the tongue; he’d almost let the words "This Prince" escape.

He was here to assess Uncle Forrest’s matched partner; he couldn’t expose his identity.

When he saw the woman’s smiling eyes, he knew she didn’t believe him. Shawn Thorne repeated once more, seriously, "I am not a child."

Seeing how serious the boy was, Sophie could only offer a placating smile. "Alright, alright. You’re not a child. I get it."

Shawn Thorne: "..."

’Could you possibly sound any more insincere?’

Sophie treated him exactly like a child she was humoring. "Are you here to see Cillian Forrest?"

Shawn Thorne shook his head. "I’m looking for you."

Sophie was taken aback. "?? Me?"

’I don’t remember ever meeting this kid.’

"Why are you looking for me?" Sophie asked, her curiosity piqued.

At her question, Shawn simply looked at her without a word. He hadn’t thought of an excuse, and he couldn’t very well say he was here to assess Uncle Forrest’s partner, so he decided to say nothing at all.

"I’m just here to find you," Shawn Thorne said, his expression serious. "Don’t ask about anything else."

Sophie let out a snort of laughter.

’If this were in a novel from Aethel, wouldn’t that be a classic line from a domineering CEO?’

’But looking at this kid... I have to admit, he really does look the part.’

’Although I’ve never seen clothes like his before, I can tell they’re anything but ordinary. The intricate patterns and designs, plus that inherent noble air about him...’

’Even though I keep calling him a kid, that kind of aura clearly isn’t something an ordinary person would have. Maybe he really is a little domineering CEO in the making.’

"Alright, alright, I won’t ask." After a pause, Sophie added with a grin, "Little one."

At her words, Shawn Thorne bristled again.

Sophie was successfully amused. Looking at his pouting face, she reached out and poked his puffed-up cheek. "You’re just a little guy, why act so serious? You’re much cuter this way."

Called "cute" yet again, Shawn Thorne’s golden eyes almost turned red with anger.

However, in the next second, it wasn’t his eyes that were about to turn red.

A loud "GROWL" suddenly echoed through the room.

The next second, Shawn Thorne’s face was a mask of embarrassment. He turned beet red on the spot.

He wished he could just disappear from in front of Sophie Wexler right then and there.

’A moment ago, I could still argue about being called a kid. But now my stomach growled from hunger right in front of her! This is so humiliating!’

Sophie looked at the boy’s beet-red face and mortified expression and decided not to tease him anymore. ’Kids are sensitive,’ she thought. ’Better let him save some face.’

"Wait here." With that, Sophie got up and headed to the kitchen.

Luckily, she hadn’t finished her lunch and had set a portion aside, originally intending to save it for Cillian Forrest.

He had said he wouldn’t be back for lunch, but you never know.

But there was no need for "just in case" now. She could give it to the boy to eat.

She even had some ingredients handy, so Sophie quickly stir-fried an extra dish.

Meanwhile, Shawn Thorne was mired in embarrassment, biting his lip and glaring down at his traitorous stomach, his eyes full of regret.

’Who told it to make a noise? I’m the dignified Little Prince of The Empire! Don’t I have a reputation to maintain?’

Shawn was in the middle of lecturing his stomach when, a second later, he caught a scent of something and his head snapped up.

He then saw Sophie carrying out some food he had never seen before.

Sophie placed the dishes on the table. "Go on, eat."

Shawn Thorne stared at the food before him, not moving.

Sophie figured he was just being shy, so she pushed the food a little closer to him. "This is sweet and crispy pork ribs, this is minced pork with diced potatoes, and this is fish-fragrant shredded pork."

"For soup, we have a fresh shrimp and tofu soup. Those were the only ingredients I had left." She looked at him. "It’s something new I’m trying. Help me taste-test it and see if it’s any good."

The expression on Shawn Thorne’s face softened. He could smell a wonderful aroma.

He had been so focused on finding Cillian Forrest’s matched partner today that he hadn’t even had his nutrient liquid. Now, smelling the aroma of a home-cooked meal, how could he possibly resist?

He took the chopsticks Sophie handed him, his little face a picture of seriousness. "In that case, I will help you taste-test it."

Sophie smiled and nodded. "Great."